lareaper

I was just wondering what kind of video camera I should get. I love making videos, but all I use right now is my piece of crap digital camera and I was just wondering if you guys had any suggestions. I was looking at the GoPro cameras and the Canon Vixia HF21. I was wondering if you guys had any other suggestions for me. If you could keep the price below $600 because I'm going to be buying this with my own money. Thanks.

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NYinfamous2k2

depends what you are trying to do. do you want a POV helmet/goggle cam, or something strong and durable that you can toss in your pocket, or a more serious HD cam.

lareaper

I was looking more towards a traditional camcorder than a POV cam. Because I want to use this camera for lots of things other than just snowboarding too.

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NYinfamous2k2

Ok then I would recommend the olympus stylus 850 sw, its sick , its waterproof up to like 10 ft , shock proof, and FREEZE PROOF (i mean you can freeze this thing in a brick of ice and it will still work while its frozen heres an old video YouTube - Olympus Stylus 7.1MP Waterproof Digital Camera with... . It takes underwater pics and videos. I always take it on the mountain with no worries. My old camera the lens would freeze and create a horrible haze on all the videos but this one holds up great in freezing temps. just make sure you get the right memory card that lets you take videos in high quality , this version is a few years old they got out now a 1030 sw and a 1050 sw, i think they can just go deeper in the water but the 850 works perfect for me, I take it every where, beach, camping, canoeing, boarding and it performs great. just check it out if your looking for a do everything go anywhere camera that you dont have to baby or worry about breaking.

edit, price wise I got my 850 sw after the new 1030 sw came out a few years ago and I only paid around $200 for it, just FYI

Puggy

Got one peice of advise for you... If you are going to buy a camera, sac up and pay the extra cash and get something that isn't going to be obsolete in 2 years... Vixias are dirty as fuck but you need to go with the HFS series... There about 200$ more than what your stated price range is... But honestly you don't just buy the cheapest thing you can find that's how you get screwed in the long run, I almost bought a Vixia but am deciding to go with the GoPro. Check this out: Amazon.com: Canon VIXIA HF S200 Flash Memory Camcorder - 2010 MODEL: Camera & Photo

NYinfamous2k2

like puggy said you shouldnt buy cheap because you wont be happy in the end. But as far as the gopro cam. I would DEFINITELY go with the contour HD over the gopro. I had the gopro and now use the contour HD and it is far superior. the video quality is much better, it is so easy to use and it doesnt look like a brick on your head like the gopro. its sleek and can clip right onto your helmet or even goggles if you dont wear a helmet. the Contour HD is the better choice for a pov cam IMO. but thats just going to open a can of worms, there have been lots of back n forth "discussions" about which one is better. I personally used both and like the contour better.

Puggy

You son of a bitch.... hahah... I've been back and forth on which one to get and I only recently decided to go with he GoPro HD... and now you wanna try and change my mind hahaha.... ahh!! I really liked the ContourGPS too but just really liked the super wide angle of the GoPro

NYinfamous2k2

HAHAHA I feel your pain bro, I wanted to rip my hair out going back n forth on which one to get. dont get me wrong the gopro is a good cam but I was thinking like there is no way im going to be riding around with the brick on my head. So for me the contour just fit my style better. ppl argue which video looks better, to me it was the contour. that with the slim style and since I dont wear a helmet the contours goggle attatchment is perfect.

the contour gps is the same cam as the contour HD right just with the GPS capabilities, and I believe the made adjustments with the mic also am I right .

baconzoo

A sick setup for around 600 might be to get any cheap HD camcorder and Century Optics Ultra Fisheye Converter.

Buy a Drift Innovation HD cam if you're think about the POV route. I shoot hand-held more than I use them as helmet cams: https://www.mypov360.com/snowboarding-pov/ (note those vids were shot on the $149 Standard Def version)

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Drift Helmet Cameras

lareaper

Thanks for all the suggestions guys. And baconzoo, I was planning on using a POV cam as a hand held more than on my helmet too if I got one. I'm going to look around a bit more before I make my decission, but thanks for the help guys.

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