Video/Still Equip Question

It looks like this is finally the Christmas that I will be able to get some good equipment for photographing and filming the wildlife I so enjoy. Its a hobby that I have not been able to pursue all that diligently in recent years.

I am NOT looking to spend $2000+, but I have been wondering if I should try and find a still camera that shoots HD video, or if I should just go with an HD video camera of considerable quality. Do they take good photos as well..? I'd love it if I could have one in the same.

Any suggestions..?


"Therefore, wo be unto him that is at ease in Zion!" 2 Ne. 28: 24

I am no expert but I have invested in a Nikon D7000 and a couple of good lenses and I love it. Took me a couple of years to actually get to understand the camera and how to get the most out of it (and I am still learning all the time) but it takes amazing pictures and it also shoots HD Video with pretty amazing results.

I personally prefer to have a video camera for video and a still for stills but when I have used my DSLR for video I have been pretty amazed at the quality I received.

Video cameras are pretty cheap compared to stills. I have a Sony and it has a 60X zoom and does a great job. cost me around $250 at Best Buy, but it doesn't take very good stills.

I like it though because it is light weight and easy to pack around. My Nikon is a pig to pack around, especially with any additional lenses.

I just bought the Panasonic DMC FZ200 for this very reason. It's a point and shoot but it is an excellent gap camera. Takes amazing stills but is much lighter than the Nikon. Zooms from I think 18mm to 600mm and holds an F2.8 through the entire range. I can't get that out of my Nikon without a very expensive lense. Fits in the pack well and is not too heavy.

Now, that being said, I never get better pictures than with my DSLR.

It really comes down to what you think you are going to be doing the most.

I would recommend getting a still for stills and a video camera for videos.

If your going to be doing digi-scoping then I would recommend the set-up Tines-up sells. Works great for video and OK for pics.

Hope this helps


"The problem with quotes on Internet Forums is that it is often difficult to verify their authenticity." - Abraham Lincoln

Well said Jason and i will say amen to many of things what you said.

I have had FZ cameras for 2 or 3 different versions. For wildlife i love their zoom and some of the pictures they take are fantastic, i have won a few wildlife photo contest with them. The video is OK but its not true HD and IT CAN not be used for anything commercially. They are handy to pack vs. the DSLR as well.

HOWEVER!!! I promise that once you use a DSLR you will be amazed at the differences. All the pics I have taken with the Panasonic FZ series were just never there and it was a major chore to get them close to what I wanted in photoshop.

In the long run for what is worth, YOU will eventually get a good DSLR and a good lens to shoot wildlife if this is a real hobby and its something you want to get into. I got my Canon 60D in a kit plus a ef 100-400mm zoom lens for a grand total of 2200--worth every penny. I shot a full show of an archery bow hunt with it this year--the HD footage is superior in many ways to our sony 5k cameras.

Invest in the future my friend--you will end up there anyway.



Todd Black

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