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Best Camcorders for Still Pictures

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Can a Camcorder with Digital Camera Take Good Still Pictures?

Many camcorders on the market are capable of taking still photos in addition to recording video footage. The question that many consumers have however is whether or not these devices can do double duty well enough so that they can purchase a camcorder and avoid buying a stand alone digital camera in addition.

The answer to this depends partially upon the camcorder selected and the level of expectation that the user has related to their still photography. We will give you some tips for choosing a camcorder with a digital camera and make some recommendations.

Contents at a Glance

The Options
A Few Things To Consider When Choosing a...
Canon VIXIA HFS10
Canon HF S10 Review
Canon VIXIA HV30 MiniDV High Definition...
Canon Vixia HF S30

If you're on a budget and want both a camcorder for recording footage and the ability to capture nice still images there are two options.

Purchase a separate camcorder and digital camera. If your still image photography needs are basic this option may still be a good one based on your budget. Basic point and shoot digital cameras can range from $100 to $300. Even several of the cameras priced at $100 offer good quality images and they possess more features than a camcorder does for still images. (See digital cameras under $100 here.) If your budget is larger of course, even better cameras are available.

If you truly just want one device for convenience sake and filming is your first priority, then it is possible to get a good camcorder with a digital camera that can produce some very resonable still images as long as you won't be enlarging them.

Below you will find some of the best camcorders for still pictures.

A Few Things To Consider When Choosing a Camcorder to Take Still Pictures

Here are just a few tips of things to consider when trying to choose the best camcorder for still pictures as well as video footage.

Pixels. I recommend a minimum of 2-3 effective pixels for still images. If you are pretty good with a camera this can produce a resonable 4x6 printed image. On screen images will generally look even better than the prints.

Lens Quality. For instance, a Carl Zeiss lens is well regarded.

The sensor. Large and more is always better.

Optical image stabilization. A steady camera provides a clear picture.

Low noise and good color can also be important factors.

Look for camera features like built-in flash, autofocus, and optical zoom during still photography, and scene modes. Some may even include a burst mode.

Simultaneous image capture. While a camcorder may allow you to capture both video and still images, not all of them allow you to do both at the same time. Some do however. If this is important to you, look for this capability.

Compatible connections. Be sure you know how you will be able to download, view, or print your still images.

Reminders. Learning how to capture good still pictures is important; get basic photography tips here. Using a tripod can be useful for both filming and still photography. Also remember that sticking with smaller print sizes can assure better quality when resolution is limited.

Canon VIXIA HFS10

Canon VIXIA HFS10 HD Dual Flash Memory w/32GB Internal Memory & 10x Optical Zoom - 2009 MODEL

Amazon Price: $1,288.00 (as of 02/15/2012)

The Canon HF S10 is an HD dual flash memory camcorder with 32GB internal memory, expandable with SDHC memory cards allowing it to capture up to 12 hours of HD video. It also features 10x zoom and superior optical image stabilization. This is also a great camcorder for still pictures with it's 8 megapixel built in digital camera function. Users can also take 6 megapixel photos simultaneously while capturing video.

This camcorder also features a 2.7" multi-angle widescreen LCD, HDMI terminal for easy connection to your HDTV, a built-in 1.7x digital tele-converter, instant auto focus, face detection technology, advanced auto exposure to be sure you get the lighting right, 24p cinema and 30p modes for getting professional looking results, built in flash, PictBridge compatibility for easy printing, microphone terminal and manual audio control, built in electronic lens cover, and automatic shooting modes such as portrait, sports, night, and snow & beach among others.

Canon HF S10 Review

Canon Vixia HF S10 HD Camcorder Review CES 2009: by 3GIPHONEinfo | video info

22 ratings | 19,710 views

curated content from YouTube

Canon VIXIA HV30 MiniDV High Definition Camcorder

Canon VIXIA HV30 MiniDV High Definition Camcorder with 10x Optical Image Stabilized Zoom

Amazon Price: $799.00 (as of 02/15/2012)

This Canon HV30 is an excellent camcorder with digital camera. It is an outstanding videography tool firstly but also possesses a very respectable camera function. It allows the user to simultaneously grab photos while filming and replaying or to use capture still images independently. It is capable of 3 MP photography (2 megapixel during filming) and offers an easy print/share button for printing those images. It produces excellent still images for sharing online and for producing 4x6 or 5x7 prints.

Canon's SuperRange Optical Image Stabilizer assures steady images both while filming and when shooting still images and the electronic lenscover protects the lens.

This Canon model features 10x optical zoom, a 2.96 megapixel CMOS image sensor, and DIGIC DV II processor. The 2.7" widescreen multi-angle LCD provides easy viewing and the built-in video light allows you to produce images with great clarity even in low light settings.

The camcorder also features instant autofocus, the ability to record in full high definition (1080) or in standard definition. Users have the choice of 24p Cinema Mode or 30p Progressive Mode for fast action scenes.

Complete with an HDMI terminal, this camcorder allows you to easily display your films/images on your HDTV.

Video Review of the Canon HV30

A Hobbyist Review of the Canon HV30 Camcorder by Dr. Diana: by drdianascience | video info

43 ratings | 21,111 views

curated content from YouTube

Canon Vixia HF S30

Canon VIXIA HF S30 Flash Memory Camcorder with SuperRange Optical Image Stabilizer with Powered IS

Amazon Price: $999.00 (as of 02/15/2012)

Another stand out option from Canon is the HF S30. This video camera has a 10x optical zoom HD lens (200x digital zoom), 1.26"/ 8.59 megapixel image sensor, optical image stabilization, 3.5" touch panel with Touch & Track for precise focus and easy control, and 32GB of internal flash memory with 2 SDXC compatible memory card slots. It records 1920x 1080 HD video at 24 Mbps in AVCHD.

Users can select frame rates from 24p Cinema, 30p Progressive, and 60i modes. They can also do an HD-to-SD down conversion to make editing and online sharing easier. This camcorder has a Mini Advanced Accessory Shoe for adding a video light, a mic terminal and manual audio level control, headphone terminal, and a built-in remote control terminal as well. It provides 5.1ch Surround Sound audio as well.

It is also one of the best camcorders with still image capture. It shoots 8 megapixel still photos and can also capture 6 megapixel images while filming. With instant Instant AutoFocus, a range of exposure modes, metering patterns, a histogram display, level marker, built-in flash, red eye reduction and more, users get the control they need for great photos too. It even offers a continuous and a high speed mode for capturing from 3 to 5 frames per second. It is PictBridge compatible and has a Print/Share Button for easy printing and sharing of images.

Sony HDR-SR12 10MP 120GB High Definition Hard Drive Handycam Camcorder

Sony HDR-SR12 10.2MP 120GB High Definition Hard Drive Handycam Camcorder with 12x Optical Image Stabilized Zoom

Amazon Price: $1,398.00 (as of 02/15/2012)

This Sony HDR-SR12 is also among the best camcorders for still pictures. It offers full 1920x1080 HD video recording. It records to a 120GB hard drive or memory stick and can record 5 megapixel video footage or 10 megapixel still images. It features a 5 megapixel ClearVid CMOS sensor, 12x optical/150x digital zoom, a huge 3.2" widescreen (16:9) touch panel LCD screen, Super Steady Shot optical image stabilization, and a professional quality Carl Zeiss lens.

The camera function can even capture still images during the filming process and offers a variety of Picture Effects including Monotone, Pastel, and Sepia. HDMI connectivity makes enjoying images on compatible televisions and other devices simple.

With it's Super Night Shot Infared System, getting footage even at night is possible and the built-in zoom microphone and Dolby Digital 5.1 channel recording offer superior audio as well.

Video Review of the Sony HDR-SR12

hdr-sr12 review by cnet: by DoodadzOnline | video info

31 ratings | 27,872 views

curated content from YouTube

Sony HDR-CX12 High Definition Handycam Camcorder

Sony HDR-CX12 High Definition Memory Stick PRO Duo Handycam Camcorder With 12x Optical Zoom

Amazon Price: $498.98 (as of 02/15/2012)

Another outstanding camcorder with digital camera is this Sony HDR-CX12 which offers full 1920x1080 high definition recording with a ClearVid CMOS sensor. It can also capture 10.2 megapixel still images. It features 12x optical and 150x digital zoom, super SteadyShot Optical image stabilization, a professional quality Carl Zeiss lens, and both Smile Shutter and Face Detection technology for optimal focusing and exposure of your subjects.

This camcorder boasts a 2.7" rotating widescreen ClearPhoto LCD display, built-in zoom microphone with Dolby Digital 5.1 channel recording for superior sound and a built-in flash for still images. A wide variety of scene modes are provided and still images can make use of montone, pastel and sepia picture effects.

This camcorder offers HDMI connectivity and comes with a 4GB memory stick for storing images.

JVC Everio GZ-X900

JVC Everio GZ-X900 AVCHD HD Flash Camcorder w/5x Optical Zoom

Amazon Price: $479.99 (as of 02/15/2012)

This JVC Everio is likely the top camcorder for still pictures. It boasts a Konica Minolta HD lens with 5x optical zoom with the ability to shoot video in full HD (1080p) resolution and record 9 megapixel still images. (5.3 megapixel stills while simultaneously recording HD video)

It offers simple one click uploading to YouTube and some great slow motion abilities. It can parallel some DSLR cameras with it's uncanny skill for recording 15 images per second. This camcorder, although a heavyweight in it's performance, is quite light and compact and can fit in a pocket for easy travel.

Learn more by clicking on the image.

A Brief Review of the JVC Everios GZ-X900

The GZ-X900 is also know as the Everios X

GBTV #525 (HD) | Eye-Fi Video, Everio X, PrecisionHD, Mae...: by calilewis | video info

4 ratings | 2,033 views

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