Need Help About Video Cameras

[Harrison]

I apoligize if I have asked a similar question here before, if I did, remind me or ignore me if you like.

 

I don't know how much experience people here have with video cameras, but if anyone is a railfan YouTuber and has suggestions, please let me know. 

So long story short, I've been using my dad's iPhone XR to shoot my railfanning videos, and they look quite good (better than my standard) in 4K. Now both my phone and my dad will be gone for a while, so I need my own camera to shoot videos with. 

Should I get myself an iPhone (or comparable Samsung) phone to shoot videos (I'm thinking around 3-400 bucks) or is there a better or similar camera I can get at that price to shoot videos at that quality? 

[tree68]

I just bought a digital camera for my granddaughter for under $100.  It does pretty good stills, reasonable video (from what I can see) and has the requisite tripod thread on the base.  Add a 32 GB card and you can do pretty well.  Specs are 2.7K 48MP Full HD Point and Shoot Camera with 3" LCD Screen

For that matter, while the GoPro doesn't have a continuous zoom, it will do reasonably well for both stills and video.

I have a (primarily) video camera that shoots stills and has a phenomenal zoom.  It's the type that has a swing out screen.  I thought I had some video I shot with it on my YouTube channel, but I don't.

Skip the phone.  Do some research (read reviews) and buy what you can afford.  You can probably find a great dedicated still/video camera for under $400

[Harrison]

Thanks for the help Larry, I found some Panasonic "high end point and shoot" cameras that take very nice (1080P or 4K) video for around 300-400 bucks. I am looking into them.