[corp miler]

I have a Sony TRV11 miniDV which has been giving me problems when its humid where it didn't previously. I also just bought a entry level Olympus digital still. I love the idea of just one camera for both and returning the Olympus gives me a little extra to put towards the camcorder. How does the still quality of the newer Sony and Canon miniDV camcorders compare to a dedicated digital still camera? Is a 2MP miniDV camcorder going to be on par with a 2MP still camera?

Secondarily, anyone know if I'd gain much quality in a new miniDV over my 4 year old TRV11?

[mikellanes]

How does the still quality of the newer Sony and Canon miniDV camcorders compare to a dedicated digital still camera? Is a 2MP miniDV camcorder going to be on par with a 2MP still camera?[/B]

No I would cut that in half, probably be decent 1MP stills.

If you can get a separate still, even a cheap 3MP one, It will look better and save you a lot of hassle in the future.

[bmedina]

The colors will also be much better on a dedicated still camera.

[Spoffo]

I second the comment on color quality. I used to like the stills I got from my Sony TRV30, but alongside those from my 3mp Cannon still camera, they have an unsaturated look with some subtle blue and magenta biases. At a family wedding with difficult light conditions this year, I shot with both. I could always touch up the images from the still camera in Photoshop to look very nice, while some of the images from the video camera just couldn't be rescued.

[corp miler]

Thanks for all the information. Looks like I’d be better off keeping the dedicated still camera. If that’s the case I can focus on which camcorder has the best VIDEO, period.

I’ve read the Canon’s can have low light performance issues and the Panasonic’s have a really poor “steady shot” compared to Sony. Is this true?

How much difference is there between a 1/5 and 1/3.6 CCD (ie a $500 Sony versus a $1000).