Looking at this screen grab from Campbell Cameras, there are many choices to choose from!
If you're like me, your love of the outdoors consumes you and you enjoy the small details that happen and you see each trip as much as the adrenaline and thrill you feel from hooking a big bass, reaching the wind-cooled summit of a mountain or taking ol' Mossy Horns while he chases a doe through the November woods. That love has led me wanting to share those experiences and memories with others, which has resulted in me now filming - I know that technically if you aren't using film it is not really filming but I use the terms "video" and "film" interchangeably so bear with me throughout this - my hunts and fishing trips as well as the occasional hike and eventually a skiing adventure or two. While no professional (just yet), I do want to get the best footage I can and that all starts with the most important piece needed to obtain said footage: The video camera. This first part in a 6-piece series will be centered on the many video camera choices to choose from when it comes to taking video in the outdoors. I do want to point out that the following parts in this series will be looking at the keys to taking video for hunting and fishing and not while partaking in other outdoor centric activities, however the same principles and equipment I will discuss will also apply to getting the best footage possible during anything you do outdoors. That being said, let's dive right into things.
First up, let's quickly go over the different type of camera choices out there that I believe all have a place in the outdoor video world. Those are, in no particular order, the point-of-view action cam (POV), the point & shoot (P&S), DSLR, mirror-less/micro four-thirds and then, of course, the camcorder. Also make note that I will be focusing only on those capable of HD video as it has now become standard; that's not to say SD is no longer a viable option for the budget-conscious (for example, you can get the Canon GL-2 camcorder now for a steal) but HD cameras are now affordable for most anyone and I strongly suggest, as will others, that you go that route for the amazing quality. I am also not going to cover the audio abilities on each camera type as I am devoting an article solely to capturing audio later on in this series. Now that all that has been covered, let's move on to the overviews of each camera type.
The current craze is to film yourself or your buddies in action (doing whatever it is you want to/can do indoors or out) from a point-of-view angle. All that is thanks in large part to the amazingly small, yet big on quality Go Pro Hero line of cameras. What started with the HD Hero, which is what I have, has progressed to the HD Hero 2 and now the latest HD Hero 3. They are not the only game in town however, as Contour, Drift and now Sony, among others, all have their own line of POV cameras out on the market. HD video with fast frame rates is possible from the large sensors they are able to cram into the small bodies of these cameras while you also have the ability to take time lapses via still photo settings. Add in the fact you can easily wear them and you have what makes the latest action cameras very popular. These are perfect for filming your journey down the ski slopes, drawing back your bow on a big buck or even getting a face-to-face shot of that trophy trout you are trying to land while it is still in the water. The only downside to the POV camera is the lack of manual controls available in both video and photo settings (However I do know that the HD Hero 3 gives you the ability to set white balance). Because of that, coupled with the fact that sometimes you want a compact camera that you don't wear, the latest point & shoot cameras are next in line to be carried in your bag.
For P&S, I am talking about those pocketable cameras such as the Sony HX9V, HX20V and RX100 as well as the Canon S100, S110 and G15 that can now produce 720p and 1080p HD video along with amazing pictures. I should also point out that today's new smartphones are basically P&S cameras themselves with Apple, Samsung and Nokia leading the charge; I will not be talking about these however, but please note that the same things that apply to your typical P&S also apply to the smartphone. Note that the cameras I mentioned above are a little more complex than other P&S models and are for those looking for DSLR-like manual control in a smaller package, though just about any compact camera now a days will be able to get you quality pictures and HD video as soon as you turn them on. These little cameras are easily toted with you whenever you go hiking, hunting or fishing and will let you capture still photos and video of anything that catches your eye fairly quickly. The biggest negative to these is again the lack of manual controls, though they do at least have some abilities to control things yourself as opposed to their POV counterparts, just not to the extent to those cameras in the next realm, which are the mirror-less and DSLR cameras.
The mirror-less camera has P&S-sized body pocketability combined with an interchangeable lens system like that of their larger brother the DSLR. A prime example of a mirror-less camera system is the Sony NEX series. This is a camera system that allows the user more manual control like a DSLR while still being something that you can carry with you anywhere fairly easy. My use for one will be to easily pack in with me while in my treestand so I can use a lens that will allow me greater zoom than a P&S would allow while not carrying a bigger boded DSLR in with me. Hands down in the video department, Panasonic's larger micro 4/3's cameras, the GH2 and now the GH3 are top-notch and definitely deserve a look for a camera that takes amazing video and is sized between the NEX series and a DSLR. Speaking of the DSLR format cameras, Canon's T3i, 60d and Mark 5d II cover the gamut of amateur to professional DSLRs. Other good choices in this department are the Sony A99 and a wide range of Nikon's, most notably the D7000 and D800. These cameras are again composed of a body and interchangeable lens system, but they are the most cumbersome of the combination still/video cameras to carry around but not to the point where you can't easily put one in your bag along with just one lens. The benefit is the multitude of lens that you can throw on them, the ability to really get a nice shallow focus element to your pictures and video and again, full control of what the camera is capable of doing. Because of all this, they are the go-to choice for shooting B-roll now by outdoor videographers, though some are far better at video (and vice-versa when it comes to photos) than others so choose wisely. Now we come to the real work horse when it comes to videoing your outdoor adventures. It's not a still photo camera that plays Dr. Jekyll-Mr. Hyde and also has a movie mode. No, it is the piece of equipment whose sole purpose is to record video, the camcorder.
Before still cameras could take video there was but one option in the outdoor videographer's world to capture the thrill of the hunt, ski run or fishing trip and bring it to your television and that was with the camcorder. What used to be big, bulky pieces of equipment recording to full-sized VHS tapes has now been slimmed down to fit in just the palm of your hand in some instances. Before the flash memory and SD/SDHC/SDXC/CompactFlash craze of recording media there was DV and, most commonly used in the past 10 years, mini-DV. While it is slowly being phased out it seems, you can still buy mini-DV tapes at the big box stores and the camcorders that use them can be had at a steal on places such as Ebay. You can shoot on the "couple years old" Canon HV20 for a lightweight camera that takes HD video and allows the user with some manual controls or if you want to step it up a notch, a Sony HDR-FX7 will suit a medium-sized budget just fine and allow you to use semi-professional Mini-DV equipment and not get sunk in the higher cost that it once commanded. You will however need a way of getting the footage from tape to computer via firewire, plus spend some time logging said tape. With the flash memory now the standard, at least in the consumer and prosumer realm, that time logging tape can now be put to use in the editing room (more on that later on in the series). For those wanting to start out and not break the bank, you can't go wrong with any of the big manufacturers and what they have available under $500. Examples include the Canon Vixia HF R21, JVC Everio GZ-EX310 and Sony HDR-CX230. The Canon Vixia G series of camcorders, I currently use their older brother from the HFS line, are great cameras for those who want a top of the line consumer camera and some manual control over things. Other choices in this department are the Panasonic TM700 and 900 as well as the Sony HDR-CX580, PJ580V and 760V. (The latter two even have projectors). Stepping up from these top of the line consumer cameras you have the prosumer models and eventually the professional cameras. These prosumer and professional models offer amazing picture quality, full manual controls and low-light capability that is outstanding (though the best performance will vary between make and model). Expect to fork over some cash for cameras in this class, especially if you want to be the next Pat Reeve and use something like a Sony XDCam Ex3. A run down of good prosumer cameras are as follows: Sony HXR NX70U and NX5U, Canon XF105 and Canon XF305 and Panasonic AG-HPX250 P2. Two other professional models used in the outdoor industry along with the aforementioned EX3 are the Sony PM-320K and PM-350K. All of the above cameras and their specs can be found at Campbell Cameras. One last interesting development in the camcorder world has been the introduction of "affordable" interchangeable lens bodies such as the Sony NEX FS line and Canon Cinema EOS's for cinema productions. Much like mentioned earlier in regards to DSLR's, these allow the user to use multiple lens allowing for greater zoom, shallower depth of field, etc., depending on what the videographer wants to achieve with their shot all while producing a cinema-quality picture.
I know this was a long look at the mutlitudes of camera choices available for those of you wanting to video your outdoor adventures but hopefully the brief overviews of what uses each type of camera is good for, along with the capabilities of each type and examples of what is out there in each category, I've made entering the filming waters easier than it was beforehand. Feel free to ask questions in the comment section below and I'll do my best to answer them, or at least point you to a person or in a direction that will be answer it fully. So grab the nearest camera or camcorder and get out there so you can capture your next big buck harvest or big rainbow trout catch and release on video!
-C.B.
The current craze is to film yourself or your buddies in action (doing whatever it is you want to/can do indoors or out) from a point-of-view angle. All that is thanks in large part to the amazingly small, yet big on quality Go Pro Hero line of cameras. What started with the HD Hero, which is what I have, has progressed to the HD Hero 2 and now the latest HD Hero 3. They are not the only game in town however, as Contour, Drift and now Sony, among others, all have their own line of POV cameras out on the market. HD video with fast frame rates is possible from the large sensors they are able to cram into the small bodies of these cameras while you also have the ability to take time lapses via still photo settings. Add in the fact you can easily wear them and you have what makes the latest action cameras very popular. These are perfect for filming your journey down the ski slopes, drawing back your bow on a big buck or even getting a face-to-face shot of that trophy trout you are trying to land while it is still in the water. The only downside to the POV camera is the lack of manual controls available in both video and photo settings (However I do know that the HD Hero 3 gives you the ability to set white balance). Because of that, coupled with the fact that sometimes you want a compact camera that you don't wear, the latest point & shoot cameras are next in line to be carried in your bag.
For P&S, I am talking about those pocketable cameras such as the Sony HX9V, HX20V and RX100 as well as the Canon S100, S110 and G15 that can now produce 720p and 1080p HD video along with amazing pictures. I should also point out that today's new smartphones are basically P&S cameras themselves with Apple, Samsung and Nokia leading the charge; I will not be talking about these however, but please note that the same things that apply to your typical P&S also apply to the smartphone. Note that the cameras I mentioned above are a little more complex than other P&S models and are for those looking for DSLR-like manual control in a smaller package, though just about any compact camera now a days will be able to get you quality pictures and HD video as soon as you turn them on. These little cameras are easily toted with you whenever you go hiking, hunting or fishing and will let you capture still photos and video of anything that catches your eye fairly quickly. The biggest negative to these is again the lack of manual controls, though they do at least have some abilities to control things yourself as opposed to their POV counterparts, just not to the extent to those cameras in the next realm, which are the mirror-less and DSLR cameras.
The mirror-less camera has P&S-sized body pocketability combined with an interchangeable lens system like that of their larger brother the DSLR. A prime example of a mirror-less camera system is the Sony NEX series. This is a camera system that allows the user more manual control like a DSLR while still being something that you can carry with you anywhere fairly easy. My use for one will be to easily pack in with me while in my treestand so I can use a lens that will allow me greater zoom than a P&S would allow while not carrying a bigger boded DSLR in with me. Hands down in the video department, Panasonic's larger micro 4/3's cameras, the GH2 and now the GH3 are top-notch and definitely deserve a look for a camera that takes amazing video and is sized between the NEX series and a DSLR. Speaking of the DSLR format cameras, Canon's T3i, 60d and Mark 5d II cover the gamut of amateur to professional DSLRs. Other good choices in this department are the Sony A99 and a wide range of Nikon's, most notably the D7000 and D800. These cameras are again composed of a body and interchangeable lens system, but they are the most cumbersome of the combination still/video cameras to carry around but not to the point where you can't easily put one in your bag along with just one lens. The benefit is the multitude of lens that you can throw on them, the ability to really get a nice shallow focus element to your pictures and video and again, full control of what the camera is capable of doing. Because of all this, they are the go-to choice for shooting B-roll now by outdoor videographers, though some are far better at video (and vice-versa when it comes to photos) than others so choose wisely. Now we come to the real work horse when it comes to videoing your outdoor adventures. It's not a still photo camera that plays Dr. Jekyll-Mr. Hyde and also has a movie mode. No, it is the piece of equipment whose sole purpose is to record video, the camcorder.
Before still cameras could take video there was but one option in the outdoor videographer's world to capture the thrill of the hunt, ski run or fishing trip and bring it to your television and that was with the camcorder. What used to be big, bulky pieces of equipment recording to full-sized VHS tapes has now been slimmed down to fit in just the palm of your hand in some instances. Before the flash memory and SD/SDHC/SDXC/CompactFlash craze of recording media there was DV and, most commonly used in the past 10 years, mini-DV. While it is slowly being phased out it seems, you can still buy mini-DV tapes at the big box stores and the camcorders that use them can be had at a steal on places such as Ebay. You can shoot on the "couple years old" Canon HV20 for a lightweight camera that takes HD video and allows the user with some manual controls or if you want to step it up a notch, a Sony HDR-FX7 will suit a medium-sized budget just fine and allow you to use semi-professional Mini-DV equipment and not get sunk in the higher cost that it once commanded. You will however need a way of getting the footage from tape to computer via firewire, plus spend some time logging said tape. With the flash memory now the standard, at least in the consumer and prosumer realm, that time logging tape can now be put to use in the editing room (more on that later on in the series). For those wanting to start out and not break the bank, you can't go wrong with any of the big manufacturers and what they have available under $500. Examples include the Canon Vixia HF R21, JVC Everio GZ-EX310 and Sony HDR-CX230. The Canon Vixia G series of camcorders, I currently use their older brother from the HFS line, are great cameras for those who want a top of the line consumer camera and some manual control over things. Other choices in this department are the Panasonic TM700 and 900 as well as the Sony HDR-CX580, PJ580V and 760V. (The latter two even have projectors). Stepping up from these top of the line consumer cameras you have the prosumer models and eventually the professional cameras. These prosumer and professional models offer amazing picture quality, full manual controls and low-light capability that is outstanding (though the best performance will vary between make and model). Expect to fork over some cash for cameras in this class, especially if you want to be the next Pat Reeve and use something like a Sony XDCam Ex3. A run down of good prosumer cameras are as follows: Sony HXR NX70U and NX5U, Canon XF105 and Canon XF305 and Panasonic AG-HPX250 P2. Two other professional models used in the outdoor industry along with the aforementioned EX3 are the Sony PM-320K and PM-350K. All of the above cameras and their specs can be found at Campbell Cameras. One last interesting development in the camcorder world has been the introduction of "affordable" interchangeable lens bodies such as the Sony NEX FS line and Canon Cinema EOS's for cinema productions. Much like mentioned earlier in regards to DSLR's, these allow the user to use multiple lens allowing for greater zoom, shallower depth of field, etc., depending on what the videographer wants to achieve with their shot all while producing a cinema-quality picture.
I know this was a long look at the mutlitudes of camera choices available for those of you wanting to video your outdoor adventures but hopefully the brief overviews of what uses each type of camera is good for, along with the capabilities of each type and examples of what is out there in each category, I've made entering the filming waters easier than it was beforehand. Feel free to ask questions in the comment section below and I'll do my best to answer them, or at least point you to a person or in a direction that will be answer it fully. So grab the nearest camera or camcorder and get out there so you can capture your next big buck harvest or big rainbow trout catch and release on video!
-C.B.
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