What Would I Look for in a Good, Affordable Camcorder?

Question

Me and my mom were looking for a new recorder.

We're really clueless as to what we should look for, and what we might want to avoid.

Anything under $1000 would be ideal.

Answer 1

That's a great question, and I'm glad to see you have a reasonable budget (when most people say "affordable", they want the perfect camera for like $100-- it's really kinda annoying)

Anyways, you must first decide on a format. With $1,000, I expect you want an HD camera, and in that case here are the formats:

1) HDV: records to inexpensive, reusable miniDV cassette tapes. This format is recommended. It has the least compression, meaning it has the best quality images, and it is the best for video editing on a computer. All you need is a simple firewire cable. And it works with pretty much every editing system. I HIGHLY recommend HDV :)

2) Hard Drive (HDD): this is a decent option. HDD camcorders record to the camera's built-in hard drive. Several problems: 1) you only have a limited space on the hard drive meaning you cannot archive your footage like the miniDV tapes and you have to upload the footage to the computer before you want to shoot more (2) there are less programs compatible with HDD (less than HDV anyway). Your otions are Sony Vegas Pro, Final Cut Express, and some versions of Pinnacle Studio 11 (3) HDD compresses more than HDV= lower quality

3) DVD: cameras the record directly to DVD. I have a DVD camcorder, and hate it! Many like the convenience of DVD cameras, but they are a massive pain to edit. You are limited to very few options as far as programs, like the Ulead Video Studio. And it compresses a lot

4) Flash Memory: cameras that record to flash memory cards. I hate this format more than DVD! Flash memory cameras are usually the flip camera kind, and they produce horrible footage. Sure its nice and convenient on the go, but don't count on producing anything near decent.

Here are some HDV camcorders I like:

1) Sony HDR-HC3   and the newer version: HDR-HC9

2) Canon HV20       and the newer version HV30

In general, the pro reviews for the Sony HDR series are considerably better than the Canon HV cameras; they supposedly have better picture performance. I like the HC3, but I am more familiar with the HV20. I really like the HV20. It's an excellent point-and-shoot camera. Personally, I prefer manual controls, but the HV20 is the best camera in automatic mode. I hate manual mode though, but then again, you can't find good manual controls unless you get a prosumer camera. Getting back the HV20, it has the best, the fastest, and most accurate autofocus function I have ever seen [even compared to the prosumer cameras I have used]. It has excellent excellent color saturation for amazing picture quality. I have never used the HV30, but as far as I'm concerned, there's not much point in spending $200 more for it....there isn't many noticeable changes.

I love the Sony HC3 as well. I can't say as much about it, but it produces very crisp, vivid picture. From what I've heard, it's slightly better than the HV20, but I saw no such distinction.

....oh, and with a HD camera, you will find that you won't be content with Windows Movie Maker or iMovie. Here are some better choices:

     - Pinnacle Studio- inexpensive. easy to use. decent, but not extremely impressive.

    - Sony Vegas Pro- this is probably the most popular program for consumer HD editing. I personally don't like it. I gave it a try with the 30 day trial, and cut footage from my Sony VX2100 (standard def), and it sucked. I don't know. Maybe the trial is worse quality. the Sony Vegas does give you nice editing tools though.

     -Final Cut Pro (macs only). I love this program. It is the same one many pros use for feature films! It's kinda expensive, but you can get it for 1/2 the price with a student discount. If you are a college student, you are eligible for a student discount. It costs $600 with the discount.

    -Adobe Premiere Pro. I really really like the program. It's a pro level program, with pro quality video editing and pro tools, but does not have the status of Final Cut Pro or Avid systems. You can get a discount if you are student K-12 or college, you can get it for $350 on http://journeyed.com/home.asp

   -Avid Media Composer: My personal favorite program (though Final Cut Pro comes close). Its the program most TV shows, and movies are edited on. It's super awesome. And it's the cheapest pro program (with a student discount). If you are a student, you can get it for $295!!!! That's cheaper than Adobe or Final Cut! However, the Avid systems are real picky. They only work on really powerful computers; Avid has a small list of "qualified workstations". If its not on the list, they can't guarantee Avid will work.

I know you probably didn't want to hear about editing platforms, so sorry about that. I got a bit carried away :)

Anyways, in your camera hunt, here are a few things to keep in mind:

(1) Don't let anyone tell you different: the amount a camera can zoom is not as important, as a Best Buy or Circuit City employee says. Sure, its nice to be able to zoom, but if a camera has a zoom of more than x20, its probably not that good of a camera. Some people will try to tell you the higher the zoom, the better the camera, but in reality, its almost the opposite. A good camera won't zoom too much  (esp. HD cameras)...If you zoom in 20x or more, good luck keeping that steady, even with a tripod. It also gives you poor picture quality, even on Optical zoom.

(2) If you don't want one of the cameras I have listed, here are some features I'd look for:

             - Resolution. Some cameras will say they are HD when they are not. So, look at the resolution. 1920 x1080 is true HD, but most cameras have less than that. Just beware of HD cameras that have resolutions much lower, esp flip cameras.

              -Image Sensor; Either CCD or CMOS. its the devices that picks up color and light.  the bigger the image sensor, the better (eg) a 1/3" CCD is better than a 1/4"CCD...

    Its also better to have 3 image sensors rather than 1. 3 image sensors gives you better color accuracy. Most cameras have one, and thats not all that bad. Many do perfectly fine with one, like the HV20 and HC3.

              -Microphone input: It's always nice to have an external mic input because the audio on the camera is NEVER good. Mic inputs give you the option to upgrade to an exteranl mic.

              

Well, hope that helped a bit. Sorry for the long response....Anyways, have fun and Best of Luck!!!!! :)

PS: try http://www.bhphotovideo.com/

I always buy stuff from them...super reliable, and great customer service..good prices too :)

Answer 2

The single most important factor in choosing a camcorder is what you are using it for.  We listed some needs below and what kind of a camcorder or features you want to find for that particular need:

Vacations - You need a camera that is compact, easy to store, lightweight, easy to use with one hand, long battery life, and good optical stabilization.  If you are going places like the Grand Canyon or to the top of the Eiffel Tower, then you want to look for a long optical zoom.  Be sure to get a CMOS miniDV camera.  CMOS technology is at least half the weight and uses half the power of CCD cameras.  CMOS technology allows you to film twice as long and not be fatigued by weight.  * Your main goal here is to get a camera that will not hinder you from taking it everywhere and can record all day without the need to return to the hotel room.  We always recommend miniDV over hard drives or DVD in this area.  If you fill up your hard drive during the trip, you better have packed your laptop, or you can't film anymore without losing some priceless memories.  MiniDV is extremely economical (while DVD is the most expensive), and miniDV can be found everywhere for an affordable price - including on Amazon in Panasonic professional grade for as little as $3.50 a tape with free shipping.  MiniDV can also be reused, works in both HD or SD cameras, is compact, lightweight, easy to store and transport, fits in your pocket, and can be mailed home.

Sports - You must have a camera with a fast frame rate and preferably the ability to switch between progressive and interlaced frames.  A good optical stabilization and a basic zoom is also necessary if you will be moving while recording or recording the action from a distance.  HD is recommended but not necessary since there is usually not a lot of detail you must users need to get in the shot.  They are just trying to record a basic idea of what is happening.  A camera with a solid state hard drive (no moving parts) is a good idea as long as it has fairly large capacity - preferably 100gb, but it MUST ALSO record to that drive in a very good resolution and format.  Some people don't like the AVCHD settings on most hard drive or DVD camcorders.  *** The Hitachi hybrid HD models with onboard blueray dvd AND hard drive will probably be your best bet, and there is one model available for under $1,000 .

Low Light or at Night - You will want a single CCD camcorder (not CMOS) with special infrared (IR) or special night modes.  This area includes filming fireworks, subjects in dark clothing, on dark backgrounds, or in low light and heavily shaded areas.  The CCD camera is more sensitive to the lower ranges of light than CMOS.  CMOS was developed for controlled, well lit conditions such as in film studios or in heavy sunlight.  The favorites here are any of the Sony models

Film Look or Transfer to Cellulose Film - You must have 24p capability to match the cellulose frame rate.  You will also want a camera with cinema program modes or film exposure modes.  It is highly recommended to get a camera with 3 chips (CCD or CMOS will be up to you and your filming conditions).  HD cameras are recommended.  HD transfers easily to film since it is already in the 16:9 ratio and was specifically designed to mimic professional film quality at home.  Any choice will probably be fine as long as it is 3 chip with 24p.

The good thing is that you will be able to find a multitude of  camcorders that fit your needs in the selected price range.  When in doubt, go for the HD models, so you don't have to worry about purchasing an upgrade for at least another year.

Visit our website and search for 'Camcorders and Your Needs' .  This article will help you decide where you should start.

Answer 3

If I were you I'd want something digital meaning it takes a memory card or has a hard drive not something with a tape. If your looking for something not to high teck you could look at a Flip witch you could find at walmart. or if you looking for something a little nicer Canon FS10 Camcorder also at walmart. or I would always check QVC I've never bought something from them that i don't like. And all products I've listed are just examples of camcorders because there are tons of them. Also if you go to a store and find one you like you could try to find it on ebay. but just go check some out at walmart costco target and any where else that sells  camcorders and see witch one you like

hope I've helped if you have any other questions feel free to contact me @ [e-mail]