SLR or Camcorder?

[Rubiclone]

So I have been searching for a while and have not found something that answers my question. Pretty much looking for some other opinions. I will be doing a road trip to alaska and was thinking about buying a new HD video camera, it would be a sony, probably one of the new ones with GPS and the dual SD card slots (the reason I am leaning toward sony, I have a waterproof camera case for an older camera and I think the connections still correspond to the new ones) this way I can mount the camera on the roof, in the rain yada yada yada.

So now the real question, what do you guys prefer for your trips? Camcorder or a good SLR, maybe an SLR that takes video is that really worth it? Im not an artsy photographer, and never really had anything other than a point and shoot.

Your opinion would be great! and yes cost is an important variable.

 

[brngk]

Alt-suggestion

I'll be the first to chime in, since I'm in the market right now too (though mostly b/c we're expecting our first child in a month). DSLRs , I believe, are very often found in the hands of people who have no idea how to use them, other than they look good. They would be off just as well with a high end point and shoot with nice optics. ANYWAY. My understanding is that shooting video with DSLRs isn't an entirely straightforward enterprise, that, and given the lack of a swivel screen on many might be a detractor.

I was looking at a series of camcorders, mostly the Canon VIXIA-HF10 and the SONY CX-150. Both of which seem to do well in ratings. However, then I found something interesting ...

That would be the Canon S95, it looks like a point and shoot, but good god are the photo's and video stunning (in HD!). The one problem for video is that it might lack some focus features during video shooting. But for an all in one package, this might be well worth looking in to. links below

Review: http://www.kenrockwell.com/canon/s95.htm
Video Samples:
[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L6PerJNEDi4"]YouTube - Canon S95 - HD 720p - Giant Crab[/ame]
[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3EgITiOSOyk"]YouTube - Sunset - Canon S95 test video footage[/ame]

 

[Pest]

Wow, the Canon S95 really looks great. I just have 1 problem with it... I'd rather it take AA or AAA batteries instead of a proprietary rechargeable. If that could be changed, I'd be sold.

 

[ssc45]

I prefer DSLR. It all comes down to what you want and what suits your needs. I like pictures. My son uses a prosumer canon camcorder and it takes great video. None of my DSLR's have video and it is not something that I want at the moment, however my next one does have video, so I will try it out. There are times when having a canon 1dm3 is a bit of overkill. I have sold my backup bodies, because I never use them.

With that said, my backup is the S95. It does take acceptable video and nice landscape pics. It has a decent lens and is fast enough for low light situations. It takes a terrible pic with the flash. The best thing about it is the size. It slips into a pocket and is very convienent. Though, I still think Video camcorders are the way to go for video, many short films, sitcoms, commercials etc are being shot with the canon 5dm2. I hear the same about the 7D and the T2i.

Regards, Steve