What is more important shutter speed or FPS? I am looking at purchasing the Cannon FS300 for about $170 and the shutter speed is 1/2000. I can't find the FPS for this model. Is 1/2000 good for filming the golf swing? I'm lost. Any advice is appreciated.

Shutter speed is most important but nearly all will have 1/1000 or shorter which is all that's needed. The key is that the camera must have either a mode that makes shutter speed the priority (often called 'sports' mode) or a manual mode that lets you control it (rare except in professional video cameras or 'specialist' cameras). Don't expect to often have use of the fastest shutter speed because that requires a LOT of light unless you have a manual camera.

regular video will give you 25 - 30 FPS (depending on the video system where you live). More frames per second is nice but for the full swing 30 will give you a LOT of feedback. 'Specialist' cameras like the Casio that McIrishman uses can give you MANY more frames per second but these are not the best for recording family video (partly because they are shaped like 35mm SLRs vs video cameras).

If your primary interest is golf then I'd get a Casio (and I did )

Peter

Why is a video camera shaped like a 35mm SLR a bad thing?
Paul

If you need to hold in position for 5 minutes to an hour (or more) as you video something (vs seconds to a minute for a photo or a golf swing)you will find that a video camera's shape and accessories (like the strap that goes around your hand and allows you to hold the camera and manipulate the controls with one hand), make that much easier than a 35mm camera shape.

Peter

take a look at your swing from 6/100's to just past impact, you're going to need a camera with at least 200fps, like the Casio Exilim high speed models. A higher shutter speed will make the stop action more clear, but it will not reliably capture the frames right around impact with a lower FPS rating.

If you do buy one of the Casio Exilim high speed cameras, the cheaper EX-FC models still have adequate FPS to get all of the frames you would want, but they only have a 1/1000 shutter speed so that the high speed images are a bit blurry. If you want a high FPS AND crystal clear images, you'll need to buy one of the Casio Exilim EX-FH models which has the higher 1/2000 shutter. The good news is that they are now only $350 instead of $1000 like they were a couple of years ago.

is a dream. It works fantastically well for filming golf swings. The model below it is also almost as good I think it is the ex-fh20. You may find them on ebay for a good price.

Ham