Anyone know if the 990 will allow user to zoom while shooting in video mode? This is an important feature for me and since there are so many cameras that will not zoom while shooting movies, I want to make sure it does before purchasing.UPDATE: I found out that it DOES zoom while shooting in video mode. Feels nice in the hands for a small point and shoot. Anyone know if the 990 will allow user to zoom while shooting in video mode? This is an important feature for me and since there are so many cameras that will not zoom while shooting movies, I want... » Read More Anyone know if the 990 will allow user to zoom while shooting in video mode? This is an important feature for me and since there are so many cameras that will not zoom while shooting movies, I want to make sure it does before purchasing.UPDATE: I found out that it DOES zoom while shooting in video mode. Feels nice in the hands for a small point and shoot. « Show Less
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From SD990 Users Manual (p 100):'You can use the digital zoom, but the optical zoom cannot be used. If you want to shoot at the maximum magnification, you should adjust the zoom to the maximal factor before shooting. The sound from the zoom will be recorded'So really, it is just like many other cheaper P&S; cameras, you can only use digitial zoom in movie mode. Digital zoom will degrade image quality considerably.Here is the link to the manual: http://gdlp01.c-wss.com/gds/0300001398/PSSD990IS_IXUS980IS_CUG_EN.pdf
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I wanted to do a followup to my original question about zooming while shooting a movie. This camera does not adjust the focus as you zoom in and out while filming. You must adjust your focus first, then shoot your movie at that adjustment. My Canon TX1 (I no longer have it) gave me very good quality HD movies with the ability to zoom in and out without recording the sound of the zoom and the adjustment as you zoomed reset beautifully --- I was spoiled by this camera.
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I just read your posting and it has been a month since you put it up so I don't know if your still interested in a comparison, so I will keep it brief. I got the X100 in July and the S95 a year ago but by coincidence I just took some test shots in the back yard this morning to compare the two as I will be using both at a BBQ on Sunday. The S95 looks good until you see it next to the x100. The X100 is the first digital camera I have owned where the photos look a bit more real than the other digital cameras I have used. I also have a Nikon D7000 and did some test shots while on vacation using it and the Nikon 12-24mm lens ( set at 23mm) and the X100 looks better, sharper than the $1000 Nikon12-24 lens. There are some down sides as is mentioned on many websites, but you can get used to them, or at least I did. On the video, I like the S95 by far as it is easier to get usable footage. The X100 is sharper and cleaner by a little bit, but the focus is not as good as the S95. The X100 is a great camera for what it is, and I really like mine.
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Is there a way to switch back and forth from standard definition mode while shooting, and high definition mode a time period, later? Is the time period programmable?How many USB ports are on the camera? Can I plug a mouse into one of the ports on the camera, or do I have to have a host computer for that sort of thing?
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I too am looking for a new cyber-shot. I am looking to buy the dsc-w290 but I have heard great things about the WX1, such as the new panoramic sweep mode and cmos sensor. Not to mention zoomable HD video is amazing.Why you should wait however, is that this is the first batch of cameras with the new sensor. It also uses a smaller LCD than the 3.0 inch they started using such as the dsc-w290 and is only 10.1 mp which if you shoot in 16:9 mode, will be even less.Sony will come out with new cameras being announced in January at the CES 2010 show and then you should decide. If nothing substantial is announced, the price for this will have dropped greatly. I too am looking for a new cyber-shot. I am looking to buy the dsc-w290 but I have heard great things about the WX1, such as the new panoramic sweep mode and cmos sensor. Not to mention zoomable HD video is amazing.Why you should wait however, is that this is the first batch of cameras with the new sensor. It also uses a smaller LCD than the 3.0 inch they started using such as the dsc-w290 and is only 10.1 mp which if you shoot in 16:9 mode, will be even less.Sony will come out with new cameras being announced in January at the CES 2010 show and then you should... » Read More I too am looking for a new cyber-shot. I am looking to buy the dsc-w290 but I have heard great things about the WX1, such as the new panoramic sweep mode and cmos sensor. Not to mention zoomable HD video is amazing.Why you should wait however, is that this is the first batch of cameras with the new sensor. It also uses a smaller LCD than the 3.0 inch they started using such as the dsc-w290 and is only 10.1 mp which if you shoot in 16:9 mode, will be even less.Sony will come out with new cameras being announced in January at the CES 2010 show and then you should decide. If nothing substantial is announced, the price for this will have dropped greatly. « Show Less
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Hi Morris. The S95 and S90 are unique. As a subcompact it can be carried in your pocket....SX40 no..no in the pocket. The S95 has incredible low light at wide angle and F2. I used it today to document and help identify some piping in the wall with available light. It was too awkward with the super zoom. This is why you need to bring 2 cameras when traveling. I actually carry 3 including a camcorder which I think is better for video then either super zoom or S95. Many people swear by the DSLR and that works for them
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There is a digital zoom but no optical zoom. Meaning, if you zoom in you loose quality--you loose resolution. This is not a problem if you record video at a higher rate than you are publishing.
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Yes you can use the 4x optical zoom while shooting video. I just verified this with my camera in hand.
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Hey Julie- I too had this same question so I went out and purchased the Lumix DMC-TZ5. I found the camera to be very good in the zoom department and video was nice as well. The reason I returned this camera was because of the picture quality. Panasonic seems to me, to have yellow pictures. Even though there is IS, I still had many shots that turned out to be blurry. I owned a Pansasonic in the past and had the same issues on that camera. I now own the Olympus Stylus 1010 for about 2 weeks. I had a mid-size camera for years and loved it but wanted a pocket size camera that would do justice. I am very picky and have bought and returned 4 different point and shoot cameras. The Olympus 1010 is the first camera that I have fell in love with. Very fast, very small, and the image quality is awesome! I have a very difficult shooting base but this camera far exceeds any other camera I have purchased or spent many hours playing with. I am so very satisfied with my purchase and Olympus really has come through with this camera. Hope this helps!
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Bill,Thank you for the information. I also looked at some HD solutions from your typical consumer digital camera's but was turned off by the short recording time and large storage space required. It seems you cannot use the zoom feature at all with the DMC-FX35K while shooting video with it. For $199.99, I think the Vado HD is your best choice for HD video recording. Cheers!Oscar V.
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Love my ZS3. One thing I really like is the dedicated "video capture" button. I don't have to change to a video mode, I just hit the button any time to capture movies. Great camera!www.panasonic.net/lumix
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Yes you can zoom while shooting videos. I'm not a professional but this is the best camera for zoom and has a sports feature that makes awesome photos! I can't brag on it enough. Best money spent on a camera!!
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Yes, the 890IS can zoom while filming, no problem. It's quite amazing actually - in a quiet environment, you can hear motor when you zoom, but the motor noise isn't audible in the recorded movie. Unfortunately, you do hear the sound of the zoom control lever, which leaves an audible click each time you move or release it. The still camera is a 5.0x optical zoom, but for some reason, the zoom range when recording movies is only indicated as 4.0x. The quality of the video clips looks really good but the colors seem overly vivid vs still modes. I don't know if this is a byproduct of the avi compression or perhaps I don't have the setting right yet. I've had the camera for 2 weeks and not had a chance to dig in really deep yet.
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Excerpt from the Imaging Professionals pertaining the recording of video:"The WX350 also includes Sony's new O.S.S. Intelligent Active Mode for movies, which is an enhanced digital image stabilization technology that helps smooth out clips while you're recording video. Sony claims that it can even keep your videos steady while your running!"Grandma Rocks! (Vote if this was Helpful! Thanks!)
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Sorry I just use for my photography. I have not used my camera for video. I have old Fuji 5 mp that takes the best video of anything I have ever used even new sony. I still use the old xd Fuji.
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Yes, I just got one, and it can zoom very well while taking a movie. I tried it indoors at night with normal house lighting and the movie appeared clear and smooth. Zoom in and out had no trouble focusing.
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My easiest answer is that it wasn't designed to shoot video. A more detailed answer would be that the camera is already filled with quality and other features that make it well worth the money without video. While this may sound like a sarcastic response, I liked the camera and in my opinion, it really was that good. It served me very well without video until the D800 came on the market. I bought one of the very first D800 cameras. It has video and I've used it on one occasion only to see if it works. It worked fine and I've never used it since.
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I've been comparing them for 2 months and finally bought the 1000IS because:1. It has a rotating wheel on top to change from auto to programmable to movie and all other modes. The review button is on the back.With the 1200 it is a rubber slider and movie mode is in between shoot and review. With my old Canon, I was always getting back to the hotel room out of battery life and discovering it was because in going back and forth between review and shoot mode I had slipped into movie mode and had lots of footage of my feet walking around while sight seeing. Hopefully this can't happen now. I've been comparing them for 2 months and finally bought the 1000IS because:1. It has a rotating wheel on top to change from auto to programmable to movie and all other modes. The review button is on the back.With the 1200 it is a rubber slider and movie mode is in between shoot and review. With my old Canon, I was always getting back to the hotel room out of battery life and discovering it was because in going back and forth between review and shoot mode I had slipped into movie mode and had lots of footage of my feet walking around while sight seeing. Hopefully this can't... » Read More I've been comparing them for 2 months and finally bought the 1000IS because:1. It has a rotating wheel on top to change from auto to programmable to movie and all other modes. The review button is on the back.With the 1200 it is a rubber slider and movie mode is in between shoot and review. With my old Canon, I was always getting back to the hotel room out of battery life and discovering it was because in going back and forth between review and shoot mode I had slipped into movie mode and had lots of footage of my feet walking around while sight seeing. Hopefully this can't happen now. « Show Less