Coolpix S630 - Need Video/Movie Advice

[DCRBear]

I just purchased my first digital camera, a Nikon Coolpix S630. I bought it primarily so that I can film dance teachers performing routines that I can study later. I bought it on Friday and have a private lesson on Monday, so I could use some help in getting up to speed.

I found the instructions very confusing. Should I use Video Mode, Movie Mode or Sports Mode? Since I want to film videos, I assumed the choice was Video Mode, but I couldn't get it to work. If that is a valid choice, should I use NTSC or PAL - and what's the difference?

Amazingly, I got the camera to work using Movie Mode; it was actually quite intuitive. I was able to film a video (or "movie") and download the file (with an .avi extension) to my computer.

But should I be using Movie Mode, and can anyone offer any tips that might help me in filming videos, often in dimly lit rooms?

I understand the progress bar at the bottom of the frame while I'm filming, but what does the flashing red "RED" in the upper left corner mean? And does the camera allow just twenty-some minutes per picture (e.g. I could take two twenty-minute videos), or does the battery just last twenty-some minutes, period? If so, I may need to buy an extra battery.

I'm a little disappointed in the zoom lens. The salesman recommended a Cannon Powershot, but I chose the Nikon because of the 7X lens - only to discover that I can't use it while filming movies. As I understand it, I can zoom up to 2X while filming movies, while sacrificing image quality.

Thanks for any tips.

[Andy Stanton]

Should I use Video Mode, Movie Mode or Sports Mode?

Movie mode is the correct mode for shooting movies, as you discovered.

flashing red "RED" in the upper left corner mean?

I'm sure it signifies that the movie is in the process if being recorded.

And does the camera allow just twenty-some minutes per picture

The movie length is limited by the amount of memory in your memory card. If you intend to shoot lengthy movies, you should have at least an 8GB class 6 SDHC card.

As I understand it, I can zoom up to 2X while filming movies, while sacrificing image quality.

Most cameras don't have the ability to use optical zoom during video but most allow digital zoom. Have you tried out the movie mode to see if using the 2x digital zoom really detracts from the image quality?

[KCook]

Agree with all of Andy's remarks. The few cameras that do have optical zoom in their movie mode lose their focus while in the act of zooming. Your viewers will see the image "bloom" into huge blobs until the end of the zoom and the camera can refocus. Digital zooming avoids this blooming problem. Careful what you wish for!

Kelly Cook