What’s a good movie-making camera for amateurs?
Question by Zach: What’s a good movie-making camera for amateurs?
Okay, well…My little cousins and I like to make these little movies. I usually shoot them with the camera on my laptop, meaning we can’t move around much. I decided to use my digital camera to shoot all of the scenes, because it takes place mainly outdoors. However…If I want to use Windows Movie Maker, I can’t because everything is in the wrong format. When I try to change the format, and I’ve tried many different convertors, and tried changing to many things, the result is always jumpy. I want to film a video in cuts, and be able to put it together looking exactly as it did when I filmed it. I decided that I would just go out and buy a camera, but I don’t have money to blow on something I’m not sure will work, so I need help. Based on what I’ve told you, what type of camera do you think I should get? If possible, give me several options at different prices.
Note: I tried using a different movie making software. I forget what I did to make it work for that, but the time on the free trial is expired anyways, and I don’t want to purchase it. I believe it was Power Director. If you have a different movie maker software to suggest (FOR AMATEURS ONLY) please do so, but keep in mind that I don’t have a ton of money.
Thank you very much!
I’m currently using a Kodak M1033 HD.
Converters I’ve used…I really don’t remember the names of any of them. Google video converter and I’ve probably used anything on the first page. I know the only one that came close to working for me was atube catcher.
My laptop is an Inspiron 1525, operating Windows Vista.
Using a Kodak camera, it puts everything into MOV.
Thing is..I don’t want to use what I have. I want to use something that’s made to create videos. Something that picks up sound better maybe..something I can put on a tripod, etc. Cameras were not designed to create good quality, so what was? Camcorders?
I wanted to get several different prices because I don’t know what my budget is. Definately at or under $ 500, and that’s more of a long term goal. To make a video a little more…nowish, I’d say under $ 200.
Sorry. Typed up a long answer to all of your questions, but the window froze. Bah. Okay, short answers.
Currently using a Kodak M1033 HD. Being a Kodak, it puts everything in MOV.
Don’t remember the converters. Pretty much the first page or two when you google free video converters. I know recently I’ve used atube catcher.
Inspiron 1525 running Windows Vista.
Don’t want to use what I have. I want a camera made to take decent audio AND video. Something that was made to do this. If it’s not a camera, what is it? A Camcorder?
I dunno about budget. I asked for many prices to learn what I can get for my money. Under $ 500 no matter what. Under $ 200 if there’s anything decent in that price range.
Best answer:
Answer by Little Dog
SInce you did not tell us what you are using today, it is challenging to recommend something else. Since you did not tell us which converters you have used (and don’t like… that makes it even more challenging. And while you didn’t tell us what computer you are using, that you said you are using MovieMaker puts you in the Windows operating system environment.
Before you go down the new camcorder path, you may be able to use what you have – just use a decent converter.
MPEG StreamClip
http://www.squared5.com/
works well – and is free to download and use – and no watermarks.
We don’t know what format your current camera is saving video to, but it is likely some MOV or MPG format. MovieMaker likes WMV format (among a few others).
When you convert the video for editing, use “high quality” – this will help reduce some of the “jumpiness”, but the video files will be bigger. Still cameras were not designed to capture good video (or audio)…
You will have challenges similar to what you are experiencing today even if you replace the camera…
MiniDV tape requires your computer to have a firewire port, but you will have the best video quality when comparing similarly priced camcorders;
Flash memory and hard disc camcorders require you to convert the files using MPEG StreamClip or similar conversion utility;
DVD based camcorder should never make anyone’s short list becasue the video quality is that bad.
If you decide to go the camcorder route, what is your buget? $ 200, $ 500? $ 1,000? Set that, then lets see what fits.
Know better? Leave your own answer in the comments!
