I want to Keep filming-Use What? at DVinfo.net

David Rice · April 8th, 2010, 08:39 PM

I want to keep filming nature and wildlife here at my home in Sitka Alaska. For the past 9 months I have been without a camcorder. Due to my very low income and lack of resources, I only have around $2,000 to spend for a camcorder.

Should I try to replace my XH-A1 with a used XH-A1/A1s, or spend my resources on one of the newer pro-consumer models? I love the 20x lens, but I'm also interested in going tapeless to save money. I'm also intrigued about shooting 60p.

Any suggestions?

Dave Rice
Sitka Alaska Video

Peter Rhalter · April 9th, 2010, 10:00 AM

Take a look at the new Fuji Finepix HS10 / HS11. It has a fixed 30X zoom lens equivalent to 24 - 720mm on a 35mm camera and records 1080p. Price is around $550. Weight is only 636 grams. It's also tapeless. I haven't seen a test report but it definitely has potential as a low cost/lightweight camera/camcorder for wildlife.

FinePix HS10 / HS11 | Fujifilm Global

Peter
www,parkfilms.com

David Rice · April 9th, 2010, 10:47 AM

The Fuji is a little lame on video:
1,920 x 1,080 pixels (Full HD)

I'm looking now at the Panasonic HDC-HS700
Video: 1080 / 60p (28Mbps)
Stills: 14.2 megapixels (4608 x 3072)

and can add a Canon Teleconverter lens and still be under budget.

I'm a little worried about picking up a "used" A1s. I have not had good luck buying used equipment in the past.

May be it's time to go tapeless, and the 60p would be fun for birds in flight, or whales jumping.

Peter Rhalter · April 9th, 2010, 11:08 AM

I'm not sure I understand how the Panasonic's video is any better than the Fuji. According to a comment I read the HDC-HS700 uses a bit rate of only 17mbps for 30p. At 60p it will use up media a lot faster. Also, make sure your editing software supports 60p. For wildlife the Panny is limited by a 12X optical zoom whereas I think the 30X Fujinon is the best feature of the Fuji. Anyway, good luck with whatever you choose.

Peter
Grand Canyon, Death Valley, Desert Wildflowers - Guides, DVDs and More

David Rice · April 9th, 2010, 12:23 PM

The Fuji uses Motion JPEG (M-JPEG) for video. A informal name for a class of video formats where each video frame or interlaced field of a digital video sequence is separately compressed as a JPEG image. Originally developed for multimedia PC applications, where more advanced formats have now replaced it.

Bill Thesken · April 9th, 2010, 03:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by David Rice

The Fuji is a little lame on video:
1,920 x 1,080 pixels (Full HD)

I'm looking now at the Panasonic HDC-HS700
Video: 1080 / 60p (28Mbps)
Stills: 14.2 megapixels (4608 x 3072)

and can add a Canon Teleconverter lens and still be under budget.

I'm a little worried about picking up a "used" A1s. I have not had good luck buying used equipment in the past.

May be it's time to go tapeless, and the 60p would be fun for birds in flight, or whales jumping.

That's a nice camera. Full HD and 60p.
$1,399.95 at BH Photo

April 8th, 2010, 08:39 PM	#1
David Rice Major Player Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Sitka Alaska Posts: 470	I want to Keep filming-Use What? I want to keep filming nature and wildlife here at my home in Sitka Alaska. For the past 9 months I have been without a camcorder. Due to my very low income and lack of resources, I only have around $2,000 to spend for a camcorder. Should I try to replace my XH-A1 with a used XH-A1/A1s, or spend my resources on one of the newer pro-consumer models? I love the 20x lens, but I'm also interested in going tapeless to save money. I'm also intrigued about shooting 60p. Any suggestions? Dave Rice Sitka Alaska Video

April 9th, 2010, 10:00 AM	#2
Peter Rhalter Regular Crew Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 192	Take a look at the new Fuji Finepix HS10 / HS11. It has a fixed 30X zoom lens equivalent to 24 - 720mm on a 35mm camera and records 1080p. Price is around $550. Weight is only 636 grams. It's also tapeless. I haven't seen a test report but it definitely has potential as a low cost/lightweight camera/camcorder for wildlife. FinePix HS10 / HS11 \| Fujifilm Global Peter www,parkfilms.com

April 9th, 2010, 10:47 AM	#3
David Rice Major Player Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Sitka Alaska Posts: 470	The Fuji is a little lame on video: 1,920 x 1,080 pixels (Full HD) I'm looking now at the Panasonic HDC-HS700 Video: 1080 / 60p (28Mbps) Stills: 14.2 megapixels (4608 x 3072) and can add a Canon Teleconverter lens and still be under budget. I'm a little worried about picking up a "used" A1s. I have not had good luck buying used equipment in the past. May be it's time to go tapeless, and the 60p would be fun for birds in flight, or whales jumping.

April 9th, 2010, 11:08 AM	#4
Peter Rhalter Regular Crew Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 192	I'm not sure I understand how the Panasonic's video is any better than the Fuji. According to a comment I read the HDC-HS700 uses a bit rate of only 17mbps for 30p. At 60p it will use up media a lot faster. Also, make sure your editing software supports 60p. For wildlife the Panny is limited by a 12X optical zoom whereas I think the 30X Fujinon is the best feature of the Fuji. Anyway, good luck with whatever you choose. Peter Grand Canyon, Death Valley, Desert Wildflowers - Guides, DVDs and More

April 9th, 2010, 12:23 PM	#5
David Rice Major Player Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Sitka Alaska Posts: 470	The Fuji uses Motion JPEG (M-JPEG) for video. A informal name for a class of video formats where each video frame or interlaced field of a digital video sequence is separately compressed as a JPEG image. Originally developed for multimedia PC applications, where more advanced formats have now replaced it.