Video Camera for Regular & Slow Motion of indoor Basketball

sedgwicksrebar

Estimable
Jan 29, 2015
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0
4,510
Hello all,
I am a novice who will tape my sons basketball games for college recruiters. I was thinking that the 1080p at 120fps was my goal (for high quality slow motion) but I read that you lose resolution going from 60 to 120fps. This sounds contradictory to this novice.

The GoPro Hero 4 Black sounded like the answer but I read that it heats up and cuts out.
The Panasonic V750 sounds like it might be right but it is a bit higher priced at $550.

Basketball games last about 1.5 hours. So, I need something that will go at least that long without overheating.

My price range is $400 +/- $100.

Your advice is much appreciated.

Brad from Maryland
 
The reason you lose resolution, for most non-professional camcorders, when going from 60 fps to 120 fps is that the 120 fps video is actually recorded at a lower resolution. Short of an action camera it may be a challenge to find one that will record 120 fps and especially at 1080p in that price range.

Here's one example: Sony HDR-AS100VR POV Action Cam
High Definition
MP4
1920 x 1080p / 25 fps
1280 x 720p / 120 fps
1280 x 720p / 100 fps
Standard Definition
MP4
800 x 480p / 240 fps
800 x 480p / 200 fps
640 x 480p / 30 fps

There are plenty that will shoot 60 fps @ 1080p and below are a few examples that would fit in your price range:
Panasonic HC-V550 Full HD Camcorder
Canon 32GB VIXIA HF R52 Full HD Camcorder
JVC GZ-R10 Quad-Proof HD Camcorder
Canon VIXIA mini X Full HD Camcorder (not sure about the built-in fish eye lens though)
Sony 16GB HDR-PJ340 Full HD Handycam Camcorder
 

dandantx

Commendable
Apr 4, 2016
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1,510
Just registered so I could give you some feedback. I've been using a Panasonic V750 for over a year recording at least 100 basketball games, also for recruiting. It works very well even in poorly lit gyms. You will have trouble with light level variance when panning across a court where sunlight comes in in some areas and not others. Very steady panning without needing a tripod. Battery still lasts about 95 minutes, but dont get an extended battery - just get an Aukey 12000mAh battery like they sell on Amazon for <$20 and plug it in to recharge between games. It will get you through entire tournaments without having to search for a wall outlet. Be active with your taping. Stop for free throws and time outs - you'll be happier when editing. I've found Cyberlink PowerDirector to be a very good, cheap editing software suite.