Help selecting a Camera

[coleski]

Hi all,
New poster here - I have been a lurker for awhile!

Me and my wife recently had our first child which has inspired us to take photos and videos of nearly everything. We have a cheap 3.2MP digital camera for photos but nothing to record video. I was looking into getting a HDD Camcorder but when I started asking friends about good models they said it would be better to get a DSLR or digital mirrorless camera.

This would obviously replace the old and outdated digital camera we are currently using, and would also cover the base of recording video for us. I have posted a link below of the camera I am thinking of getting. I have read plenty of reviews online and am happy with the picture and video quality...but I do have a couple of questions regarding the video.

http://www.photowarehouse.co.nz/panasonic-lumix-dmc-g3-12mp-14-42-3-5-5-6-black-kit/

We would be looking at using a video program to add together a lot of short film shots (First birthday, Christmas e.t.c) into one DVD for a Keepsake of all these important dates. With the type of output format this camera is shooting I want to know two things

1) What will it look like when played back on a TV screen (Anything from 32" to 51")

2) Will the file format be user friendly (Is it easy to work with in video editing programs)

The basic needs we have for the camera are
Takes a good still shot (We aren't photographers so only have basic requirements here)
Takes good video that can be compressed into a DVD or Blu Ray for playback (I have basic video editing skills from making CS Avi's)
We would be classed as Basic users who just want something that's up to date and will last us a while

Thanks for any help

James

 

[kenrivers]

Can't answer the first question since I have never seen playback of footage shot from one of these cameras. As far as video goes it is recorded as MPEG-4 AVCHD which should work well in just about any editing software. The camera gets great reviews at B&H Photo (4.5 out of 5 stars with 116 reviews): http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/768477-REG/Panasonic_DMC_G3KK_Lumix_DMC_G3_14_42mm_Lens.html
Other reviews:
http://reviews.cnet.com/digital-cameras/panasonic-lumix-dmc-g3/4505-6501_7-34714836.html
http://www.photographyblog.com/reviews/panasonic_lumix_dmc_g3_review/
http://www.cameralabs.com/reviews/Panasonic_Lumix_DMC_G3/
The majority of what I have read about the camera has been positive and it looks as though it may be a good choice.
Just out of curiosity, what program will you be using to edit video?

 

[coleski]

Just out of curiosity, what program will you be using to edit video?

Not 100% sure at this stage, I haven't done video editing for a while, and when I did it was mainly compiling lots of small AVI clips into one and adding a backing track and some basic effects. Last time I used Adobe Premiere Pro. Are there any that you would recommend ?

 

[kenrivers]

Just out of curiosity, what program will you be using to edit video?

Not 100% sure at this stage, I haven't done video editing for a while, and when I did it was mainly compiling lots of small AVI clips into one and adding a backing track and some basic effects. Last time I used Adobe Premiere Pro. Are there any that you would recommend ?

If you are looking for something that is easy to use I would suggest Corel VideoStudio Ultimate X6: http://www.corel.com/corel/product/index.jsp?1=1&trkid=USsemKWS&storeKey=us&pid=prod4900077. I have X5 and Premiere Pro CS6. X5 did a great job handling the AVCHD files which I combined and exported for use in Premiere Pro CS6.

 

[coleski]

If you are looking for something that is easy to use I would suggest Corel VideoStudio Ultimate X6: http://www.corel.com/corel/product/index.jsp?1=1&trkid=USsemKWS&storeKey=us&pid=prod4900077. I have X5 and Premiere Pro CS6. X5 did a great job handling the AVCHD files which I combined and exported for use in Premiere Pro CS6.

That sounds like what I need from what I can read, I won't be needing to do anything to fancy! It will let me put everything onto DVD/Blu Ray and create menus e.t.c, Thanks!

Well that's one of my worries answered! Now if anyone knows what the video quality will look like on a TV that would be perfect! I'm guessing it won't be effected that much since it's shooting in Full HD.

 

[kenrivers]

If you are looking for something that is easy to use I would suggest Corel VideoStudio Ultimate X6: http://www.corel.com/corel/product/index.jsp?1=1&trkid=USsemKWS&storeKey=us&pid=prod4900077. I have X5 and Premiere Pro CS6. X5 did a great job handling the AVCHD files which I combined and exported for use in Premiere Pro CS6.

That sounds like what I need from what I can read, I won't be needing to do anything to fancy! It will let me put everything onto DVD/Blu Ray and create menus e.t.c, Thanks!

Well that's one of my worries answered! Now if anyone knows what the video quality will look like on a TV that would be perfect! I'm guessing it won't be effected that much since it's shooting in Full HD.

Glad I could help with at least one of your concerns. I would think it should be fine on any TV. I have shot video in HDV (1440x1080) and playback on a 30"+ TV has been great so I imagine full HD would be even better.