A camera for daily photos and videos?

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Denise0

Member
I'm looking for a camera that I can take around with me during the day and night for taking photos and video (1080p HD video). I will be posting the photos and videos on the Internet for friends and family to see.

I'm considering the GF1, GF2, GH1, and NEX-5.

Which would you suggest, and why?
 
I love my Exilim EX-P505. Hey, it aint a 7d, but for everyday use and compactness, I am happy with it. It does the job. And I have been able to take some decent shots with it
 
Doc Bernard said:
I love my Exilim EX-P505. Hey, it aint a 7d, but for everyday use and compactness, I am happy with it. It does the job. And I have been able to take some decent shots with it
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Thanks for the suggestion. I'm looking for a camera that does 1080p though.
 
If I might ask, if it is for "everyday photos and video", why 1080? I have found that if I set a 1080 pic next to a 720 pic people cannot tell the difference if the shot is well framed.

As to MP: remember so many famous pics were shot using 35 mm without the extreme clarity.

Not a criticism, or anything. But if it is for everyday stuff, snapping pics, and short vids...........do you really need 1080 or just want 1080? Many cameras capable of what you want, are not your average pocket camera. There is a trade off.

Heck, LOL, I want a 5dMkII, but I have no real justification for it, as I just shoot everyday stuff too.

But like I said, this not a criticism, just a request for clarification.
 
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Doc Bernard said:
If I might ask, if it is for "everyday photos and video", why 1080?

Not a criticism, or anything. But if it is for everyday stuff, snapping pics, and short vids...........do you really need 1080 or just want 1080?
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I'm thinking long term. If I take a family video, I want to capture it properly, and make it so family members will enjoy watching it years down the road. 1080p seems to be the best format to shoot in (within my budget) when considering the future of televisions and computers.

I am also considering low-light situations. There are point-and-shoot cameras that do 1080 (WX9 does 1080/60i and P300 does 1080/30p), but I don't think they fair very well when shooting video/photos in low-light.

I'd like a 5dMkII, but it's not in my budget, and it's too big for carrying around daily/casually. Cameras like the GF1, GF2, GH1, and NEX-5 are in my budget, and their size is somewhat convenient for carrying around (the GH1 is a little on the big side).
 
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1080 has nothing to do with "low light" situations. It's the sensor, not the resolution. There are many high end cameras out there that shoot 1080, but drop the ball in low light. Believe me, my HVX was an amazing camera, but I dreaded low light situations with it.

As to the "future", 1080 is not going to be the only format/rez out there. Lower rezs will still be supported for a LONG time.

Just trying to help you. Spending more money than needed........well, it's your money. But you asked for assistance.
 
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Doc Bernard said:
1080 has nothing to do with "low light" situations. It's the sensor, not the resolution. There are many high end cameras out there that shoot 1080, but drop the ball in low light. Believe me, my HVX was an amazing camera, but I dreaded low light situations with it.

As to the "future", 1080 is not going to be the only format/rez out there. Lower rezs will still be supported for a LONG time.
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That's true. I just want to buy the best camera I can, so that the camera, and the video, is "futureproof" longer.

I could buy an Intel Core 2 Duo computer for editing video, but if my budget allows for an i3 computer, and it'll be more compatible with other electronics/software longer into the future, then I'll go for the i3.

What cameras (in various budgets) would you suggest for lowlight AND 1080p video? If I don't have to spend a lot of money to get a cameras that's good at lowlight and 1080p video, then that's great :)
 
What else are you wanting? What is your budget? Here is the skinny: If you ask what is the best sports car, you will get tons of people giving their own subjective opinions. Ask defined questions, you will get informed advice.

Note: the Exilim P505 shoots 1920 stills. Way over 1080. LOL, I have had this camera for a few years and it has served me well. Didn't mean to sound defensive.
 
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Doc Bernard said:
What else are you wanting? What is your budget?

Note: the Exilim shoots 1920 stills. Way over 1080.
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What I'm looking for:
- Small size, so I can carry it around with me daily without worrying about where I'll put it on my person (i.e. having to lug around a large purse with me just to hold the camera). If I could find a camera that fits in my pocket, that'd be great but the recommended pocketable camera I saw (the Nikon Coolpix P300) didn't do as great of a job as I'd hoped it would.
- Fairly good to very good low light capability with photos and video (considering the size of the camera)
- 1080p video
- Under $700
 
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I'd get the GH1 and make sure to get the LUMIX pancake lens/(along with a multi purpose lens perhaps) as it's a 1.7...for low light shooting. The GH1 is not that big of a camera with a lens like the pancake on it and it will be more balanced with larger lenses than the ultra slim GF2 and NEX cameras.
Also,(nobody talks about it) but the GH1 has a 720 30P motion JPEG mode that is SUPER easy on computer processing, looks great, and then you can switch to 1080 AVCHD later if you get a faster computer. Plus if you buy the GH1 lenses, they will work down the road on a GH2/AF100...(or GH3 AF200 when they get made.)
Not to mention the articulating screen on the GH1 is great for video.
 
pulpfiction007 said:
I'd get the GH1 and make sure to get the LUMIX pancake lens/(along with a multi purpose lens perhaps) as it's a 1.7...for low light shooting. The GH1 is not that big of a camera with a lens like the pancake on it and it will be more balanced with larger lenses than the ultra slim GF2 and NEX cameras.
Also,(nobody talks about it) but the GH1 has a 720 30P motion JPEG mode that is SUPER easy on computer processing, looks great, and then you can switch to 1080 AVCHD later if you get a faster computer. Plus if you buy the GH1 lenses, they will work down the road on a GH2/AF100...(or GH3 AF200 when they get made.)
Not to mention the articulating screen on the GH1 is great for video.
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The pancake does sound like a great lens, but it doesn't have image stabilization, so video shot with the 1.7 pancake lens will be difficult to watch. What lens, with image stabilization, would you suggest (preferably one that works well in low light)?
 
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