Sony Cyber-shot Digital Camera vs Regular VideoCam

[johnharlin]

Can someone tell me the difference in video quality of a Sony DSC-H20 Cybershot digital camera versus a regular videocam. I like the idea of getting good photographs and good video in the same small compact box. Some reviews I have read said that the video on this camera comes out better than on their videocam. But I need some more professional opinions before I consider buying it or some other digital cam with video. And if anyone has any recommendation for a digital camera that makes excellent video around the $200 price range, please let me know.
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Sony Cyber-shot Digital Camera DSC-H20/B

Zoom in on the 10.1-megapixel DSC-H20 Cyber-shot digital camera and get the best shot. With its impressive Carl Zeiss Vario-Tessar wide-angle lens with a 10x optical zoom, it's easy to capture the moment with impeccable detail. A 3.0" touch screen makes reviewing your shots a breeze and the ingenious iAuto mode takes the guesswork out of choosing the best camera settings when you're not sure which one to pick. There's also built-in technology like Optical SteadyShot image stabilization that reduces blur and Smile Shutter mode that automatically captures a smile as it happens. Feel like recording HD video? The H20 captures crisp, 720p video that can be viewed on your HDTV. There's even an anti-blink function to help everyone look their best and in-camera photo retouching tools

[edDV]

First it's a mid range point and shoot still camera.

I've looked through several reviews and nobody states the codec used for video so assume it is non-standard MPeg4.

Bit rates 9 Mbps or 6 Mbps "approx 30 fps" at 720p which is on the over-compressed side. Looks like they wanted to force video into cheaper flash cards. They refer to a VGA mode. I guess they mean 640x480. They avoid using any standard camcorder specs which seems to mean they aren't serious.

There is no mention of video software, don't expect easy editing.

http://www.sonystyle.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=10151&catalo...specifications


PS: Features page says "MPeg4".

[lordsmurf]

Sony Style documents are often full of shit. I came across a DV camera manual from Sony that insisted you could transfer DV across the USB2 connection. That was completely false, of course.

The people who write those don't know much about video.

"MPeg4" ... seriously?

One of those M pegs matey. Arrr.... The 4th one, too!

[pszilard]

Sony Style documents are often full of shit. I came across a DV camera manual from Sony that insisted you could transfer DV across the USB2 connection. That was completely false, of course.

The people who write those don't know much about video.

"MPeg4" ... seriously?

One of those M pegs matey. Arrr.... The 4th one, too!

Can you explain that for me? I plug my HDR XR520V into my PC via USB2 and transfer all files. No probs. Obviously you mean something else, but I am unclear what it is. Cheers,

[edDV]

I think he is saying Sony is being very non-specific which codec is being used. Sony tends to proprietary standards that may not have general support in other software.

That camera may come with simple editing software. Best to read user reviews.

[lordsmurf]

Oh good grief.... read, people.... (not you edDV, I know you can read)

DV cameras can't transfer via USB. And the HDR XR520V isn't DV.

The book was wrong.
Most of the Sony DV book was dedicated to trying to sell you a Sony VIAO desktop or laptop to go with the camera. It was disgusting, a pathetic excuse for a product manual.

So you can't really trust the Sony docs, when it comes to instructions, product specs, etc.