Video Cameras good for theme parks, vacations (small in size...light)

[HinunterZuNich]

Hello,

Well I'm now interested in purchasing a video recorder since the current one we have is huge and annoying to lug around the parks. I see more and more people with the small video cameras that can basically fit in your hand and weigh so little and I want one, LOL. I hear good things about Sony, anyone reccomend them or any other company. Any specific models? Lastly if you know any sites that sell online for good prices let me know!

If this is the wrong forum, I apologize in advance. I'm putting it here hoping it's the right place.

Mike

 

[Atta83]

I have a small Sony one and I love it. Its small and compact and I can carry it anywhere.

 

[civileng68]

camcorder

The JVC models are very good right now.

I bought one and love it to death!

Whatever brand you get, make sure it is mini DV and not Hi 8.
Also, spend the extra $ and get the 3.5" LCD screen instead of the smaller one.
Spend the extra $ and get the four hour battery.

 

[Kwit35]

The mini DV's are great for straight viewing. However, if you want to do any editing, it is very difficult to get them into the proper format to do so.

 

[se8472]

I have seen guest walking around with the DVD Cameras. I think if I invest in a new video camera it will be one of them.

 

[WDWScottieBoy]

My girlfriend's sister just bought one of the Sony MiniDV camcorders and I bought a Sony TRV-DCR260 model (I think the letters are right, I know it's the 260 though) and I have no complaints at all. It is the easiest thing I have ever used. Editing the movies are a snap now (thanks Grizz) and playback is awesome while watching it on the camcorder screen. I love the Steadyshot feature it has so that while recording it takes away the shakiness and makes the movie a lot cleaner and sharper. It also has Nightshot Plus which allows you to shoot dark rides without having external lighting on. The camcorder is small enough to carry in the palm of your hand and has everything you could want on it. All I've ever heard about the MiniDV ones are the tapes are too small and easy for them to break and fall out. The one I have has Digital8 tapes. My camcorder is stated to be the best for those new to camcorders as well as perfect for professionals.

So, the Sony DCR260 is the model I highly recommend, I'm glad I didn't buy anything besides it. I hope this helps you!

 

[NemoRocks78]

I have seen guest walking around with the DVD Cameras. I think if I invest in a new video camera it will be one of them.

That's what I did. I bought a Sony DCRDVD101 almost a month ago. It's a great camera, however, I wouldn't drag it into the parks with me, because it is a bit large. I'll stick with my very small Sony MiniDV camcorder to take along with me.

If you are buying a new camcorder, get something small. I am not a big fan of a lot of Sony products, but I love their cameras, so I would suggest using them.

 

[RnRCJohn]

DVD Cameras. I think if I invest in a new video camera it will be one of them.

Whoa those things are beasts. If you want something truely small and pocketable get a memory card video camera.
http://www.fisherav.com/FVD-C1.htm
Thats what I have..its like 4 ounces, fits great in any pocket and it takes some great video, I upload and edit and make mini-movies...I do alot of that stuff and for any theme park buisness or anyplace i want to bring it it comes ( I have a mini-dv camera at home...but lugging that thing to a theme park ruins the whole thing) and did I mention this makes 3.2 megapixel images and is a digital voice recorder? Not many other cameras can take images like this has...
Here are some video's I have made with my "camera-corder"
Hurricane Charley Video
Cedar Point Video
Keep in mind these videos are compressed alot to put them online, the quality is much better and I even view them clearly on a 50" TV. This camera makes it easy to burn to a dvd or V-CD (video CD) This thing is so small as you can see on the cedar point video I brought it right onto the tallest and fastest coaster in the world (120mph in 2 seconds, 420 feet straight up) and video taped it..the camera is fine and the video came out good. for the extra money you pay for this camera believe me the size is SO worth it...you can bring it anywhere incase a special moment happens and you need to video tape...I do....this isnt the only choice a few other companys have cameras just as small that use memory cards also..but I have no experience with them

Good luck,

John

Forgot to mention...with the dvd cameras it also becomes much harder to put them on the computer and send to grandma! Uploading dvds is a pain in the rear.

 

[WDWScottieBoy]

RnRCJohn, you've got some good videos, but I don't think you would want something like that at WDW. Capturing just 30 minutes or at most an hour with the larger memory stick wouldn't work for me. I spent about 2 hours or so a day while at WDW. I also don't like the DVD ones because they are a pain. I love my camcorder because it's small and light and has everything I could ever want, AND more.

 

[RnRCJohn]

Here are some pictures taken too...

http://homepage.mac.com/boaguy12/.P...-17 17.31.18 -0700/Image-34062F00D85111D8.jpg

http://homepage.mac.com/boaguy12/.P...-17 18.56.14 -0700/Image-31268D88D85D11D8.jpg

http://homepage.mac.com/boaguy12/.P...-17 18.56.14 -0700/Image-31270873D85D11D8.jpg

These pictures were taken from way in the back of Shamu Stadium in San Deigo, California...

 

[RnRCJohn]

On vacations I have a laptop to upload and clear it with so it works well if you have a laptop or get a "digital wallet" (cheaper then buying a new memory card) its basically a hard drive with a USB plug or memory card adapter that lets you upload your pictures/video to and then when you get home you plug it in to your computer and get all your video :wave:

Good luck on your search...I know you will find the perfect camera! :sohappy:

 

[WDWScottieBoy]

Great pcitures John! I completely forgot to even try taking pictures on my camcorder at WDW. One thing I love about mine is that it has 20x optical zoom and 990x digital zoom. I took video on e-ride night standing under the train station in MK and zoomed in (optical 20x) to the castle where the clock was and you can clearly see that it says 1:06 at night. I accidentally zoomed in too far and it went right to the middle of the clock and you could see the end of the hands on the clock. I can't even imagine what the 990x zoom would be like. Maybe I'll take it out tonight and see how good of a shot I can take of the moon and take a picture and try to post it on here to show the quality. I'll do both optical and digital. I absolutely love what my camcorder does, it's amazing how far technology has gone these days.

 

[RnRCJohn]

Thats a really cool idea, would be cool to see that picture! unfortunatly these days camera companys hype up the whole digital zoom thing..usually over like 50x more then the optical in digital and it starts pixelating..what digital zoom does is artificially make the pixels seem smaller and it can get blurry :hammer: But still another good idea with a high zoom is take a closeup of the beautiful summer sunset of florida (when its not raining :lol: :lol: )

 

[stuart]

I think that if we go back to disney again next year...seems very likely ill be investing in a new camcorder but i think ill go for a Panasonic DVD Camcoder as ive heard that they are quite good. I worked until recently in a Dixons store but we never got any of them in, really wanted to try one out. The Panasonic SD Camcorder also looks smart but in terms of recording you are goin to need a lot of memory for a two week vacations so i think ill stick with the DVD Camcorder. Easier for editing. I mite go with DV but i doubt it.