BEST CAMCORDER FOR SNOWBOARDING?

Question

I have 2 problems with trying to film when i go snowboarding. Either the camera gets a condensation problem and shuts down, or none of my friends wants to waste 3 of their runs filming or holding a bulky camera.

So,I got interested when I saw these small sanyo xacti camcorders that shot in HD which would be better quality than my basic sony hanycam. Then I saw some that were waterproof which would be very helpful as I have seem to repeatedly repair camcorders that I take in the snow. It seems great, something that I can keep in my snowboard jacket, something that's durable(less moving parts), something that has pretty decent quality(mpeg 4 HD), all for under $500. I was also looking at the Panasonic SDR-SW20 although it doesn't shoot in HD, its small and durable.

Or, should I just tell my friends to suck it up, and get a cheap 3ccd camera for snowboarding, treat it carefully, and end up with a camera with way better image stabilization? such as a panasonic pvgs 320?

Or...since they're both pretty cheap, i can get both, small and waterproof for powder days, better quality 3 chip 320 for park days? HA HA HA, I need help?

Answer 1

I will only mention the condensation problem which will happen to any cold object brought into a warm humid environment.  The best solution to that is to stay outside until the camera is warmed to room temperature. How you do that is a problem. Good luck.  

Answer 2

hmmm i have a panasonic gs400 never had any real problems with condensation, its a camera so you dont want to be going and putting in snow and spraying it with snow, as long as you keep it well protected for the elements when its not in use and when you get in from a days shred thats you leave it for a bit before turning it on so condensation can dissipate,

most snow board films are shot with 3chip cameras some (la la Land by runway films) still use 8mm and 12mm cameras, a 3ccd would be fine, dont get cheap you get what you pay for! get a panasonic gs400 of ebay or the gs500 if you wana do some serious filming, you dont need hd tho just a waste, you could get a 3ccd and an all weather cover for it but really i woundnt bother :)

Answer 3

I think you should get one of the MP4 cameras that record to SD flash memory - smaller, no moving parts, etc. Only the lens has moving parts and we will always have that. I like Canon (like the FS100)

http://www.newegg.com/product/product.as...

Some of the new SD recorders also to HD but they are expensive

Good Luck