Digital Video And Photography

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How do we solve our digital camera dilemma?

My wife and I need to take great digital stills AND digital videos primarily to send to family/friends via computer across the country. We were looking at getting one "do-it-all" camera, but have been discovering that we're going to lose either still or video quality. Are we correct? Is there such a "do-it-all "camera out there that doesn't lose quality in one way or another?

We would also like to have both cameras (especially the still camera) do a great job in the telephoto arena because we like nature photography like eagles' nest activity or "moon shots" in which the moon doesn't "shrink" in the photo.

What are these products and appoximately how much would we have to spend? Would it be more cost-effective to get both a digital camera AND a camcorder if we want great quality in both areas? If so, what products would you suggest? We would really like to stay under $800 or so, preferably less. Also, it would be great if we could "grow" with these cameras.

Thanks much!

The camera at circuit city w/ 1080p is not a high quality video cam just because it has 1080p resolution. 7-8mp images does nothing for nature photo's like eagles (where you're typically far away) unless it comes with a 500mm or greater lens (35mm equivalent) unless you don't want close up shots of that eagle.

As for the canon with a 390mm equivalent.. I wouldn't even try to use my 300mm lens w/ my D70 (450mm equivalent) for shots of that eagle because it isn't an IS lens. The problem is that you're usually too far away to get a decent shot w/out possible camera shake issues even when on a tripod.

Perhaps the Sony DSC-H9 w/ a 465mm max focal length, image stabilization @~$400+ or the Olympus SP-560 UZ w/ a 486mm max focal length, image stabilization @~$360+.

As for the video quality you'll probably want to check both or any other camera you might be considering.

HTH

Digital Photography 1 on 1: Episode 48: HDSLR Pt.1: Shooting Video W/ a DSLR: Adorama Photography TV


digital video and photography5
digital video and photography5