2011/12 Video Camera Research -Post Camera Suggestions Here

[Predator 1]

Alright video nuts, and fellow camtrappers...Heres where you can get a chance to suggest video cameras to test. Reply to this thread with:

Camera Manufacturer
Model number
and why you think it might be a good candidate

There will be a separate thread for Still Cameras

[co_bowhunter]

Sony HDR-CX150
This camcorder has fantastic battery life, takes great HD video, does a pretty good job in low light, and records to a standard SD card.
The challenge is this camcorder does not have a LANC connection but requires a LANC to AV/R cable from:

http://www.studio1productions.com/lanc-sa.htm

I would also have to be hacked to use an external microphone as it doesn't have a jack.

You can pick up these camcorders for about $250 on Ebay.

[egbertdavis]

The new Kodak ZX5 is much faster than the ZX3. Only question is whether or not it will slow down like the ZI8 does when it is using larger cards.

DXG and I are discussing a 3d camera they have, which would be cool, but I suspect a real pain in the derrier to do an IR hack on.

[Predator 1]

Heres the 2 Video suggestions we have thus far:

Sony HDRCX 150


Kodak ZX5

[Predator 1]

Hey guys! does anyone have some more video camera suggestions? I think we'll do one as a reasreach cam pretty soon, so get think'n!

[co_bowhunter]

I'm going to suggest the Sony HDR-HC9 because of my successful experience with the Sony HC40, a standard definition camcorder.
The HC9 is an HD camcorder that records to a miniDV tape. Before you throw it out based on a MiniDV tape platform, let me share why
I'm including this camcorder.

1. Stunning HD Video (that's obvious)
2. I'm guessing it will have much better battery life than the Sony HRD-XR550v HD camcorder I'm using now that records to an SD card. That doesn't make any sense to me but the battery life with my HC40 is light years beyond this HD camcorder. If you want HD
footage I believe you'll be happier with the HC9. I use an express card with my laptop to convert the MiniDV tape to MP4, avi, or wmv.
3. The LANC connection that comes standard with the HC9 is trouble free compared to the XR550v. It always works.

Based on my experience so far, I believe the HC9 trumps most other HD solutions.

[pdskal]

GoPro Video Cams
GoPro HD 960
$119-$149 range

http://gopro.com/cameras/hd-hero-960-camera/

I definitely am a rookie to the video world, so I don't know if these cams have been evaluated in the past, but they have always intrigued me. Price has come down since the hero2 hd came out. Small hackable cam, capable of seeing IR light with a threaded lens swap. Should be able to narrow the field of view with a different lens to eliminate fisheye. Quick start-up to video with one touch power-on video-on mode. Hackable internal mic if needed. Should be able to run with an external power source. SDHC removable memory.

[Predator 1]

GoPro Video Cams
GoPro HD 960
$119-$149 range

http://gopro.com/cameras/hd-hero-960-camera/

I definitely am a rookie to the video world, so I don't know if these cams have been evaluated in the past, but they have always intrigued me. Price has come down since the hero2 hd came out. Small hackable cam, capable of seeing IR light with a threaded lens swap. Should be able to narrow the field of view with a different lens to eliminate fisheye. Quick start-up to video with one touch power-on video-on mode. Hackable internal mic if needed. Should be able to run with an external power source. SDHC removable memory.

Thats a great suggestion! I love my GoPro...the quality of the video is amazing for such a tiny little camera...and it has other options other than just video!

Anyway...I'd like to open up voting on the video cams soon...so if there's any other suggestions, get em in!

Pred

[egbertdavis]

I've got a DXG 5G2 3D camera they sent me to play with - for free no less, but I would like to play with one of the gopro cameras.

[Predator 1]

I've got a DXG 5G2 3D camera they sent me to play with - for free no less, but I would like to play with one of the gopro cameras.

Cool keep us posted on that one...I hope to start the polls for video cam voting by tomorrow.

Pred