Best camcorder for promotional videos at work & software
Discussion
I’m looking to purchase a camcorder for occasional promotional videos at work.
Our marketing dept already has a recent £500 or so canon DSLR that shoots quite good 1080 video, but it seems most suited to tripod use and perhaps indoors or for static shoots.
I would like to get something for a budget of say £500-£1000 that I can use to shoot machines in the field with maximum convenience and fairly idiot proof.
We sell agricultural and construction machinery and sometimes I want to film a demonstration or event that is usually outside. Videos would be shared on you tube and or Facebook, and also document some events.
I know modern DSLR’s can be very good but really I wanted a conventional camcorder that is easy to hold and has good imagine stabilisation and works wel in low lights, in build or small add on mic etc.
Am I asking too much for that budget? Not looking for the last word in quality but something a cut above my iPhone 6S for basic video quality. Would like something fairly compact too.
Then what sort of video editing software on Windows is good without breaking the bank?
Any help and pointers would be much appreciated!
So far I've looked at this Canon: https://store.canon.co.uk/canon-legria-hf-g26/2404...
And this Sony:
https://www.sony.co.uk/electronics/handycam-camcor...
Angus
Our marketing dept already has a recent £500 or so canon DSLR that shoots quite good 1080 video, but it seems most suited to tripod use and perhaps indoors or for static shoots.
I would like to get something for a budget of say £500-£1000 that I can use to shoot machines in the field with maximum convenience and fairly idiot proof.
We sell agricultural and construction machinery and sometimes I want to film a demonstration or event that is usually outside. Videos would be shared on you tube and or Facebook, and also document some events.
I know modern DSLR’s can be very good but really I wanted a conventional camcorder that is easy to hold and has good imagine stabilisation and works wel in low lights, in build or small add on mic etc.
Am I asking too much for that budget? Not looking for the last word in quality but something a cut above my iPhone 6S for basic video quality. Would like something fairly compact too.
Then what sort of video editing software on Windows is good without breaking the bank?
Any help and pointers would be much appreciated!
So far I've looked at this Canon: https://store.canon.co.uk/canon-legria-hf-g26/2404...
And this Sony:
https://www.sony.co.uk/electronics/handycam-camcor...
Angus
Edited by urquattroGus on Saturday 5th January 16:38
Edited by urquattroGus on Saturday 5th January 16:52
At the risk of going against your preference, I'd be thinking to use the Marketing Dept's dslr if it's capable (you might want to reveal which body it is), buy a zacuto z-finder and a couple of lenses that would suit your purpose. 1080 video is fine for undemanding uses.
I used a 7D for knowledge capture work and client testimonial videos a few years back (manual focus only
) pretty successfully with a Rode shotgun mic either on the body or remote, depending on the shoot, and the results were perfectly adequate for youtube or corporate Sharepoint site playback. Camera would be either hand-held (rigs are available) or tripod-mounted depending on the scenario. The modern dslrs which af and compensate for lighting etc in video mode are a joy to use; the 7D, in contrast, needed constant attention 
For post-prod editing and rendering I use Adobe Premiere Pro CC but Sony Vegas isn't a bad option. Each to their own, as they say...
ETA: oh and what cost of lost sales of agri machines? The image capture kit is incidental compared to the product opportunities...
I used a 7D for knowledge capture work and client testimonial videos a few years back (manual focus only
) pretty successfully with a Rode shotgun mic either on the body or remote, depending on the shoot, and the results were perfectly adequate for youtube or corporate Sharepoint site playback. Camera would be either hand-held (rigs are available) or tripod-mounted depending on the scenario. The modern dslrs which af and compensate for lighting etc in video mode are a joy to use; the 7D, in contrast, needed constant attention For post-prod editing and rendering I use Adobe Premiere Pro CC but Sony Vegas isn't a bad option. Each to their own, as they say...
ETA: oh and what cost of lost sales of agri machines? The image capture kit is incidental compared to the product opportunities...
Edited by checkmate91 on Saturday 5th January 19:20
I’ve videoed rugby matches for 15 years, mainly using camcorders. My job was to produce match videos and, in the event of a citing, produce videos to show what happened. I have also used camcorders for car shows and grandkids’ shows.
I’ve used Sony and Canon camcorders. There was little difference. I’ve used an earlier version of the Legria that you linked to. It felt decent enough and the screen was bright. It produced good video. My longest lasting camcorder was a Sony. It was subjected to rain, hail, being dropped three or four times, once onto concrete, being left in a bag in the boot of my car in the off-season. Buy decent batteries, and just too many of them, and get quality memory cards, sufficient for the size of the image. Have a spare.
I’ve had a number of digital cameras, including compact cameras, bridge cameras and DSLRs. I’ve used them for still and video work.
Whilst I do not know your specific circumstances, from the brief bit you’ve told me, I would suggest that I’m with Checkmate in that 1080 is ample and the Canon DSLR might be worth investigating.
If you are filming professionally, then a tripod is essential and so handling is not such an issue.
My experience is that camcorders have advantages, but being able to record for more than 29 minute 59 seconds is the main one. On most every other level they fall behind, if only just in many cases.
A bridge is a possibility. I’ve used three over the years and found them excellent. For video they provide everything a camcorder does with the benefit of a generally better image for the price.
However, after using a camcorder all that time, and various bridges for 10 year or so, my current Pannasonic G7 is the video camera of choice.
Video editing is a different matter. I’ve used all sorts of software, from cheap stuff to ‘borrowing’ an Avid set-up. (You’d need a course just to get by.) I reckon they are all much of a muchness unless you are going to be serious about it, or you have unlimited funds. I’d go along with Checkmate about Adobe Premiere Pro CC – I’ve not used Vegas – but in is expensive if you are not going to be using it week in and week out.
I like Cyberlink Power Director. I find the interface easy to use. I also have the last incarnation of Movie Plus, Serif’s half-hearted attempt at video editing. It is fast, very simple, and the interface is intuitive in the main, not something many will say about Resolve, but those who use it are full of praise. I had every incarnation of Studio from 7, but changed to Power Director a couple of years ago for the better audio software - Audio Director is quality. Wave is good as well. The last version I had of Studio, 19, was a decent bit of kit though.
Most video suites are good. You can get trial versions of some of them. Give them a go. To produce something of quality you need to get the best out of whatever you pick, and that ain’t easy. Don’t be put off by negatives on forums. Most seem to be from people who don’t read the instructions.
The best videos are made by people with decent enough equipment (your budget is more than ample), adequate software but with commitment to learn what to do. I subscribe to Videomaker. It’s free. Worth a trial.
I’ve used Sony and Canon camcorders. There was little difference. I’ve used an earlier version of the Legria that you linked to. It felt decent enough and the screen was bright. It produced good video. My longest lasting camcorder was a Sony. It was subjected to rain, hail, being dropped three or four times, once onto concrete, being left in a bag in the boot of my car in the off-season. Buy decent batteries, and just too many of them, and get quality memory cards, sufficient for the size of the image. Have a spare.
I’ve had a number of digital cameras, including compact cameras, bridge cameras and DSLRs. I’ve used them for still and video work.
Whilst I do not know your specific circumstances, from the brief bit you’ve told me, I would suggest that I’m with Checkmate in that 1080 is ample and the Canon DSLR might be worth investigating.
If you are filming professionally, then a tripod is essential and so handling is not such an issue.
My experience is that camcorders have advantages, but being able to record for more than 29 minute 59 seconds is the main one. On most every other level they fall behind, if only just in many cases.
A bridge is a possibility. I’ve used three over the years and found them excellent. For video they provide everything a camcorder does with the benefit of a generally better image for the price.
However, after using a camcorder all that time, and various bridges for 10 year or so, my current Pannasonic G7 is the video camera of choice.
Video editing is a different matter. I’ve used all sorts of software, from cheap stuff to ‘borrowing’ an Avid set-up. (You’d need a course just to get by.) I reckon they are all much of a muchness unless you are going to be serious about it, or you have unlimited funds. I’d go along with Checkmate about Adobe Premiere Pro CC – I’ve not used Vegas – but in is expensive if you are not going to be using it week in and week out.
I like Cyberlink Power Director. I find the interface easy to use. I also have the last incarnation of Movie Plus, Serif’s half-hearted attempt at video editing. It is fast, very simple, and the interface is intuitive in the main, not something many will say about Resolve, but those who use it are full of praise. I had every incarnation of Studio from 7, but changed to Power Director a couple of years ago for the better audio software - Audio Director is quality. Wave is good as well. The last version I had of Studio, 19, was a decent bit of kit though.
Most video suites are good. You can get trial versions of some of them. Give them a go. To produce something of quality you need to get the best out of whatever you pick, and that ain’t easy. Don’t be put off by negatives on forums. Most seem to be from people who don’t read the instructions.
The best videos are made by people with decent enough equipment (your budget is more than ample), adequate software but with commitment to learn what to do. I subscribe to Videomaker. It’s free. Worth a trial.
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