How to purchase a video camera

[LouBruno]

How to purchase a video camera by Lou Bruno




.NEVER use any video camera set up in a store and make a determination on what is observed. Both Pro and Con.

.Keep in mind, in a store display, the cameras are placed in AUTO MODE giving a false perspective on the camera for such things as grain and low light.

.Monitor adjustments are important as the HF S10 needs the proper HDTV adjustments like any other camera. This goes for any camera...the monitor/HDTV must be set-up properly.
Connections are important as well....HDMI output displays a pristine picture. NEVER rely on what is observed in a small cameras tiny LCD screen and make a judgement.

.Keep in mind that customers, play with menus thus the observations by a potential user may not be what the cameras capabilites are

.LOWLIGHT.....YES, some cameras, compared to others shoot better in low light but be careful. Just because a camera is brighter than another does not mean the picture is clean........grain looks terrible when gain is set to auto

.This brings me to the Canon Camera I own as an example......there are many settings in the menu that control color and noise. The camera has a gaiin limit and adjustable gain. This prevents GRAIN in the picture and a CLEAN picture to boot. In a store situation, most likely even the weekend salesperson is not knowledgeable of sophisticated menu settings.

. I can POP the color with two types of VIVID settings in my camera......probably not done in the initial store set-up plus new users may not even know of the second color menu. Auto mode is the only mode available.

.Never believe what is written in a review...rent, borrow or purchase (return policy) the camera and READ the MANUAL FIRST....then use the camera properly.

In closing, judgements of any brand camera can never be made at the store level. The videographer needs to have a hands-on approach and try a camera for several assignments before making a decision to own the camera and post erroneous evaluations that other, less experienced users, take as gospel.