"Oliver Barnes" <oliver@prfc.fsnet.co.uk> wrote in message news:3f0b05cc@shknews01...

> I hope someone can help me out with a problem... I am looking to buy a

> digital camcorder for the first time and have a specification understanding

> problem!

>

> I am looking at the JVC DVX95EK and the JVC DVX100EK but the main problem I

> have is which video camera would have better video quality and still shots

> at longer distance (filming and taking stills of animals in Africa for

> example)?

>

> 1) 10x optical + 500 x digital zoom @ 1'300'000 pixels

> 2) 16x optical + 700 x digital zoom @ 800'000 pixels

>

> - Stills would be mainly for on screen viewing @ 1024x768 and I have 256mb

> SD card.

> - Video to be edited on PC and burnt onto VCD (DV in/out required I think?)

>

> I am looking to spend about up to £800 for a compact-as-possible camera

> preferably with built-in flash...

Generally, digital zoom is useless, if good quality results are desired. Also, video

cameras make very noisy still images at resolutions above standard video (640x480

NTSC), and these are marginal in sharpness except with the best megapixel+

camcorders (the 3-chippers often make better stills, but even these are rarely good

enough for printing).

Sorry...

--

David Ruether

d_ruether@hotmail.com

http://www.David-Ruether-Photography.com

Hey, take a gander at www.visitithaca.com, too...!