Best cheap video camera?

[Fred588]

Make sure your editing software can handle the output of the GoPros, particularly if you wish to mix that output with that of another camera. Its tricky.

[mudxdresser]

Thanks again for all the input folks! Yeah, it don't take long to get behind with tech today, what do they call that, the Red Queen Effect? Nice to know there might be options in the $400 price range as at that price, I could afford more than one which is sort of where I'm trying to get to. I've spend more time trying to avoid damage to the camera at most mud shoots than actually filming and frequently to no avail. Of course, part of that is because at the places where I film there is always the "hey, you" factor followed by run, run, run, often covered in mud, and you've got to grab that camera and git as what's on it might be inconvenient to explain.

Will definitely take a look at the GoPro's as well. All the kamikaze crotch rocket bikers that pass me by doin' 120 ridin' the center line seem to have 'em on and seem to get decent video.

And thanks for the update on modern formats, that seems to be where the real play is. I can already see I'll probably have to upgrade my codecs and/or video editing software to give myself wider choice of format. Can only wish I had the option of someone to run a second camera requiring merging of multiple formats!

[dlodoski]

Thanks again for all the input folks! Yeah, it don't take long to get behind with tech today, what do they call that, the Red Queen Effect? Nice to know there might be options in the $400 price range as at that price, I could afford more than one which is sort of where I'm trying to get to. I've spend more time trying to avoid damage to the camera at most mud shoots than actually filming and frequently to no avail. Of course, part of that is because at the places where I film there is always the "hey, you" factor followed by run, run, run, often covered in mud, and you've got to grab that camera and git as what's on it might be inconvenient to explain.

Will definitely take a look at the GoPro's as well. All the kamikaze crotch rocket bikers that pass me by doin' 120 ridin' the center line seem to have 'em on and seem to get decent video.

And thanks for the update on modern formats, that seems to be where the real play is. I can already see I'll probably have to upgrade my codecs and/or video editing software to give myself wider choice of format. Can only wish I had the option of someone to run a second camera requiring merging of multiple formats!

I've had no problem merging AVCHD output from Sony Camcorders and Canon DSLR's on the same timeline in Vegas. And that was with different frame rates to boot. I've had GoPro footage through Vegas (11.0) as well. I would be surprised if Vegas couldn't deal with any combination of outputs from 'affordable' cameras.

GoPro is fine if you don't care about audio. Otherwise, you may want to incorporate at least one other camera with external mic capacity, and the sync the output of that with your other devices. I've never considered trying to protect an on-board mic from wind. Much easier to use an external with a wind screen, IMO.

[Nessie]

I've had no problem merging AVCHD output from Sony Camcorders and Canon DSLR's on the same timeline in Vegas. And that was with different frame rates to boot.

My second camera (usually on a tripod) was a $120 Aiptek and I had no issue merging either. It goes by time, not by frame rate. I just slid them around on the timeline to start at the same moment, and they stayed together until they ended.

You may have to contend with color correction, though. If you mix brands, the difference might stand out a hair. Canon is "warm tones" and Aiptek is "cool tones"...not anything you'd notice until you jumped from one to another, and then it screams "Second camera!"

I could always tell the difference no matter what I did, but I think I got pretty close. I have many years of dealing with color for print, though, to fall back on.

Nessie

[Jon Smith]

I don't know much about video cameras. If I take pictures or videos around water or something (like when I go boating and the water splashes everything), I would use my phone and wrap it in plastic or ziplock bags.