Good video camera with viewfinder? Do they exist?

Jungle Explorer

Jungle Explorer

I Love YTtalk
I do a lot of outdoor hand held sport style filming. I find using a digital screen to do this very difficult when trying to film close up on a moving target (Bird in flight, for example). I really like filming with a viewfinder on these occasions. Two reasons. One, it give me three points of contact (two hands and my eye) which provides greater stability when trying to follow a moving target. Two, it is easier to keep a target centered when using a viewfinder because there is no lag time (the time it takes for the camera to render the video stream into a digital image).

Anyway, I have looked and looked and I can't seem to find a modern video camera that has a viewfinder. My Pentax DSLR has one, but it cannot be used in video mode. In video mode, it's lcd screen only.

Does anyone know of a modern video camera that can film in 1080P that has a viewfinder?
 
Hi Jungle Explorer. Seems no one has answered your query. So here is some brief gen. You will only be able to find domestic video cameras with a proper viewfinder in the upper price range. I have had for about 18 months a small Panasonic HCX920. I think that most in that range have viewfinders. The quality of the video in HD is very good. However, the viewfinder is only fixed and cannot be tilted up or down but apart from that it's very good.

Now if you want to go up a notch then look at the more expensive semi-pro range of cameras. Choice is large and I have at the moment the SONY NX3. This camera's viewfinder tilts up from the horizontal to just about vertical. Has a large rubber eye-cup which is great for keeping out stray light. So if you feel like investing some cash, have a look at this model and other in this semi-pro range by several manufacturers.

Hope this helps. Pete.
 
Thanks Pete. I have spent days doing research on this and now I have a headache. LOL! That SONY NX3 looks amazing, but is so far out of my price range it is not even funny. The Panasonic HCX920 is a lot closer to my price range, but still quite steep for my budget. I am not a professional videographer here and I am just not use to paying that much for a video camera, especially just to get a viewfinder. It makes no sense at all to me why there is such a price discrepancy between camcorders with a viewfinder vs without one. It does not cost an extra $600 to put a viewfinder on there (You can buy a 60" Samasung LED HD TV for $600). Seems like price gauging to me. I mean I can buy a whole Canon Rebel T5 DSLR kit (Camera + 4 lenses, two tripods, 4 filter, carry bag and more) on Amazon for $519, and it takes really great video. I am just saying that I can't see why they are charging that much for a camera, just because it has a viewfinder. My smartphone (Sony Xperia Z3) can take 4K video and pretty good HD video and it only cost $250. Yes, it does not have a viewvinder, but my point is, with today's technology advancements, taking good video (Not great, but good) does not cost that much. I am just not sure what they are charging all this money for. Maybe, it's just because they are targeting professionals and know that professionals will pay it.

But you are correct. To get a viewfinder on a camcorder is going to run $1000 or more, whether is makes sense or not. So it just prices me right out of the game. But I think I have a solution. I found the Panasonic FZ1000. After watching about a hundred youtube videos on it, I have to say it takes amazing video. It also competes with entry level DSLR cameras for quality still photos. It is $799 on Amazon, even that is more then I thought I would have to pay just to get a viewfinder, I think this camera is a great value for what it offers, and can replace my old Pentax K-r DSLR (which I can sell and cover a good portion of the cost of buying the FZ1000).

Do you have any thoughts on the FZ1000?
 
Thanks for your reply. Firstly I note your prices quoted are in dollars so from that I assume you are in USA or other country using $. I’m in the UK and I’m not really ‘with it’ on converting money. When I wrote I kept in mind I had no idea of the budget you had in mind so I will accept that the NX3 (and similar) might well be above what you can afford.


I only do my video work as a hobby although years ago I was a pro still photographer. (Weddings, portraits and all the usual stuff) I will also mention that I’m well into retirement years now. . .(shsssss);) Whilst I love using the NX3 I will say that it’s quite heavy for general hand held work and for your type of interest it might be too much after a while. I use a monopod for those times I want to move around a lot. So we will forget about this type of semi-pro gear.


The one reason I got the HCX920 was that it’s very small, compact and light by comparison. It also has just about all the facilities of the NX3 but not so easy to get at because many things are hidden in the various menus. By facilities I mean manual controls in addition to all the auto functions. It has a very good reputation for the quality of the video produced. It has an input socket for the addition of an external mic and headphones should you need these.


I have no experience of the FZ1000, although I have a Canon still camera in the same sort of shape if you get what I mean. Being so used to the, what I call, ‘normal’ video cameras I don’t think I would be comfortable with the DSLR type of year, but that’s just me. I do know that many folk recommend using this type rather than DSLR especially as 4K is not really necessary (as yet), as most folk don’t look at videos on large TVs where the super quality would be appreciated. Tablets, phones and You Tube etc. are they ways most folk view videos.


I don’t know if you are editing 4K video, but if not, then be aware that a quality Hi Spec computer and editing software will be required. Most likely costing more than a camera.


I appreciate all what you say about the cost of the ‘better’ cameras but as I have said, my HCX920 has almost all the advanced facilities that my big NX3 boasts. I have looked on-line at the specs of the FZ1000 and it’s certainly impressive. I have also read several reviews and what folk have to say. Whilst there are many ‘pros’ there are several ‘cons’ including the long learning curve with all the facilities buried deep in menus that really mean carrying the manual with you . . . It also seems that some buttons on the back can easily be pressed inadvertently. I’m sure you won’t need telling to have a proper ‘hands on’ before parting with your cash.


My personal view, if it was me, is to try to find a S/H video camera such as the HCX920 (there are certainly others). Unlike the days of camera’s using Mini DV tapes, the modern ones using SD cards don’t have the problems with tape drives causing problems after time.

Cheers. Pete.
 
Thanks for the reply. I don't plan to work with 4K for the foreseeable future. I am just make youtube videos here. This whole thing started because I was trying to figure out why my videos end up looking much worse then the original after being uploaded to youtube. One user here suggest that my equipment need to record in better quality. Right now I am just using a GoPro knockoff sports cam. The original video it produces is pretty good for my purposes, but after editing and rendering and uploading to YT, the end result is about 60% the quality of the original. I was already planing on getting a camcorder with a zoom on it, so I went looking and ended up in the quandary that I am now. I just was looking for a way to make my YT videos look better, not go bankrupt or mortgage the house. LOL!
 
I’m beginning to follow what you are trying to do now. I went to the thread you started about the quality of you videos on You Tube. I can’t really add to the very good advice you have received, as those sort of technical details are mysteries to me. I will agree with the general comment that You Tube compresses what ever you put on there so the quality is bound to drop a little.
My colleagues have always advised to upload files as H264 and that has always been fine for me. As a personal note I have found that by increasing the contrast - just a little - of my videos seems to give them just a little better pep when put out by You Tube.

Whilst I briefly looked over the thread mentioned, I haven’t got around to looking at any of your videos. Perhaps you might like to send me a link so I can have a look at some in due course.

I still feel that to keep the cost down, looking for a similar S/H camcorder to the HC920 - there are several in that range, as well as other manufacturers having similar models. With new models always coming out, last years models can be had for a reasonable price.

Have you looked into getting a LCD screen hood? There are several of these around and, whilst they do help with looking at the screen in bright light, they are not a total cure. I used to have one that didn’t fit my new camera so it was sold. Why not try making one out of cardboard and attaching it to the screen with perhaps Velcro or wide elastic bands. To be as efficient as possible, I would suggest a length of 2 inches or more. I used to have one with a magnifier at the eye end. Quite good that was. However it will cost nothing to try this DIY method and see how it goes.

Let us know how you get on with this.
Cheers. Pete.
 
Thanks again Pete. I appreciate your advice. At this point I am not sure what I am going to do if anything. I am under the gun as far as time goes and have to have what I need by the end of the month. I hate operating under pressure and don't like making decision like this. I am not the kind of person who makes major purchases lightly and usual keep things until they die. My K-r is 5 years old and has over 30,000 captures on it, just for example.

The HC920 must be a European model, because I can't find it for sale here, even on eBay.
 
Quick reply. That Panasonic is HCX 920. When I mentioned it I missed off the 'X'. So it's HCX920. Most likely you are right about it being a Euro model only but I don't know. Do a little research but many of the well known manufacturers should have a similar model. If I have time I will try to look on line myself.

I agree, it's no good trying to get a new camera under pressure, you wouldn't really have the time to learn how to use it properly. No good that if you have an important project.
Keep smiling. Pete.[DOUBLEPOST=1471896721,1471895018][/DOUBLEPOST]This link on the web, reviews camcorders with colour viewfinders and they appear to be quoting prices in Dollars so this might be of help. However, they are bound to be more than you can pay but it's worth a look at. .reviewgist.XcomX/bestX-camcorderX-colorX-viewfinderX
The forum wont allow direct web links so I've removed the http and www bit and put in the 'X' to see if it works. Try to complete it to see.
Pete
 
Like entry level? I would definietly go for the Rebel T5i or the Nikon D3300
 
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