|
Videoscoping |
Digiscoping |
| Sensor design |
Camcorders come in one or three CCD models |
All digicams are single CCD |
| Sensor pixels |
The highest CCD use so far is less than 2K pixels. However, only about
380K pixels are actually required by the video. |
Digicam CCDs are getting better and better. Most digicams have more
than 3 mega pixels. |
| Sensor scan method |
Interlaced i.e. 'half' resolution. Few camcorders (e.g. TRV900) have
progressive scans as an option but at the expense of a slower frame rate. |
'Progressive' |
| Recorded Resolution |
The video frame in the MiniDV format is 720x480 (NTSC) or 720x576 (PAL).
When saved in the interlaced mode, the vertical resolution of each field
is only half of the above. As of May 2003, high definition camcorders that
save at 1280x720/30fps (progressive) are beginning to appear on the market. |
Depends on CCD but typically they have much higher resolution. Pictures
taken with the Nikon Coolpix series had been known to print satisfactorily
at A4 size. |
| Dimension and weight |
Camcorders with some exceptions are larger, heavier and have a different
form factor. Balancing the setup is a bigger problem. |
Smaller and lighter. Hence, easier to carry the setup and balance it
on the tripod head. |
| Camcorder optical zoom |
Most camcorders have a maximum zoom of about 10-12X. Using less than
this zoom often produces vignetting which is the main obstacle to successful
videoscoping. |
Digicam zooms are mostly 3X but some models with up to 10X zooms are
also available. |
| Effective optical zoom |
Generally higher than digiscoping. Problems associated with higher
zooms include difficulty in spotting the bird, more obvious vibration and
difficulty in composing the shot. Chromatic aberration also tend to be
worse. |
Using 20-60x eyepiece
3x20-60=60-180X
Note: With a 3 megapixel 3x zoom digicam, the maximum resolution would
be attained at about 30x eyepiece power. Use of eyepiece power beyond this
would be of no benefit. |
| Use of scope for birding |
Scopes with 10x eyepiece zoom will not be suitable for general birdwatching
purposes |
Scopes with 20-60X zoom are normally used for birding. Adaptors such
as the Cheang and the Scandinavian designs allow use of scope for normal
birdwatching and rapid mounting of the digicam for digiscoping when the
need arises. |
| Low light situations |
Camcorders requires much less light for satisfactory video. |
Digicams requires much more light unless a higher ISO setting is used.
May be feasible with slow shutter but requires high degree of skill. |
| Depth of view |
Very shallow due to generally higher zoom. |
Shallow |
| Vignetting |
Usually marked and difficult to avoid. |
Less of a problem with some digicams such as the Nikon Coolpix series. |
| Focussing modes. |
Usually manual focussing using the scope. True spot focus usually not
available. |
Many focussing modes available including spot focus. |
| Exposure modes. |
Exposure modes limited. Aperture priority mode not availabe in most
SONY models. Manual exposure usually available and is useful in extreme
contrast situations. The default chrominance in video is usually darker
than that for digicams. |
Exposure modes usually includes aperture or shutter priority. Manual
exposure usually not available. Exposure shift may not be adequate for
compensation in extreme circumstances although post processing may be able
to help. |
| LCD |
LCD are generally larger and easier to view under sunlight. Important
for full manual focussing. |
LCD generally smaller. |
| Birds in flight |
Can be recorded with some practice |
More difficult. |
| Bird calls and behaviour |
Recorded/illustrated well. |
Not recorded. Video mode resolution up to 320x240 and 15 fps in most
models. |
| Post-processing |
Some degree of twinkling of the sharpness, chrominance and color saturation
etc could be done on computers with appropriate configurations. Sharp learning
curve for NLE (non-linear editing) with computer system. Problems like
vignetting, vibrations and chromatic aberration could not be corrected. |
Post-processing can do a lot to improve the still picture quality.
Vignetting can be cropped off or reduced by digital darkroom techniques.
Color balance or chromatic aberration can be corrected or compensated too |
| Cost of saving recordings |
DV tapes are much more expensive. Require another camcorder, computer
or DV deck with firewire links to do digital editing. |
Much cheaper to archive pictures on CD |
