[ezterra]

I'll be deploying to Iraq in the beginning of 2009. I'm starting to shop around for a video camera for when I go. Does anyone have good/bad experiences with any cameras? I'm just looking for something that will somewhat hold up to a deployment. I'm thinking of a high definition hard drive or flash type camera because less moving parts and you don't have to open the camera up to get at tapes. Any suggestions?

Thanks!

[JimBianchi]

Get a decent Point and Shoot digital camera.

Just bout all o them do video and use SD cards or you can just connect the wire to the PC and download.

I know a lot about current pocket cameras and their still pictures, give me a few days and I will find you a best buy video capable camera.

I'll stick to the under $200 crowd. (There are a lot of great deals in that crowd)

I'll PM and post when I have something.

[Dirty Dealer]

tagged for info from JimBianchi. I too am looking for a PS digital.

[JimBianchi]

OK here you guys go.

I had some free time and compiled a list.



Straight HD video cameras:

Sony Handycam HDR-CX7: Refurbed from Sony for $611, new about $850.

Cnet.com gave it an 8, users gave it a 7.5. Just about as good as it gets for a small video camera. Refub has a 2yr warrantee for $90 from Sony.

http://reviews.cnet.com/digital-camc...-32427827.html

Canon Vixia HF10: About $800 new
CF card camera with HD video. Canon first foray in the the no-tap format seems to be a winner.

Cnet gave it an 8, users gave it an 7.8.
I like the look and size of it. If I was going to by an HD video camera, it would be this one.

http://reviews.cnet.com/digital-camc...-32786396.html


Still Digital Camera with good video.
(640x320 with 20 or 30FPS seems to be the max in these. Great web video)

Canon SX100 IS in my expert opinion is still the best long zoom (36 to 360mm!!) pocket camera around. (OK, big pockets)

It’s the camera I’m buying for my wife’s birthday. $208 delivered from BuyDig.com
http://www.imaging-resource.com/PROD.../SX100ISA7.HTM

Canon Powershot A720 IS: Good zoom at 35-210mm, considered by many to be Canons best deal on a pocket camera. A little smaller than the SX100, and lighter.
$170.
http://www.imaging-resource.com/PROD.../A720ISDAT.HTM


Canon Powershot A590 IS: OK zoom at 30-120mm, small, great battery life. Good camera at a bargain price of $149.
http://www.imaging-resource.com/PROD.../A590ISDAT.HTM


The links all contain great, detailed reviews from a trusted source, Imaging Resource. I’ve done business with them for years and they are straight up people, IMO.

[ezterra]

Awsome! Thanks for the links and reviews. I was actually looking at the Canon Vixia HF10. My unit supplies us with digital stills. I'd like something I can get good video with. I know no camera was actually made for the tough environment of Iraq, but it seems to me that the flash storage and compact size would be alright. Thanks again.

[JimBianchi]

I was wrong about a pocket camera not capturing HD quality video.

Panasonic makes 2: the DMC TZ4 and TZ4. Both are top rated Digi Cams by users, both are hard to find anywhere but online, the 4 runs $230, the 5 $300. Only down side seems the audio is every poor with movies. Overal they are worth a look.