I am going to buy a digital camcorder. I want a medium price range product,what features are crucial in a cam

Question

I don't need professional grade, but i want enough resolution to clearly play on a 20" monitor. I am also trying to decide upon which means of storage I should get. I hear mini DV is bad. Please direct me to a decent product. Thanks.

Answer 1

Try the new HD Camcorder for less than $200 when you buy it online (see below). This camcorder doesn't have a TON of gaudy features, but the resolution is AMAZING and will come in handy when (or if you already have) made the switch to HD.

http://www.ioffer.com/i/50487446?buyer_v... was the cheapest I found it, but sometimes it's cheaper on eBay, too.

I just got mine last week, and I LOOOOOVE the quality. You can definitely tell the difference. I already had a 1GB SD card, which has been enough for me, but it takes up to an 8GB card. The internal memory is NOT enough for much.

DON'T buy SD cards in the stores unless they're on sale. Check out eBay or iOffer(dot-com) for $50 or less. Walgreens just had a sale on 1GB SD memory cards for only $9.99.

The great thing about SD cards is that they're reusable AND you don't lose quality.

The SLIGHT con about HD cams is that you need at least 512Megs of RAM on your comp or it may be hard to handle that kind of awesome resolution.

GOOD LUCK!

(PS mini DV are better than old school Hi8 or *gag* 8mm)

Answer 2

the canon hv20 is a great camcorder. it will cost you around $620. it shoots in hdv and mini dv. and idk who told you mini dv is bad, it really is pretty good quality. umm if you want good sound, i would deffinitely recommend an external mic. try to get a camcorder, that you can attach lenses too, for different intresting shots, if oyur into that thing. canon hv20 was camcorder of the year for 2007 fyi. and i have it, and absolutely love it. next year for my senior project, it will be on of the video cameras taht i will be using to shoot a 30minute documentary, on racial tension at my school, and city

Answer 3

You can use the other poster's responses - but one thing to clarify:

MiniDV tape provides the best available video quality.

MiniDVD discs are bad and should not be on your camcorder short list.

Hard drive and flash memory video quality is between the two (though a little closer to miniDV tape).

You did not indicate your budget or what you plan on taping. If you are not expecting to capture audio that is REALLY LOUD or really soft, then take a look at the Canon ZR800, 900 or 930. They are the least expensive camcorders available with a mic-in jack. If you are expecting to capture video that has audio that is REALLY LOUD or really soft, you need manual audio control - and the cheapest camcorders with both mic-in jack and manual audio control are the Canon HV20, HV30, Sony HDR-HC7 and HC9.