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[Joe]

my friend is looking into getting a digital camera but also wants to take good video with it. he wants small size (no mini dv camcorders) and good not great quality in both pictures and video.

so far the front runner is the sony m1:

this camera is $500 at circuit city. does mpeg4 video, 5.1 megapixel camera but has shitty zoom (3x optical, 2x digital).

any other options? opinions?

 

[SickBoy]

I know Pentax makes a cheaper all-in-one style digicam (MX4?) that's a Jack of all trades but master of none -- not a great camera or video recorder, but passable at very least.

Probably a bit bulky, but it fits the other requirements (10x optical zoom)... but the cost is less than the Sony... I'd guess around $250....

 

[mrklaw]

most of the Sony's these days have MPEG movie VX, which records 30fps, VGA resolution video with sound, in nice, compatible MPEG format - up to the limit of your memory card. That'll be the same as the M1 listed, although it might use up more space (but be easier to edit and more portable for burning VCD/DVD etc)

Plus it takes stills. I'd imagine most of the other main digicam companies do the same.

So you won't get a perfect balance, but if 60/40 in favour of pictures is OK, most digicams will do you fine.