Digital video camera zoom?

[FreakofSnow]

What is considered high, mediuw, low zoom? I am looking at purchasing a vid camera and am thinking that a good zoom is one of my priorities but also want the quality. One thing I know nothing about is how the digital zoom works in the video world. Is it basically the same as in stills, meaning you can take a track of video and zoom to a certain level while editing?

What about operating in the cold, any experiences with certain cameras etc?

Helmet cam capatibilities?

Any suggestions are appreciated.

[Schralper]

Digi zoom is a sales gimmick. Just bigger pixels. Optical zoom is the only one that counts. Add on lens converters for WA and tele. Helmet cam, thats a whole nuther ball o wax. Think bracket attached to helmet and bolting the cam to that. cold kills the batteries, carry them next to you. Sony's PC350 rocks!

[phUnk]

Digital zoom on a camcorder does the same thing as blowing up an image in photoshop: You get a bigger image, but the quality is sacrificed. Basically, digital zoom is complete crap.

If you're going to do any serious shooting, I'd get a 2nd battery that you keep in your inside jacket pocket.

Any current DV cam is going to be compatible with any current helmet cam setup.

[Core Shot]

If you look hard you can find 20 to 26x optical zoom. You need a tripod or else sit down and brace your elbows on your knees. Also you can brace on a tree or rock.
Electroninc stability programs help somewhat, but images can jump a bit sometimes if the subject moves too quick or the ESP is not so good.

[FreakofSnow]

The Panasonic PV-GS120 seems to be getting the best reviews for the price range I am looking in. Quality wise, the 3CCD = higher quality.

Anyone rocking one of these?

[Schralper]

The Panasonic PV-GS120 seems to be getting the best reviews for the price range I am looking in. Quality wise, the 3CCD = higher quality.

Anyone rocking one of these?

3 CCD is paying for Hi end optics, that if you're skiing you aint gonna need. The CCD's are designed for low light situations, 1 for each primary color. Like shooting a street scene at nite. Non CCD you need a slow shutter, ie, Sony's low lux.
CCD wont matter if you use helmet cam attachment.
Think Megapixels and 530 lines resolution.
Avoid Canon, if it ever comes to warranty, they suck!

[FreakofSnow]

Effective sensor resolution 280,000 pixels
Gross sensor resolution 460,000 pixels

Is 2.8 decent?