Off to catch sturgeon with the wife at the end of the month and thinking some video of the upcoming action would be nice, so looking for a somewhat cheap $200-300 or so video camera.
Might be nice on other trips too.
Been browsing the web and there’s more choices that I can figure out.
Pixels, memory size, memory type, batteries, 720 vs 1080, the list goes on.
Just want something that takes resonable looking video’s, download into the comp and a old fart can operate it.
Anybody???
TIA
Al
I’m using one of these for my vids. Waterproof down to 10 feet. Does underwater video. Awesome editing software. Easy to use and cheap!
Kodak Playsport.
-J.
The flip type video cameras are really gaining popularity and they’re super portable. They take HD video and the video is very easy to transfer to a pc.
The downside is that they don’t have much if any optical zoom. For me, I have one for the boat etc… where I don’t need much zoom or where the digital zoom will work. The video quality is much better than you might think also.
You can still put them on a tripod, but can also hand hold them and keep them in a pocket. Kodak made one that was called something like “PlaySport” that did 1080P video and was waterproof (a very nice feature).
You can get the ones that do 1080P for around $150.
I’ve got the Flip video camera too. They are very small, take HD quality video and super easy to use. Cost is/was between 100 – 200. These are sold by Cisco which announced last week they are discontinueing them. My guess is you could probably pick them up cheap after the announcement last week.
Thanks guys, the Zx5 gets good reviews and so does the flip unit, we’re off tonight to go look…thanks.
Wife says we can spend a bit more if we have too…uh huh…wonder what she wants??? 
Al
I’ve been looking at getting a Go Pro camera. They come with a waterproof case and have multiple mounting options including a headband.
I’ve been looking at the GoPro too and have 2, so if you are fishing with someone, you can edit it into a show. My concern is that would I have to be conscience of trying not to whip my head around fast. I guess I am used to that style now with a lot of the reality shows I watch now. It would be nice to just have it running and not have to think about it much.
The Kodak one looks pretty good too.
It’s all a matter of being able to record without it getting in the way. For instance, my phone has good video recording capabilities, but there are a lot of steps just to get it rolling. So you miss stuff and/or fumble with the phone. But it works fine in a pinch.
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I’ve been looking at the GoPro too and have 2, so if you are fishing with someone, you can edit it into a show. My concern is that would I have to be conscience of trying not to whip my head around fast. I guess I am used to that style now with a lot of the reality shows I watch now. It would be nice to just have it running and not have to think about it much.
The Kodak one looks pretty good too.
It’s all a matter of being able to record without it getting in the way. For instance, my phone has good video recording capabilities, but there are a lot of steps just to get it rolling. So you miss stuff and/or fumble with the phone. But it works fine in a pinch.
Wife tried one of the newer do all phones a bit ago, by the time she figured out how to do all…it was over..:)
Al
I have a flip also. I like it alot, its great for the boat and in the ice house. Wouldnt be good for any zoom situation but for up close, say within 15 feet its great! The software that comes with it is easy to use also.
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I’m using one of these for my vids. Waterproof down to 10 feet. Does underwater video. Awesome editing software. Easy to use and cheap!
Kodak Playsport.-J.
I would also recommend this, I like ours a lot.
Sounds like the Flip brand cameras are being discontinued and will no longer be supported.
GO PRO HERO, shoots in 1080p, I use one on my motorcycle (helmet mount ) and get AWSOME video ! Ya you have to watch not to snap your head around, but they have many different mounts…just watch Swamp Men or Ax Men on History Channel, they are using the Go Pro’s.
Let me know if you guys come across one that works in low light areas. All the companies I’ve contacted say their cameras won’t work.
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Let me know if you guys come across one that works in low light areas. All the companies I’ve contacted say their cameras won’t work.
Easy……
http://www.wanco.com/products/detail.php?prd_id=90&type_id=4
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Wife tried one of the newer do all phones a bit ago, by the time she figured out how to do all…it was over..:)
Al
Yep. When fishing you need to just have 1 steps, twp tops.
1. Press Power (should be on standby instead)
2. Press record
Off to BB we went, I liked one, the wife didn’t, she liked the other I didn’t, then the BB sales guy got involved…..
I figure there are some who work at BB and have a clue…he wasn’t one of them, we left and decided to try National Camera Exchange.
They must keep the cheap camera’s in the back room, but we did find a couple we liked, both Canons, one was $169 on sale close out, must been so closed out they didn’t have any more, but they’d sell us the demo model…no thanks.
We did finally decide on a Canon FS40 for $299, we both liked how easy it was to point and shoot, and it had some features that I’m sure we’ll use…if we ever figure them out..:)
Anyway, thanks for the help.
Now just to catch a fish…:)
9 days and counting
Al
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I’ve been looking at getting a Go Pro camera. They come with a waterproof case and have multiple mounting options including a headband.
Fife, do these record sound? or just video?
From GoPro’s site:
Audio
Microphone: Built-in, mono with AGC (automatic gain control)
Audio Format: 48 kHz, AAC audio compression
Audio Excellence
We’ve invested more in the HD HERO camera’s sound system than most companies spend on their entire camera development. You’ll only be hearing the sounds of your sport, not the howl of the wind. How? Obsessive audio engineering and an understanding that good sound is as important as good video.
Looking at the videos on YouTube as examples, I think the GoPro works well. I think for editing a nice segment you’d probably want to take it off your head and hold it by hand to film a buddy. All in all, I think if you are conscience of the camera you could shoot some good stuff.
I know a couple people that have them and the audio works great. I watch other peoples little hunting and video clips all teh time on Youtube, so I figure why not have my own.
The GF is telling me to treat myself to the GoPro. I will have to do a little more research and checking reviews before jumping in, but I think I most likely will be getting one.
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GO PRO HERO, shoots in 1080p, I use one on my motorcycle (helmet mount ) and get AWSOME video ! Ya you have to watch not to snap your head around, but they have many different mounts…just watch Swamp Men or Ax Men on History Channel, they are using the Go Pro’s.
So are all the settings wide angle so there is always that fish-eye bending effect? That could be a deal breaker for me. I realize that it is kind of needed when it is mounted, so it records a wider area.
I would like to also shoot normal video, especially for non fishing or non first person video. If it does shoot normal video I would also buy the LCD viewer (sold separately).
Brian, just get a night vision camera like all those ghost hunting shows use. Come on man, it’s a business expense tax deduction.
For a $108 delivered to your door from Amazon the Kodak PlaySport ZX3 is a no-brainer. I paid $104 with an extra battery but that promotion has ended. They go for $149 around town as far as I can tell. I’ve had this one a month now and plan on buying another hear shortly if I can find a great deal.
The Flips are nice too but it’s an older technology or product and the Playsport has a few extra bells and whistles and a bit better Video quality.
It comes with an HDMI and RCA cable and you can charge the battery via PC or AC plug-in. The 720P 60 frames per second is incredible for video quality or slow motion play back.
The zoom is much better than I anticipated. I have some incredible Turkey hunting footage and other fun video’s of friends doing stupid stuff in just the short time i’ve had this unit…
They do have a New PlaySport ZX5? out now that is bit more expensive. I’m not really up on the improvements other than it’s listed as shock-proof and it has updated software plus a different look.
The thing is the size of a small average cell phone so having it in your pocket is breeze and way less risky than using your expensive Android cell phones for video’s.
The only downside that I’ve come across is the 5 mega-pixel camera doesn’t take very good stills but thats a small price to pay for an incredible HD pocket video recorder that is water proof of all things!.. 
As far as the low light recording goes I’m still tinkering a bit. Ive added a Princeton tech Fuel light to the camera it fits perfectly. The beam is a little narrower than I’d like and when Taping people the light can be a bit bright for the person being filmed.
I do think with just a boat Stearn light and maybe a headlamp being worn by the shooter you could get some good late night fishing video’s. I know DTRo shoots some good nite vid’s, not sure what he does for lighting though.
Here is side by side of the flip and Playsport.
Only because I’ve used a Flip for the past couple of years and beat the snot of it (plus a brand new one is being delivered to me in the next couple of days) I would highly recommend it. I have been very happy with my Flip and am kind of sad to see the brand dissolved. It was kind of the Mac of the video cameras.
But….with Flip being discontinued, the Playsport comes up a clear winner to me. That promotion Pierbridge mentioned was a great deal and had I not already got a new Flip I probably would have jumped at that. If there is only one thing I can see that might be an issue its the low light stuff like seen in that side by side video.
Like Pug said, I really hate the whole FishEye thing, I see more fishing shows doing it, and to me it’s butt ugly, so the GoPro didn’t catch my eye.
Oh and as far as lighting. For some of my better night time vids, I actually had a clamp on utility light with a CF bulb (less power) and ran that to an inverter in the boat. I then clamped that light on to a tall object like a pole or landing net or even the side of the boat sometimes. It lit up the area pretty well. I like the idea of mounting an LED light right to the camera. I might have to try that one. Although the light a headlamp throws off is bare minimum for a decent video after dark. I bet one of those LED work lights would work great.
So the playsport doesn’t have a wide-angle lens?
Al, have you found a camera?
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So the playsport doesn’t have a wide-angle lens?
Al, have you found a camera?
Musta slipped by ya…ya we did, we looked at the one you can wear but in the boat, things on my head last about 35 mins tops so…
We did finally decided on a Canon FS40 for $299, we both liked how easy it was to point and shoot, and it had some features that I’m sure we’ll use…if we ever figure them out..:)
More of a tradional style camera and that’s what we liked.
Al
Or I glanced over it with my ADD. I’d love to have a 30X+ optical zoom. I don’t know, the whole distortion thing with those other cameras has really tempered my enthusiasm. I think I need to browse some GoPro videos out there, but maybe the SportPlay or whatever is the way to go for me for now.
The zoom is very limited but like I said I was able to get some decent footage of our turkey hunts on birds that were quite a bit away. It certainly won’t be anything close to Allen’s 30x zoom camera as far as zoom ability but it’s not in that price range nor is Allen’s camera water proof to 3 meters.
Allen’s is going to be better when zoom is needed like maybe a kids sporting event and low light situations. I think it’s more of an all around family camera I thought about going that route but the reviews and price on the Play-sport steered me that way. Plus I’m brutally hard on my stuff and the Play-sport seems to be tough as nails.
The strong points for the passport are the size makes it’s easy to carry in any pocket or tackle box, the water-proof-ness is nice for us outdoors-man. The 720 wide screen video quality is amazing. And of course the price is reasonable.
I did look at the Go-Pro also but didn’t think I needed it as I can mount this unit on my motorcycle no problem and the price was a bit steep too.
Looks like Amazon is up to $109 with free deilvery… 
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The zoom is very limited but like I said I was able to get some decent footage of our turkey hunts on birds that were quite a bit away. It certainly won’t be anything close to Allen’s 30x zoom camera as far as zoom ability but it’s not in that price range nor is Allen’s camera water proof to 3 meters.
Allen’s is going to be better when zoom is needed like maybe a kids sporting event and low light situations. I think it’s more of an all around family camera I thought about going that route but the reviews and price on the Play-sport steered me that way. Plus I’m brutally hard on my stuff and the Play-sport seems to be tough as nails.
The strong points for the passport are the size makes it’s easy to carry in any pocket or tackle box, the water-proof-ness is nice for us outdoors-man. The 720 wide screen video quality is amazing. And of course the price is reasonable.I did look at the Go-Pro also but didn’t think I needed it as I can mount this unit on my motorcycle no problem and the price was a bit steep too.
Looks like Amazon is up to $109 with free deilvery…
We wanted a cheaper camera, but we needed one that we both agreed on, the fact we agreed on anything is rare, so this actually came out ok..:)
Would like to have been waterproof, but it fit both ours hands and was easier to operate with one hand….ought to work great till I drop it over the side…:)
The digital zooms we looked at weren’t as good as the optical zoom, not sure how much we’ll use it, but it was a selling pont too.
Al
I’ll probably get a sports play and then think of a second camera for other things down the road.
It’s kind of asking a lot of a camera less than $300 to be able to work for every situation perfectly. And there is no way I am getting a camcorder filming both fishing and life events that is not waterproof.
On a lighter note today…. 
Here’s my PlaySport with the Princton Tec added it just slide’s on and off after a slight modification to the head-band.
It’s almost like the light was made for the playsport it fits perfectly and has matching colors too…
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Sweet!
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