Digital Camcorders; Multiple questions

obieone

I need a camcorder that can record out to 200+ yards, for my other hobby.
It needs to record something with a diameter of approx. 3/8" at that distance, with clarity, so, what do I want?
An SD camcorder with high optical zoom-78x/ digital zoom-800x

or

An HD camcorder with low optical zoom-25x/ digital zoom-300x

Another question is: what's the difference of optical vs. digital zoom?

Finally, will an HD camcorder increase mirage effect?

Thanks for any feedback:redface:

Sherardp

Canon has some nice models out, check those.

Cpyder

You want optical zoom. Optical zoom actually uses the optics of the camera to enlarge the image and so there is little/no quality loss when zoomed in (dependent on the lens). All digital zoom does is take the image and enlarge it with a computer program, which means, by definition, you achieve a zoom at the sacrifice of quality. Digital zoom is generally no different than taking the photo or video into an editing program on your computer and blowing it up. You WILL lose quality. Digital zoom is worthless to anyone who cares about picture quality.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Digital_zoom

"Professional cameras generally do not feature digital zoom."

obieone

Cpyder wrote: »

You want optical zoom. Optical zoom actually uses the optics of the camera to enlarge the image and so there is little/no quality loss when zoomed in (dependent on the lens). All digital zoom does is take the image and enlarge it with a computer program, which means, by definition, you achieve a zoom at the sacrifice of quality. Digital zoom is generally no different than taking the photo or video into an editing program on your computer and blowing it up. You WILL lose quality. Digital zoom is worthless to anyone who cares about picture quality.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Digital_zoom

"Professional cameras generally do not feature digital zoom."

Thanks, that's the way it was explained to me several years ago. Just thought it might mean something different with camcorders.

obieone

Well, I ended up getting a Panasonic, 78x optical, with a flash drive. It probably wont go out to 200, but hopefully 100 anyway. I'll find out next weekend. If not, I'll return it, and keep looking.

TNRabbit

You want this:

Sony XDCAM EX PMW-EX3 - Camcorder - High Definition - professional - widescreen


Should be able to pic a used one for a cool $7k or so

nguyendot

78X optical? What model was that? I haven't seen one with more than 25x or so, 78X is an insane optical zoom. That's like going from 14mm to 1092mm in one lens....

Also at that high of a zoom, you'd never be able to hold it steady even with "steady shot".
]
--update

I do see the panasonic SDR-T50k SD camcorder with 70x optical zoom (they call it 78X but it's really 70 with digital zoom).

It's 1.48mm to 104mm.

So yes, technically it's "70x", but the focal length (which is what actually gives you magnification) is only 104mm, not that high actually.

The X factor is just the telephoto focal length (104mm) divided by the wide focal length (1.48mm).

Since the Wide end is TINY, 1.48mm, it's just a marketing trick that they can actually call it "70X, or 78X".