What Digital videocamera should I buy my dad?

Question

I am buying my father a digital video camera as a gift for his 50th birthday. But I have no idea which one to get him, a DVD one, or a minidv one or whatnot? I am not spending more than $1000.

Answer 1

Just because he isn't a pro does not mean he does not need to use the stuff they use... I'm not a pro - but I pay attention to what they use because it provides for best available quality... oh... and I am 50.

The BEST camcorders will be those cameras which:

1) store their captured video with the least amount of compression.

2) have an easy video archive process so you don't have an extra step.

3) have an external mic jack so you can connect external mics.

4) have manual audio control, exposure/iris, zoom and focus - but also can go auto while you are learning to use the camera.

When you start looking you will find miniDV tape based camcorders will meet all of these requirements. Hard drive, flash memory and DVD based camcorders cannot meet these requirements.

DO NOT BUY A DVD BASED CAMCORDER.

Starting at the low end and working our way to the mid-range:

Canon ZR950, ZR800 (no manual audio controls)

Sony DCR-HC28, HC96 (no manual audio control, but you can switch the mic gain from normal to low to do loud noises like bands without overdriving the audio auto-leveling circuit resulting in a pile of muddy audio.)

Canon HV20, HV30; Sony HDR-HC7, HD9 (have everything on the requirements list). These last four cameras are in your price range and provide for high-definition and standard definition video capture.

DO NOT BUY A DVD BASED CAMCORDER.

You should also include a firewire port addition to your computer (unless you are using a Mac - they have had firewire ports for years), firewire cable (USB will not work to transfer video from miniDV tape based camcorders - this is for all computers), high capacity rechargeable battery, sturdy carrying case and tripod on your immediate shopping list... and start saving for external mics and lighting...

If you must, look into the hard drive cameras - but they, along with the flash based cameras compress their video a LOT - which is why I cannot recommend them. In the $ range ("CHEAP") you specified, there are none that I can recommend.

DO NOT BUY A DVD BASED CAMCORDER. They are worst video quality, the discs are a pain and editing their video is awful.

Since you didn't tell us where you are, it is difficult to tell you where to find these cameras. I like Fry's Electronics (either the store or on-line). Amazon.com, B&H Photo and Adorama.com are good, reputable, online stores.