PROTECT SEA TURTLES
In my opinion, Canon seems miles ahead of the competition when it comes to digital reflex and high definition video cameras. Its all the patents they hold and the quality of design of their products. If you have a problem with your Canon camera share it with me, AW Lake. Otherwise I will continue to think that they are the greatest for creating JPG stills and MPEG-2 video files that you can share on the Internet.
Combined with Flash or Shockwave capability using editing 'swf' file creation software such available using Swish Max you have a pretty formidable combination. I now use Canon for all my video needs and have had great success with them. Make sure that when you plug in any video device that you have surge protection. You never know when the lightning might strike, even in winter, but especially in early spring.
If you are thinking of creating video DVDs then buy yourself a copy of the Essential DVD Maker which has loads of tips on how to create DVDs easily and economically. The publication has easy to use images that shorten your learning curve amazingly.
I use my HD Canon video camera to take stills, and it does a wonderful job. Buy the correct card and you have enormous capacity. You may need to buy the HD video film in Japanese camera stores and get the 80+ minute film. The American camera shops may not have HD yet! If you buy a video camera, you will find that the tapes give you probably the best results, and I was told that the hard disk storage cameras are not very good for fast HD work. Ask an expert why, but I think it has to do with storage capacity and throughput.
Even a digital SLR reflex camera can take movies and they are reasonably good. The video cameras will probably have better zoom capabilities and tape is really where its at right now.