Best combination of DSLR and/or HD video camera for pictures and video of new baby (budget: $1k-2k)?

I have an (old) Canon DSLR and recently bought a Panasonic LX3. I'm very happy with the Panasonic, I find that I use that all of the time. It's very small you can take it with you everywhere, it takes great pictures (good Leica lens) and takes very good HD video.

The stabilizer works great. Two of my videos (of my kids) can be seen at vimeo.com/2651806 and vimeo.com/2714890 . Because it's such a small camera, kids don't really notice that you're there, and the big screen on the back makes it easy to shoot at the eye level of your kids, which makes video and pictures look great.So I highly recommend the LX3.

The only problem is that it's well below your budget, at about $400-$500 I think. ;-) Good luck.

I am a parent of two young kids who has struggled with the same question that you're asking. If you have the cash and are interested in getting into the DSLR world (which is a great choice with kids), my suggestion would be: NIKON D90 W/ NIKON 18-200 with DX VR LENS This camera body and lens combination will give you very high quality photos with a versitile lens that doesn't always have to be on the tripod to produce great results. The D90 (as you know) also shoots outstanding video.

NIKON ML-L3 REMOTE This wireless remote will allow you to set the camera up on a table, desk, or best yet a tripod and start / stop video or take photos. This is VERY handy with kids. CANON POWERSHOT SD750 With only a DSLR, you will miss A LOT of photos and sometimes feel like your big DSLR is a pain to carry around.

Imagine a diaper bag, stroller, day pack and the kid all traveling around - add a large heavy DSLR and more often than not, you'll leave it in the bag or at home. Don't miss out, get a small, cheap but good point and shoot. 2 x 16 GB SD CARDS A large memory card means that you can shoot a good amount of video or a lot of photos.

Shooting in RAW with the D90 and a 16 GB card will get you over 1000 photos. Having 1 for each camera or 2 for big days like Christmas will be invaluable. I hope that this helps!

I have both nice DSLR (Canon 5D) and better video camera but seem to always go back to the Canon G9 for quick photos and my Sony HDR-TG1 for video. The results are great and the convenience can not be underestimated.

It really depends what's more important... good quality video or good quality pics. My recommendation (if it's pic quality you're after) would be the Nikon D90. Whilst I don't have one myself, I'm lead to believe that it also supports video (probably the first DSLR to do so).

For some additional information, please see my answer to this question, which actually addresses a whole lot of the same concerns you have: mahalo.com/answers/cameras/how-much-bett... I think the issue you may want to consider is the convenience factor of all of this equipment. If you've taken a photography class, you already know how much stuff, and how heavy, all of the gear can really turn out to be for just a dSLR, not to mention adding a camera. If you aren't carrying it with you, no matter how good the equipment, you won't use it.

If it's too much of a hassle to keep everything charged, a $20,000 Hasselblad dSLR isn't any better than a rock at taking photos if it has a dead battery. That's one tip for you, buy into one system/manufacturer if you're buying multiple devices. I use Canon cameras and video devices in classes I teach and on my own.

Having the same terminology, the same menuing systems, and sometimes even compatible batteries saves me TREMENDOUS headaches. Maybe Nikon or Sony or somebody has a device that is a little better on paper of one type or another. But then I have to buy 2x the batteries, lug 2x the batteries/gear, and it ends up not being worth the barely discernible image quality difference, especially if it was too much work and I never imaged the moment in the first place.My advice, having a young child and teaching this stuff to high school students, is to start in the middle.

Buy a pretty nice "pro-sumer" super-zoom camera like the Canon PowerShot S5 I recommended in my other answer, or the Kodak Z1012 (which shoots 720P video). The super-zoom category means there no real need to buy super-telephoto lenses (the edge of a soccer field is plenty close for the range of these cameras' zooms). Because the Z1012 and PowerShot S5 can use AA batteries, you have an "endless" supply available.

The Z1012 hovers around $300, perhaps a bit lower. This is actually a better investment thank you think (I found this out the lucky way), because every single toy you buy for your new child that requires batteries will eat through them like there was no tomorrow. Buy a nice charger, I use several of the Maha 800 series at school, http://www.thomas-distributing.com/maha-mh-c801d-battery-charger.htm for example.

Buy a bunch of AA rechargables, and you're investing not only in your camera equipment (and saving the earth), but also in cutting costs to keep all the actual child's toys working. $65 charger plus $45 in batteries (say 20, two full charger's worth plus 4 in the camera), $110 in total. Buy 2 or 3 good sized SDHC cards, like these http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820171349 which, if you device to go the video route, will also work well for that.

These are $63 each, so $126 total. You can buy cheaper cards, but I've never had a single problem with this brand or line in the years I've been using them. That's hours of video or thousands of photos on each card, and you have a full-size backup.

Buy a good tripod, these are great quality for the price, I use them in class and they've stood up very well to "student use" which is anything but gentle. http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/139179-REG/Velbon_DF60_DF_60_Tripod.html $300 for the camera. $126 for the SDHC cards.

$110 for batteries and charger (which also power toys). Tripod $55. Shipping on the stuff, as a ballpark $25.

$561 Total, and you haven't bought a case, attachable filters or adapters (which these cameras do accept, for example these: http://www.lensmateonline.com/newsite/S2tele.html), which could easily be another $200. Can do slave flashes and similar to, and always add hundreds more. You're already talking about a decent amount of gear to tote around.

Try this, and if you really need a separate video camera or still camera, make that decision at the time. I think you'll be happy with the results, and you'll also be much more likely to use the equipment more often because you can get it in one bag to grab and go (without tearing out your shoulder). Good luck!

Let me know if I can provide more details.

I would go with the LX3 and one of the midrange HD camcorders like the Canon HV30. Depending on where you buy, you could have both in hand for barely over $1000. Granted, you're not going to get the same level of control you'd have with a D90 or 5D Mk2, but there are "invisible compromises" associated with toting around something high-end, especially in the types of places you'll want to shoot vids with young kids.

I own a couple tech companies who do a lot with video. I have been working with video for 15 years. The best easy solution for both good pics and great video is the sony dsc-t500.

I just bought one and used it in vietnam in november and we used the video I shot with it for shows on MSN Money, Forbes, etc... and it is only like 500 dollars.

I don't have a good general answer for you, but have done a fair bit of video with "still" cameras, and have generally been very happy with it. A few comments on that subject: - Many newer cameras will let you keep recording as long as you've got memory left. With an 8GB card, that's a good deal of time, even at HD resolutions.

- We've had a lot of trouble with DV camcorder mechanisms failing over the years. Well worth getting a video camera that uses solid state media. - Many "still" cameras don't let you change your zoom when you're recording video, which stinks.(Our current one lets you only use digital zoom, which looks awful, of course.) - Some still cameras show lines and blowout around light sources when recording video that they don't when capturing stills.

Not an actual answer, but hopefully some good data for you.

I would agree with michielb and say that Panasonic LX3 would be a great choice. You can pick on up from Amazon here: tinyurl.com/8g4jyw As for the reasons why: 1) Convenience - you'll want a camera that is easy to carry around everywhere and is easy for you and your wife to snap pictures of your child 2) Quality - the LX3 is a great little camera, the lens on the LX3 is quite good and there's even a wide-angle lens that you can purchase to go with this camera. 3) Video, unlike the majority of DSLRs out there you can actually take video, moving video of your child and be able to zoom in and out of your scene.

With the D90 and 5D MK II you have the problem of manual focus in video mode, and a rolling shutter which gives you a "jell-o" effect when your hand holding and trying to take video of moving subjects or are just moving the camera around to capture a scene. The DSLR with video are still in their infancy and they will only get better in time. D90 shoots 720p and 5D MK II 1080p.4) Flexibility - The Panasonic LX3 offers enough "manual" controls that you'll be able to capture some creative moments when you have the time to set up the shot, but at the same time you can just put it on Auto or a pre-set mode and snap away.5) Ease of use - It will be quite easy to take good and even excellent shots with the LX3, With DSLR it is possible to take very good and creative images but you have to have good and fast lenses ($$$) and invest time in shooting with a DSLR, it's really not the same as shooting with a point and shoot and a lot of people don't realize that.6) Value - You save yourself $500 -1600 going with the LX3 and that money could be spent towards your child, accessories or even a computer to which you can learn to edit and store your images on.

You always have to consider the extras that you'll need with a digital camera, like memory cards, extra hard drive storage to keep your images stored and safe. With DSLRs there's a lot more that goes into the price besides the body and lens, you have to consider bags to hold and carry your stuff, a tripod, external flashes, etc. I'm not telling you not to get a DSLR necessarily, but a lot of people believe that once they have a DSLR in their hands the images are going to go from mediocre to great.In reality, 99% of the DSLR equipment out there is better than 99% of the photographers that buy them, so unless you have had previous experience with a DSLR in the past or at least a good SLR, you're probably going to find that you'll be missing a lot more shots learning how to use your new camera than you would if you got a really good point and shoot with manual capabilities. Finally, if you want to really go on the cheap but have a good quality and very portable camera I recommend the Canon Elph SD 1100is http://tinyurl.com/7mylja It takes very good shots for a point and shoot, and it's small enough to ALWAYS carry around with you.

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