Best video camera for skiing under $500

skia4life89

Active member
I know this is a much debated topic, but I am just looking for a good camera for filming skiing that wont break the bank. I currently have a JVC hd7 and its a good camera and all, but has no stabilizer (extremely shaky) and it produces a very weird format that takes way to long to convert. I want something that is stable for follow cams and easy to upload into sony vegas without having to convert files. I dont want a go pro. I want something that zooms and an overall good camera. I plan on getting a wide angle lens for it as well. Any tips would be great.

p.s. please dont say you cant get a good camera for under $500. I dont want some big ass professional camera, just one for every day use that has good picture quailty.

Thanks.
 
Maybe look at the panasonic camcorders that do 60fps 1080p. Like the tm700 is supposed to be pretty good. I haven't used it personally but a lot of people like it. They have some cheaper ones (I think they're cheaper since they're not 3mos, whatever that means).If you can invest more in the future, you could even just get a refurbished t2i (from the canon loayalty program thing, its only like $300 there) and then get a 17-50 for like $300 also. But if you only have $500 to spend and dont want to invest more later into better lenses and mics and such, then definitely go for a camcorder
 
https://www.newschoolers.com/ns/forums/readthread/thread_id/723614/https://www.newschoolers.com/ns/forums/readthread/thread_id/722847/

https://www.newschoolers.com/ns/forums/readthread/thread_id/721131/

https://www.newschoolers.com/ns/forums/readthread/thread_id/722180/

https://www.newschoolers.com/ns/forums/readthread/thread_id/722265/

 
Nothing wrong with a T2i... Even though everyone hates on it/has it, it's still a baller camera that pumps out a solid image
 
Yeah, definitely. People hate on the T2i? Not really... I mean yeah people hate on the t2i and kit lens, but even that will take some damn good pictures. I mean yeah its not going to be very good quality and sharpness but that doesn't really matter to most people.But I'd recommend you get a t2i and a 17-50 2.8 for $600 ish and then plan to spend some more on extra batteries/glidecam/tripod/memory cards/othergear
 
There's lots of cheap stabilization options for dslrs. Simply using the camera strap helps a ton. It just gets overlooked here because its not a steadicam or tripod
 
yeah the tension will help steady it out, or find any way to really turn your body into a tripod... use a wall or tree or something.
 
i'm assuming by the op that this guy doesn't want to get too seriously into video production. i highly doubt he wants to deal with manual focus and exposure. his budget doesn't allow for more than one or two crappy lenses - he clearly stated that he wants the ability to zoom. a $500 camcorder will have a very large zoom range so he won't be restricted to the 18-55mm focal range which is the worst range to have IMO. a camcorder is so much more versatile than a DSLR for skiing, i always wonder why they are such a big deal in snow sports.

 
Yeah I think it totally depends on weather or not he wants to spend more in the future. If you're only going to be able to spend $500 then a camcorder is going to be by far better.
 
This was filmed on a DSLR, kit lens, and handheld. I think you're wrong by saying it's a bad setup. Sure it's not a fancy setup, but you can still make banger edits with it.

 
honestly, everyone talks down the kit lens, but ill bet that if someone that really knows what they're doing made an edit with it and didn't tell anyone, 70% of the people here wouldnt be able to tell the difference.....
 
that applies to a lot of different things, if you know what you are doing you can get good results from basic equipment but why would you want to limit your self when you could use something better and get amazing results.
 
i'm not saying the t2i + kit lens won't produce good results, i'm just saying that a camcorder in the same price range is much more versatile and easier to use. which in OP's case is what I believe to be more beneficial
 
Wow that edit was amazing. Can't believe it was filmed with the kit lens. It was also really good for handheld.
 
13213912:AriDiamond said:
Get a vx1000, it's the traditional skate camera, but the clips look sick. Though they definitely have a certain look.

You realise this thread is just about 2 years old, right? Also, im asuming your reply was sarcastic b/c anyone who still films with tapes is a little stubborn. Why not make things easier with an SD card.
 
Back
Top