Are Camcorders Dead?

In the last few years we've seen still cameras start to develop very impressive video capabilities. Is there still a reason to buy a consumer camcorder? TCSTV's Chris Niccolls and Jordan Drake give their perspective, comparing the most capable consumer camcorder, Canon's HF G30, and Sony's RX10.

Special thanks to Dean Rumpel, All Hands On Jane and Mark Langridge
Shot and Edited by Jordan Drake
Filmed on the Sony FS700

[coffeeshopproductions]

Lots of people still use camcorders due to the fact that people don't want to spend money on lenses

[AustrianGeek]

Well. A few points FOR a camcorder:
(As this comparison is a little bit "incomplete".)

1.) They are often cheaper available (with good picture quality)
2.) They have less moire & aliasing problems
(As the chipsets and the whole devices are built for video purposes.)
3.) They offer longer running times (and bigger batteries are easily adaptable).
4.) They are easier to operate than DSLRs & system cameras (and less "bulky").
5.) They offer way bigger screens than most DSLRs & system cameras.
(And the screens are always freely adjustable - Position wise.)
6.) They offer "smoother" AF systems - Also with bigger sensors!
(Check out the new Sony 1" camcorders - As mentioned in this video.)
7.) The stabilizers are often better (check out Sonys "balanced optical steadyshot")
8.) The zoom is WAY better controllable (from slow to fast - Stepless) and 
9.) The image stabilizer is adjustable WAY better (often in 3 or 4 steps)
(BY FAR not possible with any DSLR and system camera I know of.
There you need to be happy to have a on / off switch ^^.)

AND THE MOST IMPORTANT POINT: No recording time limits!
Even the RX10 has a ~30 min. time limit. (ALSO the US model!)

I am a fan of DSLRs and system cameras. I am filming with Panasonic GH bodies since MANY months (about 2 years now). BUT the fact is: For the masses and for "quick and dirty" shooting (with your family, or if you NEED a good working AF system) a camcorder will be ALWAYS the better choice. There would be even additional points FOR a camcorder - But I think I mentioned the most important ones ^^.

[Johnny]

I have been thinking about this, I am a DSLR video shooter and I have to say that I really think there is a need for camcorders. You can not put a DSLR in the hands of Noob and get it to produce a decent image, if you know what you are doing the the image on a DSLR is of course much nicer. While a camcorder can not get a shallow depth of field for your average home movie you don't really need a shallow DOF. It seems every one is shooting wide open all the time and the result is half the time their image is out of focus.
Price: Most DSLR's are way more expensive than a average camcorder, as you have to add Glass as well, multiple lens, Vari ND's etc...
Also when you are chilling with the family, try handing any type of DSLR so someone else if you want to be in the shoot, no chance as you will have to explain how to use it, wight the camcorder, you just hit record. Yes you can put the DSLR in full auto but the results will look crappy.
General walking around filming with the DSLR is hard work especially if the exposure is constantly changing.
Basically the above video is looking at it from some one that knows what they are doing and is into camera's and will get the best out of the DSLR, for the average joe a mid- range camcorder will capture everything needed.
I have actually just bought a small camcorder for just this reason, just for run and gun stuff and for fun. I am also not to bothered if it gets banged up. I don't need to shot a shallow depth of field all the time, in fact I rarely do.

[LeonardUlrich]

I own two Canon XA10's and two Canon Vixia G10's, with wide angle lenses and powered shotgun mikes. There is NO WAY I could cover sports events, concerts, and weddings for my clients from four different angles as a ONE MAN CREW with DSLR's. Their constant focusing problems and short clip lengths would be the death of me. The zoom factor on my cameras puts me at the front of the stage when I'm at the back and above the crowd. When Canon / Sony puts a 1" or larger sensor on a 4K run and gun video camera with powered XLR mike inputs, I'll be buying four of them. I can add depth of field, greatly reduce noise, brighten the image and grade colour in post. My clients barely know I'm there and always ask: how did you get all those close up shots from so many angles?

[vegetablepolice]

Interesting points.  I just bought my first camcorder actually, the Panasonic v750.  I got it mainly for it's slow motion feature.  I researched a lot and couldn't find another camera that did as well as this one in that area for the price.

Show me the camera that can do 1080p at 240fps, while letting you zoom, change shutter speed, iris etc.  And still has autofocus during slow mo with no time limit.  For under $600 too.  Closest thing was the FZ1000 which can't autofocus during slow mo, or zoom, and is $900.  And is bulky as heck. 

Camcorders aren't dead yet that's for sure.  Maybe one day as I wish I could take some nice pictures as well, and have that fancy shallow depth of field look.  But my camcorder is fun, that's the bottom line for me.  Fun ass fun ;)

[philippruckert]

Well, I don't agree.

I personally think it is way better to shoot video material on a real video camera instead of using a conventional DSLR or so.

I mean I would use a cam coder for producing videos and a DSLR for shooting pictures.

Also handling wise to me it feels thousand times better to use a cam coder for videos.

[bigtubby]

4 years later 4k was introduced and camcorders blew up again

[WayoftheBrush]

Interesting compare & contrast. We use camcorders a lot and they are easy to operate one handed, versus a dslr which often needs two hands. Dslr cams also need stabilization to get good footage, where as camcorders often have them as a standard feature.
Do more videos like this.

[MrDavidlfields]

I think the issue with the SLR for the average consumer is the perceived complexity.  I am not a photographer by any means and when I hear terms like IO, Apature, Fstop etc. I seize up.  The "point and shoot" simplicity an average soccer mom or fishing trip dad expects is easily represented in the camcorder world.  Higher-end camcorders still provide many "prosumer" features for the guys that like to tinker and play like a pro.For me anyway, an SLR will never be in my bag because I don't care enough about the technical stuff and I just want it to take a decent picture when I hit the button.  I'm glad the manufactures still produce the simpler to use options.  Thanks for your perspectives.  It does give me things to think about when considering my next camera.

[artmaltman]

(1) I believe that cameras are limited to 29 minutes of video before you have to turn them off and remove the battery for a few minutes.  Manufacturers agreed to this to avoid competing with camcorders.  Odd.
(2) my Sony a6000 - an amazing APS-C camera - overheats after 10 to 15 min of video.  Try shooting a longer video on your Sony's RX10 and report back here.

[Pepingco]

I really like this After Dark idea - I like how you guys just focus on the discussion as opposed to walking about

[AgnostosGnostos]

Both my Sony NEX-3 and my later Sony α7 are frequently overheating during the shooting of a video. During summer the problem is more serious. With the summer heat outdoors I can only shop continuously video between 20-40 minutes before the camera automatically shuts down from overheating. Also there is the 30minutes limit and I have to use a timer in order to immediately resume the video recording.
Real camcorders don't overheat easily and many of them don't have the 30 minutes limit.

[dvamateur]

Still cameras do no have the proper handle and zoom rocker of the camcorder. Believe me, such a small thing, but it's ergonomics, and it plays big role at least in my book. Shooting video with still camera is like plowing the field with camcorder, or something like that.

[GearObsession]

You missed a major point. Camcorders are designed to zoom quietly, not so much with still cameras.

[truthseeker]

Yes there is more reason than ever now to buy camcorders. Lots of people are using mirrorless stills cameras as primary video recording tools, and are having them over heat and break down!
If you shoot mainly stills and some short video clips on the side occasionally, then yes a camcorder may not be needed.

[nong]

Wish you guys talked about ergonomics more. A camcorder is specifically designed to be easily held and operated with one hand. DSLR cameras, being still cameras first and video recorders second, are designed so that you need to hold ti with both hands to work properly. Holding it with one hand is possible but awkward, and without something similar to the built-in strap of a camcorder, you really risk loosing grip on a really pricey camera.

Generally though, i agree with you guys that a Camcorder is more of a tool for pros while the DSLR is good for everyday, casual use.

[BonecrusherWTF]

I think you forget to mention one of the most important things which is the ergonomics of holding the handycam compared to holding a DSLR for longer periods of time. What if you were at a concert and you wanted to raise your videocam really high over the heads of the people in front of you all the time? I film dance performances all the time and the DSLR just doesn't last long in that situation. Not to forget the stupid artificual 29:59min time limit.

[desertdispatch]

i'll give up my camcorder when they pry my cold dead fingers from it...I love mine

[HoppingVideo]

The one thing you didn't mention was record length limits. With the DSLR style camera's you can't record a clip longer than 29min and 59sec. For normal family documentation that is fine, but when you want to record your kids school play or graduation in it's entirety the DSLR falls short and you need the standard video camera.

[KyleClements]

Great segment. I love the straight to the point honesty.

I'm surprised ergonomics wasn't discussed more.  I find that camcorders tend to have much better ergonomics for video. My DSLR makes great video, but the ergonomics make it a fight to operate.