Newbie Mirrorless Camera vs Camcorder question

[bartlby]

As the title suggests, I have no understanding of camera equipment. I am fanatical about taking a ton of video and pics though of my kids, so I want good equipment to work with. I am hoping someone can give me some suggestions here.

I recently bought a Sony NEX-3N camera, which I am loving at this point. I also have a Canon HF S10 camcorder I have used for video. One of the reasons I purchased the Sony was to hopefully consolidate my camera and camcorder. I have taken some videos with the Sony and they look great. I have noticed the color is significantly better than my Canon. I was at my daughters program last week and tried zooming in on her from across the room and the Sony was very grainy and wouldn't zoom all the way. This is where I started my reading on lenses and at this point all it did was make me more confused.

My Sony has the kit lens which is 3.5-5.6 16-50mm. My Canon is 1.8-3.0 6.4-64mm. I know sensor also plays a huge role, but I don't understand this at all. My ultimate question, can my Sony take the same or better video than my Canon? If so, since I don't need anything super telephoto, does anyone have any recommendations on a lens that will give me a good all around, but with better zoom than my kit lens?

Thanks!

 

[786soul]

On the NEX series, you may as well get the 55-200 if you're looking at getting some distance to your video taking.

Not much else you can do other than that b/c otherwise your 16-50 is limited in its zooming capabilities.