Non-motoring > pocket(?) camcorder suggestions	Miscellaneous
Thread Author: Focusless	Replies: 37

New Wed 30 Nov 11 21:57   pocket(?) camcorder suggestions - Focusless

Want to do some filming tomorrow (son's Xmas concert which Mrs F is going to miss), and rather than use the cheap digital stills camera in (non-HD) movie mode was looking at cheap-ish camcorder alternatives. Would have to be an in-store purchase - Comet, PC World, or Argos. (I would have used the stills camera but the possibility of purchasing a camcorder was discussed at home recently.) Looking at the pocket HD type, there are some good web reviews for the Kodak Playsport Zx5 which is £90 from Argos eg. www.trustedreviews.com/kodak-playsport-zx5_Camcorder_review www.youtube.com/watch?v=bRJNtEp0JXQ However, I think it would be nice to have an optical zoom, which the pocket camcorders don't have (at least in the £100-ish price range). Argos also do the Toshiba Camileo A35 for £120, which does have a 5x optical zoom: www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/5635470/Trail/searchtext%3EA35.htm But I can't find much in the way of reviews for that one, apart from the Argos ones, which are good but include ones from people who admit to not actually using it... Any comments/suggestions? The stills camera is still a viable option. Reply to this message | Report message

New Wed 30 Nov 11 22:26   pocket(?) camcorder suggestions - Focusless

I should have said that we just want to take the equivalent of 'holiday snaps' - don't need lots of fancy features. Do need decent indoor performance. The pocket format is probably ideal, but like I said, I might be prepared to sacrifice pocketability for an optical zoom, unless those with experience of these things suggest it's not worth it. Reply to this message | Report message

New Wed 30 Nov 11 22:35   pocket(?) camcorder suggestions - Zero

Optical zooms over digital zooms are always worth it. Check out Amazon for reviews of the Tosh. Reply to this message | Report message

New Wed 30 Nov 11 22:37   pocket(?) camcorder suggestions - Zero

Except for some reason Amazon do not seem to sell it. !!! Reply to this message | Report message

New Wed 30 Nov 11 22:37   pocket(?) camcorder suggestions - Focusless

>> Check out Amazon for reviews of the Tosh. Can't see one...? EDIT: snap Last edited by: Focus on Wed 30 Nov 11 at 22:37 Reply to this message | Report message

New Wed 30 Nov 11 23:09   pocket(?) camcorder suggestions - Focusless

Mrs F, holder of the purse strings, has just got in and said the stills camera will have to do for the moment :( But comments still welcome - we'll be getting one sooner rather than later hopefully. Reply to this message | Report message

New Wed 30 Nov 11 23:12   pocket(?) camcorder suggestions - Zero

Well you played that one pretty badly!! Reply to this message | Report message

New Wed 30 Nov 11 23:17   pocket(?) camcorder suggestions - R.P.

Very badly.....shakes head...... Reply to this message | Report message

New Wed 30 Nov 11 23:21   pocket(?) camcorder suggestions - Focusless

Well, yes and no - no new camera, but no rollicking when she sees new unapproved gadget :) Reply to this message | Report message

New Wed 30 Nov 11 23:24   pocket(?) camcorder suggestions - R.P.

I suppose that makes sense ! Reply to this message | Report message

New Wed 30 Nov 11 23:28   pocket(?) camcorder suggestions - Zero

Cop Out! Reply to this message | Report message

New Thu 1 Dec 11 05:59   pocket(?) camcorder suggestions - swiss tony

What are you Man or Mouse? Squeak up! Reply to this message | Report message

New Thu 1 Dec 11 08:36   pocket(?) camcorder suggestions - Iffy

At least you won't now be arrested for filming other children. Reply to this message | Report message

New Thu 1 Dec 11 08:52   pocket(?) camcorder suggestions - Fenlander

I'd go for a digital still camera with full HD movie for around £150. Much more versatile in one package. Reply to this message | Report message

New Thu 1 Dec 11 08:58   pocket(?) camcorder suggestions - Focusless

>> I'd go for a digital still camera with full HD movie for around £150. Much >> more versatile in one package. More versatile (and expensive!) yes, but I think I would find the portability of a pocket camcorder more useful given what we intend using it for. Reply to this message | Report message

New Thu 1 Dec 11 09:00   pocket(?) camcorder suggestions - Iffy

For tonight, speak nicely to another dad - or mum - and either borrow their camera to get some full-on footage of Focus Minor, or ask them to ping their footage to you afterwards. Might be worth taking a blank SD card with you. Reply to this message | Report message

New Thu 1 Dec 11 09:12   pocket(?) camcorder suggestions - Focusless

>> For tonight, speak nicely to another dad - or mum Good suggestion, but in fact Mrs F has just texted me from Kettering to say that she won't be living it up in the Travelodge tonight as originally planned (work), and will be back in time for the concert. So immediate problem solved. Reply to this message | Report message

New Thu 1 Dec 11 10:28   pocket(?) camcorder suggestions - Fenlander

>>> I would find the portability of a pocket camcorder more useful given what we intend using it for. I did mean a compact digicam actually... ie would fit into the front pocket of Wranglers... surely the test of portability! Reply to this message | Report message

New Thu 1 Dec 11 11:03   pocket(?) camcorder suggestions - Focusless

>> I did mean a compact digicam actually... ie would fit into the front pocket of >> Wranglers... surely the test of portability! Can you post a link to the sort of thing you have in mind? Reply to this message | Report message

New Thu 1 Dec 11 11:12   pocket(?) camcorder suggestions - Iffy

Flips are cheap and cheerful. Might be cheaper still as they are no longer being made. Some stuff on the site about technical support until 2013, so I wouldn't see one as a risky purchase. www.theflip.com/en-gb/ Reply to this message | Report message

New Thu 1 Dec 11 11:20   pocket(?) camcorder suggestions - Focusless

>> Flips are cheap and cheerful. Yes, I looked at those, but they appear to be about the same sort of price as the Kodak and don't seem to get recommended in reviews (although lots of happy users). Reply to this message | Report message

New Thu 1 Dec 11 12:20   pocket(?) camcorder suggestions - Fenlander

This is what I ended up with after wanting to upgrade from a £100 digicam... HD video requirement being important. www.jessops.com/online.store/products/77308/show.html Review here... www.photographyblog.com/reviews/sony_cybershot_dsc_hx5_review/ Does everything really well straight out of the box, easy point and shoot in all modes (still, sweep panorama and HD video). Movie results are far better than daughters dedicated Panasonic hard drive movie camera (not HD). Reply to this message | Report message

New Thu 1 Dec 11 12:37   pocket(?) camcorder suggestions - Focusless

>> This is what I ended up Thanks, that does look good. Just a couple of things still make me lean towards a pocket (HD) camcorder though: 1. Price - no doubt it's excellent value, but only if you want/need the features that make it more expensive. 2. Taking movies on the the Sony looks like 2 handed operation; I do like the idea of just using one hand. It will be considered when the time comes. Reply to this message | Report message

New Thu 1 Dec 11 12:40   pocket(?) camcorder suggestions - Iffy

You might get a few more ideas by looking around the audience tonight. Reply to this message | Report message

New Thu 1 Dec 11 12:49   pocket(?) camcorder suggestions - Focusless

>> You might get a few more ideas by looking around the audience tonight. You're full of good ideas iffy :) Although as you alluded to earlier I can't remember whether photography is allowed. It's a secondary boys only school though so presumably they're not too bothered. Reply to this message | Report message

New Thu 1 Dec 11 13:17   pocket(?) camcorder suggestions - Fenlander

>>>1. Price - no doubt it's excellent value, but only if you want/need the features that make it more expensive. Well if you are looking at a £120 HD movie camera this Sony gives you a stonking stills camera for only £39 more and being all in one package you always have the right camera with you. >>>2. Taking movies on the the Sony looks like 2 handed operation; I do like the idea of just using one hand. Fair point to a degree. You do really need to steady it with the other hand for a second as you push the rec button and push it again at the end of the movie but it can be used single handed during taking the movie... as I did through the village on the mountain bike earlier this week... the image stabilisation gives a very steady result in such circumstances. Reply to this message | Report message

New Thu 1 Dec 11 13:29   pocket(?) camcorder suggestions - Focusless

>> >>>1. Price - no doubt it's excellent value, but only if you want/need the features >> that make it more expensive. >> >> Well if you are looking at a £120 HD movie camera True, although I think I've talked myself into the £90 Kodak now, hypothetically anyway. Reply to this message | Report message

New Thu 1 Dec 11 13:31   pocket(?) camcorder suggestions - Fenlander

>>>True, although I think I've talked myself into the £90 Kodak now, hypothetically anyway. OK... I tried. In truth the permutations and choices with overlaping ability electronic devices these days is bewildering. Reply to this message | Report message

New Thu 1 Dec 11 13:31   pocket(?) camcorder suggestions - R.P.

Let us know if you get one. My friend has a Toshiba branded one, keep meaning to ask him if it's any good, but I'm not sure if his wife knows ! Reply to this message | Report message

New Thu 1 Dec 11 13:18   pocket(?) camcorder suggestions - Iffy

...You're full of good ideas iffy :)... And what an interesting conversationalist you'll make in the foyer afterwards: "Hello, Tom's dad, isn't it? How do find your Canon Okey-Cokey 2000? "Is it superior to the Sony PX Gobbledygook? "I work in computers, you know...." Last edited by: Iffy on Thu 1 Dec 11 at 13:18 Reply to this message | Report message

New Thu 22 Dec 11 07:59   pocket(?) camcorder suggestions - Focusless

Pocket camcorder with 3x optical zoom on Amazon for £75, and not bad according to the review on youtube: www.amazon.co.uk/VPC-PD1-POCKET-CAMCORDER-DIGITAL-OPTICAL/dp/B0041OIKGW www.youtube.com/watch?v=WJMTzfF6Ej8 Not officially sold in the UK apparently, which is odd given that the zoom makes it unique AFAIK. Last edited by: Focus on Thu 22 Dec 11 at 08:00 Reply to this message | Report message

New Thu 22 Dec 11 08:05   pocket(?) camcorder suggestions - Focusless

>> Pocket camcorder with 3x optical zoom (and it's full HD) Reply to this message | Report message

New Thu 22 Dec 11 08:22   pocket(?) camcorder suggestions - Zero

Freelander gave it a right pasting www.amazon.co.uk/product-reviews/B0041OIKGW/ref=dp_top_cm_cr_acr_txt?ie=UTF8&showViewpoints=1 Reply to this message | Report message

New Thu 22 Dec 11 08:36   pocket(?) camcorder suggestions - Focusless

>> Freelander gave it a right pasting Yeah, I saw that, but that's typical for most products on Amazon isn't it - even highly rated products usually have a few one star reviews. Looking at the footage in the youtube review it looks pretty good at full screen/720 on my laptop. EDIT: footage starts at 3:50 EDIT2: even makes Manchester look good :) Last edited by: Focus on Thu 22 Dec 11 at 08:38 Reply to this message | Report message

New Thu 22 Dec 11 08:50   pocket(?) camcorder suggestions - Zero

DOH! Joke lost! It was Fenlander!!!!! Reply to this message | Report message

New Thu 22 Dec 11 08:52   pocket(?) camcorder suggestions - Iffy

...It was Fenlander!!!!!... Can't have been, there's not 500 words about the camera's rendition of bricks. Reply to this message | Report message

New Thu 22 Dec 11 09:04   pocket(?) camcorder suggestions - Focusless

>> It was Fenlander!!!!! Nope, wasted on me I'm afraid :( Reply to this message | Report message

New Thu 22 Dec 11 08:56   pocket(?) camcorder suggestions - Focusless

However, as it's highly unlikely we'll be getting such a gadget in the near future I'm going to dig out our old DAT tape camcorder (not that old actually) and see if it's still in working order. I've got a firewire interface card somewhere I bought for transferring the tapes to the PC as well. Reply to this message | Report message