What is a good video camera to make a documentary with?

Question

That can upload onto the computer so I can use movie maker and then burn onto a blank disc? PLEASE DONT MAKE IT TO EXPENSIVE!

Answer 1

Take a tip from the pros... use MiniDV to start with...

Since miniDV tape provides the best available video quality, I'll stay there (please do not buy a DVD based camcorder).

Things to look for in a good camcorder:

Mic-in jack

manual audio control

minimum 10x zoom

For miniDV tape based cameras, you will import the video from the camcorder using firewire - the DV port on the camera connects to the firewire port on your computer. If you use Windows, you may need to install one - Macintoshes have had firewire 400 ports for years.

Things you need to think about at some point:

external mics

lighting

tripod

case

additional rechargeable high-capacity battery

Low-end:

Canon ZR800, ZR950 - Both have mic-in jacks but no manual audio control

Mid-range:

Canon HV20, HV30

Sony HDR-HC7, HC9

All have mic-in jacks and manual audio control.

Beyond this they start getting expensive...