I'd love to have just 1 camera for both still and video. How are the current still cameras comparing against last years consumer camcorders (eg. HF100, HV30, etc)? Do any of them compare well in person? I've been waiting for years for a successful all-in-one.
I have my eye on the GH1. If it truly has HF100 quality video (with ease of use) combined with stellar stills, it may be worth the price. After all, I did pay that much for a Sony miniDV years ago! I've been wondering about lessor priced options too...
From all I can find, the Canon SX1 and Sony record at 1080/30p. SX1 uses the .MOV format. While good if I'm going to edit in iMovie, I can't quickly watch clips on my PS3 (and that format eats SD cards). The HX1 uses .MP4 -- better for the PS3. However looking at online samples both seem to have terribly unsmooth motion. Panning shots look next to unusable. Even passing cars have a bit of a stepped strobe effect (rolling shutter?). If this is not just a product of web formating, I'm going to assume the HF100 is still FAR better.
Panasonic FZ35 is somewhat unknown, but I'd assume its like the ZS3/TZ7 which records in a AVCHD folder structure with .MTS clips, but also only 720/30p. Is the motion any smoother since it has a CCD or will the 30fps still make motion look rough?
I have my eye on the GH1. If it truly has HF100 quality video (with ease of use) combined with stellar stills, it may be worth the price. After all, I did pay that much for a Sony miniDV years ago! I've been wondering about lessor priced options too...
From all I can find, the Canon SX1 and Sony record at 1080/30p. SX1 uses the .MOV format. While good if I'm going to edit in iMovie, I can't quickly watch clips on my PS3 (and that format eats SD cards). The HX1 uses .MP4 -- better for the PS3. However looking at online samples both seem to have terribly unsmooth motion. Panning shots look next to unusable. Even passing cars have a bit of a stepped strobe effect (rolling shutter?). If this is not just a product of web formating, I'm going to assume the HF100 is still FAR better.
Panasonic FZ35 is somewhat unknown, but I'd assume its like the ZS3/TZ7 which records in a AVCHD folder structure with .MTS clips, but also only 720/30p. Is the motion any smoother since it has a CCD or will the 30fps still make motion look rough?