HD camcorders have less zoom then SD camcorders?

Q. ive realized that most HD camcorders have less optical / digital zoom then SD camcorders, why is this?

A. The camcorder lens is one of the more expensive systems on the camcorder... good glass is expensive (and very important when shooting in high definition... perhaps not so important when shooting in standard definition). To keep the costs in line, this is one place that can be compromised.

Personally, when I need it, I just add a 2x tele lens to my Sony HDR-HC1 - it is pretty heavy, though. Since it is impossible for a human to hold steady zoomed in at 20x, 30x or more, for any long period of time, (greater than 10 seconds), it really does not matter - unless you are using a tripod, in which case, the tele-lens works great... or, if you are into really shaky video, I guess it is OK.

If you want to take good video, use the zoom as little as possible and just get the camcorder closer to the subject... but if you must be far away where 30x zoom or more is absolutely required, but sure to use some sort of stabilizing device - like a tripod or mount the camera to something really solid.

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Digital still camera v Camcorder zoom?

Q. Would the zoom capability of a Digital still camera with 4X Zoom and a camcorder with 40X zoom be comparable? Does the said camcorder zoom 10 times further than the still camera?
Thanks.

A. There are fundemental differences between the zoom found on still photography camera and the classical video camera. For stills, the zooms works as a quick adjustment to aid in composing a shot or setting focus. Both the zoom and focus is set prior to the picture being taken. In fact many still cameras lock out the zoom function once a video has been started. For a video camera, the zoom is controlled by a smooth and slow servo. The video camera allows both zoom and focus to change while shooting. There are some really cheap "video" cameras that have a fixed lens, and the "zoom" is just an electronic blow up of the center portion of the picture. This is not comparable to the quality of optical zoom.

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Camcorder - optical zoom?

Q. I have searched Google but I would still like someone to confirm that the bigger the optical zoom the better, i.e. 40x optical zoom is better than 10x optical zoom.
I was out with my parents today looking at camcorders and the Sony staff member told us that the less the better. Actually, what I think he said was the less optical zoom the better the quality. (Maybe all three of us heard him wrong and he was talking about digital zoom) Does having, say, a 25x rather than a 40x have any advantage in any way?

So, optical zoom is better... the bigger the number? The DCR-SR35E costs �399, has 30 GB, 40x optical zoom. The DCR-SR75E costs �599, has 60 GB, 25x optical zoom. The still pictures have a difference of 200,000 pixels. I'm just wondering why the more expensive one has an inferior optical zoom.

A. Looks like you are having fun out there :)

DCR-SR75E with the 25x optical zoom is the winning choice, due to its lens system.

Do not be tempted by the lower price and the 40x zoom on the other one. Being honest, you will never need the 40x zoom - and when you Do zoom @ 40x, I doubt it will be anything satisfactory.

In real life conditions, we hardly zoom over 3x for landscape and 8x for portraiture.

If your budget is right, go there again with your parents and get the DCR-SR75E !

p.s - you should also try out a few Canon camcorders if they are available there :)

Original Question

camcorders: what is dynamic zoom?

Q. Also, I've heard of optical and digital image stabilization, but what is electronic image stabilization?

What is advanced image stabilization then?
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ok two more questions:
Is it important for a camcorder to take SD cards?
Also, is HD much better than SD? Does HD perform better under low light?
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I'm buying a camcorder, can you tell? ;)
is dynamic or optical better?

A. EIS works reasonably well with high megapixel CCDs. EIS reduces the availble resolution so it helps to start with more pixels than needed. OIS uses optics to correct vibration so the full resolution of the CCD is not affected. There are times when stabilization is not desirable so it is best if either can be selected when needed. OIS not only keeps resolution, but unlike EIS it also eliminates motion blur. EIS will have blur at slower shutter settings. EIS is used mostly for video where some motion blur is tolorable and recorded pixels are much less than commonly used for still photography.

For still photography, optical zoom is best. For video, its a mixed bag. Now that megapixel CCDs are used in some cameras, 4x or 5x digital zoom can be used with little recorded resolution loss. Cameras cannot employ digital zoom and EIS at the same time. For a pocket camera, like the Flip or Kodak Zi8, the lens is fixed so there is no optical zoom, but the digital zoom compensates. When the zoom is less than 6x, stabilazation is not needed, so the loss of EIS capability is not a problem with these.

Low light performance is a function of CCD megapixels rather than SD or HD recording per se. Less pixels will get more light energy from the lens, so its a case of less is more. HD cameras, especially HD camera with megapixal CCDs have poor low light capability. Another situation is high megapixel CCDs have to be interpolated to produce a video picture. So a correctly sized (aka native resolution) CCD array (680k for SD, 3 MP for HD) will produce a shaper resolution picture than an over-sized megapixel CCD imager.

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Canon HG10 HD HDD Camcorder, good zoom?

Q. I am looking at getting the Canon HG10 Camcorder in order to film some amateur theatre productions with my college.

Will the 10x optical zoom on this camera be enough to film from the back of a medium sized theatre and still maintain picture quality to the highest standard?

I want a Hard Drive camera for sure and also an old fashioned viewfinder.

Here is the spec on the Canon HG10, and information or suggestions for different cameras is greatly appreciated:

http://www.canon.co.uk/for_home/product_finder/camcorders/high_definition_hd/HG10/index.asp?specs=1

Thanks in advance for any help.

A. yes it has good zoom

Original Question

why expensive camcorder have less optical zoom?

Q.

A. High end camcorders usually have replaceable lenses, just like an SLR camera has replaceable lenses. The lenses that the include typically prefer quality over zoom length. They are made of better glass, and result in better color clarity and quality. Also, less expensive camcorders typically have a very short focal length, with little to no control over manual focus. These features are very important on higher end camcorders. Anyhow, I find that people rely on zoom lenses way to much, and rarely find a long zoom necessary.

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Canon HG10 HD HDD Camcorder, good zoom?

Q. I am looking at getting the Canon HG10 Camcorder in order to film some amateur theatre productions with my college.

Will the 10x optical zoom on this camera be enough to film from the back of a medium sized theatre and still maintain picture quality to the highest standard?

I want a Hard Drive camera for sure and also an old fashioned viewfinder.

Here is the spec on the Canon HG10, and information or suggestions for different cameras is greatly appreciated:

http://www.canon.co.uk/for_home/product_finder/camcorders/high_definition_hd/HG10/index.asp?specs=1

Thanks in advance for any help.

A. yes it has good zoom

Original Question

why expensive camcorder have less optical zoom?

Q.

A. High end camcorders usually have replaceable lenses, just like an SLR camera has replaceable lenses. The lenses that the include typically prefer quality over zoom length. They are made of better glass, and result in better color clarity and quality. Also, less expensive camcorders typically have a very short focal length, with little to no control over manual focus. These features are very important on higher end camcorders. Anyhow, I find that people rely on zoom lenses way to much, and rarely find a long zoom necessary.

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why expensive camcorder have less optical zoom?

Q.

A. High end camcorders usually have replaceable lenses, just like an SLR camera has replaceable lenses. The lenses that the include typically prefer quality over zoom length. They are made of better glass, and result in better color clarity and quality. Also, less expensive camcorders typically have a very short focal length, with little to no control over manual focus. These features are very important on higher end camcorders. Anyhow, I find that people rely on zoom lenses way to much, and rarely find a long zoom necessary.

Original Question

camcorder?

Q. wats the least amount of money i should pay to buy a good camcorder?.....it doesnt have to be like super hi-tech or anything, but i want the video and image quality to be good. also, wats a good brand of video camera to buy?

A. Personally I like Canon, Sony camcorder. You can try Canon DC210, it is 35X Zoom. I find a review for it,
http://www.letsgodigital.org/en/11928/canon_dc210_camcorder/
A pretty price I can find for it is only $279.
http://dealstudio.com/searchdeals.php?deal_id=69291

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How to interpret the zoom power indicators on a camcorder?

Q. I have a photography background with 35mm film and digital cameras. I am on the market to buy a camcorder and I would like to understand the "reach" of the zoom when it mentions things like "10X optical"? I can easily figure out the reach of, say, a 75-300mm lens in 35mm film cameras. How does the camcorder zoom labels compare to 35mm film camera zooms?

A. It is as simple as it seems.

10x zoom means that at 0% zoom or no zoom, the image is at the same size you can see with the naked eye from the same spot and vantage point as the camcorder, and at 100% zoom or maximum zoom, the same image is now ten times larger than its original size (and part of the image may now be so big it went our of frame or out of view).

If you are talking about focal distance or in your case "focal length", that is a different issue. Most built-in camcorder lenses can focus from macro to infinity. In most cases, you can find an adapter to adapt a 35mm camera lens onto the front of the built-in camcorder lens, and then, focal length and "reach" come into play because your camera lens is based on f-stops. Several professional camcorders (such as the Sony PMW-EX3) also allow the removal of the camcorder's lens and the placement of another lens including those from 35mm cameras to be installed instead for specialized filming situations.

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How do you zoom on the camers of the samsung Glyde?

Q. i cant zoom on the camers but i can zoom on the camcorder. on the camcorder, the zoom icon thingy is just there. but on the camera, theres a circle with a slash goin through it. does that make sense?
thanks for all the help! i really need to ZOOM!

A. The camera doesn't allow you to zoom. It's stupid. But that is a piece of sh!t phone. I hate it.

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Are there any digital cameras and/or camcorders offering optical zoom in video mode?

Q. Hi, anybody knows if there are any digital cameras and/or camcorders offering optical zoom in video mode?

All I've ever had are camcorders and digital cameras that feature only digital zoom when recording video, and the quality of that zooming is lousy; you see the quality difference immediately, when playing back the videos.

If anybody knows, I'd appreciate some suggestions, preferably budget cameras, USB compatible, so I can transfer to my PC.

Thanks a lot in advance for your suggestions.

A. All "real" camcorders have optical zoom and digital zoom.

It sounds like you are using a very low-end flip-like or toy camcorder or a camera that is primarily used for taking stills (and happens to have a "video" feature).

MiniDV tape based camcorders provide the best available video quality - but they use firewire (not USB) to transfer video to your computer. USB is only used for transferring stills from the camcorder's memory card or webstreaming (of the camcorder has either of these features). Adding a firewire port is typically not difficult - and it is pretty cheap.
Canon ZR800, ZR950, Sony DCR-HC52, HC62 and Panasonic PV-GS320 are good, entry-level, examples.

Hard drive and flash based camcorders compress their video a lot, but the quality isn't too bad... Video is transferred using USB. Sony DCR-SR45 and Canon FS10 are examples. They typically cost more than miniDV, but that does not mean the video quality is better - compression of the video information translates into lost data and can result in reduced video quality.

In any case, when you shop for a camcorder, do not use digital zoom as a feature comparison item - because when you bring the camcorder home, your first step is to turn digital zoom off. Use only Optical zoom.

Other things to look for in a good camcorder:
Mic-in jack (optional, but very useful)
Some sort of audio manual control (again, optional, but if you think you might be recording loud audio, like bands, this will be a requirement).

DO NOT BUY A DVD BASED CAMCORDER. Their video is terrible - especially for editing or uploading to the web. The discs are a pain and can be unreliable (resulting in list video).

Original Question

Are there any digital cameras and/or camcorders offering optical zoom in video mode?

Q. Hi, anybody knows if there are any digital cameras and/or camcorders offering optical zoom in video mode?

All I've ever had are camcorders and digital cameras that feature only digital zoom when recording video, and the quality of that zooming is lousy; you see the quality difference immediately, when playing back the videos.

If anybody knows, I'd appreciate some suggestions, preferably budget cameras, USB compatible, so I can transfer to my PC.

Thanks a lot in advance for your suggestions.

A. Of course there are, just not many. Save for cameras with mechanical zoom rings (which obviously can't prevent the user from using the zoom during the video recording, so they allow it), though, most cameras with small optics use zooms electronically operated (with zoom in/out buttons, tipically), and for those, it's much rarer to find zoom-while-recording-enabled ones. The reason usually given by the manufacturer is that the motor drive that extends the zoom makes a noise that would be catched up by the microphone in the audio recording.

The most usual exceptions are cameras using “folded optics” designs (mostly ultra-compact cameras, those with tiny lenses that don't extend outside the body when zooming), because those have somewhat quieter zoom mechanisms. Not all ultra-compact cameras allow video zooming, though: the Casio EX-V and Sony T ones do, while the Fujifilm Z series and Nikon Sxx series don't.


Done with theory, and into practical suggestions:
- The Casio EX-V line (EX-V7 and EX-V8)
- Panasonic TZ1 and TZ5 (but not the TZ2 or TZ3 models); TZ4, I don't know.
- Canon PowerShot S3 IS, S5 IS, TX1
- Sony H3, H5, and most (of not all) of the T series.


If you're in a budget, I'd suggest either the Casio EX-V7 or Panasonic TZ1, or some of the more modest Sony T series.

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What is the difference between 720p and 1080p?

Q. I am trying to get a camcorder with 40x zoom and i can only find one with 720p not my wanted 1080p. so i was wondering what the difference between the 2 are.

A. 1080p is Progressive.
Its the highest resolution available, for transmissions, and no broadcaster has any intentions to transmit a higher definition program for many many years. so its the best resolution you can buy.

That said, games consoles will produce a higher resolution, provided you have a display that will accept this.

Whatever the size of your tv, if you want Full HD, you have to have 1080p

If you wish to record and play it back on Full HD, you will have to buy a 1080p camcorder.

All modern receivers will upscale from 720, but its not the same.

720 is a little higher than half that of 1080p resolution. So the picture quality will be reduced, but it's still pretty good quality. PN, being a 40x zoom, you will notice the quality difference between the two standards. If you want the best, go for a 1080p.

If you don't want a 720p, don't buy one!

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How do i transfer video from my camcorder to my computer?

Q. my camcorder is a Panasonic PV-L559. VHSC, Its outputs are only A/V OUT and a headphone jack. This is a great camcorder with 26 optical zoom and i want to see if i can still use it. Thank you for anyones help
how much does a video card cost
I also have a mac.

A. If you have an analog (VHS-c) camcorder…
You need an analog converter, either internal card or external such as the dazzle. It's very easy to use and come with good software. You would hook your analog VHS-c camera or VCR (with the VCR, you would need an adapter) to the analog converter, the dazzle and then hook the dazzle to your PC. The dazzle cost around 70.00 , but worth the money if you have a lot of VHS-c to tapes to convert.

The problem with converting analog to digital is that you will lose quality.

**Please Note There is no 8mm or Hi 8 to VHS Adapter that currently exsists. This type of VHS Adapter only exsists with VHS-C tape**

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What are some good camcorders from best buy that shoot a short video?

Q. I need a camcorder that can zoom in and zoom out good. I need a camcorder that has video editing software too. The software has to come prepackaged with the camcorder. It has to be from best buy too.

A. Check out this site:
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Resource-Articles/What-Camcorder-Should-I-Buy/pcmcat226300050022.c?id=pcmcat226300050022

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Should I get a camcorder or a digital camera?

Q. My friend needs a "photo-taking device" for a trip she is taking. She's going to be photographing, but may be 300 ft away from them. Should she get a camera with high megapixels and less zoom than a camcorder, or a camcorder with high zoom and less megapixels? She is only allowed to take one?

A. my suggestion
go to yahoo shopping
digital cameras
digital camera GUIDE
be sure to check titles on the left side
the guide should answer your questions

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What is the best mini dv camcorder with optical zoom?

Q. I need a mini dv camcorder with optical zoom, manual focus & exposure adjustments and capable of connecting an external microphone. What is the best model and where can I get it?

A. What is your budget?

Standard definition or high definition?

1/8" (3.5mm) stereo audio in or XLR audio in?

Canon ZR960
Canon HV40
Sony HVR-HD1000U
Canon GL2
Sony HVR-A1U
Panasonic AG-DVX100
Sony HDR-FX7
Sony HDR-FX1000
Canon XL2
Sony HVR-Z5U
Sony HVR-Z1U
Canon XHA1
Canon XHG1
Canon XLH1

There's more, but this is a good start.

Original Question

Are there any digital cameras and/or camcorders offering optical zoom in video mode?

Q. Hi, anybody knows if there are any digital cameras and/or camcorders offering optical zoom in video mode?

All I've ever had are camcorders and digital cameras that feature only digital zoom when recording video, and the quality of that zooming is lousy; you see the quality difference immediately, when playing back the videos.

If anybody knows, I'd appreciate some suggestions, preferably budget cameras, USB compatible, so I can transfer to my PC.

Thanks a lot in advance for your suggestions.

A. All "real" camcorders have optical zoom and digital zoom.

It sounds like you are using a very low-end flip-like or toy camcorder or a camera that is primarily used for taking stills (and happens to have a "video" feature).

MiniDV tape based camcorders provide the best available video quality - but they use firewire (not USB) to transfer video to your computer. USB is only used for transferring stills from the camcorder's memory card or webstreaming (of the camcorder has either of these features). Adding a firewire port is typically not difficult - and it is pretty cheap.
Canon ZR800, ZR950, Sony DCR-HC52, HC62 and Panasonic PV-GS320 are good, entry-level, examples.

Hard drive and flash based camcorders compress their video a lot, but the quality isn't too bad... Video is transferred using USB. Sony DCR-SR45 and Canon FS10 are examples. They typically cost more than miniDV, but that does not mean the video quality is better - compression of the video information translates into lost data and can result in reduced video quality.

In any case, when you shop for a camcorder, do not use digital zoom as a feature comparison item - because when you bring the camcorder home, your first step is to turn digital zoom off. Use only Optical zoom.

Other things to look for in a good camcorder:
Mic-in jack (optional, but very useful)
Some sort of audio manual control (again, optional, but if you think you might be recording loud audio, like bands, this will be a requirement).

DO NOT BUY A DVD BASED CAMCORDER. Their video is terrible - especially for editing or uploading to the web. The discs are a pain and can be unreliable (resulting in list video).

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