{"id":3246,"date":"2009-07-27T15:55:32","date_gmt":"2009-07-27T20:55:32","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.videoproductiontips.com\/?p=3246"},"modified":"2023-11-13T21:45:10","modified_gmt":"2023-11-14T02:45:10","slug":"what-to-look-for-when-buying-a-video-camera","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.videoproductiontips.com\/what-to-look-for-when-buying-a-video-camera\/","title":{"rendered":"Basic Features of a Video Camera:  Recording Format, Image Sensors, Audio Inputs, Manual\/Auto Control, and Lenses"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/CB_QFpb6gGI\" width=\"480\" height=\"360\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"><span data-mce-type=\"bookmark\" style=\"display: inline-block; width: 0px; overflow: hidden; line-height: 0;\" class=\"mce_SELRES_start\">?<\/span><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">With the hundreds of different <a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Video_camera\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">video cameras<\/a> on the market, people can easily get overwhelmed when trying to make a choice about which one to buy.\u00a0 This video explains the four basic categories of video cameras and gives the pros and cons of each.\u00a0 \u00a0 One of the first things a person who wants to purchase a video camera needs to do is figure out what <strong>category of video camera<\/strong> they want.\u00a0 Some are for high-end movie making and some are for the hobby enthusiast.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><em><strong>People often ask me which video camera they SHOULD buy, but of course there is no one perfect camera. Which one is right for you depends on how you are going to use it, what your expectations are, and what your budget is.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">Here is a run-down of the basic features are available for video camcorders, so you can better decide what kind of camera is best for YOU.<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/affiliates.bhphotovideo.com\/showban.asp?id=4250&amp;&lt;\/p\" alt=\"\" \/><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><strong>HOW ARE YOU GOING TO USE THIS CAMERA?<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Are you wanting to make quick and easy videos without going to a lot of trouble?<\/li>\n<li>Or, do you want to delve into high-end videography and produce visually superior videos?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">Answering this single question will help you figure out what basic type of camera you want.\u00a0 A simple, automatic, point-and-shoot camera is best for many folks but would frustrate a budding indie film producer.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">On the other hand, a person who wants to do quick and easy videos would get frustrated with a more complicated, higher-end camera.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">Don&#8217;t worry about a simple camera giving you a poor image quality.\u00a0 The two are not necessarily linked.\u00a0 If you want a camera that is simple to use, there are plenty.\u00a0 Look for high resolution and quality image sensors.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-10367 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.videoproductiontips.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/05\/camera-woman-2.jpg?resize=283%2C424&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"woman using video camera\" width=\"283\" height=\"424\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.videoproductiontips.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/05\/camera-woman-2.jpg?w=283&amp;ssl=1 283w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.videoproductiontips.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/05\/camera-woman-2.jpg?resize=100%2C150&amp;ssl=1 100w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.videoproductiontips.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/05\/camera-woman-2.jpg?resize=200%2C300&amp;ssl=1 200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 283px) 100vw, 283px\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" \/><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><strong>RECORDING FORMAT<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">One of your major decisions before buying a video camera is to decide what kind of record format you want. \u00a0\u00a0 In other words, does the video get recorded on tapes, a memory card or an internal hard drive?<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_16173\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-16173\" style=\"width: 375px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-16173 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.videoproductiontips.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/U-matic-video-cassett-tape.jpg?resize=375%2C281&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"3\/4 inch video tape\" width=\"375\" height=\"281\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.videoproductiontips.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/U-matic-video-cassett-tape.jpg?w=375&amp;ssl=1 375w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.videoproductiontips.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/U-matic-video-cassett-tape.jpg?resize=150%2C112&amp;ssl=1 150w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.videoproductiontips.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/U-matic-video-cassett-tape.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 375px) 100vw, 375px\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-16173\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">This is a 3\/4 inch videotape, which was the popular professional format back in the 80s.\u00a0 The tapes were quite large, so the cameras and recorders were too.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">Cameras today also record on memory sticks, memory cards or removable discs.\u00a0 All of these record formats have their pros and cons.\u00a0 Some slide easily into video editing programs and some don&#8217;t.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_8779\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-8779\" style=\"width: 546px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-8779 \" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.videoproductiontips.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/02\/HFG10_video-camera-card_slots.jpg?resize=546%2C364&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Canon vixia hf g10 video camera with two memory card slots\" width=\"546\" height=\"364\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.videoproductiontips.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/02\/HFG10_video-camera-card_slots.jpg?w=675&amp;ssl=1 675w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.videoproductiontips.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/02\/HFG10_video-camera-card_slots.jpg?resize=600%2C400&amp;ssl=1 600w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.videoproductiontips.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/02\/HFG10_video-camera-card_slots.jpg?resize=150%2C100&amp;ssl=1 150w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.videoproductiontips.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/02\/HFG10_video-camera-card_slots.jpg?resize=300%2C200&amp;ssl=1 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 546px) 100vw, 546px\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-8779\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Two memory card slots as well as a 32 gig internal memory gives the HF G10 enormous capacity for storing video.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">However, if you do not want to edit your video, it is certainly more convenient to pop a disc out and play it than to get it converted or plug your camera into the side of your TV, so you can watch your video. \u00a0The same goes for videos you plan to upload. \u00a0Some people do not edit the videos they upload (although perhaps they should).<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><strong>IMAGE SENSORS<\/strong><\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_10536\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-10536\" style=\"width: 303px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\" wp-image-10536\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.videoproductiontips.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/11\/ccd-chip.jpg?resize=303%2C278\" alt=\"ccd chip\" width=\"303\" height=\"278\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.videoproductiontips.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/11\/ccd-chip.jpg?w=284&amp;ssl=1 284w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.videoproductiontips.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/11\/ccd-chip.jpg?resize=150%2C138&amp;ssl=1 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 303px) 100vw, 303px\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-10536\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">CCD chip image sensor<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">The quality of the picture a video camera gets is largely determined by the <a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Image_sensor\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">quality of the <strong>image sensor.<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0 Image sensors are what capture the light and turn it into a video image.\u00a0 It would be accurate to say it is the heart of the video camera.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">Video cameras come with <a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Three-CCD_camera\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">either one image sensor chip or three<\/a>.\u00a0 Three is better.\u00a0 With three, there is an individual chip for the three primary colors of light, red, green and blue.\u00a0 With a one-chip camera, all of that is squished onto one chip.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">Chip size also matters.\u00a0 A 1\/3 inch chip would be considered large.\u00a0 1\/6 inch is a common size for less expensive cameras. \u00a0The bigger, the better.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_7319\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-7319\" style=\"width: 186px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\" wp-image-7319\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.videoproductiontips.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/09\/xlr-to-stero-plug.jpg?resize=186%2C186&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"adapter cable for xllr to stero mic plug\" width=\"186\" height=\"186\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.videoproductiontips.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/09\/xlr-to-stero-plug.jpg?w=100&amp;ssl=1 100w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.videoproductiontips.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/09\/xlr-to-stero-plug.jpg?resize=50%2C50&amp;ssl=1 50w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 186px) 100vw, 186px\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-7319\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">An adapter cable like this can help you use an XLR microphone with a camera that just has a stereo plug.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><strong>AUDIO INPUT<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">Inexpensive video cameras usually do not have any way for you to use a supplemental microphone.\u00a0 You have the on-board microphone, but no way to plug in a handheld or lavalier mic for better sound quality. \u00a0If you are shooting talking heads or another form of speaking, this is very important.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_7318\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-7318\" style=\"width: 191px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\" wp-image-7318\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.videoproductiontips.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/09\/xlr-inputs.jpg?resize=191%2C262&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"xlr audio inputs\" width=\"191\" height=\"262\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.videoproductiontips.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/09\/xlr-inputs.jpg?w=116&amp;ssl=1 116w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.videoproductiontips.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/09\/xlr-inputs.jpg?resize=109%2C150&amp;ssl=1 109w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 191px) 100vw, 191px\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-7318\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">This shows the duel XLR inputs on a camera. To use an XLR microphone, you have to make sure your camera has XLR inputs like these.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">High quality sound is probably more important for many videos than high quality video.\u00a0 If people can not hear what you are saying, they will not bother to watch your video.\u00a0 If people talking on camera will be important to your productions, (and that&#8217;s most videos) look for a camera with a supplemental microphone input for better audio quality.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">Audio inputs will either be small stereo plugs for less expensive models, or<a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/XLR_connector\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"> XLR audio inputs<\/a> on higher-end models.\u00a0 Make sure you buy a microphone with a plug that matches your camera&#8217;s input.\u00a0 XLR inputs are larger than stereo inputs and considered the professional format.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><strong><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-9563 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.videoproductiontips.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/10\/camera-man-1.jpg?resize=424%2C283&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"video camera operator\" width=\"424\" height=\"283\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.videoproductiontips.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/10\/camera-man-1.jpg?w=424&amp;ssl=1 424w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.videoproductiontips.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/10\/camera-man-1.jpg?resize=150%2C100&amp;ssl=1 150w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.videoproductiontips.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/10\/camera-man-1.jpg?resize=300%2C200&amp;ssl=1 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 424px) 100vw, 424px\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" \/><\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><strong>MANUAL OR AUTOMATIC?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">Higher-end cameras have full manual control.\u00a0 Manual focus control, manual exposure control, manual white balance, manual audio level control, and so forth.\u00a0 These high-end cameras can also be set to automatic control if you are in a run-and-gun situation, but manual control is generally preferred by serious videographers.\u00a0 I certainly preferred it.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">Manual control, however, would drive some people bonkers. \u00a0 Automatic control makes operating the camera much easier, so if you are into easy, you can rest assured that part of what people are paying for with the more expensive cameras is the &#8220;luxury&#8221; of manual control.\u00a0 If that is not something you want, why bother getting the fancier camera?\u00a0 With experience, you will probably learn to prefer manual control because you will better understand what makes a good shot.\u00a0 Sometimes automatic control will mess you up because it will respond in a generic way and the situation actually calls for specific controls.\u00a0 \u00a0This is why serious professionals prefer manual control.\u00a0 For example, if you have your camera set to automatic focus, and something moves behind the subject of your shot, the camera will probably try to focus on that movement, which throws your actual subject out of focus.\u00a0 As an experienced photographer, I would completely ignore that movement and hope it passed quickly.<\/p>\n<p><strong>CHANGEABLE LENSES\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>If you are wanting to dive deep into videography, you will want to consider getting a camera with easily interchangeable lenses.\u00a0 The lens of whatever camera you use is going to determine what kind of scope you are able to get.\u00a0 Some <a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Camera_lens\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">lenses allow you to zoom<\/a> into something far away, others are good for showing a wide area.\u00a0 \u00a0Most video camera come with a zoom lens, which is very convenient.\u00a0 Changing lenses on a video camera would be considered an advanced technique.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">Knowing about these video camera basics will help you when selecting a camera to buy.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">If you have questions about <a title=\"contact us\" href=\"http:\/\/www.videoproductiontips.com\/contact-us\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">video cameras, or anything else video related, contact me anytime!<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Lorraine Grula<\/p>\n<p><strong>FOOD FOR THOUGHT<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>In your own words, why is there no one perfect video camera for everybody?<\/li>\n<li>What does a video camera image sensor do?<\/li>\n<li>Why do most experienced professionals prefer manual control to automatic control when it comes to focus and exposure?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Which video camcorder should you buy?  Depends on lots of different factors.  Here is a rundown on how to evaluate whether a video camera will meet your needs.    <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":8779,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[2731,364,163],"tags":[700,1452,782,2605,1453,1454,783,412,1451],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.videoproductiontips.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/02\/HFG10_video-camera-card_slots.jpg?fit=675%2C450&ssl=1","jetpack-related-posts":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.videoproductiontips.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3246"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.videoproductiontips.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.videoproductiontips.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.videoproductiontips.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.videoproductiontips.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3246"}],"version-history":[{"count":8,"href":"https:\/\/www.videoproductiontips.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3246\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":20273,"href":"https:\/\/www.videoproductiontips.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3246\/revisions\/20273"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.videoproductiontips.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/8779"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.videoproductiontips.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3246"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.videoproductiontips.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3246"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.videoproductiontips.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3246"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}