Help me pick a camera

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Oct 15, 2013
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The Bluegrass State
I am going to start photographing and creating hunting/outdoor films. I will be filming with zoom lenses in the woods for deer hunting here in KY. Then I plan on digiscoping when I go west for elk and mulies. Do y'all have suggestions for cameras? Would a 4/3 mirrorless camera work or do I need a full DSLR (I'm thinking canon t4i or SL1). Help me out here.
 
If you go full size DSLR, take a look at the Pentax K50. I am heading down that same route as you and picked it for its weatherproof vapabilities, features, and price.
 
I am seeing three things.
1 You want to make films, hunting and outdoor films.
2 You want to photograph animals.
3 You want to digiscope.

Modern photography cameras have come a long way on the video world.
But, for making films with audio, zoom capabilities, ect. you can't beat an actual video camera.

Tons of guys love the panasonic lumix DMC-GH4 DSLR for its video capability.
A Canon AX20 would be a better option for making good outdoor films.

What I would do is pick the best option for versatility.

If you looked at your digiscoping options and found that you would want to use a DSLR for that, then you could use the same camera for your photography, and if you bought a camcorder with interchangeable lenses from the same brand, you may be able to use the camera lenses on both your camcorder and your DSLR.

Something like that would give you the maximum versatility.

But, if you wanted just one camera to do it all, I would go with the panasonic lumix DMC GH-4. Just realize that you will have to buy a zoom lens that will be no where near as smooth or powerful as a typical 20X zoom camcorder. Also, you won't have all the sound plugins.
You will also find a more limited selection when you look for digiscoping adapters.

Doing a real good job at outdoor films is best with the camcorder.
You can't beat actual photography gear when taking pictures.
Digiscoping is its own nightmare.

Trying to find one camera to do it all is going to depend on what you are willing to sacrifice and what format is most important to you.
 
Its really up to you.
If you just want to make little you tube videos fork your buddies, you might enjoy just using a DSLR.
If you want to get a little more serious and attract some attention that may turn into something bigger, you may want to start out with a small video camera and upgrade as things improve.

The RX100 would be great for digiscoping.

I shoot all my video with a DSLR but its just for my personal use.
Documentation purposes mostly.

It really just depends on how you want to play the game.
 
Piggybacking on your topic... for a point and shoot what are peoples preferance? Is the olympus tg3 the camera guys think is the way to go or is there another camera that guys like? Im looking to purchase a camera soon.
 
Just depends on how much you want to spend.
I think most guys like the TG3 because of its durability.
Its waterproof, dust proof, resist impacts from drops. Its built to be used and abused.
Its also light and compact.

The Sony RX100 is probably the best digiscpoing point and shoot out there at the moment.
The results that it is getting are stunning.
Its also around $500.00 and you still have to buy an adapter.
Its not hard to spend $800.00 on a camera and adapter if you go with an RX100.

Just depends on your budget.
 
Well I kinda split the difference and bought a Sony Alpha Nex 6. It just arrived today, just in time for me to play with it a little. It's really awesome! I got it as a kit w/16-50 lens and I'm purchasing a 55-210 telephoto lens for filming some treestand/field edge hunts here in KY. I'll get an adaptor for digiscoping.
 
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