How good is the video quality on modern HD camcorders?

Canon 5D mark ii vs. Canon HD camcorders for HD video?

• Hello, let me make this quick and to the point. I have around 3k. I'm purchasing a camera and a camcorder. I am primarily a photographer, but I really would like to be able to take some stunning and high quality video. My question is....do I get a nikon D300 w/lenses for around 2300 and just pick up a normal HD camcorder for around 700.... Or do I just get the Canon EOS mark ii 5d so i can use that for both video and photography. It seems like the video abilities of the mark ii are better than those of your typical 700 dollar HD camcorders...at least from what I have seen samples wise, and on youtube HD.

• Answer:

  A camera for stills and a video camera for video and never the twain should meet. Seriously though Its better to keep the two separate. as neither do each others job very well. as you are a photographer then get a good stills camera, and a HD camcorder you will be much happier with the results. You seem to have sorted out the camera. The camcorder, you can get a very acceptable camcorder for that sort of money. as you say go for HD the format is the next question. For me I would only go for Mini-dv (tape) I think they are the best quality, easy to capture onto your computer, easy to edit, the tapes are cheap, so you do not have to get rid of the raw video if you want to archive it. the cameras are robust. once the tape is full just pop another one in. HDD (hard drive) SD card/memory card easy to use, easy to upload onto your computer. computer needs to be high spec to edit the video as it is a highly compressed format. once the HDD is full you need to upload it to your computer. Don't bother with Mini-dvd not enough capacity, 20Min'ss of good quality video. but not as good as HDD or Mini-dv http://video-cameras.suite101.com/article.cfm/camcorder_formats http://www.cnet.com.au/camcorders/camcorders/0,239035915,240061716,00.htm there are a few things to read Good luck RR