Still Shots? Can anyone say how many still shots can be taken during recording and what quality they are?I'm not looking for anything professional, just budget, zoom, stills, family camera.Thaks Still Shots? Can anyone say how many still shots can be taken during recording and what quality they are?I'm not looking for anything professional, just budget, zoom, stills, family... » Read More Still Shots? Can anyone say how many still shots can be taken during recording and what quality they are?I'm not looking for anything professional, just budget, zoom, stills, family camera.Thaks « Show Less
358845
Just from reading reviews the still shots are not good. they are .3 megapixels... which are like 640 pixels wide. definatly not print quality.
358846
It ain't the brand, it is the camera. You are going to have to buy a more expensive camcorder to get a higher still picture resolution. You can get thousands and thousands of pictures on the 40 gig hard disk or on a many gig SD card. So many that you don't need to worry about it. You might want to look at one of the so-called ultra-zoom still cameras. Several of them such as the Fuji have decent video modes. My Fuji S700 takes good video but it's sound is nothing to write home about. The sound may be better on the later S1000 and S2000 models.You can go to the various manufacturer's web sites and read or download the manuals, brochures and specifications for most cameras. It ain't the brand, it is the camera. You are going to have to buy a more expensive camcorder to get a higher still picture resolution. You can get thousands and thousands of pictures on the 40 gig hard disk or on a many gig SD card. So many that you don't need to worry about it. You might want to look at one of the so-called ultra-zoom still cameras. Several of them such as the Fuji have decent video modes. My Fuji S700 takes good video but it's sound is nothing to write home about. The sound may be better on the later S1000 and S2000 models.You can go to the various manufacturer's... » Read More It ain't the brand, it is the camera. You are going to have to buy a more expensive camcorder to get a higher still picture resolution. You can get thousands and thousands of pictures on the 40 gig hard disk or on a many gig SD card. So many that you don't need to worry about it. You might want to look at one of the so-called ultra-zoom still cameras. Several of them such as the Fuji have decent video modes. My Fuji S700 takes good video but it's sound is nothing to write home about. The sound may be better on the later S1000 and S2000 models.You can go to the various manufacturer's web sites and read or download the manuals, brochures and specifications for most cameras. « Show Less
1015664
We haven't recorded past 5 min at one time..but throught out the day couple min at a time..it adds up to anywhere from15-20 min..so what they mean is that you cant record more then 10 min straight I guess..anyway hope this helps..super clear pics and vids
1476955
Yes you can as the other comments covered the subject well. I have never checked but I think you need the camera operating to take a still photo?
627230
It doesn't have a still picture mode. I take stills from the video capture as you've suggested which works pretty well. It's a great little camera.
305507
This is first and foremost a video camera. It is cumbersome to use as a still camera. I prefer to use my still camera to take some video if I'm doing both with one device. I only take this out when I'm going to take high quality video for long durations - like for a special event - a few times a year.
307705
I use a 4-gig card with this camera and I shoot at the maximum quality jpeg. If memory serves me right, I can usually get 700 - 850 pictures on a full card, though I rarely do so for exactly the reasons I mentioned earlier. Always back up your pictures! Twice, if you can help it!
1966840
I have captured still photos while recording by pressing the shutter button. the picture is captured and the recording continues. I was also confused with this, but when I reviewed the video I eventual saw the pictures taken after the video play back. Yes, I agree this camera is awesome. if you have a smartphone or tablet the sony app turn them into remote controls for the camera through Wi-Fi. I am sorry, if too much info, please disregard.
547523
This is my exact question. I bought the camera for video. We went to Costa Rica and although I switched back and forth between still and video, it only recorded video. The user guide doesn't shed any light on this problem. Luckily I also had my Canon ESO and a Nikon point and shoot. The still shots I took with this camera were when the other two weren't handy. Please, anybody, help!!!!!
870953
dont know(never hit a limit), i can tell you that you cant zoom during recording.
358508
The one that came with the camera lasted a loooong time. I didn't keep track of how many shots, like some of the good folks that have answered you, and didn't give it very heavy use at home. But when I traveled, I took a LOT of pictures. Eventually it died and I replaced it, but am not satisfied with performance of the replacement; seems to need recharging too often. HTH.
1714775
Yes I have used two off camera. actually you can do more than two. I have done three. You will need to find some quite time or a corner to get to know your flashes.
2175106
You can shoot shots pretty quick, but then the camera takes a few seconds to catch up. I usually use a burst of several and it recovers by the time I am ready to shoot again.
947267
I wouldn't recommend this camera for stills. While it can take them it really isn't designed for it. Unless you have it tripod mounted and you're using a lot of light the pcs aren't going to turn out very good. Also, the Barry Green book is excellent but is very technical and loaded with info that may be beyond your level at the moment. That will make for dry, boring reading, much of which won't pertain to you until you're way down the road. But, I'd still get it if I were you because it's a wonderful resource and it'll help take you to those next levels.
1585709
Kristen, I believe it cannot continuously record multiple cameras, you select one for continuous recording. Multiple cameras are used in motion detection mode. Motion detection works well for me.Jim L.
2161447
With this Sony model you cannot take a still photo while shooting video. On some previous models you could. Sony took that feature away on this one - and I was unhappy to find that out (after I bought the camera)
960897
The camera is for videos only, but as a previous poster said, you can capture still photos. The quality of the still pictures leaves a lot to be desired though. The camera is a great little video camera because it is so small and takes good quality videos in its best quality mode.
596187
First, I'm in the market to buy this camera, I don't own one. I'm not trying to complain about the posts so far, but I'm wondering if you are simply using the auto mode when indoors, or have you tried other modes (Indoor Mode), ISO speeds, etc that the camera comes equipped with? If the images are "VERY POOR", what exactly have you tested? (Others report indoor images have been good).