Does anyone use a camcorder that allows you to record on a DV or miniDV and then save digital pics on an SD?

Question

Do you think the dual function is better or would you advise me to have a seperate digital camera and camcorder? I am using this to record trips and family functions and my new baby.

With a dual function and dual storage camcorder, do you have to keep switching back and forth to which type of memory you want the image stored on, or switch back and forth between pic mode and video mode, or does the camera automatically do it?

Answer 1

As others have said, camcorders do better videos, digital cameras do better stills.  I love video, but I have to admit that digicams are much more convenient for those "baby moments".  I'd go for a separate digicam and camcorder, keep the digicam handy and use the camcorder when you've got the time.

Answer 2

Video camcorders do video well - when miniDV tape (best quality) or hard drive or flash memory based... Generally, they do not take great stills (current exception is the Sony HDR-CX7 with 6.1 megapixel still capability). DO NOT BUY A DVD BASED CAMCORDER.

Still cameras do stills well and do not do video very well when compared to miniDV tape. The Canon PowerShot SD1000 is a 8.1 megapixel camera at around $150...

DO NOT BUY A DVD BASED CAMCORDER.

DO NOT BUY A DVD BASED CAMCORDER.

DO NOT BUY A DVD BASED CAMCORDER.

Did I mention... DO NOT BUY A DVD BASED CAMCORDER?

Point of clarification: DV = Digital video. MiniDV tape records in Digital Video format. This is the least compressed video capture method, hence best quality. Some with high definition video (HDV). Next best are hard drive based (and some of the higher-end flash memory based camcorders - these store standard definition video in MPEG format and high definition video (typically) using AVCHD. Both methods apply a lot of compression which results in reduced video quality - but mostly acceptable. DVD based camcorders should be removed from the market and people who purchased them should get their money back. ALL of these cameras store "digital video"... that is video stored as 0s and 1s readable by a computer.

DO NOT BUY A DVD BASED CAMCORDER.

Answer 3

I have a Panasonic camcorder (a superior one) as you describe.  The advantage is that I have a large zoom ratio for my still pictures.  The disadvantage is that it's a video camera and hence large and does not take as good pictures as a dedicated digital still camera.

If all you want are medium quality pictures and don't care about the extra bulk then it will work fine.

If you are more fussy and want a camera that will take excellent pictures (and be much smaller) then take a separate digital still camera.