Unrelated question to this forum

[motordrive]

I have posted here before and I shoot Nikon D700/D800 and print with my Canon PIXMA PRO-10 however this is an off the wall question regarding video camcorders. I'm just taking a shot in the dark here. Even though I'm 90% a still photography guy I need to do a little bit of video for a volunteer project. I realize my D800 shoots video but it is limited because of the max 30min clips built into almost all DSLR's. I am going to pickup a used Canon Pixma G30 or a used Sony CX900. My question is has anyone had any experience with either of these camcorders? I have narrowed it down to these two based on a lot of reading up on specs, etc. Once again please excuse me for posting this question. If no one has any information I do understand. As I said just taking a shot in the dark.

[pnodrog]

Late last year I took video clips at a funeral service due to the video person not turning up. It was all done on my D800 as clips of each person talking. In total nearly 100 minutes of recording. I am basically a stills photographer but was impressed with how well the camera coped. The only worry I had was the battery only just held out. Luckily I was able to give all the video to someone else to edit.

[Black Pearl]

Where will the video end up?

[Shadowman]

John,

My nephew is heavily into videography and I can ask him but my question is what are you trying to achieve?

Are you trying to record the entire service? Some services can last hours, do you feel every moment is needs to be captured?
Is this audience for this recording for those who couldn't attend or just a remembrance for the one being honored?
Could fragments of the service spliced together suffice or do you really need extended hours? Could still photography be used as part of the presentation?

[rpcrowe]

I have a Panasonic HDC TM900 dedicated video camera which captures some wonderful video. However, for quickie clips of my rescue dogs, I use my iPhone 6+.

The advantage to that, for me, is that I can edit the video clip in my phone (using iMovie) and post it to the rescue site (or YouTube) directly from my phone.

I KNOW, I KNOW I am the guy that constantly knocks the use of cell phones for photography. I still do not prefer them for still photography... BUT (and this is a big but) the ease and speed of editing in iMovie and the ease and speed of posting online directly from my iPhone - makes the smartphone my choice for quickie video clips...

The quality is pretty fantastic also

[motordrive]

My purpose is to shoot 30 to 40 minute presentations. Yes my D800 would work but if (or when) I go over the 28/29 minute mark the D800 would shut down. The presentations are for a museum. There is not much to it. Set the camera on a tripod, focus on the presenter and hit the go button. The presenter does not move much while giving the talk. The other side of that coin is the quality of the video. Both the Canon HF G30 and the Sony CX900 are prosumer camcorders and I prefer to get the entire presentation in one continuous shot. That may or may not happen with my D800. I do know the Sony has a bit better quality video but the Canon is right behind it. Believe me, if I could handle this with my D800 I would. I'm still reading reviews and will not make a decision for a couple weeks yet. In the mean time I've entered five of my prints (framed) to be hung in a local gallery and am doing two more at a local up scale coffee shop. Some time I think I'm spinning in circles.

[Black Pearl]

How will the final video be used?