What is the most reasonable but good qualities for a camcorder?

Question

What is the most reasonable but good qualities for a camcorder?

Answer 1

Please do not get a DVD based camcorder. If you have any intention of editing the video, the quality is terrible because they compress too much. Also, Digital zoom is useless and should be disabled on any camcorder once you get it.

Useful features include a mic-in jack, 12x or higher optical zoom. Optical stability (though electronic is OK), manual audio gain, zoom, focus and exposure/iris controls.

The Canon ZR800, 900 and 930 have most of this, but they are low-end, so there are trade-offs.

Next are the Canon HV20, HV30, Sony HDR-HC7 and HC9... then they start getting expensive...