HELP Please selecting a camera/camcorder

[LostinCameraLand]

Good morning,

I need advice. I spent the last 10 years videoing my son's hockey games and football games using several camcorders. First, was the JVC 200 sports camera with built in overlays and streaming. I added external mics and a screen so have some experience tinkering with setups but do not spend endless hours tweaking video quality after filming.

When finished, I appended the files together and posted the video. That camera finally suffered from years of tripod falls and some of its features stopped working so I shifted to a Sony camcorder (no idea the unit but I paid 1000 for it) I had purchased and used OBS on a laptop to fill in the blanks (overlays and streaming). It was a decent setup. Last year, my son stopped playing football and someone else was videoing the games (and I just wanted to watch him play . I donated the JVC to the High School (still functions well enough).

Beginning of hockey season (last year of HS), my wife asks me to video again. I immediately scrambled to find the Sony and I cannot find it!!! I need to replace so I began searching online for 'camcorder reviews' and THEY NO LONGER EXIST. The websites vanished and I suppose everyone uses the DSLRs. I need HELP/ADVICE on what to purchase and I will follow it:

Uses: Videoing hockey and figure skating (daughter). Perhaps still photos but we do rely on my wife's iphone. Thats not to say we would not use a better camera setup...dont really know.

Things that are important:



1. Zoom/autofocus - I film from one place but do zoom in/out. I have a 30 autofocus remote that I love.

2. Image quality/Low light are important. But I am not doing hours on my computer tweaking quality. It needs to come out 'pretty'. That is why I liked the Sony - the image came out 'fine'. I actually did not like the JVC's quality that much.

3. Ease of use - Im happy to tinker/add etc. but beyond tripod, autofocus remote, running an HDMI cable to a laptop, external monitor, remote sound mic (mic on the boards)....

Budget - what it takes but definitely under 2k. My lean was just another camcorder but all the DSLR stuff...well it sent me down a rabbit hole on the internet.

Thanks in advance for your time and thoughts.

 

[dlevitt]

DSLR's are nor usually used for video work.

There are mirrorless hybrid cameras used for video and stills from many manufacturers.

You may want to look at the buying guides such as https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/buying-guide-best-video-cameras-for-photographers

That guide is useful, but was written before a couple of more recent hybrid releases from Panasonic & Sony

 

[Phaser]

I use my Sony RX10 IV as a camcorder sometimes. The power zoom function comes in handy. It has a sharp, versatile 24-600mm equivalent F2.4-4 lens.

Or you could go with a Sony ZV-E10 and Sony E PZ 18-105mm f/4 G OSS Lens. They both have a power zoom lever. The 35mm equivalent focal length is 27-157.5mm. Less range than the RX10 IV, but better in lower light.

 

[Mark S Abeln]

Nobody uses camcorders anymore and DSLRs are on their way out. “Mirrorless” is the state of the art.

There are dedicated cinematography cameras but they cost a fortune. But the good news is that most every major camera manufacturer can do video well.