HD Cameras: 1080P Full HD Camcorders, Compact And Sports Models At 60fps, Tips For Choosing

2024 Author: Beatrice Philips | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 05:33

The HD camera is an up-to-date shooting device that supports high definition format. Such cameras are in great demand today, since many are trying to capture every significant moment of life, and if the photo or video is also of high quality, then this is just the dream of every modern person.

Peculiarities

These devices are of two types: Flash HD and Full HD . The first type is convenient in that it is not very heavy and has a comfortable, small shape. It can easily fit into the pocket of a jacket or backpack.

Full HD cameras, on the other hand, are large when compared to the previous type . This is because a hard drive is installed on such devices, on which all video files are recorded.

This kind of camcorder has 1080P shooting capability and can also shoot up to 60 frames per second.

Views

All video cameras are classified into 4 types according to their intended purpose:

• amateur;
• semi-professional;
• professional;
• action cameras.

Let's consider each type in more detail.

Amateur

These are small and simple machines that have a fairly low cost. On such cameras, the optics are one-piece - you won't be able to remove or replace them. Shooting quality can often suffer, as can sound. There is a very small microphone here, which will not allow you to record high quality sound . The files themselves are written to the built-in memory card.

But the functionality of such cameras does not suffer, despite such modesty in the configuration. Now this type of device has the ability to shoot in full HD and Full HD resolution.

Advantages of amateur camcorders:

• compact size;
• relatively low price;
• uncomplicated equipment;
• the ability to connect to a computer using a cable.

Flaws:

• the lowest and weakest representative of video cameras;
• poor sound recording.

Semi-professional

These cameras are one notch higher in development than cheap amateur camcorders, but they are not the top of the ladder. This segment is exactly in the middle between the amateur and professional cameras, having all the averages in all parameters.

Most often, such devices have 3 matrices, the size of which is at least 1/4 of the part, which allows the user of the shooting device to record a clearer and more colorful picture.

Such a camera weighs up to 4 kilograms, which makes it impossible to record with one hand . All media files are stored on removable memory cards.

The formats of such cameras are HD (960 x 720 px) and HDV (1440 x 1080 px).

Advantages of semi-professional video cameras:

• good image quality;
• microphones allow you to record sound in a range of 25 meters;
• channels for sound recording vary up to 4;
• the camera has image stabilization;
• recording mode settings can be either automatic or manual;
• liquid crystal type of device.

Among the shortcomings, the following can be noted:

• price;
• weight that prevents one hand from holding the camera.

Professional

Such cameras are already much more serious than the previous two types. They are often and widely used in the modern world of cinematography, as well as in journalism, news, professional filming.

The weight of such a model reaches as much as 10 kilograms, which makes it impossible to shoot with such a device by weight. Usually, straps, tripods and other devices are used to fix the camera in one place . For some shots, you only need to use a tripod, and for motion shots, you only need to shoot from your shoulder.

Such devices have 3 dies, the size of each of which is 1/2 part . This model has support for RGB channels. The optics on such equipment are removable, this is done in order to be able to adjust the type of shooting.

The microphone, that is, the device that is responsible for recording sound, is placed in front of the camera and is an oblong and rectangular "gun".

The camera does not have an LCD screen or automatic focus - all this is not necessary for professionals. Shooting format AVCHD (1920 x 1080 px).

Advantages of professional video cameras:

• the highest image quality;
• setting up shooting functions (at night, stabilization and much more);
• microphones allow you to record sound in a range of 50 meters.

Disadvantages of professional devices:

• high price;
• significant weight.

Action camera

This type of video camera has a very small size, in another way it is called sports, as it is ideal for athletes, bloggers, extremists and just people who like to shoot absolutely everything that happens to them. Such equipment allows you to record a small video sequence, recording what is happening around the user.

The expansion of such cameras is only 12 megapixels. The advantage of such a device is the ability to shoot at an angle of 90 to 170 degrees . All video files are saved to a memory card in Full HD or higher format, the resolution is 1280x720 or 1920x1080. The battery is very small - it only allows you to shoot for 2 hours.

The weight of the camera itself slightly exceeds the weight of a regular phone - 200 grams.

Advantages of action cameras:

• low price;
• can be attached anywhere;
• no blind spots;
• optical stabilizer;
• quality.

Flaws:

• not for everyday life;
• small battery.

Rating of the best models

Among each type of HD format cameras, several of the best options can be selected:

• among amateur cameras camcorders Panasonic HC-V770 Black, Sony HDR-CX405 and Panasonic HC-VXF990 are especially distinguished;
• the best semi-professional cameras Panasonic HC-X1, Sony PXW-Z150 and Sony HXR-MC2500;
• among professional models, such models as Panasonic AG-UX90, Canon XA11 and Sony HXR-MC2500 stand out;
• GoPro HERO7 (CHDHX-701), Sony HDR-AS300 and Eken H9R are usually chosen among action cameras.

How to choose?

When choosing an HD camcorder, you should pay attention to a number of nuances

1. You should always start with the desired picture quality and your finances. If you are looking for a camera for amateur photography, then simple devices are for you. But if you are a professional, then you need to use those devices that support Full HD quality.
2. Pay attention to optical and electronic stabilizers. They will prevent you from getting blurry and fuzzy shots, which is inevitable when the device moves (the most common is hand shake when shooting). The best stabilizer is optical.
3. The ability of the device to work without recharging. That is, look at the capacity of the battery. And it is important to know that the power consumption depends on the size of the display - if the display is large, the power consumption is much higher.
4. Sound. The larger the microphone, the better the recording will be. And the camera's speakers allow you to view videos with good sound.