Does anyone know of a digital video camera with manual focus and above 30X zoom for takingpictures and recording hunts.

30x zoom will be tough to find. I have a Canon GL2 and it has a very nice 20x zoom. I'd recommend it, the XL-1, or several Panasonic models I've heard good things about!

If you want good zoom buy a screw on lens. Most cameras come w/ a threaded lens and you can buy one to fit pretty much anywhere online. I have an older sony w/ 25x optical zoom and i bout a 5x telephoto lens for bout $100. So now i can have an effective 125x lens. Its great for late summer scouting, but only at long range (you get the tunnel effect if your not at about 18x zoom). But if you want to use it for filming durning a hunt i suggest buying a 2-3x lens then you dont get the tunnel effect. When looking for a camera check the lens diameter thread, 37mm is typical, check online and see what type of lenses you can buy that fit it.

I got my add ons for my camera here: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/

They have a good selection in the auxilliary lens section

I can't imagine what you would ever need 30x optical zoom for! 20 is plenty!!

I use a mini DV recorder with 22X optical zoom.

Here is a couple edited down videos (edited down to 500some K for dial up users) I took at full zoom. Most of the animals were over 300 yards away. Except for the droptine buck he was within 100 yards. It'll give you an idea of the power of the lense.

The 22X is pretty powerful
http://www.huntingfootage.com/showphoto.php?photo=1609&cat=507

http://www.huntingfootage.com/data/507/1963Freedomslammeraug25.WMV

Do those mini recorder have manual focus because i can't stand when i'm recording in the woods and branches get in my way and deer are out of focus.

If the video camara has the "infinity" ability, that would take care of that issue. My Sony PD150 has the auto/manual/infinity switch to choose from!

thanks for all the input but i think i found it myselve the sc-d363 has 30X zoom and manual focus i think i will go to best buy and play with it.

Hi,

Thanks for sharing the useful information i am also searching this type of information

My friend does alot of outdoor filming and hunting videos. Depending on what you want to spend there is some great video cameras. He has 2 cameras that he recommended to me. The first is the Sony PD170, one of the best cameras for low light filming. I believe it has a fixed lense. Can pick one up used for around $1800. He also recommended the Canon XH A1. He has two, and tells me they are great. They are not cheap but they do give film quality results.