Help needed - Compact Camera/Hybrid/Compact Camcorder needed for live music

[nrps1]

Hi all,

I have gone through quite a few cameras over the last four years, namely Casio Exilims for their overall quality as a compact camera, but none have measured up to a standard I am after.

The things I need are as follows:

Must be compact (ie easy to keep in pocket without a backpack needed!)
Good optical zoom/stabilisation with zoom whilst filming (mine current has 7x)
Obviously great image quality
Most importantly though - excellent (possibly HD) video capabilities, but with the added caviat of excellent sound quality.

All my camera's have been good with pictures, my current camera has great video (Casio Exilim EX-V8) with the capability of zooming whilst filming, but is seriously let down with its audio quality. It does record in stereo, but the majority of things I film are live bands at music festivals, and every single camera I have had has fallen down the moment 50ft speakers are involved! The bass totally drowns out the audio, or a terrible crackling/buzzing is heard ruining everything filmed.

I have searched high and low and come to the conclusion that perhaps what I want doesn't exist?

I was really excited about the Sanyo Xacti vpc-hd2000 as I though it had everything I needed, also with a microphone input to solve the audio problems, however it apparently has bad quality images and really struggles in low light which is no good for my use.

can someone help me?! Any info, thoughts or advise you can give will be greatly appreciated!

Money isn't too much of an issue, but I don't want to spend more than about £500.

Thanks in advance for anyone that could be bothered to read my overly long post!!

[senu]

Im not sure what you want exists, even in camcorder land
Stlll from concerts will be taken in light variable environment

Have a brose at the camcorder forums
If video is your major aim.. get a camcorder with Ext mic and get a decent small camera
If Audio is real that importannt, for recording audio better you may need to consider a say .. eg a minidisc recorder with half decent microphone ..There are costly digital audio recording kit " Edirol " but they may not be VFM for simply a hobby and do need you (as with the minidisc you to be able to sync well in software
There is IMHO no way you will get decent audio video ( espeiclly HD) and stills from one £ 500 device.. something will have to give

[nrps1]

Originally Posted by senu

Im not sure what you want exists, even in camcorder land
Stlll from concerts will be taken in light variable environment

Have a brose at the camcorder forums
If video is your major aim.. get a camcorder with Ext mic and get a decent small camera
If Audio is real that importannt, for recording audio better you may need to consider a say .. eg a minidisc recorder with half decent microphone ..There are costly digital audio recording kit " Edirol " but they may not be VFM for simply a hobby and do need you (as with the minidisc you to be able to sync well in software
There is IMHO no way you will get decent audio video ( espeiclly HD) and stills from one £ 500 device.. something will have to give

This sadly was what I was thinking was likely

I don't think I want it as good as recording audio seperately and joining with video, thats all too long winded, plus carrying this sort of equipment and holding it all whilst at a gig really detracts from the reason for being there to enjoy the said music, and bouncers most likely wouldn't let me in with a big camera, or multiple recording devices.

It is a shame that decent compact cameras do not seem to have decent mics, or at least a mic out port, or is anyone aware of one that does?

HD video isn't a necessity, I'm happy with SD quality, but I do want it to be a moderately good resolution

[senu]

Good point... but dont give up just yet
The Panasonics seem to have decent Images and more than barely acceptable video
I only know this anecdotaly though not from first hand experience of the TZ7

A small minidisc recorder with a small but good mike is very pocketable (I use one even with a camcorder and although I rarely frequent live gigs) I would imagine no bouncer wold notice it)
As for synching in software later you give yourslf the option. if the recorded audio is good then no need, if not you have a life saving backup which is not that hard to sync TBH
Lastly while it is possible to enjoy the gig ,phot and video it simultaneouly.. you will have to accept that caturing the moment may limit full immersion but how much would be down to you..
All the best

[nrps1]

Originally Posted by senu

Good point... but dont give up just yet
The Panasonics seem to have decent Images and more than barely acceptable video
I only know this anecdotaly though not from first hand experience of the TZ7

A small minidisc recorder with a small but good mike is very pocketable (I use one even with a camcorder and although I rarely frequent live gigs) I would imagine no bouncer wold notice it)
As for synching in software later you give yourslf the option. if the recorded audio is good then no need, if not you have a life saving backup which is not that hard to sync TBH
Lastly while it is possible to enjoy the gig ,phot and video it simultaneouly.. you will have to accept that caturing the moment may limit full immersion but how much would be down to you..
All the best

Well I've accepted that recording does detract a little, but its worth it to capture the memories. You made a very good point, that there's no harm in having a backup, as when I've been at 4 day festivals filling up SD cards, I've only found out when I get home how ruined all the recordings are!

Do you have any recommendations for a small yet pockatable minidisk and microphone setup at all plse? Do you hold both the camcorder and minidisc recorder out when recording or is the audio sufficiently good to leave in your pocket?

[senu]

~Im not sure there is a great choice as most are good names anyway.
Ive had Sonys and a Sharp .. no real difference and they dont make that many anymore anyway
As for microphones they are also a much of muchness at the budget level but al should be better that any built in mic.I have a tiny Shure .. cost £24 a few years ago...
Minidisc is a Sharp IMDR420H.. nothing special but does the job when i feel decent audio may be called for

[nrps1]

Originally Posted by senu

~Im not sure there is a great choice as most are good names anyway.
Ive had Sonys and a Sharp .. no real difference and they dont make that many anymore anyway
As for microphones they are also a much of muchness at the budget level but al should be better that any built in mic.I have a tiny Shure .. cost £24 a few years ago...
Minidisc is a Sharp IMDR420H.. nothing special but does the job when i feel decent audio may be called for

Well unless I can come up with something all in one, that sounds like a good option, thanks for your help!

I'll google compact camera mic out port and see what happens too!