Like
it or not still cameras with video capability and camcorders with stills
capability are not going to go away. The concept of marrying stills
and video capability in a single image making device is being attacked
from both ends ... often by different divisions of the same company.
And accessory makers are starting to swamp the market with innovative
gadgets, and software, to aid and abet the accelerating transformation
in image making. The line between photographer and videographer are
blurring and in my view it is probably the most exciting innovation
since the development of digital imaging itself.
In
one corner we have the traditional DSLR-style camera and in the other
the tradition camcorder-style video camera. AT the present stage of
development both are compromises but there are signs that camera manufacturers,
large and small, are developing designs that will function as true dual
purpose models.
In 207 I wrote a piece about Convergent cameras and ended it by saying
"I have always been something of a one-man band, and now that I
am semi-retired I am totally. That means to do the stuff I want I have
to make compromises. As most is aimed at the web with some print most
of my work is stills photography, but I’d like the option to record
some video. At the moment it simply isn’t practical ... I cannot
take time out from taking photographs to switch to a separate camcorder
in order to record video.
Therefore, for me, a hybrid camera/camcorder would be almost ideal.
True, there would still be compromises, but as I can make decisions
on an assignment by assignment basis these do not represent an insurmountable
problem."
Now, it seems, most of my objections have been met and
it has become practical to use a single camera. The one remaining problem
is which one is right for me? My
final choice will be based on my needs, my
budget (both of which are definable) and the less tangible things that
go into a final decision — looks, feel, ergonomics.
Prices in Australia tend to be higher than those in the United States and Europe so what I am doing is not directly applicable. T have taken the Australian price of the Panasonic AG HMC40 as a base and looked at how much it would cost to bring a DSLR up to the same level in terms of ease of use and convenience. The lower end street price for the Panasonic seems to be around $4200 Australian with XLR adaptor, connectors and Shotgun Mic.
Top left: Nikon D3S is typical of DSLR cameras with video capability. Top right: Panasonic AG HMC100 is one of the new breed of high pixel stills camcorders. Above: Canon 5D kitted out with Cavision accessories to convert DSLR to a serious video maker.
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