I am looking for one that will do a good job of capturing dogs at play indoors and out. I am working part-time for a non profit animal adoption center and will be making adoption videos for the dogs that need homes. Currently I am doing the photos for the adoptable dogs on the web but doing videos will give them an added boost.

I was thinking of waiting for cyber monday for deals. But if none pop up I need to just go ahead with a purchase so I can get working.

So far the Canon’s and Panasonics seem to be in the lead.

I think the HDR capability would be nice and perhaps the 4K
Other important features are
image stabilization
Larger sensor
High Res
Great Optical zoom capability
Prefer memory cards to internal
Mic not that important

I am only as educated as my google fu on these so thank you for any input.

Budget is maxed at $500 (they are non profit afterall)

 
What about just using your phone? The newer models take pretty good video.

This^^^

I just posted a cool video my wife made completely on her cell phone, editing and all. Any latest generation flagship smart phone can do it. Heck I was even filming slow mo videos of SIL dog playing fetch the other weekend on mine.

ETA here's the post I did a few days ago, do you need something better than this?

https://sigforum.com/eve/forums...970074944#1970074944

Filmed with iPhone X.

GoPro Hero 7 White.

I've been very happy with all of my GoPro cameras.

GoPro!!
Can ever start the GoPro onto the pups for some fun perspective.

Yeah I think I need the zoom capabilities and ergos for sure. The phone does take nice videos though. I actually have the X too. I guess I could try it on my phone for a week or so and see how it goes.

I know nothing about go pros. Can you use them like a standard camcorder?
Do they have the same functionality? I do see the dogs point of view being a neat add to the videos.

GoPro Hero7 Black, because it has amazing built-in stabilization. If you are not running around with the pups, the 'White' model will likely be very good too.
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I was going to suggest a phone until I read this. "Great Optical zoom capability". That would also rule out a GoPro.

How big an area will the dogs be playing in. I've helped shot photos with a freind for a rescue but thats alot different them video.

If you zooming in on a dog running with a handheld video your need good image stabilization in the camera and likely post produciton.

iPhones take great video that would work for something like this but no real zoom.

Do you own a DSLR? Most will take good video and if yoy have a zoom lens that should work. Some of the older DSLR's I know wouldn't focus once you started shooting video. You had to set the focus before you started the video and then you couldn't change it. I know because I had one of these.