Digital Cameras - All Not Equal

Lately I've been working with coaches on expensive editing systems, great highlight film and recruiting software, and gearing up for the fall athletic season. One major thing I've noticed is how poor the video cameras are that some big time programs are using. Now in this day and age, everyone's budget is getting cut, but skimping on a decent camera is not the way to save a few bucks. You can get so much more from your video with three simple but overlooked features on your camera that very few people pay attention to:

1.) How the Mini DV tape loads into the camera - If you get a bottom loading camera, you have to unscrew it from the tripod to change the tape. Sounds simple, but you wouldn't believe how may times I've seen it ruin a decent scouting tape.

2.) Stand By Mode - This one is a killer. Some cameras TURN OFF and go into Standby mode if you are not recording to a tape. So if your tape runs out or if you are trying to record to a computer with a digital system, you have to change the tape or make sure that you are always recording to something, making redundant copies.

3.) Digital vs. Optical Zoom - Digital zoom works by magnifying a part of the captured image using digital manipulation. This is the same as how a graphics program resizes an image to a larger size. The process involves taking a certain number of pixels and creating a larger image, but because the new image is based on the same number of pixels, the image loses quality. Optical zoom is provided by the lens (i.e. the optics) and does not lose image quality. You want the highest Optical Zoom you can get ESPECIALLY IF YOU ARE FILMING FIELD SPORTS.

As always, I'll give you a couple of cameras and prices that fit the above mentioned, but others offer these as well. Best thing to do is try one out and make sure it has what you need before you get in the middle of your season and find out it doesn't.

Canon ZR500 Camcorder $399.00
Panasonic GS-35 camcorder $499.00
Panasonic GS-180 3-CCD camcorder $599.00