I need a camera that will let me capture both regular length digital video and still pictures, then get the stills out to a PC easily. The video cameras I have seen so far, such as the Canon Elura, require special capture cards (firewire) in the PC to get the stills out, same as with video. Or, still cameras such as the Fuji 4700z will store short clips as AVI on removable cards. Is there something that will do both?

-- Scott Christie (scott.christie@shawpittman.com), May 21, 2000

Answers

Scott,

I have a JVC GR DVF 31 mini dv video camera and it is excellent for transfer onto vhs tape. It has a great program for editing and the sound system is unsurpassed. The drawback, however, is the "still" image quality. When I bought this camera, my priority was high quality stills and decent video as my son is a figure skater and stills cannot capture his programs well.This camcoder meets my video needs but,unfortunatly, the salesperson didn't understand my needs and I had not yet heard the term "megapixel" thus, I ended up with poor quality stills. The imaging to computer is easy with the JVC program and the video to VHS is a breeze, just plug and go. Rather than looking for a better quality video camera, I am now looking at the Sony DSC F505 for my still shot needs. Hope this helps. Larz

-- Larz Yerxa (larz@cybertours.com), May 29, 2000.