July 27

Basic Features of a Video Camera: Recording Format, Image Sensors, Audio Inputs, Manual/Auto Control, and Lenses

With the hundreds of different video cameras on the market, people can easily get overwhelmed when trying to make a choice about which one to buy.  This video explains the four basic categories of video cameras and gives the pros and cons of each.    One of the first things a person who wants to purchase a video camera needs to do is figure out what category of video camera they want.  Some are for high-end movie making and some are for the hobby enthusiast.

People often ask me which video camera they SHOULD buy, but of course there is no one perfect camera. Which one is right for you depends on how you are going to use it, what your expectations are, and what your budget is.

Here is a run-down of the basic features are available for video camcorders, so you can better decide what kind of camera is best for YOU.

HOW ARE YOU GOING TO USE THIS CAMERA?

  • Are you wanting to make quick and easy videos without going to a lot of trouble?
  • Or, do you want to delve into high-end videography and produce visually superior videos?

Answering this single question will help you figure out what basic type of camera you want.  A simple, automatic, point-and-shoot camera is best for many folks but would frustrate a budding indie film producer.

On the other hand, a person who wants to do quick and easy videos would get frustrated with a more complicated, higher-end camera.

Don’t worry about a simple camera giving you a poor image quality.  The two are not necessarily linked.  If you want a camera that is simple to use, there are plenty.  Look for high resolution and quality image sensors.

woman using video camera

RECORDING FORMAT

One of your major decisions before buying a video camera is to decide what kind of record format you want.    In other words, does the video get recorded on tapes, a memory card or an internal hard drive?

3/4 inch video tape
This is a 3/4 inch videotape, which was the popular professional format back in the 80s.  The tapes were quite large, so the cameras and recorders were too.

Cameras today also record on memory sticks, memory cards or removable discs.  All of these record formats have their pros and cons.  Some slide easily into video editing programs and some don’t.

Canon vixia hf g10 video camera with two memory card slots
Two memory card slots as well as a 32 gig internal memory gives the HF G10 enormous capacity for storing video.

 

However, if you do not want to edit your video, it is certainly more convenient to pop a disc out and play it than to get it converted or plug your camera into the side of your TV, so you can watch your video.  The same goes for videos you plan to upload.  Some people do not edit the videos they upload (although perhaps they should).

IMAGE SENSORS

ccd chip
CCD chip image sensor

The quality of the picture a video camera gets is largely determined by the quality of the image sensor.  Image sensors are what capture the light and turn it into a video image.  It would be accurate to say it is the heart of the video camera.

Video cameras come with either one image sensor chip or three.  Three is better.  With three, there is an individual chip for the three primary colors of light, red, green and blue.  With a one-chip camera, all of that is squished onto one chip.

Chip size also matters.  A 1/3 inch chip would be considered large.  1/6 inch is a common size for less expensive cameras.  The bigger, the better.

adapter cable for xllr to stero mic plug
An adapter cable like this can help you use an XLR microphone with a camera that just has a stereo plug.

AUDIO INPUT

Inexpensive video cameras usually do not have any way for you to use a supplemental microphone.  You have the on-board microphone, but no way to plug in a handheld or lavalier mic for better sound quality.  If you are shooting talking heads or another form of speaking, this is very important.

xlr audio inputs
This shows the duel XLR inputs on a camera. To use an XLR microphone, you have to make sure your camera has XLR inputs like these.

High quality sound is probably more important for many videos than high quality video.  If people can not hear what you are saying, they will not bother to watch your video.  If people talking on camera will be important to your productions, (and that’s most videos) look for a camera with a supplemental microphone input for better audio quality.

Audio inputs will either be small stereo plugs for less expensive models, or XLR audio inputs on higher-end models.  Make sure you buy a microphone with a plug that matches your camera’s input.  XLR inputs are larger than stereo inputs and considered the professional format.

video camera operator

MANUAL OR AUTOMATIC?

Higher-end cameras have full manual control.  Manual focus control, manual exposure control, manual white balance, manual audio level control, and so forth.  These high-end cameras can also be set to automatic control if you are in a run-and-gun situation, but manual control is generally preferred by serious videographers.  I certainly preferred it.

Manual control, however, would drive some people bonkers.   Automatic control makes operating the camera much easier, so if you are into easy, you can rest assured that part of what people are paying for with the more expensive cameras is the “luxury” of manual control.  If that is not something you want, why bother getting the fancier camera?  With experience, you will probably learn to prefer manual control because you will better understand what makes a good shot.  Sometimes automatic control will mess you up because it will respond in a generic way and the situation actually calls for specific controls.   This is why serious professionals prefer manual control.  For example, if you have your camera set to automatic focus, and something moves behind the subject of your shot, the camera will probably try to focus on that movement, which throws your actual subject out of focus.  As an experienced photographer, I would completely ignore that movement and hope it passed quickly.

CHANGEABLE LENSES 

If you are wanting to dive deep into videography, you will want to consider getting a camera with easily interchangeable lenses.  The lens of whatever camera you use is going to determine what kind of scope you are able to get.  Some lenses allow you to zoom into something far away, others are good for showing a wide area.   Most video camera come with a zoom lens, which is very convenient.  Changing lenses on a video camera would be considered an advanced technique.

Knowing about these video camera basics will help you when selecting a camera to buy.

If you have questions about video cameras, or anything else video related, contact me anytime!

Lorraine Grula

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

  • In your own words, why is there no one perfect video camera for everybody?
  • What does a video camera image sensor do?
  • Why do most experienced professionals prefer manual control to automatic control when it comes to focus and exposure?

 


Tags

buy video camera, buying guide video cameras, how to buy a video camera, Video Camcorders, video camera buying guides, video camera buying tips, video camera features, video cameras, what to look for when buying a video camera


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  1. HI Mwini
    Glad to hear that this article helped you! To buy the video camera pictured, go to B&H photo through one of the banner ads on this page.

    Thanks,
    Lorraine

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