I need to buy a camera for work. We're going to be using it to video How To/Training videos for all the stuff we manufacture. I know that I would need a stabilization system (think that's what they call it) on it.

I know very little about cameras. Can anyone suggest a good one? Price range: $100-$300.

5/10/2011 10:39:02 AM

Quote :

"$100-$300."

You sound like you need an entry level HD Canon camcorder. To get image stabilization (internal) you're looking at around $700. Without it you can get by in the $400 range (I think the R### is the stripped down series.)

Either way you'll want to pair it with a shoulder mount or a good tripod. Check with a company called CVP or B&H has a truckload of them they'd be glad to hook you up with. If you go for a tripod get a fluid ball head - even the cheap $100 ones will make a HUGE difference.

If you're shooting in close quarters you'll also probably want a .7x or .5x wide angle screw on lens. Even the cheap ones in this space are pretty nice. You'll get horrible chromatic aberration outside the middle third, but that's pretty standard issue.

And last, but definitely not least, get a light. This doesn't have to be expensive. My favorite trick is to get a $20 clip on shop light (LED preferred) like you would find in the auto section. Clamp it onto a cheap tripod ($10-$15) and you can use it as a detail light (holding it above the shot) or as a super under powered talent light.

Either way, this is going to end MUCH better if you have about $1200-$1500.




If you're super hard up on that $300 mark you'll want like a flip video or Creative VADO with NO ZOOM. The non zooming models have a larger aperture which results in better shots indoors and in low light conditions. Something in the F1.2 range should be easy to find, particularly in a 720p camera for that cheap.

5/10/2011 10:43:40 AM

Thanks a lot, good info. I'll have to see what I can do for scraping together a bigger budget.

5/10/2011 10:52:37 AM