Are you yearning to be a Spielberg or Scorsese, but just have a point-and-shoot digital camera? Don't give up. Many of today's digital cameras have the capability to shoot video clips, some even at a smooth 30 frames per second (fps). While you may not be able to take the video shot with a still camera to the silver screen, more often than not, you'll be pleasantly surprised at how well video clips look on our regular TV.

In the past few of years, the video features offering n digital camera has improved greatly. In the past, cameras captured QVGA-sized (320-by-240 pixels) video clips at a meager 10 or 15 fps, often without audio. Such low fps and pixel counts made for pretty lousy video quality. Today, most digital cameras give you VGA-sized (640-by-480) clips at 30 fps, resulting in nice, fluid motion, even when panning. There are some cameras that even do 60 fps, though only at QVGA-sized video.

Many digital cameras also let you store long clips, enabling you to shoot to the capacity of the card. The most common formats are Motion JPEGs, either as QuickTime .MOV files or as .AVI files. More recently, digital camera have started using either MPEG-4 or DivX compression to prevent video files from filling up a memory card too quickly.

Another recent trend in digital video is the ability of some digital cameras to zoom during video capture. It's important to make sure it's not digital zoom, which quickly degrades the quality of the clips. Some let you use optical zoom, but you'll hear the grinding of the camera's zoom mechanism, which makes for unpleasant audio. Some cameras come with a zoom ring, which is great, but it is generally found only on the most expensive superzooms and enthusiast cameras.

Digital cameras shoot the best video in bright sunny conditions. True camcorders handle low light much better, mainly because their lenses are bigger. Also, some higher-end camcorders use 3 CCD sensors, instead of just one, to give you excellent footage in low light. And I've yet to see a digital camera that has a night mode on it.

Another feature on digital cameras with video capabilities that doesn't quite measure up to camcorders is sound. The audio capabilities in digital still cameras must be improved to catch up to their camcorder counterparts. Digital camcorders offer enhanced audio features like wireless external microphones for advanced, surround-sound capabilities. Moreover, some high-end camcorders capture high-definition quality video. No still cameras come close to this kind of quality.

Of course, to edit your videos you will need some software tools. Be sure you have the latest software available by either the camera manufacturer, or better yet, a third-party vendor. A video-editing software program, like Adobe Premiere Elements 2.0, enables you to import almost all video clips captured on video cameras. Premiere Elements 2.0 even allows you to rotate video clips. This means you can capture video with your camera turned on its side, the same way you would turn your camera to take a portrait-oriented still photo.

The video editing software is also where you'll do such things as add titles and intros to your video, create transitions between clips, edit and "splice" your clips, add background music and much more.

What's the next frontier for video on still cameras? In the digital camera industry, there are no D-SLRs that offer video capabilities. But since Olympus came out with its live-preview Evolt E-330, which includes two sensors instead of just one, many camera-industry insiders have speculated that D-SLRs will soon begin to include video capabilities as well. Until then, you can use your point-and-shoot digital camera to capture your cinematic tour de force.

Below are four great options point-and-shoot cameras that shoot good video.

Reviewed in this Story:

Casio Exilim EX-S500 ($399.99 list)
This is a great choice for style-conscious shooters. It boasts excellent image quality, useful and accessible scene modes, and a gorgeous design.

Casio Exilim EX P-505 ($499.99 direct)
This camera's hybrid design means you only need to carry one device for stills and video. It takes good 5-megapixel still shots and 640-by-480 MPEG-4 videos.

Sony Cyber-Shot DSC-M1 ($599 direct)
This is a solid digital camera, with good capabilities and features that make shooting both stills and video enjoyable. It offers very good photo and video quality and special video presets, including two buffer modes.

Kodak EasyShare P880 ($599.95 list)
This enthusiast camera offers several fancy features, such as precise control with a zoom ring and wide 24mm view—as well as good video capabilities, with zooming.