[jamieuk147]

I visit the parks locally to me alot and would like to film my daughter and nieces. I own a Nokia 1020 phone which I love, but would like something of higher recording quality, that can fit in my pocket.


Money isn't a issue really. When I say pocket, can be a bit larger if needed


Thanks!

 

[SD90]

There are multitudes to pocket sized fixed lens point and shoot cameras that shoot good video (much clearer than a phone) and no particular brand or model is clearly superior to the rest. Some have unique characteristics, however. For example, I place a high value on hand held image stabilization capability and the top compact sized cameras in that regard are the Olympus E-P5, E-M5 and E-M1 models http://www.getolympus.com/us/en/outlet/reconditioned-cameras/e-m5-with-m-zuiko-digital-ed-12-50mm-ez-black-body-black-lens-reconditioned.html . Only the E-P5 is truly pocket sized, however and only when fitted with a pancake sized lens.


Other owners place a high value on video recording resolution, frame rate and bit rate options. And still others place a priority on video image colors and/or clarity. I think it's best to search Youtube using the hypothetical words like "Sony X49 sample" , Panasonic Z50 test", etc. to see if the footage from any particular model camera suits your taste. And then after you find a model you like, search Youtube again for test reviews like: "Sony X49 review".

 

[spyker1212]



Quote:
Originally Posted by jamieuk147  /t/1523822/best-pocket-camcorder-for-my-needs#post_24517617


I visit the parks locally to me alot and would like to film my daughter and nieces. I own a Nokia 1020 phone which I love, but would like something of higher recording quality, that can fit in my pocket.


Money isn't a issue really. When I say pocket, can be a bit larger if needed


Thanks!

I have the sony gw77.. and I love it... it's pocketable, shockproof, waterproof.. sony discountinued the gw77 and came out with sony gwp88 but available for sale in asia only.

 

[bsprague]

I studied all the choices very hard to find the best pocket camera for my son to take video of my drop-dead-gorgeous, charming and brilliant granddaughters. I got him a Panasonic ZS-30.


I've studied the footage, read the reviews and own a similar Sony model. The ZS-30 really does fit in a pocket. It shoots the highest current standard video format and has terrific stabilization. It takes great photos too.

http://www.amazon.com/Panasonic-DMC-ZS30-Digital-Camera-Silver/dp/B00B3YSTI2/ref=sr_1_2?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1395575259&sr=1-2&keywords=panasonic+lumix+zs30


The 14 year old starred in a school musical a few weeks ago. My son put his new camera on a cheap tripod in the back of a badly lit room, with terrible acoustics and pressed the button. He and the camera did wonderfully. Of course, the "d-d-g, c & b" granddaughter performed perfectly.


If for any reason he drops or breaks that camera, I will buy him the exact same thing again.


Good luck!


Bill

 

[jogiba]

The best bang for the buck in a pocket size 20x superzoom that shoots 1080p60 is the ZS20 that sells for $161.99 w/free shipping on Amazon IMHO.
http://www.amazon.com/Panasonic-Sensitivity-Digital-Camera-Optical/dp/B00728ZBA2
http://www.dpreview.com/products/panasonic/compacts/panasonic_dmczs20

 

[jamieuk147]

I think I will look into buying a Sony gwp88 from China

, might try and buy a Panasonic SD900 as well as a main camcorder. Thanks all!!

 

[bsprague]



Quote:
Originally Posted by jogiba  /t/1523822/best-pocket-camcorder-for-my-needs#post_24518306


The best bang for the buck in a pocket size 20x superzoom that shoots 1080p60 is the ZS20 that sells for $161.99 w/free shipping on Amazon IMHO.
http://www.amazon.com/Panasonic-Sensitivity-Digital-Camera-Optical/dp/B00728ZBA2
http://www.dpreview.com/products/panasonic/compacts/panasonic_dmczs20

Joe,


My wife bought a ZS25 from Costco. We thought it was the ZS30 with out the WiFi stuff. Found out it did not have the sensor and stabilization found in the ZS30.


My wife did not like the still photos she got with the ZS25 on a trip to Europe. She kept it as a "purse camera" but stepped up the the Panasonic GM1 for when she is "serious". The GM1 seems to be working for her. Like all her electronics, I don't get to touch. So, I don't know anything about the GM1 for video. Reports are that it is pretty good.


Bill

Quote:
Originally Posted by jogiba  /t/1523822/best-pocket-camcorder-for-my-needs#post_24518306


The best bang for the buck in a pocket size 20x superzoom that shoots 1080p60 is the ZS20 that sells for $161.99 w/free shipping on Amazon IMHO.
http://www.amazon.com/Panasonic-Sensitivity-Digital-Camera-Optical/dp/B00728ZBA2
http://www.dpreview.com/products/panasonic/compacts/panasonic_dmczs20

Quote:
Originally Posted by jogiba  /t/1523822/best-pocket-camcorder-for-my-needs#post_24518306


The best bang for the buck in a pocket size 20x superzoom that shoots 1080p60 is the ZS20 that sells for $161.99 w/free shipping on Amazon IMHO.
http://www.amazon.com/Panasonic-Sensitivity-Digital-Camera-Optical/dp/B00728ZBA2
http://www.dpreview.com/products/panasonic/compacts/panasonic_dmczs20

Joe,


My wife bought a ZS25 from Costco. We thought it was the ZS30 with out the WiFi stuff. Found out it did not have the sensor and stabilization found in the ZS30.


My wife did not like the still photos she got with the ZS25 on a trip to Europe. She kept it as a "purse camera" but stepped up the the Panasonic GM1 for when she is "serious". The GM1 seems to be working for her. Like all her electronics, I don't get to touch. So, I don't know anything about the GM1 for video. Reports are that it is pretty good.


Bill

 

[jogiba]

Andrew Reid on EOSHD reviwed the GM1 video and said it was great .

Quote:
EOSHD overall rating -


GOLD

9/10 – best image to size ratio on the market and a genuinely unique concept


EOSHD rating in detail -


Video quality – second only to Blackmagic and the 5D Mark III raw output in terms of overall performance – 9/10

Codec – good but only AVCHD (7/10)

Optics – endless possibilities compared to a mere compact camera with fixed lens – 9/10

Feature range – very much a top of the range camera with very little stripped away from GH3 or GX7 – 9/10

Handling – good considering the size though difficult to grip with larger lens attached – 8/10

Build quality – extremely light but clean finish and nice to look at – 8/10


Pros


Incredibly small

GH3 beating image quality in a compact camera with interchangeable lenses

Impressive low light performance from new Panasonic sensor

Silent 4.5K electronic shutter very useful for raws and JPEG stills

Almost as feature packed as the Panasonic GX7 but a lot cheaper and smaller

Good codec implementation considering it’s AVCHD at 24Mbit

Good quality screen

Good handling for the size

Sharp, small and light kit 12-32mm kit lens

Small camera sensibly balanced with small lenses (Voigtlander 25mm F0.95 and Olympus 12mm F2.0 being a highlight)

Very fast AF for stills

Peaking for manual focus in video mode

Extensive punch-in focus assist options

Native progressive 1080/24p codec and full manual control

Very accessible price point of $749 with lens (699 EUR in Europe)


Reservations, but understandable considering the size and price


No hotshoe or ability to add an EVF

No external mic socket

No in-body stabilisation

No articulated screen


Cons


25p wrapped in 50i and doesn’t quite have the image quality of 24p mode

AVCHD codec has awkward file structure

MP4 video option has lower 20Mbit bit rate and extensive macro blocking in shadows

No 1080/60p (GX7 and GH3 has it)

Some options such as mechanical shutter mode and handheld night shot can be confusingly greyed out in menus (when other combinations of setting are selected)

Only one programmable function key

Can be a little slow to write burst mode stills to the card

http://www.eoshd.com/content/11643/panasonic-gm1-review-another-pocket-cinema-camera

 

[bsprague]



Quote:
Originally Posted by jogiba  /t/1523822/best-pocket-camcorder-for-my-needs#post_24518693


Andrew Reid on EOSHD reviwed the GM1 video and said it was great .
http://www.eoshd.com/content/11643/panasonic-gm1-review-another-pocket-cinema-camera

I'll never know! The thing is really small and could take any M43 lens. But, the lenses are monsters compared to the camera. Panasonic has made one small kit lens and announced another with some more tele zoom capability.


When my wife got the GM1, I got the GX7. There is always other choices, but I think we are pretty well equipped for awhile.