Digital Camera or Video Camera? - TravelPUNK Backpacker College Student Budget Travel Message Boards!

ryandl · 03-20-2006, 09:17 PM

So here is the situation. I am leaving in May to spend 5 months backpacking Europe with a long time buddy of mine. He just purchased a fairly nice digital camera and I am wondering whether or not I should buy a digital camera as well or get one of those dvd burning video cameras? The reason I am wondering this is because since we will be together 95% of the time, would it be beneficial for us when we return home to have one of each media types? I understand that their are pros and cons of both, ie. being that tourist guy in the middle of some town scare spinning in circles doing his best Rick Steves impression. But truthfully, their is something very appealing about getting back and being able to see that full panoramic view with plenty of fps of the Swiss Alps. THis is becoming way too long. And if you have any preference, do you also have a specific model in mind that treated you well on your travels. Thanks.

**space virgin** · 03-21-2006, 12:21 AM

Personally I'd go with a digital photo camera because I wouldn't want to rely on someone else for my photos, especially because getting split up somewhere down the road is not just a likely possibility, it's an almost sure bet with the amount of time you're going for.

And I'm a fan of Canon cameras in general.

**omisan** · 03-21-2006, 12:22 AM

I'd suggest getting a digital camera. The quality/resolution is so much better than what you'd get with any video camera, and it's just easier to share what you capture.

Of course, almost all digital cameras have a video mode now, and many capture video at great resolution... The thing to look for in the video function is the abilitiy to record for as long as the memory cards will allow, instead of limiting you to 2-3 minute clips. That way you can shoot all sorts of video, then dump the memory cards on to DVD-R or whatnot at internet cafes.

You come home, edit the footage, and voila! Home movie, better digital photos, all without having to lug a video camera around, which just screams "Tourist!!!" anyway.

**tumblezweedz** · 03-21-2006, 12:41 AM

i'm in the still camera camp - when I see people traveling with video cameras it seems like they spend their whole trip trying to record things, watching everything through a monitor, instead of taking in the experience for real.

We just bought the Canon A610 (thanks for the advice, Jeanie!). My husband's off to Romania next week, so he'll be road-testing it for the first time. I'll let you know how it works out.

**benna2** · 03-21-2006, 07:04 AM

I'd go with the digital camera as well. Like Omi said, you can get the digital camera that is capable of taking some video. Then you can just burn it to a dvd on your computer or at an internet cafe. I hate relying on other people for pictures, like SV said. You never actually seem to get those "promised" photos emailed to you!!

Have a fabulous time!!

**bluepea** · 03-21-2006, 07:59 AM

I'm with the rest. We have some video clips from Europe and I spend more time looking at the photos than I do watching the clips.

**beergal** · 03-21-2006, 08:09 AM

I have one of these little babies...as Omi said as long as you buy a high enoug memory card you can take video and pictures, the sound is pretty good as well!
This camera has an amazing battery life, but the great thing is you can recharge the batteries and it only takes a few hours

twisted_tbar · 03-27-2006, 10:54 PM

I think Canons are an awesome brand, but I found Pentax acmeras are just as good and at times cheaper than their Canon siblings. Besides, there's Pentax Optio W10 which is water and dust proof (can't go scuba diving with it) but it's good if ur gonna be taking pictures in rain or while doing watersports or even near a waterfall. The pentax optio S6's are also very good; pretty much the same as W10's but not water/dust proof. I've never owned one but borrowed one from a friend a few times and it did an excellent job (that was an older model with 3.4 MGP) newrer models come with 5+ megapix which I think would be plenty enough judging by how the 3.4mgp did.

**space virgin** · 03-27-2006, 11:29 PM

Pentax is certainly a good brand.

A couple of years ago when I was doing heavy-duty research for my first digital camera purchase I considered a Pentax. The reviews I read about the Pentax cameras at the time were very good, but not quite as favorable as the Canons or a couple other brands such as Nikon and Sony. Slight hijack: I was really considering a Nikon as well, but every time I went into a shop to look around and kick a few proverbial tires, the salespeople heavily pushed the Nikon cameras over anything else. I asked one guy why, and he 'fessed up that Nikon was the only brand that paid a commission.

I ended up going with Canon because I was so irritated about that. And I'm glad I did!

nemesis331 · 03-28-2006, 09:51 AM

I own a canon SD300 and i'm absolutely in love with it. it's the best camera i've ever used as far as simplicity, reliability and easy to carry around go. i just slip it into my pocket when were out and i don't have to go digging through a bag to pull it out at the opportune moment.

Canon is reliable and although there equipment is a bit expensive, its nothing too outragous for a camera that you will get tons of use out of.

if you have any more questions about my camera/experience let me know. and as for the video/still camera debate i would definetly go with the still camera. my friend recently brought his vid cam on spring break and was out of film the 3rd day, when we went back it was all useless footage anyways. not much that really showed our experience like the still pics that i had. its hard to go back and edit what you want on the vid camera when your on the move. good luck. let us know what you end up with.