Cheap video camera and tripod recommendations

[noisyturtle]

I don't know **** about digital video recorders, but am attempting to get a YouTube channel together right now and am looking for a relatively inexpensive HD video camera and tripod for recording. Any recommendations under $200 would be great and it must be able to shoot in at least 720p (which I believe all do these days anyway.) No Idea what features might be useful, so any advice is appreciated.

[tigersharkdude]

I don't know **** about digital video recorders, but am attempting to get a YouTube channel together right now and am looking for a relatively inexpensive HD video camera and tripod for recording. Any recommendations under $200 would be great and it must be able to shoot in at least 720p (which I believe all do these days anyway.) No Idea what features might be useful, so any advice is appreciated.

I have a Logitech Webcam that was like $120 new and shoots in 1080p. PM me if you're  interested

[noisyturtle]

I don't know **** about digital video recorders, but am attempting to get a YouTube channel together right now and am looking for a relatively inexpensive HD video camera and tripod for recording. Any recommendations under $200 would be great and it must be able to shoot in at least 720p (which I believe all do these days anyway.) No Idea what features might be useful, so any advice is appreciated.

I have a Logitech Webcam that was like $120 new and shoots in 1080p. PM me if you're  interested

I'm just shopping around right now, but I may take you up on that soon. Trying to get educated on what's out there first.

[tigersharkdude]

I don't know **** about digital video recorders, but am attempting to get a YouTube channel together right now and am looking for a relatively inexpensive HD video camera and tripod for recording. Any recommendations under $200 would be great and it must be able to shoot in at least 720p (which I believe all do these days anyway.) No Idea what features might be useful, so any advice is appreciated.

I have a Logitech Webcam that was like $120 new and shoots in 1080p. PM me if you're  interested

I'm just shopping around right now, but I may take you up on that soon. Trying to get educated on what's out there first.

Sounds good, let me know

[JaccoW]

I believe most of the 'Vloggers' use either DSLR's for video or a compact camera.
Even the simplest ones will capture in HD, at better quality but it depends on the model if the sound is any good.

Top 10 Best Cameras for Vlogging.

What will be the subject of your Youtube channel?
It can really impact the recommended tripod or camera.

EDIT: And you might enjoy this website

EDIT2: Tips To Help You Choose a Vlogging Camera- Videoislife.com

[tbc]

can you provide us youtube video example of preferred quality, much too nice, and not acceptable?


as a quickie, are you sure your smartphone isn't good enough?

[noisyturtle]

I believe most of the 'Vloggers' use either DSLR's for video or a compact camera.
Even the simplest ones will capture in HD, at better quality but it depends on the model if the sound is any good.

Top 10 Best Cameras for Vlogging.

What will be the subject of your Youtube channel?
It can really impact the recommended tripod or camera.

EDIT: And you might enjoy this website

It's probably going to be a mix of things, but the camera should be able to handle light rain - fast movement w/o blurring - and the option to plug in an external mic. At home stuff the tripod should be able to lift the camera 4-6 ft and be able to pick up greenscreen well.

[JaccoW]

I believe most of the 'Vloggers' use either DSLR's for video or a compact camera.
Even the simplest ones will capture in HD, at better quality but it depends on the model if the sound is any good.

Top 10 Best Cameras for Vlogging.

What will be the subject of your Youtube channel?
It can really impact the recommended tripod or camera.

EDIT: And you might enjoy this website

It's probably going to be a mix of things, but the camera should be able to handle light rain - fast movement w/o blurring - and the option to plug in an external mic. At home stuff the tripod should be able to lift the camera 4-6 ft and be able to pick up greenscreen well.

Why light rain? Any camera that can record at 1080P/60FPS should be able to fill that second requirement.

[noisyturtle]

can you provide us youtube video example of preferred quality, much too nice, and not acceptable?


as a quickie, are you sure your smartphone isn't good enough?

I like the versatility of what they use in these videos, but that's obviously a nice camera. Much more then I need, and way too big:

you can see what they use @ 17:16

[tigersharkdude]

For tripods, I use a Quantary QSX 9002TM, I paid $45 for it and have had it for 5+ years
http://www.amazon.com/Quantaray-9002TM-9002-TRIPOD-MONOPOD/dp/B000YZG55A

[noisyturtle]

I believe most of the 'Vloggers' use either DSLR's for video or a compact camera.
Even the simplest ones will capture in HD, at better quality but it depends on the model if the sound is any good.

Top 10 Best Cameras for Vlogging.

What will be the subject of your Youtube channel?
It can really impact the recommended tripod or camera.

EDIT: And you might enjoy this website

It's probably going to be a mix of things, but the camera should be able to handle light rain - fast movement w/o blurring - and the option to plug in an external mic. At home stuff the tripod should be able to lift the camera 4-6 ft and be able to pick up greenscreen well.

Why light rain? Any camera that can record at 1080P/60FPS should be able to fill that second requirement.

I guess it doesn't really have to, I can throw plastic over it.

[noisyturtle]

I should've stated I need a camcorder in the OP. Does anyone know how a GoPro compares to something like say, a Sony Handycam? GoPro's do't look like they have a lot of visual stability if you are holding it rather than clipping it onto something.

[tbc]

all gopros are fisheyes AFAIK

they say they have correction software if that's not the effect you want.  might want to doublecheck their solution works.

[Altis]

If it's for YouTube, then you likely aren't interested in 4K.

I'd recommend a Sony E-mount mirrorless camera. They take really good video and the standard lens has stabilization (which is very useful for video). They used to be called NEX (so NEX-3, 5R, 6, 7), though now it's A3000, A6000, etc.

Even the cheapest one has an excellent APS-C sized sensor that's used in mid-range Nikon DSLRs. Much larger than what's in compact point-and-shoot cameras, phones, or GoPro, which gives greater low light performance and noise control.

I'd set that as the baseline if you want decent video quality. Anything less and it will look very evidently homemade.

As for the tripod, the cheap ones are usually garbage. Be advised that until you get to the $120+ range, ideally Manfrotto or upwards, you'll get a rickety tripod. I have no idea why it's so hard for companies to make a solid tripod for little money, but it seems to be one thing they cannot accomplish. Monopods can be cheap and very useful for filming videos.

[rowdy]

This guy does reviews of all sorts of video cameras:

www.techmoan.com