A pocket digital camera that can zoom while shooting video?
June 16, 2009 4:10 PM Subscribe
Are there are any pocket-sized digital cameras that allows optical zooming while shooting in video mode? Big bonus points if it can shoot HD (720p) video.
I currently use a Canon PowerShot SD800 IS. I'm really happy with it. Except I find myself using it more and more as a video camera instead of a still picture camera, and the inability to zoom while shooting video has gotten irritating. I'm tempted to buy a video camera, but I'd rather just carry one device that does both still images and videos reasonably well.
I currently use a Canon PowerShot SD800 IS. I'm really happy with it. Except I find myself using it more and more as a video camera instead of a still picture camera, and the inability to zoom while shooting video has gotten irritating. I'm tempted to buy a video camera, but I'd rather just carry one device that does both still images and videos reasonably well.
Best answer: You can do this with your SD800 IS by using CHDK.
posted by shinybeast at 4:33 PM on June 16, 2009 [3 favorites]
posted by shinybeast at 4:33 PM on June 16, 2009 [3 favorites]
They generally won't stay focused while zooming. Once the zoom is complete, the autofocus will kick in, but the zoom itself won't look like I suspect you want during video playback.
posted by Chocolate Pickle at 4:40 PM on June 16, 2009
posted by Chocolate Pickle at 4:40 PM on June 16, 2009
Indeed, our Panasonic DMC-TZ5K has a 10x optical zoom which can be used while shooting 720p video -- but the catch, similar to what Chocolate Pickle notes, is that it won't autofocus. Even though technically you can zoom while recording, you pretty much have to zoom and then re-focus once you're where you wanted to zoom to.
posted by eschatfische at 4:52 PM on June 16, 2009
posted by eschatfische at 4:52 PM on June 16, 2009
I've been very happy with the Panasonic S100 for ski movies and other stupidity -- good image quality for a fairly small package. Easily fits in the thigh pocket of my ski pants.
posted by Pantengliopoli at 4:57 PM on June 16, 2009
posted by Pantengliopoli at 4:57 PM on June 16, 2009
Response by poster: shinybeast - thanks for reminding me about chdk. I actually have it on my camera (but I don't boot into it), and haven't used it in a while. It was an ALLBEST version dated mid-'08. The optical zoom enable didn't work, but when I downloaded the latest version, the zoom worked like a charm.
posted by jaimev at 10:32 PM on June 16, 2009
posted by jaimev at 10:32 PM on June 16, 2009
Also in the Lumix line is the TS1. The biggest advantages, shared with the ZS3 are AVCHD format, which allows for smaller file sizes, the instant video button, and that you can zoom while shooting video in focus.
Different from the ZS3 are the form factor, lesser optical zoom, but added ruggedness (including waterproof to 3 meters). I got mine about 2 weeks ago, and it is a great camera.
posted by birdsquared at 1:13 AM on June 18, 2009
Different from the ZS3 are the form factor, lesser optical zoom, but added ruggedness (including waterproof to 3 meters). I got mine about 2 weeks ago, and it is a great camera.
posted by birdsquared at 1:13 AM on June 18, 2009
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posted by Ctrl_Alt_ep at 4:16 PM on June 16, 2009