Digital camera's with video capture?

[Blair]

I got myself a pretty cheap camera, one of the 3 in 1 type things, it takes 1.3mp images, acts as a webcam (Which doesn't work on yahoo or msn anyways), and has video capture. The thing is though, the quality is very bad which I expected with the price.

I've been looking at some higher priced camera's however that are 2.0 megapixels, they have a usb interface, and it says it will take digital photos in jpeg format, and MPEG-1 for video clips. Which that doesn't sound like what I had in mind for captureing shots off my computer.

Basicly all I want to do is have a normal camera that takes high quality pics where ever I go, but then something that I can also plug into the usb port and have a live feed that I can capture frames from. Does anyone have, or know of a nice digital camera that can do that?



Sorry to sound really dumb, but I am really dumb in this subject. :dork:

 

[craig]

I got myself a pretty cheap camera, one of the 3 in 1 type things, it takes 1.3mp images, acts as a webcam (Which doesn't work on yahoo or msn anyways), and has video capture. The thing is though, the quality is very bad which I expected with the price.

I've been looking at some higher priced camera's however that are 2.0 megapixels, they have a usb interface, and it says it will take digital photos in jpeg format, and MPEG-1 for video clips. Which that doesn't sound like what I had in mind for captureing shots off my computer.

Basicly all I want to do is have a normal camera that takes high quality pics where ever I go, but then something that I can also plug into the usb port and have a live feed that I can capture frames from. Does anyone have, or know of a nice digital camera that can do that?



Sorry to sound really dumb, but I am really dumb in this subject. :dork:

I'm sure Kodak used to do something similar to what you want because they suppy cameras with an optional docking station, which is used for that kinda stuff. Most 'decent' digital camera manufacturers dont supply cameras with the 'webcam' option though, probably because it kills the life of your camera considerably and they'd have loads of people returning them

The best camera for taking video imo is the Canon Powershot (UK: Ixus) range, which take video at a whopping 640x480.

Best option if all you want is 2mp is to buy a webcam (logitech are one of the best) and a seperate digicam, because the two are designed for two entirley different purposes really.

 

[RandomPING]

I've seen these things at bestbuy going for pretty cheep, http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?id=1051826237019&skuId=5403422&type=product and they're 3.1 megapixel. Or if you want a real digital camera thing without the video or audio option go to www.pricewatch.com and do a check for digital cameras, they have great prices.

Check with the www.bbb.org and www.resellerratings.com for the companies ratings before you actually buy from the company though.

 

[Shuzer]

I've seen these things at bestbuy going for pretty cheep, http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?id=1051826237019&skuId=5403422&type=product and they're 3.1 megapixel. Or if you want a real digital camera thing without the video or audio option go to www.pricewatch.com and do a check for digital cameras, they have great prices.

Check with the www.bbb.org and www.resellerratings.com for the companies ratings before you actually buy from the company though.

I have a Mustek DV3000 (which is the exact same as the DV3100, minus the sleeker design), and I have to say, it is NOT 3.1megapixel. It says it is, on the spec sheet that is, but it takes crappy pictures on the highest quality setting.

Its only saving grace is the video, which is okay, not great by any means, but for the price it's pretty good. I wouldn't suggest the camera, you can get a far better digital camera for the price, the DV3xxx series isn't worth it in the end. I just took a picture of my case with the camera to give you an idea of the general quality.

Here's the picture. BTW, it needs ALOT of light in order to get a clear picture such as this one. Just thought I'd give you the heads up on this camera, it's not as good as it looks

 

[RandomPING]

Thanks for the heads up, i was actually considering it. I mean that is high quality for a camera in the cheep realm, but it's definately not 3.1 megapixels, and not worth 120 bucks. I think i'll just pick up a genuine digital camera when the need arises. And on pricewatch you can buy a 6.6 megapixel camera for like 170$ anyway, so yea i'd definately spend the extra 50 bucks on something more then twice as good.

Besides i'm sure the lack of a flash doesn't help on the DV3100.

 

[Shuzer]

The lack of flash most certainly does not help, yes. However, it has a "Night" mode, where it amplifies any surrounding light. It doesn't work all that well, but it does help a little bit in low-light environments. I got the camera as a gift, it's been worthless as a picture taking camera, but I've taken dozens of videos with it. Glad it has that feature, atleast.

 

[Asus]

Yeah you really arn't going to find what you want in among the regular digital cameras.
Also, some cameras are e.i. 3.1 effective MP which means it actually captures at a lower res and enlarges it to 3.1MP and then saves the picture. Look for that "effective" word.

 

[Fat Tony!]

If you want good quality pictures you really should get a normal camera, even my 3MP one isnt that great however cheap and i never have to buy film .

 

[ray_MAN]

My Koday EasyShare CX6200 takes MPEG videos. It takes 2 mp shots too.

 

[RoyalEF]

but then something that I can also plug into the usb port and have a live feed that I can capture frames from.

Most digital cameras go into a PC mode to transfer data to a PC (via usb). This mode won't perform any picture/video taking. I haven't heard of a camera that ops as a webcam too (streaming video to your PC's hard drive or application).

You're probably best off getting a cheap webcam + digital camera. Assuming you meant that you want a streaming webcam, and not to just transfer videos (after you completed filming) to the PC.

My Sony DSC V-1 takes 640x480 + sound. I think it is MPEG-1, not very compressed. About 360k per second. It can also do a 160x120 capture.

 

[Shuzer]

Most digital cameras go into a PC mode to transfer data to a PC (via usb). This mode won't perform any picture/video taking. I haven't heard of a camera that ops as a webcam too (streaming video to your PC's hard drive or application).

You're probably best off getting a cheap webcam + digital camera. Assuming you meant that you want a streaming webcam, and not to just transfer videos (after you completed filming) to the PC.

My Sony DSC V-1 takes 640x480 + sound. I think it is MPEG-1, not very compressed. About 360k per second. It can also do a 160x120 capture.

Kinda funny, the Mustek DV3100 actually doubles as a webcam.

It has a "live feed" mode when hooked up to USB. If it wasn't so dim I'd use it, the picture quality is the best I've seen in terms of a webcam (it's sharper than what you can record in terms of disconnected video capture), and the framerate is alot better than my Intel USB webcam.

 

[beefcurtains]

www.novatech.co.uk

they sell their own brand 3.3 mp camera which has resolutions up to 2252 res ish. It also has video capture with sound, only downside is that it doesnt have optical zoom. the price?????

£100.

I have one and for what i need it for its awsome...taking pics of the misses