<p><strong>TL;DR</strong></p>

<p>If you have a camera of either type, use it. End of story. If you plan on taking photos as well as video, get a photo camera (I'd recommend a DSLR.) If you will only use the camera for video, get a video camera similar to the one you pictured.</p>

<p><strong>Long Read</strong></p>

<p><strong>Video camera (camcorder):</strong></p>

<p>Pros:</p>

<ul>
<li>Design: Video cameras are designed to shoot video - they are built from the ground up to do exactly that, so all of the technology is focused on capturing video.</li>
<li>Ergonomics: video cameras are designed to capture video, and part of that design is the way the camera is meant to be held. Video cameras are designed to be easy to hold and control primarily with one hand. They often have a hand strap (small camcorders) or shoulder mount (large ENG-style cameras) where the user supports the camera with their right hand and the primary controls such as zoom and record are accessible with the fingers of the same hand.</li>
<li>Audio: Video cameras often have built-in microphones, microphone
holders or microphone ports (XLR, mini-XLR, or 1/8th inch).</li>
<li>Live-view video: Video cameras almost always feature both an electronic viewfinder and a rotating and folding screen, both of which can be used to view the video as you are recording it.</li>
<li>Accessories: Many video cameras have microphone holders, cold shoes and handles for accessories (a few cameras even have built-in LED lights). Some cameras have easy built in iris and focus controls, while some even include built-in neutral density filters.</li>
</ul>

<p>Cons:</p>

<ul>
<li>Stills: The biggest downside of these video cameras is they are often terrible at taking still photos, if they even do at all. There are a few reasons for this. 1) The sensor and processor are designed for taking video, so photos are often relatively low resolution (sometimes as low as 2 MP). 2) The form factor makes taking pictures awkward and often offers very little manual control.</li>
<li>Lenses: Most video cameras under $5000 USD have permanently attached lenses (not interchangeable), so if you want to zoom wider or narrower than the lens, you are out of luck.</li>
<li>Price: Video cameras are expensive! A very low end model will cost a few hundred dollars, a relatively good model will be about $2000-$3000 USD, and high end models can run as high as $100,000 (although I'd recommend a model at about the top of your budget (around $1000).</li>
</ul>

<p><strong>Photo camera (I will focus mainly on DSLRs)</strong></p>

<p>Pros:</p>

<ul>
<li>Lenses: The biggest advantage of a DSLR will likely be interchangeable lenses, which allow you to reach and focal length you want, assuming you don't mind paying for the lens.</li>
<li>Photos: DSLRs are designed to take photos. Their form factor and control placement makes this very easy. They will also shoot high resolution pictures (usually ~20-24 MP).</li>
<li>Audio: Often have internal microphones and 1/8th microphone jacks (but will never offer mini-XLR or XLR).</li>
</ul>

<p>Cons:</p>

<ul>
<li>Design: The SLR form factor has been around for many decades, since far before DSLRs offered video. Video is an afterthought on these cameras. It's added in as a bonus feature, but isn't supposed to be the primary function of these cameras. This applies to almost all photo cameras except, I would argue, the Lumix GH series.</li>
<li>Time restraints: Most DSLRs have a 20-30 minute video recording limit (depending on camera and quality). After this limit is up, you have to manually restart the recording.</li>
<li>Live-view video: Video can only be recorded while viewing as live-view on the DSLR screen. The viewfinder doesn't work. On top of that, many DSLRs (especially older ones) don't having tilting/flipping/rotating screens, making shooting at any angles difficult without an external monitor.</li>
<li>Price: These cameras aren't cheap, but good quality can be gotten with a $300-$400 body and a $200 lens (although I'd recommend a lens closer to $500). I'd also recommend an add-on shotgun mic (~$100-$250, depending on quality).</li>
</ul>

<p>Please comment or edit if you think I missed anything.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-03-31T06:26:48.213Z
many thanks.1 )just about PHOTO-CAMERAS - are mirorless cameras better? (as they are new generation as i know) 2 ) does DSLRs have a sound while zooming?  3) about quailty - any difference between  1080p recorder from same megapixel Photo camera and from video recorder?
T.Todua
CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-03-31T06:28:22.263Z
I'd recommend a DSLR. More flexibility, more ability to control, but you should do some research based on possible mirrorless and DSLRs in your price range and come to your own conclusion.
NoahL
CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-03-31T06:30:24.697Z
does DSLR has auto-focus, like video-cameras?
T.Todua
CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-03-31T06:31:10.160Z
For photos, definitely. Only some do for video. That is something you have to do research on
NoahL
CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-03-30T04:00:24.857Z
2017-03-30T04:00:24.857Z
NoahL
<p>I need to record videos at least 1080p (mainly video-lectures or like) averagely 5-15 hours every week..</p>

<p>I am not going to send those videos to Oscar's jury, but if possible, I need an normal/good HD quality for an affordable price (below 1000$). I was thinking to buy a camera (lets say, <a href="https://www.google.ge/search?q=Canon%20SX50%20H&amp;oq=Canon%20SX50%20HS" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Canon SX50 HS</a>) for that, but someone told me, that it's not advised to use a camera for frequent video-recording purposes, instead use VideoCamera. </p>

<p><a href="https://i.sstatic.net/l0oAV.jpg" rel="nofollow noreferrer"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/l0oAV.jpg" alt="enter image description here"></a></p>

<p>So, my questions:
<br/>a) while recording with PhotoCamera, and try zooming, it has a sound, right? are mirorless cameras better?  does it have auto-focus?
<br/>b) I need it to record audio as well, good quality (I can use separate transmitter as mic-source).
<br/>c) is there a really huge concern, which one I use for recording videos? Will a Canon camera work well or do I have to buy a "Video Camera"? 
<br/>d) about quailty - any difference between  1080p recorder from same megapixel Photo camera and from video recorder?</p>

<p>What are the pros and cons? (p.s. I dont care if they record in 30 minute steps or etc..)</p>

<video>
Need to record videos - can I buy a PhotoCamera instead of VideoCamera?
T.Todua
# Need to record videos - can I buy a PhotoCamera instead of VideoCamera?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2017-03-28)

I need to record videos at least 1080p (mainly video-lectures or like) averagely 5-15 hours every week..

I am not going to send those videos to Oscar's jury, but if possible, I need an normal/good HD quality for an affordable price (below 1000$). I was thinking to buy a camera (lets say, [Canon SX50 HS](https://www.google.ge/search?q=Canon%20SX50%20H&oq=Canon%20SX50%20HS)) for that, but someone told me, that it's not advised to use a camera for frequent video-recording purposes, instead use VideoCamera.

[![enter image description here](https://i.sstatic.net/l0oAV.jpg)](https://i.sstatic.net/l0oAV.jpg)

So, my questions:
  
a) while recording with PhotoCamera, and try zooming, it has a sound, right? are mirorless cameras better? does it have auto-focus?
  
b) I need it to record audio as well, good quality (I can use separate transmitter as mic-source).
  
c) is there a really huge concern, which one I use for recording videos? Will a Canon camera work well or do I have to buy a "Video Camera"?
  
d) about quailty - any difference between 1080p recorder from same megapixel Photo camera and from video recorder?

What are the pros and cons? (p.s. I dont care if they record in 30 minute steps or etc..)

**Tags:** video


---

## 1 answers

### Answer by username_1 on 2017-03-30. Score: 2 | Accepted answer

**TL;DR**

If you have a camera of either type, use it. End of story. If you plan on taking photos as well as video, get a photo camera (I'd recommend a DSLR.) If you will only use the camera for video, get a video camera similar to the one you pictured.

**Long Read**

**Video camera (camcorder):**

Pros:

* Design: Video cameras are designed to shoot video - they are built from the ground up to do exactly that, so all of the technology is focused on capturing video.
* Ergonomics: video cameras are designed to capture video, and part of that design is the way the camera is meant to be held. Video cameras are designed to be easy to hold and control primarily with one hand. They often have a hand strap (small camcorders) or shoulder mount (large ENG-style cameras) where the user supports the camera with their right hand and the primary controls such as zoom and record are accessible with the fingers of the same hand.
* Audio: Video cameras often have built-in microphones, microphone
  holders or microphone ports (XLR, mini-XLR, or 1/8th inch).
* Live-view video: Video cameras almost always feature both an electronic viewfinder and a rotating and folding screen, both of which can be used to view the video as you are recording it.
* Accessories: Many video cameras have microphone holders, cold shoes and handles for accessories (a few cameras even have built-in LED lights). Some cameras have easy built in iris and focus controls, while some even include built-in neutral density filters.

Cons:

* Stills: The biggest downside of these video cameras is they are often terrible at taking still photos, if they even do at all. There are a few reasons for this. 1) The sensor and processor are designed for taking video, so photos are often relatively low resolution (sometimes as low as 2 MP). 2) The form factor makes taking pictures awkward and often offers very little manual control.
* Lenses: Most video cameras under $5000 USD have permanently attached lenses (not interchangeable), so if you want to zoom wider or narrower than the lens, you are out of luck.
* Price: Video cameras are expensive! A very low end model will cost a few hundred dollars, a relatively good model will be about $2000-$3000 USD, and high end models can run as high as $100,000 (although I'd recommend a model at about the top of your budget (around $1000).

**Photo camera (I will focus mainly on DSLRs)**

Pros:

* Lenses: The biggest advantage of a DSLR will likely be interchangeable lenses, which allow you to reach and focal length you want, assuming you don't mind paying for the lens.
* Photos: DSLRs are designed to take photos. Their form factor and control placement makes this very easy. They will also shoot high resolution pictures (usually ~20-24 MP).
* Audio: Often have internal microphones and 1/8th microphone jacks (but will never offer mini-XLR or XLR).

Cons:

* Design: The SLR form factor has been around for many decades, since far before DSLRs offered video. Video is an afterthought on these cameras. It's added in as a bonus feature, but isn't supposed to be the primary function of these cameras. This applies to almost all photo cameras except, I would argue, the Lumix GH series.
* Time restraints: Most DSLRs have a 20-30 minute video recording limit (depending on camera and quality). After this limit is up, you have to manually restart the recording.
* Live-view video: Video can only be recorded while viewing as live-view on the DSLR screen. The viewfinder doesn't work. On top of that, many DSLRs (especially older ones) don't having tilting/flipping/rotating screens, making shooting at any angles difficult without an external monitor.
* Price: These cameras aren't cheap, but good quality can be gotten with a $300-$400 body and a $200 lens (although I'd recommend a lens closer to $500). I'd also recommend an add-on shotgun mic (~$100-$250, depending on quality).

Please comment or edit if you think I missed anything.

> **Comments:**
> **username_0**: many thanks.1 )just about PHOTO-CAMERAS - are mirorless cameras better? (as they are new generation as i know) 2 ) does DSLRs have a sound while zooming?  3) about quailty - any difference between  1080p recorder from same megapixel Photo camera and from video recorder?  
> **username_1**: I'd recommend a DSLR. More flexibility, more ability to control, but you should do some research based on possible mirrorless and DSLRs in your price range and come to your own conclusion.  
> **username_0**: does DSLR has auto-focus, like video-cameras?  
> **username_1**: For photos, definitely. Only some do for video. That is something you have to do research on  

---

