Main types and characteristics of video cameras

One may argue that everyday soap-and-paper is enough for everyday photo and video shooting. Of course, there are a number of users whose claims do not exceed the level of a normal photo without a high degree of detail and a video in which all movements will be blurred. But progress is unstoppable, and today there are many amateurs who give their preference to a real video camera for creating video materials. There are several factors that easily explain such a decision.

When to buy a video camera

Video blogs are very popular today. Some are looking for fame and recognition, others want to make some money, and others need to raise their level of professionalism. To realize all of this, video blogging on one’s channel in one of the modern streaming video services allows varying degrees. But in order to make a video blog, desire alone is not enough - you need high-quality equipment.

The user is free to choose from a variety of technical devices of different price ranges and, often, quite different in the principle of operation. Today, without difficulty, you can purchase a camcorder, a DSLR camera, a small amateur camera, an action camera, or, at worst, take pictures on your own smartphone, good, some models of modern devices are equipped with pretty good matrices. It is difficult to say unequivocally what is best for filming a video, camera or video camera.

To date, there is absolutely no need to purchase expensive equipment, a microphone, batteries, etc. The decision largely depends on what kind of video the owner wants to make.For individual cases where high quality is not required, you can limit yourself to a conventional digital camera or smartphone. If you need a naturalistic portrait video with the possibility of further processing in a professional video editor, then the answer is obvious: you need a full-fledged digital video camera.

Types of camcorders

The classification of video cameras is similar to that of digital cameras. Here everything is divided into the area of ​​tasks to be solved with the help of the aforementioned techniques. So, there are four types of video cameras, if you divide them by purpose.

Amateur

Amateur camcorders belong to the most affordable segment on the market. They are chosen for simple everyday tasks, often of a universal nature. Miracles are not to be expected from them, but the amateur camera does an excellent job with its main functions. Most often, models in this category are equipped with a budget-level matrix capable of displaying a picture of average quality. Such devices fix objects well in natural light (daytime shooting). The future owner can expect full high resolution, but shooting in 4K format is unlikely to be available to amateur-level devices.

It should be noted that even an amateur video camera will shoot videos much better than a digital soap dish, because it was initially optimized for this type of activity both at the software and at the hardware level.

Amateur-type video camera is suitable for home, perfectly show itself in the format child and family shooting. The optimal choice to self-capture the everyday moments of growing up your child.

Semi-professional

The semi-professional model is chosen according to the same features as the amateur one: high-resolution support, quality of the matrix chip, optical and digital zoom, stabilizer, type of screen, and charging time. Unlike amateur devices, semi-professional can differ in individual indicators, which are well above average. For example, models from the Sony brand have multiple zoom, both physical, hardware, and digital, and despite the fact that all other characteristics may not be so outstanding.

Semi-professional models are often focused on one or two parameters,which are brought to its logical limit in the ruler (model), while the remaining parameters remain at a mediocre level.

Semi-professional camcorders are well suited for filming important family events and celebrations, as the picture quality will be much higher than the models of the starting level. Most often, such devices have a high-quality three-matrix lens, which significantly increases their sensitivity and, as a consequence, the quality of the picture. At the same time devices of this type weigh much less professional cameras. A small manual semi-professional video camera is a good solution for those who love video shooting and are ready to continue working on it, increasing their experience.

Professional

Professional video camera is designed for shooting high-resolution video. Most of these models are used by professionals to work on television channels or when shooting movies. Professional models have the best optics, most often with hardware zoom, and are equipped with high-quality built-in microphoneprotected by a special cloth, which is located in front for the highest quality sound transmission.The matrix is ​​one of the most expensive elements of a professional device: the higher the resolution, the better the picture.

But the built-in stabilizer is absent in almost all professional models. The reason for this is the use of a freelance fixation element - a tripod. Any professional knows that a regular tripod is the most effective image stabilizer.

The big disadvantage of this category is control complexity. Only a specialist who knows the purpose of all buttons and adjustments can handle a professional-grade video camera. Quite often, the devices have a complex and confusing interface and an unfriendly software, designed for those who already have sufficient camera skills. This is the most optimal choice for those who appreciate quality and are not ready to compromise when shooting video.

It is among this type of devices that the so-called shoulder camcordersable to provide high quality shooting thanks to top-end hardware stuffing. The shoulder professional camera has mobility, due to which the operator can be in the thick of things, recording everything that is happening at a good, qualitative level.

Action camera

This type of camcorder - a choice of extreme and active bloggers. Used by people who like to record their progress and achievements on camera. Intended for first person shots. Most often, an action camera is fixed with a special velcro bandage on the head, just above the eyebrow line. Thanks to this fixation, the effect of presence is achieved and it seems that the user who is watching what is happening on the screen is himself a participant in the events.

Many acquire action cameras for Sport, because they do not interfere at all with the training process and allow you to record everything that happens. It can be useful to study your sports habits and search for errors.

Due to its modern filling and the lack of additional features, this high speed video camera is not only convenient, but also reliable. Fast work, including instant start and the ability to automatically start recording allows the owner to concentrate as much as possible on achieving the result, without being distracted by the charge level and gadget control.

Camera selection options

To choose the right camera, you need to know the basic selection criteria. There are not so many of them, so you should look in more detail at each of them.

Media type

This item was more acute during the battle of formats, when there was no clear specifics, what would be the most relevant and popular, VHS, DVD or FlashDrive. As you know, the format of solid-state drives has won, so the choice today is reduced only to the support of high-speed memory cards and the presence of a large hard disk in the chamber.Of course, the larger the volume, the more material can be written on it. In this case, the relationship is direct. You should not save on this parameter, however, if the available volume is not enough, there is always an opportunity to purchase an SD card with a larger volume. Today there are models with support memory cards up to 2 TB, this, without exaggeration, is enough for everything, and there will still be in reserve.

Scan

It is very important that the camera you are planning to buy support progressive scan (FRAME). Video cameras with this parameter are capable of producing a much higher-quality picture than a device, shooting in format (PAL). Progressive shutter speed can be set to 1 frame in 25 seconds, which is a very good indicator.

For models with progressive scan, there is one feature: when working with video footage captured on such a camera, you can take photos directly from video clips.

Video file format

In fact, this item has ceased to be one of the most relevant due to the presence of support for most of the codecs supplied in the driver packages.This question was important 10-15 years ago, when various manufacturers preferred their own formats as opposed to universal ones. The best option would be the ability to record directly to MKV or WMVHowever, even if the model records in some rare format, it can later be converted to any of the codecs supported by the package.

Matrix

Assessing the characteristics of an amateur camcorder, most often they look at matrix resolution (number of megapixels). The higher it is, the better the picture, the depth and color saturation. Chasing a large indicator of megapixels is not worth it. On average, a high-quality image is capable of transmitting a matrix with 10-12 megapixels, and if their number reaches 20 or more, then the increase in value will be noticeable more than the quality of the material being filmed. But in professional equipment one should carefully approach each parameter, including the physical dimensions of the matrix itself.

Sensor dimensions - This is one of the most important parameters by which to evaluate the device. Size is selected depending on the tasks.There are five sensor size options: ¼, 1/3, ½, 2/3, 1 (1/2 is 50% of 1, etc.). The difference lies in the viewing angles and in capturing the image: the larger the sensor size, the larger the angle of view the lens has at the same focal length.

Lens

The main indicator of the lens - focal lengthwhich is interconnected with the size of the matrix and the viewing angle, as mentioned above. With this parameter, telephoto lenses are distinguished for shooting far-located objects, wide-angle lenses for shooting panoramas, and normal lenses, suitable for most standard tasks when shooting video. ZOOM lenses are distinguished into a separate class: their focal length can be increased (and, accordingly, decreased) by more than 6 times.

As a rule, the choice of a lens for a video camera is the lot of professionals. For amateur video, the lens, which is installed in the camera by default, will be enough.

Sound recording

The camcorder should not only shoot the video, but also record the audio track. For professional and semi-professional technology is characterized by the presence of active microphone, brought out, and, often, covered with a special material, the overwhelming noise and interference.In more simple models, the microphone can be represented simply as a passive speaker, cut out in the case.

Battery

Question battery life most often stands in extreme conditions and is more relevant for users of action cameras. For those who shoot in the studio, there is always the opportunity to simply plug the gadget into the outlet and recharge. However, it always makes sense to pay for a more capacious battery - all of a sudden it will be planned to leave for a picnic.

When purchasing a camera with a high-capacity battery, we should not forget that it will weigh a little more. Here we have to look for a shaky compromise between compactness and functionality, and this question can be solved only by proper prioritization.

Display

Someone more comfortable look in the viewfinderbut it is rather the privilege of professional operators who have developed this habit for years.A simple user who is not dedicated to all the secrets of camera art and is not particularly worried about “capturing a picture” can be quite limited to an ordinary digital display. To work with a folding display does not require any additional skills. In addition, to look at the display is much more convenient than all the time to look into the "eye" of the lens. Eyes get tired less, there is no constraint of movements. The camera can be put on a flat surface, then, without interrupting the shooting session, picked up without another “aiming”. For most tasks, models with a display will suit much more.

Additional functions

This includes support for Ultra HD, 4K, automatic stabilizer, extra battery and a whole range of options, which may vary from model to model. Most often, additional functions are only a pleasant bonus to a perfect purchase, or even an element designed to pay attention and lure the buyer. Buying expensive equipment, you should determine your desires and capabilities, and be less distracted by the presence of additional options.

Separately worth noting 3D camcorders. Today it is not uncommon TVs that reproduce three-dimensional image. That is why the market has become replenished with devices for shooting such commercials. Moreover, this option is also available in amateur cameras, for example, the Panasonic HC-X800.

Checking the camcorder before purchasing

Check your camcorder for performance before you make a purchase. Even if the chosen model meets all requirements, you should not rashly make an important decision, first you need to thoroughly examine all the basic features of the device.

1. Check screen for broken pixels. To do this, just point the screen on a white sheet of paper and use the zoom. Digital or hardware is not so important, you can use both alternately, if they are available. If faded pixels are present, they will manifest themselves almost immediately and will be visible to the naked eye.
2. Check physical zoom operation. The main thing is that the walking of the details is not accompanied by additional sounds: hum, clicking, etc. If sounds are present, it is better to ask to replace the device.
3. Check all available buttons and navigation joystick for a fact sticking / dropping buttons. Alas, this also happens. If there are concerns about the individual elements of the body (buttons, sliding parts, including the display, etc.), it is better to find out immediately before the money for the gadget has been paid.
4. Connect the device to an outlet and make sure it charges. Connect the device over the public network, try to connect it with your smartphone, check how the camcorder connects to the laptop. Communication of your device is another significant part of working with it. If problems arise with this item, it may overshadow a pleasant purchase.
5. Examine the complete set. Do not be afraid to be "persistent", sellers can roll their eyes and in every possible way pretend that this is completely useless, but it is better to find out about the "incomplete" in advance than to search for the truth by paying for an incomplete device.

Checking a video camera is a very important point, thanks to which you can save yourself from many unpleasant consequences.