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Suggestions for budget small multi-purpose camera (piefed.zip)

submitted 1 month ago by scytale@piefed.zip to c/askelectronics@discuss.tchncs.de

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Hey all. I'm looking into getting a small action cam type of camera. Primary purpose would be for travel and recording music playthrough videos at home. My wife would like something small and discreet that she can use to take short videos while traveling, but not make her look like an obnoxious vlogger. At the same time I'd like to use it in my home studio to make videos. Doesn't have to be 4k, 1080p would be fine if it doesn't meet the budget limit. I'm looking into something less than $200.

Anyone have suggestions?

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[–] Onomatopoeia@lemmy.cafe 0 points 1 month ago (1 children)

GoPro is the go-to for a reason, and they're uncomfortably tiny when not in a case.

[–] scytale@piefed.zip 0 points 1 month ago

Do you have a recommendation for a particular model? A brief search pulled up only one model just a little above $200. The rest are $300+.

[–] brucethemoose@lemmy.world 0 points 1 month ago* (last edited 1 month ago) (1 children)

Also, if you’re trying to beat a smartphone optically, modern mirrorless cameras are good. And not embarrassing to hold. This is my little R50V next to an older body:

And I am not a vlogger. It’s my travel/family cam.

Though TBH I’d recommend a used Panasonic Lumix S9 instead. That will utterly blow a smartphone out of the water.

…But it’s not cheap. A used S9 with a 18-40mm lens is $1000, and that’s a steal in the photography world. The R50V with a kit lens is like $700 new, and that’s as cheap as these video-centric cameras get.

[–] scytale@piefed.zip 0 points 1 month ago

Those aren't exactly small and discreet, and like you said, they're way above my budget.

[–] brucethemoose@lemmy.world 0 points 1 month ago* (last edited 1 month ago) (1 children)

What’s wrong with a smartphone?

I don’t mean to come off as abrasive, but phone cameras are very good. You aren’t going to beat them optically for $200. The biggest shortcoming is stabilization vs mini cameras on a gimbal, but you can get around that with Gyoflow for free:

https://docs.gyroflow.xyz/app/getting-started/supported-cameras/mobile-phones

Check out the Blackmagic video app, too.

[–] scytale@piefed.zip 0 points 1 month ago

We have older phones, and the video quality isn't that great, especially in darker environments. I'll try Blackmagic, thanks for the suggestion.

[–] brucethemoose@lemmy.world 0 points 1 month ago* (last edited 1 month ago)

…Also, I just realized you have a third option.

If you’re pretty technical, there’s this Canon firmware hacking software called magic lantern:

https://www.magiclantern.fm/

That you can load onto a classic EOS M:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canon_EOS_M

The M and its now obsolete lenses it are cheap, and magic lantern gives it rather excellent video recording capabilities. Smaller cameras just can’t compete with its big sensor.

But if you don’t consider yourself much of a tinkerer, I’d avoid that route.