Season Reports

Video Camera Recommendations for Hunters

This is probably the most common question I get from guys, so I
figured I’d post my latest list of cameras to consider if you’re a
hunter looking to film his (or her) hunts.
“Affordable” is very subjective so here are some various ranges:

Kodak:
Kodak Playsport Zx3. A very handy, economical, HD camera. Waterproof, one-finger operation when mounted to a bow/weapon (I recommend the insane archery bow mount). This camera even has a zoom you can operate from your bow-hand when mounted on the Insane Archery mount. Caution on the newer Zx5 as this is not as shock-resistant, so we’re still recommending the Zx3. Refurbished models are even more reputable as they’ve passed far more tests than new models.

Sony:
mid-range consumer camcorder, tape based:
– HDV (tape based) Format: HDR-HC9 (about $1100)
Basic (but very good) Flash Memory and Hard Disk Cameras
– HDR-CX110 (about $500)
– HDR-CX150 (about $550)
– HDR-XR150 (about $700)
Mid-level Flash Memory and Hard Disk Cameras
– HDR-CX300 (about $800)
– HDR-CX350V (about $900)
– HDR- XR350V (about $1000)
High end consumer Flash Memory and Hard Disk Cameras
– HDR-CX550V (about $1200)
– HDR-XR550V (about $1400)
Higher end prosumer camera
– HDR-FX1000 (about $3200)

Canon:
mid-range consumer camcorder, HDV tape based:
– Vixia HV40 (about $800)
Basic (but very good) Flash Memory and Hard Disk Cameras
– Vixia HF R100 (about $500)
– Vixia HF R10 (about $550)
– Vixia HF R11 (about $700)
Mid-level Flash Memory and Hard Disk Cameras
– Vixia HF M300 (about $680)
– Vixia HF M30 (about $700)
– Vixia HF M31 (about $800)
High end consumer Flash Memory and Hard Disk Cameras
– Vixia HF S200 (about $1000)
– Vixia HF S20 (about $1100)
– Vixia HF S21 (about $1400)
Higher end prosumer camera
– XH A1 (tape based HDV camera) (about $3000 new) – (this is the one
I currently use)

Hat Cams
I use a camera made by VIO (formerly Viosport). http://vio-pov.com.
They have even nicer, high definition models available now. I love
this method of self-filming as it keeps me hands free during the
moment of truth.
Overall….
Sony or Canon is my recommendation overall…
High Definition is also my overall recommendation…
Tapeless is my 3rd overall recommendation. If you want tape-based,
get HDV tape based cameras.
…but that said, Panasonic has a cool little waterproof camera that
I saw in B&H and might be worth a look:
SDR-SW21

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