What video camera (camcorder) to buy?

[provenlogic]

I wish i could be more help to you, but i've never bought a camcorder before. Though what i do know about the filming process, i'd recommend you try to get something that's HD (SD is so old now). And the more options you have on the camera (as far as lighting, effects, etc...) the better. You should always try to get the look you want at point 0 (the time of filming) than later on down the line of editing.

Personally i'd go with something that has a HDD, and maybe something that has expandable space. But for me, i wouldn't want to deal with DVDs, or mini DVDs, etc... Certainly not tape. Don't do tape!

Other than that, i might suggest that you look for something with both an LCD screen and a viewfinder. LCD screens are great for amateur recordings, but when you want something truly professional looking, you'll want that viewfinder. This is one of those cases where you REALLY (and literally) want tunnel vision, so you're only focused on what you're shooting. To that end, you might also want a camera with some kind of stability control. But you will find that the difference between professional videography, and amateur, really comes down to technique.

Guess i actually said a lot for someone that doesn't own a camcorder eh?

 

[muttley]

Go to cnet.com for reviews my boyfriend has both a JVC and a Canon and really doesn't like either one, but the Canon is superior to the JVC, both are tape. I wish I had the model numbers to give you but really do your research on the HD and DVD camcorders. I think I'd rather have a well rounded solid camcorder than the latest one.

 

[muttley]

I guess it all depends on what you want to use it for. The bf does weddings and photography so for that either is fine, just set them up on both sides of the church and let'r roll. Then he hooks up the cams to his computer and records the video in there to edit. With a hard drive you might have to do the same thing, I don't think I've read that when you record to it that it makes an .avi file that's easy to drag and drop to your computer but I may be wrong. With the mini dvd you would probably still have to use a program like dvd decryptor to extract and make a vob or make an iso then use a program to burn it or convert it for editing.

He's always looking for another camcorder but is hesitant to buy another one that he might not like {{again}}.

If you do the try before you buy.. you know.. go to a place with a cool return policy that way you can try out the camcorder and see if it's what you want before you buy it. Or ask around and see if you know someone that has something similar and find out their experience with an hd cam or dvd cam.

 

[bedbugy]

i bought a canon dvddc20 it's easy to use compact neat looking you can also use it for still photo
you can see the results at
www.veoh.com
songkhla boys playing 15

 

[thermodynamics]

If you're looking "pro-sumer" you're going to have a hard time :
a. Finding something in that price range
b. Finding something that doesn't use miniDV.

Anyway, digital zoom=crap. Pay attention only to optical zoom.

What separates the men from the boys is image quality in low light. Cheap chips can shoot in low light, but get incredibly noisy. You want as little noise as your budget will allow. This is the biggest difference between professional and consumer equipment--noise.

And then there's the bells-and-whistles...don't pay too much attention to them, unless you're sure you're going to use them. One thing that's handy if you're going to be shooting semi-pro stuff is a line in or mic in option.

MORE IMPORTANTLY:
Dig through the specifications to find the image sensor size. It's expressed in fractions of an inch. The common ones are 1/2", 1/3", 1/4", 1/6". BIGGER IS BETTER! Bigger chip=less noise. If you ask an in-store salesperson, you'll completely stump them. It's one of my favorite pastimes. It's fun to watch them squirm.

 

[LarsVenice]

My brother has the Sony DCR-SR100, which may no longer be available, as it has been replaced with the SR200 model. Anyway, they are very similar, and he likes it a lot. He got a good discount on it (about 60% off), since he works for Sony, but if you shop around, you might find it for under $500. Because it stores on a hard drive, he can store about 14 hours of video before having to download it. Downloading is fast and easy. It works a lot better in bright light conditions than my old JVC mini-DVD camcorder (which I sold to a friend).

Here's a YouTube video he made from a trip to San Diego:



I think his only complaint is that he gets wind noise when videoing outside.

Here's another video from the same trip:

 

[mike_n_herrin]

i'm afraid i don't have one either. i was going to say check tom's hardware, but then i realized he doesn't have video recorders on there. sorry

 

[thermodynamics]

As much as we might like to hate miniDV, it's what the Pros use, and have used for a long time now. It's a proven, reliable, robust medium. And it's cheap too.

Yeah, I'd stay away from DVD too. Just the fact that an optical disc likes to be written "continuously", but you start/stop recording a lot. It's not a dealbreaker, but it's just one of those things that doesn't make sense to me.

Did the sales guy know about image sensor sizes?? Just curious.

 

[thermodynamics]

Wow. I've never had that happen.

Maybe the folks working in the big box electronics stores here in the US are just all morons on commission trying to sell stuff to unsuspecting consumers. Oh wait, they are!

 

[SumDumGuy]

Here's one from my bookmarks
http://www.camcorderinfo.com/