When packing which does everyone prefer Video Camera, Camera, or Phone? If any other is used would love to hear. Im asking for generic purpose of exploring.
I do not normally take video and I hate the pics from phone cameras so it is normally my Nikon L840 camera or if I will have time and the ability to carry the bag, my Konica-Minolta 5D and change lenses to fit the need for the shot. Looking to replace it with a newer Sony Alpha series body as soon as budget allows. My 7D died and the 5D is still going.
I just take my phone with me and normally leave it in the car unless I am going deep into the woods or another less traveled area. When I get home I normally take 2 pics. One of all finds (coins, relics, bling etc) and one with what I think are the good stuff. I asked the wife for a cheap or used video cam so I could document some tests with my detector using each of the 5 coils I have (during the winter months). She brought me home a new go-pro set up. I thanked her and told her not all MDers want to record their hunts. We ended up giving it to my daughter as her birthday present.
I usually take one of my cameras with me when exploring in new areas. My bigger one has an 80X zoom lens, but is bigger and heavier than my smaller more basic camera, but in addition to the higher power zoom it has more features. So it all comes down to weight, and many times my smaller camera wins out. I only use my cell phone camera if I'm out local and don't have an actual camera with me.
I've never been much for video, but I certainly see some advantages to that when coupled to a higher-end drone -- I wouldn't mind having one of those eventually, as I'm pretty good at spotting things from the air.