Upgrading from a webcam

[bobmac]

Hi, I'm looking for some help upgrading from a cheapo webcam please.
Currently I have a webcam plugged into and powered by my pc pointing at my garden to film wildlife/deer etc.
The live picture from the webcam is displayed on the pc monitor so if anything appears, I just hit record. It works fine but the quality is not good. What I would like is a better quality camera/camcorder with an optical zoom so I can get better quality pictures/video, budget is £250 tops. I also have an oldish Nikon D3200 which won't be of any use apparently.
Can anyone help suggest what to get please?
Thanks in advance

 

[Neilds]

Have you thought about getting a camera trap? We have had one for a few weeks and captured a fox in the garden. Also means we have lots of pigeon photo/videos as well!

 

[bobmac]

Have you thought about getting a camera trap? We have had one for a few weeks and captured a fox in the garden. Also means we have lots of pigeon photo/videos as well!

I'll look into it. Thanks

 

[GreiginFife]

Hi, I'm looking for some help upgrading from a cheapo webcam please.
Currently I have a webcam plugged into and powered by my pc pointing at my garden to film wildlife/deer etc.
The live picture from the webcam is displayed on the pc monitor so if anything appears, I just hit record. It works fine but the quality is not good. What I would like is a better quality camera/camcorder with an optical zoom so I can get better quality pictures/video, budget is £250 tops. I also have an oldish Nikon D3200 which won't be of any use apparently.
Can anyone help suggest what to get please?
Thanks in advance

Might seem like a daft idea Bob, but maybe one of the motion activated doorbell camera types with decent resolution. It would record when detecting any movement but not all the time and should be under budget.

Of course, there are numerous "wildlife" motion activated cameras available, something in the 2k/20MP range would give decent images. But they can be price.

 

[spongebob59]

Victure wildlife camera on Amazon, night the wife one for Xmas, still in the box ?

 

[bobmac]

I was just looking for something similar to what I've got but with an optical zoom and better quality that I can plug into my wall and pc.

 

[GreiginFife]

Just buy a high resolution webcam then.
Plenty out there with 60fpd 1080p for well under £250.

Zoom function might be the issue as most webcams use autofocus as they will tend to be close range.

 

[bobmac]

Zoom function might be the issue as most webcams use autofocus as they will tend to be close range.

That's the problem and why I want optical zoom.
The deer don't always come close

 

[Captainron]

Is this for Wrinklyoldbawbags.co.uk?

 

[bobmac]

Is this for Wrinklyoldbawbags.co.uk?

I've told you before I'm not joining your club.

We've starting getting muntjacs in the fields behind my house and last week, one walked passed my kitchen window. By the time I turned the pc on, it was long gone.

 

[Captainron]

I've told you before I'm not joining your club.

We've starting getting muntjacs in the fields behind my house and last week, one walked passed my kitchen window. By the time I turned the pc on, it was long gone.

Those little things are vermin. They should be made into burgers

 

[GreiginFife]

That's the problem and why I want optical zoom.
The deer don't always come close

You may struggle to find what you want in that case. Webcams don't normally have to zoom/focus beyond a few feet.

 

[bobmac]

You may struggle to find what you want in that case. Webcams don't normally have to zoom/focus beyond a few feet.

I know, that's why I said in the OP ''What I would like is a better quality camera/camcorder with an optical zoom'' meaning a camera or camcorder to replace the webcam.

This is looking favourite at the mo...

https://www.currys.co.uk/gbuk/camer...941a-a6a497a10e1d&istItemId=itmllrla&istBid=t

 

[Jimaroid]

It's difficult to recommend as we don't know what an acceptable image quality is to you.

A compact zoom wouldn't give me an image I'd find acceptable.

A bridge camera like a Lumix FZ330 might give me something I'd be happy with but they're about £400 and out of your budget.

 

[bobmac]

I know, that's why I said in the OP ''What I would like is a better quality camera/camcorder with an optical zoom'' meaning a camera or camcorder to replace the webcam.

This is looking favourite at the mo...

https://www.currys.co.uk/gbuk/camer...941a-a6a497a10e1d&istItemId=itmllrla&istBid=t

That's out apparently, it can't be powered from the mains

It's difficult to recommend as we don't know what an acceptable image quality is to you.

A compact zoom wouldn't give me an image I'd find acceptable.

A bridge camera like a Lumix FZ330 might give me something I'd be happy with but they're about £400 and out of your budget.

Thanks, I'll keep looking

 

[Foxholer]

Slightly out of budget and also unable to be powered from mains, but seems the sort of thing meant for such activity....
https://www.jessops.com/p/canon/pow...kqFkAzD4syzXBfUCHULZWCX_GuXF9HdxoCfLgQAvD_BwE

 

[bobmac]

Slightly out of budget and also unable to be powered from mains, but seems the sort of thing meant for such activity....
https://www.jessops.com/p/canon/pow...kqFkAzD4syzXBfUCHULZWCX_GuXF9HdxoCfLgQAvD_BwE

Thanks but one hour use from the battery is pointless.

 

[GreiginFife]

I know, that's why I said in the OP ''What I would like is a better quality camera/camcorder with an optical zoom'' meaning a camera or camcorder to replace the webcam.

This is looking favourite at the mo...

https://www.currys.co.uk/gbuk/camer...941a-a6a497a10e1d&istItemId=itmllrla&istBid=t

Sorry my bad, I misunderstood from you saying you wanted similar to what you had.

Good luck in your search.

 

[davidy233]

I don't think you will get anything that zooms via remote control from your pc

 

[bobmac]

I don't think you will get anything that zooms via remote control from your pc

I know I can get a camcorder with zoom and remote but don't know if they can run off the mains and show live feed on my pc all day