3D - 2

Digital Camera for CONCERTS - Big Zoom, Best Audio !?

I owned the TZ1 and sold on craigslist -and I should have kept it because the video and sound was much better for my main purpose of the camera... compared to the Lumix TZ5 The TZ5 takes great images - but sucks major donkey in the audio and focus dept for CONCERTS ! Ya well I figured the TZ1 was good and that the TZ55 would be better. I didn't research enough and here I am. I run a concert review blog and my main goal is to have a Digital Camera that does decent photos and has a big zoom for good video with good audio... Want to see the difference? Here is the best video I shot with my TZ1 - 6th row centre for Eric Clapton - watch on HIGH QUALITY. The sound is not great but... it does not distort... the video is plain deadly!!! TZ1 Eric Clapton http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TCE-hbb2OvY Here are 2 videos I did with the TZ5 - one with the mic open and the other is from the Hollywood Bowl In LA with a bandaid overtop of the Mic holes and I punctured thru so only 2 of the 6 or so holes are showing that are there. TZ5 - The Upsidedown at 1:21-1:30 of the video is just one spot where you see the focus issues... sure its dark in there but the TZ1 was able to find itself much quicker. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0TEoDXUNmfc TZ5 - Beck - bandaid over mic with only 2 pin holes of the 6 open - at 1:46 the focus goes to hell for 10 secs or so. The next night I was at another concert at Greek Theatre and had to stop videoing it was just pissing me off. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qpH1REkTUqU I take my hobby serious and I know I'm expecting alot for this niche use.... but if you hunt around youtube there are some great videos with good sound.. in some cases real good.....therefore I will be unloading this TZ5 asap. I need to aquire another unit to do the job...plus it seems getting seats centre and back towards the soundboard will help out. Any serious ideas for my challenge I would gladly appreciate. I am looking at the Canon Powershot TX1 and sayno... the way they are held is a bit of a heat score at concerts... but the stereo mics on cannon look good. Anyone know about Sayno's sound? Thanks in Advance for trying here. I know this has been asked before... but I have alot of trial and error videos and I am considering sitting further back at some shows towards the soundboard also.

Public Comments

1. The audio is decent with the TZ1 but the video is terrible. In the audio and video department, you are better served using Sony (they are leaders in video recording).
2. I would be looking at the Canon SX 1 IS. The basic specs are below -10 MP -20X Zoom -Optical Image Stabilization -28mm Wide Angle Lens -Full High Definition Shooting (1920 X 1080) at 30fps -2.8" Rotatable Screen -HDMI Output -New Canon DIG!C 4 Processor -2 Microphones (Right & Left) I would wait until review of the Canon SX1 IS come out, as it seems to be able to record better resolution videos than the Canon TX1.
3. if you take your hobby serious... get good seats up near the front so you can get as much light as possible. get a "permissible" (some venue/promoters do not allow dslr or detachable lens units) camera like the panasonic lumix lx3. which has a larger than norm 1.6 sensor and a wide f/2.0. pick up a Sony ICDUX80 Voice Recorder with MP3 Stereo Recording and plug in a stereo mic, like the Sony ECM-DS70P Electret Condenser Stereo Microphone, attach it to the front of your shirt. Then when you get home plug your lumix video and Sony VR audio into a video editing app, such as Sony Vegas or similar, then sync the video/audio and mux to your favorite format! HD Video with near pristine stereo audio...all under the nose of the promoter and security. Being close to the action is paramount, since the lumix telephoto is only 60mm and it would minimize adverse effects to the audio. camerawise...look at the fugi s8000fd