Category Archives: video cameras

Making Videos, Online Video, video cameras

Best Entry-Level Mirrorless Camera of 2024: Canon EOS R50

I haven’t done a camera review since 2011, but last month I spent dozens of hours researching digital photo/video cameras. I am really happy with my selection after road testing it during a trip to Greece last week. I’ve shared some compressed sample photos here.

The winner is an entry level mirrorless camera (the new alternative to DSLRs, which are bulkier) and it’s called the Canon EOS R50. It debuted this year (2023) and it’s relatively affordable, creates beautiful photos and video, and is fairly idiot proof. This is NOT a promotional post but I have included Amazon affiliate links. Of course this camera isn’t for everyone. Most amateurs are fine with iPhones and Androids and photography pros will want something with more features.

Here is my Canon EOS R50 YouTube review in case you can’t read:

So let’s talk about the winner, the process, the pros/cons and whether this camera may be for you… I’ve included some sample photos and a video that I accidentally created. It shows me taking 30 photos from the roof deck of our Santorini AirBNB (The Oasis Villa).

Why the Canon EOS R50?

The Canon EOS R50 is similar to my last digital camera (a Canon Rebel I bought circa 2012) but produces much better photos and is easier to synch with my phone. I paid $799 for the body and the RF-S18-45mm F4.5-6.3 IS STM Lens.

NOTE: Oct 10, 2024. With Amazon Prime, it’s now on sale for $699!

That’s not cheap but it’s way less expensive than the typical mirrorless cameras that run from $1000 to $3000. I knew I’d also need new accessories since the R50 is not compatible with my Rebel. So I reluctantly paid $350 for a zoom lense called the Canon RF-S55-210mm F5-7.1 (a STM for Canon APS-C Mirrorless RF Mount).

It’s Overwhelming Selecting Good Entry-Level Digital Camera in 2024

Here’s the problem. Most people find smart phones good enough so the “real” cameras are either old models (circa 2018) or cost prohibitive and complex. I wanted something that launched this year because I wanted modern tech and easy integration with the iPhone. The Canon uses “Canon Connect” app, which was surprisingly good at connecting with the camera to my phone via Bluetooth or Wifi.

In my research I read more than 30 articles and about 500 Amazon reviews. I was frustrated that the best-rated cameras were released well before Covid. I almost settled on a really nice, small, adorable red waterproof camera (Olympus Tough TG-6). But I needed a nice zoom more than I needed another underwater cam. I’ve already got a GoPro 9. That’s, by the way, down to $229 (30% off) and it’s quite remarkable for its size. For reasons I can’t quite explain, I don’t often use it. But check out this turtle clip from Hawaii last year. And here’s a time lapse sunset I shot in Greece on the GoPro.

Why Buy a Digital Camera in 2024 When You Have a Phone?

That’s the question posed in just about every article on today’s mirrorless cameras. Can’t your Google or iPhone do better? Yes and no. I wanted a real camera for better depth of field (vs artificial portrait mode) and a nice optical zoom. For instance,.check out this video to see the 30 photos I took from the deck of an AirBNB we visited last week in Santorini.

The iPhones and Androids are nearly as good (or better) as today’s pricey DSLR video/photo cameras. Over the last 5 years, phones have become amazing. iPhones are beginning to adjust for light (in some ways better than the Canon for sunsets). Again- they’re good enough for most people. But they have their limits, and the most significant one is the limited optical zooms. Once you zoom too far, you’re using a digital zoom that produces lame, grainy photos. It drives me nuts when I see people zooming beyond the optical range (see more about that here).

I took this photo of the colorful fishing village in Klima, Milos- we stayed in the purple restored boat house on the far left. I can’t figure out how to upload the highest resolution possible, but the image below has no digital editing or enhancements. (c) Kevin Nalty

“The fully articulated screen makes it easy to monitor yourself while recording. It can also record 4k video at up to 30 fps and 1080p at up to 60 fps, with a slow-motion mode in 1080p that records in 120 fps.”

Source: Rtings.com Review (see post)

The Homework I Did

I read dozens of articles (like this one and this Canon R50 review and this one) and narrowed it down to about 10 cameras including the Fujifilm X-S10, Sony a6400, Nikon Z5, Panasonic Lumix DMC-G7 and the Sony ZV-E10. Canon itself has many models that are hard to discern. I also put out an APB on Facebook and got some ideas.

Somewhere along the trip I got overwhelmed by all the options and uncomfortable with the prices. But I finally decided on the Canon EOS R50. Now let’s look objectively at the pros/cons to see if it’s right for you.

The Pros and Cons of the Canon EOS R50

For creators/vloggers/influencers who need more than a phone but don’t want to spend thousands, the Canon EOS R50 is a good choice. It is relatively affordable, takes amazing photos and videos, and it’s easy to use. But it’s not perfect- and my biggest beef is that it is so small that I often accidentally hit buttons like the dang 3-second delay button since that button is close to the grip.

Pros

  • It is relatively affordable at $799 – good for creators and influencers who need more than a phone but don’t want to spend $1,000-$3,000 on a camera that’s hard to use.
  • It offers beautiful quality video and photos. Some reviews gave lower marks to video, but I found it strong even though it lacks digital stabilization.
  • The R50 is easy to use with excellent auto settings- especially auto focus. I don’t have the knowledge or desire to learn about f-stops and advanced settings
  • The base is small and portable for travel (but once you add a lense, it becomes a bit cumbersome)
  • The Canon Connect app can also enable it to be a webcam for Zoom and Teams calls (see my post on cool accessories for home offices and video calls)

Cons

  • The R50 is not inexpensive. Heck it’s nearly the price of an iPhone or Android and it doesn’t do anything besides take photos and videos. I came close to settling on the Olympus Tough TG-6, which is one of the best rated waterproof cameras. The camera and accessories cost just a bit more than $500 but it’s more than 4 years old (see review). I liked the size for travel, but I needed a zoom and don’t need the underwater capabilities.
  • My greatest annoyance was when I gripped the camera and kept accidentally putting the camera into a 3-second delay! Dove me nuts. It took a while to get used to that- and since you’ve got to turn the dial to go between video and automatic setting, it’s easy to accidentally end up on one of the many complex non-automatic modes.
  • The R50 lacks advanced features like automatic digital stabilization. I would have liked some digital stabilization for the videos (like my iPhone 13 Pro Max with it’s cinema mode). Here’s an example– I used the Canon to get a clip of some lady in a giant dress in Santorini and it’s bumpy. But I don’t need all the fancy advanced options so I didn’t want to pay more for all of that.
  • Some reviews indicated the battery is limited so I picked up two spare batteries and a charger for under $30. But I didn’t need them- even shooting for hours.
  • In lower light, the R50 occasionally struggled with auto focus. I really wanted to take good sunset photos. And when the sun set too much, it wouldn’t let me take a photo for some reason. That said, here’s an example of a nice sunset photo
This is a photo I took while eating lunch. A few stray cats playing about 30 feet away. The zoom meant I didn’t have to get up from the table.

Is the Canon R50 Right for You?

DO get this if you are a creator or influencer who wants a pro look but doesn’t want to spend $1000 or more. It’s a good choice if you’re in the market for a modern, affordable mirrorless digital camera that produces professional looking photos and videos and is easy to use.

DON’T get this camera if you prefer the convenience of an iPhone or Android phone (as they say, “the best camera is the one you’re holding”). In the last 5 years a phone is good enough at photos for 85.6% of people. And, of course, if you’re a professional photographer you’ll likely want far more and are willing to spend $2000 or $3000 or more. Also consider switching costs- I was bummed to not be able to use my Canon Rebel lenses even with an off-brand adapter.

Hopefully this saves you some time and effort because there are so many damned options it’s easy to get into information overload and enter the dreaded “choice paradox.” I am curious to see how often I carry it around, but it almost paid for itself with the Greece trip.

Some Examples of Photos from Greece

Here are some of the photos I shot recently in Greece (although they’re compressed for sharing).

Some Best-Selling Camera/Video Gear from Amazon

Camera and Photos Best Sellers at Amazon

Where Do You Buy the Canon EOS R50?

To buy the Canon EOS R50 from Amazon, click here. You can find it other places but I couldn’t find it for much less as of this writing. If you end up selecting a different camera, I’d love to know your thoughts. If you end up buying this one, send me some photos to:

You may also be interested in my recent post about must-have accessories for video calls and home office.

Leave a comment!

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Kevin is a poopie head

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discuss!

video cameras, Videocameras

Where to Buy Cheap Video Camera and Gear- New and Used (B&H)

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Unknowingly I was approved as a B&H affiliate last December (I should check e-mail more often). So here’s a banner below. For those of you that don’t know, affiliate programs allow bloggers and website owners to earn some small portion of your purchase if you visit the e-commerce site via the blogger’s coded link or banner. So bookmark this page!



A lot of people ask me what video equipment to buy, and where to get it. I default to BestBuy for impulse electronics, and often buy from Amazon.com. But my “heaven on Earth” is the NYC B&H store. I’ve mentioned it several times before (even before I had the old “affiliate” hidden agenda. 🙂

B&H is like FAO Schwartz for digital video, audio and camera nerds. They sell video cameras, digital accessories, sound gear and computers. Prices are amazing, and I’ve never had an issue with service or returns (bought my recent Canon HV20 there for a steal). I’ve been burned by NYC retailers before, but the place is run by Amish I think.

My original blog (revverberation.com) was littered with low-revenue text ads, but I’ve deliberately not junked this blog up with low-profit Google text ads. They’re an eyesore. But here’s an affiliate banner for B&H. I have no idea how much I make if you go there via this banner, but I thought I’d give it a try. I’m pimping, but I know I’m not steering you wrong.

So if you’re on the market for gear and you can find a better price at B&H, go there via this link and you’ll be helping me offset my Bluehost fee for this blog! Again- I wouldn’t send you there if I wasn’t really happy about my experience with B&H, and most of the prosumers (professional/consumers) I know buy all of their gear at B&H — whether they live in NYC or not. Double check Amazon.com because occasionally you’ll find a better price there, but the options on Amazon for video enthusiasts are limited.

The actual NYC store is a dreamland. Get there if you can. I drove past it recently with Mr. Safety and told him about the giant conveyor belts that shoot your product from the warehouse to the register and he thought I was teasing. When I shop there I hear circus music in my head and people’s heads transform to giant lollipops.


Making Videos, Video, video cameras, Video Gear

Best Video Cameras

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Every few days someone asks me what video camera to buy. Unless I happen to be “in the market” I don’t track closely. But I do trust Consumer Reports, and just received an issue ranking the top camcorders.

Note: My guide to buying a video camera can be found here.

What Format: Mini DV, DVD, Hard Drive, Combination?

The Consumer Reports “best buy” is a Panasonic SDR-H18 but it’s $430 and is a hard-drive model. I prefer the MiniDV for two reasons — first you’re always near a store that sells those little digital 8 mm tapes if you run out of space. Second, if my computer and camera blows up, at least I have the tapes. That said, most equipment malfunctions are related to moving parts. I suppose a tape recorder has more than a hard drive. Still, I’ve been burned too many times by crashed hard drives and few tapes have let me down.

Sorry. Not sold on these models that burn DVDs. I suppose it’s easier, but some models (the Hitachi DZ-GX5020A) gets 18 minutes of the best quality. 18 minutes per DVD? Puleez.

Bottom Line

canon ZR800So for the typical amateur, I’d recommend sticking with a simple Mini-DV model. The three Consumer Reports winners are the Canon ZR800, the Panasonic PV-GS80 and the Sony DCR-HC28.

I like Canon. I use the Digital Rebel for still photos and the Canon HV20 for my videos. No problems with either of them. The Canon HV20 takes longer than I’d like to “boot up” and the audio is poor. But the images are quite nice for its $1,000 price. For most amateurs, however, a prosumer $1000 camera is total overkill (unless you want high definition and have plenty of money). Buttefly.

So I’d go with the Canon ZR800. It’s listed at Amazon.com for $209 even though Consumer Reports lists it as $255. I get a lot of my impulse buys from BestBuy, but they’re listing it at $254 (but watch the circulars if you don’t want to wait for shipping).

It’s not perfect. Read the C-Net report so you know of some limitations, and the Amazon user reviews are mixed. It got a mediocre review, but so did the Panasonic. I also use PCMag to compare cameras, but the Canon ZR800 wasn’t listed.

Killer Video, Making Videos, video cameras, Viral Video, YouTube

Behind the Scenes: “Pranking the Garbage Man- Part 2″

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[youtube=http://youtube.com/watch?v=O7eAg4F_nFY]

Some people have expressed interest in the “making of” my videos. So this post will describe the “behind the scenes” of how I made this short video titled “Pranking the Garbage Man- Part 2.” You should watch the video first, since this reveals key plot elements. Its prequel to this was titled “Prank the Garbageman.”

  • While driving to work yesterday, I was captivated by the new hydraulic lifts on the BFI trucks. Imagine the time and costs they’ve saved.
  • I followed our local garbageman to get some footage of the lifts in action. Unfortunately they spotted me, and got out the truck to find out what I was doing. When I explained it was for a YouTube video, the tattoo-laden guy demanded to see my paperwork. The nice guy, an African-American who never fails to smile and wave, wasn’t as concerned. But he did recall seeing me hiding in a garbage more than a year ago, and reminded me it wasn’t safe.
  • In respect to the smiler, I left them alone. But as I drove to work, I was bothered by the reaction of tattoo man. I don’t believe there’s a law against videotaping in public, and I became more determined to complete the video.
  • Luckily, I found a separate crew later. They’d have “plausible deniability” since I wouldn’t tell them what I was doing.
  • Finally when I got home last evening, I asked my wife to shoot her portion with me crawling into a garbage can. No trucks were on route at this point.
  • The editing was tricky. I had to overlay clips and sound to give a rough sense of continuity.
  • The confused reactions of my wife (wifeofnalts) were authentic because she had no idea of what she was doing. Finally I explained, then fed her some lines so I could insert those audio-clip reactions (“it’s the hydraulic kind!”) while the lift is presumably dumping me into the truck.
  • There are parts of it I still don’t think are quite right. Continuity errors since the trucks and locations were different. Ultimately I decided to give my “garbage can” camera a different look (black and white) because it was visually confusing.
  • Total time to shoot: About 12 minutes. Six minutes of footage. Edit time was about 1.5 hours.
  • Viral prediction: Maybe 100K view on YouTube.
video cameras

Four Steps to Finding and Buying Your Dream Digital-Video Camera (Butterfly)

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(Click to see video about this post)

Each day someone asks me what digital camera to buy. Each day, I promise myself I’ll write a blog entry that reviews my favorites. For most of my 300 plus online videos I’ve used a Panasonic PV-GS120. I now use a Canon HV20. I researched them both vigorously.

My system for finding a good camera has 4 stages:

First, ask yourself what you’re after. If you need to update your digital still camera and don’t mind lower resolution video, you may want to get a combination (still and video) device like the Digital Canon A630-A640. If you want high quality HDTV, you’re looking at the Canon HV20 as the lowest-cost entry (or some Panasonic prosumer choices that are elegant but a bit bulky). I loved the Panasonic but I wasn’t about to carry a camera that made me look like a pro.

If you’re like most people, you’re somewhere in the middle and want a decent $300-$600 digital video camera.

Next, see what experts like. I start with independent, credible aggregators like ConsumerReports (which often lags on reporting electronics), ZDNet and PCMag‘s “editor’s choices.”

  1. pcmag.jpgConsumerReports is my most trusted source, but I’ve found it lags on electronic reviews (sometimes by a ridiculous period: This link is to a thorough review available by subscription only. But it’s dated November 2004). The website will provide thorough buyer’s guides and thorough comparison charts (some require membership). The non-profit has started to provide more real-time reports on certain electronic categories. Here’s the digital camera reviews & buying guide.
  2. PCMag is my overall favorite source, but it’s tricky to navigate. I hone in on a few models that share high rankings (and then compare its editor choices with those of other sources). For instance, here’s the PCMag editor’s choice on digital video cameras (and here’s the reviews for digital still cameras). They’re in love with Sony, but I’ve never been a fan since I made the horrible mistake of buying digital still cams by Sony. Be careful as you navigate PCMag, because one minute you’re reading an editorial review and the next you’ve stumbled into some low-rent site hawking cheap electronics. The lines between editorial and ads are as faded as my 8-year-old’s jeans.
  3. Then you can validate your models via ZDNet’s digital photo and video reviews. I can’t attest to the objectivity of this site, but it’s easy to use and fairly thorough. You’re never far from a price and a crappy vendor that will sell you the product for curiously low prices (if you don’t mind having it with no internal parts).
  4. CNet has its own digital video camera and camcorder reviews’ site. It’s okay.
  5. PCWorld has a dated but nice piece on miniDV camcorders.

Third, read the consumer reviews. Most online retailers like Amazon will invite consumers to rate the devices. Often you can find some rich reviews like those of ePinions before they “jumped the shark” and became a commerce site that stopped attracting good reviews. You need to be especially careful reading these and focus on patterns. NEVER let one review shape your opinion because they could be a disgruntled customer or a review placed by an employee of the manufacturer.

Finally, don’t under estimate where you buy. As much as I love buying from the web – especially Amazon.com or B&P – I tend to frequent Best Buy and Circuit City. Best Buy is low pressure, but Circuit City sometimes tries to upsell you. The prices are reasonable at both stores, and the weekly shopper has really good deals. The selections are streamlined, and the employees are (with some exception) fairly informed. I like asking the electronic employees what model they own, and which one they’d buy if they bought today. Most importantly, if you can stomach the overpriced guarantee programs then you know that you can return your camera if you have problems. Without having to get on the phone and ship things.

If you’ve recently researched $300-$600 digital video cameras, please post what you selected below. I haven’t been through that process in a while, but there’s a great demand for guidance here.

Butterfly: Using this tag word so people can find this post from a video I’ve done on this subject.

Update Sept. 29 2007: Blog post about Consumer Reports.  

Making Videos, Online Video, video cameras, Videocameras

What Digital Video Camera Should I Buy?

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canon-elura-100-large.jpgWhat camera should I buy? I get that question a lot, even though I don’t tend to be “state of the art” with my equipment. But if I were on the market for a digital camcorder I’d get the Canon Elura 100 (no I don’t get paid to endorse). It’s less than $400 and here’s what makes it a decent choice. And an excellent gift (hint):

  1. I learned about it in Smart Money’s Sept. 2006 article titled “Home Movies.” Indie film star Edward Burns calls it a “no brainer,” and he reviewed cameras up to $800.
  2. This insanely detailed review at CamCorderInfo.com compared it to other brands in the same price range, and it came out well.
  3. CNet gave it a “very good” at 7.2, and readers gave it a 7.6.
  4. Consumer Report (which is usually a last resort since they’re often way outdated on electronics) gave it a 55- which is in the “good” range but closer to “very good” than “fair.” It marked “very good” on picture quality, but “fair” on audio quality. Consumer Reports gave the Elura 85 a better mark (71) but it’s closer to $500.
  5. Epinions (consumer reviews) gave it a 4/5 rating. Watch out for the “hissing” sounds the mike picks up from the tape motion. It’s an issue I’ve seen pop up in many reviews, but it’s primarily an issue when you’re shooting in low sound. I don’t go anywhere where low sound exists.
  6. I researched endlessly my Canon Rebel XT still camera and I’m really happy with it. So Canon wins points.

Unfortunately PCMag hasn’t reviewed it yet, which is surprising. I put a lot of weight in their reviews.

I usually got to BestBuy for impulse. But they’re not in stock, and they’re not cheaper. Plus I hate the pressure to buy the warantees. Amazon has it on sale… here’s the link (I do get an affiliate fee for anyone buying it through this link, but in my experience nobody uses affiliate links).

Buy Canon Elura 100 at Amazon

Making Videos, Online Video, video cameras, Videocameras

Best Tiny Video Cameras for Sports and Action

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Just yesterday we were looking for a good helmet cam. Today I picked up my copy of PCPhoto and discovered author Kim Castleberry has done the homework. These are my words below, but I’m sourcing Kim’s article.

1) The Samsung SC-X210L is the high-end camcorder that is really fun to hold (rubber exterior and very elegant). Every time I go to BestBuy I stare at it. It has image stabilizer and the ability to play MP3s and video with high-quality MPEG4. Price is $599. If the good folks at Samsung want to send me a “demo” for review, help yourself. You’ll never get it back.
2) Viosport Adventure Cam 3: This one needs to be plugged into a camcorder and will require a battery pack and wires. But it’s the kind of camera you’d get if you already had a great camcorder and wanted a nice lense to mount on your head when you sky dive. $329. Can’t really see a big market for these.
3) ATC-1000 Action Camera: My favorite because it’s cheap ($119) and integrated (no other pieces needed). It records lower resolution but here are some examples of it. You can buy it for as low as $80 at Amazon.com.
4) Digital Blue Tony Hawk HelmetCam: It’s a wireless device with a 12-foot range, video editing software and 32MB that can record up to 40 minutes of low resolution video and sound. Seems more like a toy for kids than a camera. $99.