Digital camera, need advice - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: FrankenPC
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: May 19, 2014, 06:45:49 pm
content: I'm looking to purchase a digital camera that can take shots with good contrast and focus. Anti shake is a bonus so I don't have to rig up a tripod every single time. I'm looking for something low cost that is capable of recording 1080p and an external mic input. Older models are fine. I'm not looking to impress anybody. I just want to take decent shots with good exposure and light balance. The more dummy proof features the better.Any suggestions?Thanks!

author: Isad
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 19, 2014, 06:49:12 pm
content: Well must it be digital camera at all cost you could get a samsung galaxy s2 plus for about 190$ used and capture Full Hd video and a image capturing resolution about 8MP 3264x2448 these phones are amazing

author: FrankenPC
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: May 19, 2014, 06:53:12 pm
content: Sorry, I forgot to include a link I was considering to give you an idea of what I'm going for.I was looking at multi-purpose cameras like this:http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00728ZBA2/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&colid=7KY5UBUBE3R4&coliid=I23JGNSR550735&psc=1Lumix ZS20. It has built in tech to reduce glare and shakes.

author: Isad
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 19, 2014, 07:00:49 pm
content: If you are ready to buy a 200$ camera search a littl bit you might din somthing better and less price if you like that then its still a pretty good one and full hd with 14mp you will need a big memory card if you are gona go for a long recordeAnd if you are ready to pay 200$ much more then this would be hell goooodhttp://www.ebay.com/itm/SAMSUNG-SMART-NX210-20-3MP-WiFi-FULL-HD-BLACK-DIGITAL-CAMERA-KIT-18-55-LENS-NEW-/261356425487?pt=UK_CamerasPhoto_DigitalCameras_DigitalCameras_JN&hash=item3cda0e910f

author: FrankenPC
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: May 19, 2014, 08:27:22 pm
content: Quote from: Isad on May 19, 2014, 07:00:49 pmI found one of those used on Amazon for $250. That's not stretching my budget too much. Thanks for the tip!

author: Isad
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 19, 2014, 09:00:07 pm
content: 250$ for a samsung camera well thats a great deal you should get it before somen els get itthose cameras are beast had one in my hand for 1 day couldnt let it go

author: TVman
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 19, 2014, 09:45:56 pm
content: This guy on YT reviews cameras...https://www.youtube.com/user/Techmoan

author: David Hess
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 21, 2014, 07:17:15 pm
content: I have a Canon SX150 that I use for documentation purposes that I am happy with and it meets your requirements. It takes great unaided oscilloscope pictures. In retrospect I would try to get something with WiFi support because using USB or the memory card to transfer files is annoying.I would avoid any camera that requires proprietary lithium batteries.

author: Yago
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 22, 2014, 11:37:04 am
content: A lot depends on what the OP wants to shoot.Posting more here would help, is it for video, general stills of pcbs, macro, fast action?A Canon 550d(T2i) DSLR with 18-55 might be in reach for a used model.

author: Dinsdale
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: May 22, 2014, 12:06:32 pm
content: I have a Canon SX40HS. It's a point-and-shoot with movie capability (1080p). It does not have a separate mic. input but I'm amazed at its ability to pick up sound from almost any distance (typical room size) at very consistent audio levels and no "hollow" sound.It seems to film a little darker than it photographs, but that's easily fixed on the tool you render with (I use kdenlive).I wanted to get away without a tripod too, but you're going to find plenty of situations where you absolutely do need one.You can set this camera to take a photo if you smile or wink at it! Kills me every time I use that feature.

author: nctnico
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 22, 2014, 05:08:46 pm
content: A couple of years ago I bought a Canon ixus 1000 HS (high sensitivity) which still serves me well for holidays and photographics electronics projects. It also films at 1080p but it is better to turn image stabilisation off because it makes the image 'shaky' when moving the camera.

author: true
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 24, 2014, 04:58:05 am
content: Quote from: Isad on May 19, 2014, 09:00:07 pmReally? Samsung has some of the worst UX and ergonomics in cameras.

author: Isad
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 24, 2014, 07:04:18 am
content: Quote from: true on May 24, 2014, 04:58:05 amWell you might think so beacuz you probably have a 1k$ camera but for me samsung makesthe best cameras with low price and you must see the samsung shop there are much more cameras and a camera that can captur 4k video

author: peter.mitchell
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 24, 2014, 08:16:15 am
content: See if you can pick up a canon powershot S95/S100/S105 they focus great, work well in low light, and thus you can close the aperture, they turn on quick, produce great quality pictures and video - not 1080p, but amazing 720p. good to go.

author: FrankenPC
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: May 24, 2014, 05:46:35 pm
content: Quote from: peter.mitchell on May 24, 2014, 08:16:15 amThanks for the advice. You have me looking at Canon's now. This model looks great for the money:http://www.amazon.com/Canon-PowerShot-SX510-Digital-Optical/dp/B00EFILPHA/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1400953372&sr=8-2&keywords=canon+powershot$200USD new. 1080p video, 30x zoom, WiFi upload, good low light shots. The size is fine as it will spend most of its life on a tripod.

author: peter.mitchell
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 25, 2014, 04:07:26 am
content: Quote from: FrankenPC on May 24, 2014, 05:46:35 pmYou really don't want 30x zoom, they make a LOT of sacrifices on image quality at 1-3x to get that, just as a rule of thumb.Also, think about how often you will use it, not nearly as much as you think.Also, a camera that will do 1080p with external mic input is going to be pretty hard to find in your price range, if you get a camera with quite a good built in microphone it may save you some hassle.The Nikon Coolpix P300 is a bit better than the S95 in the video recording department; it does 1080P vs 720P and has stereo mics, the S95 is better at stiull photography though, so it's a bit of a toss up, you should really check them out though.Also, don't be too afraid of buying used, people who investigate purchases enough to buy decent models, tend not to treat them like crap

author: FrankenPC
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: May 25, 2014, 05:04:34 am
content: Quote from: wilfred on May 25, 2014, 04:52:31 amNo. I've heard some samples of good on board mics and they are fine for youtube commentary. Thanks for the zoom advice. I REALLY don't care about zoom at all. It just seems that most small/mid cameras come with it. All I want is excellent light/color reproduction. Resolution isn't that big of a need. I want to tripod mount it for videos and hold it in my hands to take PCB closeups. My needs are actually pretty simple. Since I'll be hard wiring power, I will probably want WiFi just because it's really convenient.

author: FrankenPC
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: May 25, 2014, 05:49:50 am
content: Quote from: peter.mitchell on May 25, 2014, 04:07:26 amOK, I need to be done with this. I ordered a Coolpix P300. The price is RIGHT @ 100$ used. The reviews all say it's really good at low light photos. I have a 30 day right to return. I'll try it out. Thanks for the recommendation.

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: May 25, 2014, 07:39:12 am
content: Quote from: wilfred on May 25, 2014, 05:45:20 amInternal mics can work well, you just have to be close. I use the internal mic in my Canon HF G10 for all behind camera work. But:a) It's a high end $1K+ camcorder and has well designed micsb) I use manual audio level mode, because auto audio level modes usually suck unless you are very very close. The low end cameras usually don't offer this option.c) I'm usually close to my mics when behind the camera, but you can hear the difference when I move away for some reason. 1m away and you really start to hear it.I use an external Rode Videomic Pro when doing talking head in front of the camera, and I'm usually only a meter away. If I use the internal mics here, it's sounds pretty crappy.My Canon HF M400 2nd cam is better for in front of camera mic work, probably because the mics are in the front instead of on top.QuoteAbsolutely not!Unless you are shooting a hollywood feature, having to sync up external audio is just a horrible waste of editing time. You will regret this decision every time you have to edit a video. Just get a camera with an external mic to begin with.

author: Rasz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 25, 2014, 08:23:15 am
content: Quote from: EEVblog on May 25, 2014, 07:39:12 amdoesnt the editing software do it automagically?