Video camera?

I don't really want to spend more than $500 or so, but i wouldn't mind getting a camera to film some stuff and make some little edits again. I was inspired by seeing some GoPro footage… it's amazing how cheap cameras are now.

I like the idea of the wide angle lens on the GoPro, but are they good for anything other than helmet-cam or close up type shots? I'd be using it to film snowboarding and bmx. It's so cheap that it will probably be my choice regardless, but I'm wondering if the footage is decent beyond 6-10ft? Are there any other cheap cameras I should consider?

Thanks

Don't get a GoPro, get any HD camcorder that fits your budget, and maybe a ghetto fish sometime if you like the wide stuff.

I just finished up my research into which camera system would be best for me. I plan to shoot MTB, Skiing, and some scooter action. I ended up getting the Contour 1080P GPS and am loving it so far.

The image quality is amazing, and the GPS really ads a new twist. Beside the video footage you can have a google map that shows your location on the trail as well as your current speed and elevation change. Have you ever wondered how fast someone was going to clear a jump in the past? With this you will know.

It is light, small, and does not look as goofy as the GoPro.

Shooting everything with the gopro will not be a good way to go. With no manual settings they really suck in low light. Notice how all the sick gopro edits the company posts are of pow skiing in blue bird bowls or of sunny aptos jumps in the middle of a field. I think the footage looks like shit as soon as you take it into the bush on a cloudy day esp anything more than 5ft away.

So any other ideas for a good little, durable vid camera that can shoot at least 720p for web edits?

This thread might help. I think the Panasonic Lumix TS-3 would be good for you. Better video quality than a gopro, waterproof, shockproof, small enough to use as a POV cam.
http://bb.nsmb.com/showthread.php?t=139593

http://www.dealextreme.com/p/10mp-cmos-hd-1080p-digital-video-camcorder-w-12x-optical-zoom-sd-slot-hdmi-3-0-touch-lcd-50622

:)

…or

http://www.dealextreme.com/p/5-0mp-cmos-720p-hd-digital-video-camcorder-w-16x-digital-zoom-av-sd-3-0-lcd-50366

Notice how all the sick gopro edits the company posts are of pow skiing in blue bird bowls or of sunny aptos jumps in the middle of a field. It's so cheap that it will probably be my choice regardless
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