Digital video camera with still photo capability ??

[Sudsy]

Our video camera is from the stone age and our digital camera isn't working as well as it should anymore, dropping it on concrete and piecing it back together (twice ) hasn't helped.

Last time I looked into it, the quality of the stills on a video unit was at best pretty poor. Has technology progressed to a point where you can find a resonably priced unit (under $500-$600) that takes quality photos and can hold an hour or two of video.
I'd want at least 3x optical zoom (preferably 5x) for both photo and video, picture stableizer (no shaking in the video, and 2.5 megapixel minimum photo capability.

Also, can you fire off a still photo while you're taking video or do you have to stop and change settings?

At kids functions, I'm in charge of photos and video. No choice of mine, my wife is one step below lousy at it, even worse at it then she is at cooking (and she'll admit it). I'd love to have a way of doing both vid and photo at the same time.

Am I asking too much now ??

[TonyDB]

Sudsy, I don't think the technology is there yet. A buddy of mine just bought the JVC MG70. I think this camcorder does everything you want, except the price is over $700. Not sure I'd go this route yet.

Here's a review I found.

http://www.camcorderinfo.com/content...der-Review.htm

[Fish-Aholic]

I have a Sony something or another that my girlfriend bought for me last Christmas. It records on Digital 8 tapes and uses firewire or USB to save the video to the PC. It takes stills, however have never really been impressed with the quality of them. Since I have a 5.0 megapixel Nikon I don't use that feature very much. I like having both available to me, most video cameras are a bigger than most digital cameras, so having the camera to take quality pictures when you don't want to lug around the video camera as well. Oh and by the way, on my video camera the Still photos are stored on a memory stick not the tape, so in order for me to do it I have to have two media types in the camera

[Sudsy]

I did some serious googleing on the subject and it seems that it doesn't exist yet for any amount of money. The new high end Sony can take pictures at the same time as video but at VGA resolution (which sucks). If you stop the video and change modes it'll take 3.1 high quality photos.

Looks like I'll be shopping for a camera and a camcorder

[Fish-Aholic]

LOL GREAT option. Thats what I do, and I prefer to think I'm usually pretty high up on the new technology list. (except those damn Plasma TVs, I can't see taking out a second on my house just to watch a game) LOL

[zimno1]

lol. my wife bought me a micro digital camera (1/2 the size of a credit card) jus for fun. downloaded the disc / snapped a pic/ plugged the usb in and the resolution is pretty shoddy but for 20 bucks it sure will come in handy in my fly vest. will snap pic on a 10 second timer/ takes 3 pics consecutively/ 99 pics on low resolution and 25 on high. when i go i usually don;t have a camera with me except one of the throwaway ones or someone will email a pic to me from thier cell phone. i suppose i will get use of it once or twice. i have the bushnell binocular/camera but rarely use it

[surfkat]

"It records on Digital 8 tapes..."

No, no, no, no. Forget tape. Never say "tape" again, unless you are referring to a 3M product. Tape is to video is as the Popeil Pocket Fisherman is to surf fishing.

There are a slew of cameras that do what you are looking for (near your price range).

Call B&H in NYC. Navigate to the consumer video department. Tell em' what you are looking for. They will steer you to the latest and greatest in your price range. I have dealt with them for 15 years, and they have never done me wrong. However, they might scold you for asking for video technology advice on a striped bass forum.