Sanyo VPC-CG20

[catcher00]

Hello everyone!!!! It's me, Catcher :-) Anyone remember me from a few months back?? I came here to post in the Pub, was given quite a hard time, accused of being a middle aged man with unspeakable issues (lol), proved that theory wrong with the use of a quickly made youtube vid, was encouraged to stick around, but alas conceded that I had nothing worthy to contribute to a camera forum, as I far prefer to be in front of one than behind it.

So in the months since, I have far overcome the petty issue (about a stupid boy) that originally brought me here and have moved on to blogging. I had been making use of my old hp webcam which produces subpar quality. I decided to get a brand new webcam. I wanted high quality but at a low price (who doesn't! lol) and was actually hoping for some editing software included?? but I guess that doesn't exist, at least not within my price range. Portability was also a little bit of an issue. I wanted medium sized.

[Feel free to scroll to this part here, the rest is just back story chatter] I purchased a Sanyo VPC-CG 20, Xacti dual camera (photoes + videos). Is this an affective tool for my purposes? I bought it in Manhattan for $250. I intended to get a feel for cameras and then go to a bust buy and get one for a low price, but I got swindled a bit. Anyway, I did some googling of the product but wanted to hear directly from the experts--any insight as to how to get the most of this piece of equipment?

Thanks :-)

Memory refresher:

http://www.youtube.com/user/MeredithOD?feature=mhee

[catcher00]

I'm a blogger looking for decent quality below $300. I got the Xacti CG20, HD. Was this a good choice for my needs within my price range? Any insight into features of this product? Anything I should look out for?

Thanks

[1]

Haha, welcome back, catcher.
I'm sure you'll get good input as far as cams are concerned.

I've never liked Sanyo cams myself. Just bad luck maybe. VERY cheap and a bit "gimmicky".
You should probably settle for a more solid piece of equipment that's easy to use and gives good, consistent results.
Try the big ones first: Canon, Panasonic & Sony.

For instance, why not a "newish" camera with video capability, such as Canon A3300IS:
http://usa.canon.com/cusa/consumer/p...rshot_a3300_is

[cgbier]

Don't know the camera itself (even though some guys from my model train forum shot some nice footage from their layouts with it).
Starting point: Read the manual. Then practice composition a bit. For a beginner, Windows Movie Maker or iMovie ain't too bad. You can practice cutting video without breaking the bank.

It is not so much the camera that makes a movie, but rather the user knowing about composition, lighting, and how to tell and cut a story. What exactly are you gonna shoot for your blog?

[cgbier]

Oh, and get rid of them big sunglasses. People would like to see your eyes when you're talking to them.

[movielighter]

Have not used the CG20, but I took a pair of pink CG10s and made some very high quality footage during a live show and once out on the street after a building collapse.

These are from my notes using this model during a low light shoot. When I got them right, it was like a ray of light from the heavens came down on the stage. Had one on the lead singer, and the other on lead guitar and back up singers. Settings should be similar on the CG20.

They work GREAT in low light and on a clamp mount.

Sanyo Xacti
Small
Fireworks
Exp. Meter - square with circle, spot on most cameras.
ISO - auto
Auto focus - Maunal with vibration
Exposure P with square

[catcher00]

Thank you. ISO was already on Auto. For Auto focus & Exposure, the settings you mentioned were not options :/

You're very right, btw, this camera seems to be better in low light rather than daylight, unless I just haven't discovered the correct feature settings yet. Time will tell...

Thanks everyone! :-)

[movielighter]

They must have changed some of the menu functions with the newer models. keep working at it.