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Post by Oggy on Feb 13, 2012 22:33:20 GMT
Ive been looking at getting a new cam but I'm getting a little confused so was hopping some of you will be able to help me out Im looking for a cam that has good video capabilities and from what i have read DSLR is the way to go. The prob with DSLR for me is the size (for biking duties) and i probably wouldn't use all the features as i don't want to get to in-depth with things. Everyone keeps recommending the cannon 550d but its a full size dslr and probably a bit ott for myself. Arnie has mentioned to me about the range of compact system cams on the market and after looking in to them one of them would probably suit me far better. Does anyone use one and have any recommendations? Something that allows a high fps in vid mode would be handy for slow mo and something that gives far more manual control than a normal compact would be good. The fella in jessops was recommending a lumix g3 to me but if I'm honest he baffled me with science and left me with a headache. The Lumix gh2 looks like the boy for video but the price tag is way above my budget any ideas people? I don't want to spend the earth on an over complex bit of kit that will be beyond me (all the gear no idea) but i do want something that when used right will give slr quality pics with excellent video creativity without being limited in the manual control features.
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Post by dyls on Feb 13, 2012 22:47:15 GMT
The picture quality on panasonics is very good - tbh I was surprised with mine so would deffo recommend a panasonic. Mine is a year or so old so no point recommending that really as newer models are out.
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garnish
Have-a-go Hero
Get a bicycle. You will not regret it if you live. ~Mark Twain, "Taming the Bicycle"
Posts: 145
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Post by garnish on Feb 13, 2012 23:02:10 GMT
I use the tz10 lumix. I use it as a point and shoot.it has what's called intelligent auto which can tell what your looking at ie people landscape ect .It takes really good clear pictures. it has all the options for using it manually. But it will take me a long time of practicing to get anywhere near the standard that IA produces.Time I don't have. Decent hd vid too.
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garnish
Have-a-go Hero
Get a bicycle. You will not regret it if you live. ~Mark Twain, "Taming the Bicycle"
Posts: 145
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Post by garnish on Feb 13, 2012 23:03:59 GMT
Sorry it's the tz8 I've got.
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Post by Rupert on Feb 14, 2012 20:24:03 GMT
We have one of these www.sony.co.uk/hub/nex-compact-camera-system/range/nex-5with zoom lens and pancake lens. It's a great camera and takes really nice high resolution pics, but we only took it biking once and it was a pain in the backside because it's too posh to put in a pocket or on the outside of a pack, so you have to put it away after every shot and you end up missing all the action. Also still a bit bulky if you have it in a proper case and have the zoom lens fitted, so even in my "everything but the kitchen sink" cycling pack it barely fitted. We only ever use it for non-biking stuff now. It takes very nice, high resolution stills, but we haven't really used it for video at all. The compact system cameras are probably fine if you're staying put and sessioning something for a video, but if you take a lot of pics on the move then I couldn't really recommend this kind of camera for biking.
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Post by Russ on Feb 14, 2012 22:30:47 GMT
Got a compact DSLR the Panasonic GF3 similar size to the Sony Nex, pretty small with a prime lens but a bit too big to be carrying about in a backpack when fitted with a zoom. Whole DSLR thing is a right minefield so much to learn.
For out and about I use a Pansonic Lumix TZ20, had a TZ65 loved it but killed it in the end (hard use) The TZ series have a really good optical zoom which is another good plus.
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samcsd
Have-a-go Hero
Posts: 114
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Post by samcsd on Feb 15, 2012 10:07:11 GMT
If you were willing to sacrifice zoom capabilities the GoPro with the LED 'bacpac' screen would be good. I've only used the HD Hero which I've found pretty good and the HD Hero 2 is only meant to be better. The plus side for me was that it would take the knocks on mtb and and it's water proof so I could take it diving (you do need a flat lens for underwater clarity however). On standard compacts I've used a few of the Nikon coolpix series and they take good pics but like pretty much anything that isn't SLR it'll struggle with fast moving targets, particularly in lower light. Edit - the gopro website - gopro.com/
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Post by Arnie on Feb 15, 2012 14:54:57 GMT
Csc's are the same as anything in the sense that if you want good quality, you're gonna have to part with the money. Have you considered eBay and going down the 2nd hand route Oggs? It's probably your best bet if you don't wanna break the bank. You can pick up a cheap dslr anywhere cos they've been around a while and the 2nd hand market is saturated with lower spec dslr's as newer and better counterparts come along. Csc's are much newer and have been slower to catch on, hence there aren't as many 2nd hand ones for sale. But its still worth a look. You won't go wrong with a Sony or a Panasonic (Lumix). You'll get awesome quality results from both brands. Pentax have their own too but can't vouch for its suitability.
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Post by Oggy on Feb 15, 2012 19:31:10 GMT
Cheers for the comments Guys, i already have a compact TZ lumix but I'm after something a bit more substantial with multiple lens options etc. The CS cams seem like just the ticket as they are that bit smaller than DSLR's for taking on the odd ride. One of the main features I'm looking for is good manual control over video but its seems like the only one with this is the lumix GH2 which is pretty pricey. 550d's are what everyone is recommending for filming but again that is a full size DSLR. Arnie your right about the second hand market in CS cams being limited compared with DSLRs and they are holding there price well. There are a lot of good CS cams for taking stills at very reasonable prices (I've been mainly looking at lumixs) but non of them have great video options until you reach GH2 level Not gona rush in to anything, so ill keep geeking for a while longer
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Post by Russ on Feb 15, 2012 20:52:29 GMT
This month's What Digital Camera had an article on buying a bargain, basically there are quite a few places that specialise in part ex's and giving them a service and selling them at reasonable prices. Park Cameras - I've got a decent lense of these at a good price, quick delivery too Warehouseexpress.com Cameraworld.co.uk
Panasonic have just launched the GX1 so bound to be people part-ex'ing their older G series bodies.
Ps..for video if you are using a power zoom lens go with one with a quiet motor as some can intrude on the soundtrack.
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andybz
Have-a-go Hero
Posts: 128
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Post by andybz on Feb 17, 2012 14:58:02 GMT
A mate of mine works for Nikon. His view is that CSC will have completely replaced DSLR within a few years, except for the most serious photographers.
I've been looking at them for a while. I have not yet taken the plunge because models keep changing and so do prices. I actually think the manufacturers are playing a few games at the moment. New models come out that improve one feature but then take something away. I am sure there is no technical reason for some of this, they just want us to buy now and then buy the upgrade sometime soon.
The main question you need to ask is whether you want a view finder. These add to the size of the body. Some have the option to clip one on, which seems like a perfect solution to me but there are not so many at the moment. The other issue is then lens availability and price, which is one area where Sony seems to be struggling with at present.
One last thing to be aware of is that the manufacturers were badly affected by the Japanese Tsunami. This seriously affected supply for a while, and it may have only recently been sorted.
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andybz
Have-a-go Hero
Posts: 128
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Post by andybz on Apr 16, 2012 13:13:00 GMT
I noticed a good offer from Jessops for the Panasonic GF3. Twin lens for £330 (after cashback) and went for it. Available at the moment at www.jessops.com/online.store/products/81682/show.htmlI used it last week for family shots etc. It really is easy to use on auto, whilst still having everything available on manual if you want. I've been impressed so far (although I have to add I don't know much about cameras). I took my son to Coed y Brenin yesterday and had a play with the camera. Used the compact 14mm 'pancake' lens. See below. The blurred background on the next one was intentional!
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Post by Russ on Apr 16, 2012 19:23:50 GMT
There's some good deals to be had on the GF3 now that the GF5 has just come out. I've got a GF3 with a 20mm lens and it really is a compact device, being able to use the touch screen for focus is ace.
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Post by Arnie on Apr 21, 2012 17:03:27 GMT
Mmm nice hip flask! Superb quality pictures too
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