Whats the best type of camcorder to buy?

Question

My birthday is coming up and I'm hoping to get a camcorder,

just wondering what's the best type to buy?

I'm hopfully going to be doing a movie making coruse this year, so I will want one thats good for movie making, and that I can put the videos on my pc too,

thanks for

any help you may give

Answer 1

Since your plan is to take a movie making course, perhaps checking with the instructor or organization providing that class can provide you with information on recommended camcorders.

If they provide information to nearly all the courses currently available that I have investigated:

1) MiniDV tape (this means your computer will need a Firewire port because the DV port on the camcorder using a firewire cable connected to the computer's firewire port is the only way you can import that video - USB will not work).

2) Mic jack for external mic connection - this can be 1/8" or XLR. Depending on the mics you get will depend on the connection. If 1/8" jack then an XLR adapter (like BeachTek or juicedLink) may be worth looking at.

3) Manual audio control (and manual focus and manual exposure/iris).

The least expensive camcorders - of which I am aware - that match *almost* all these requirements are the Canon ZR800, 900, and 930. They do not have manual audio control and the other manual controls are a bit of a challenge to get to... These three camcorders do standard definition (4:3 or 16:9) only.

The least expensive camcorders - of which I am aware - that match all these requirements are the Canon HV20, HV30, Sony HDR-HC7 and HC9. These 4 camcorders do standard definition and high definition.

The mic jacks of all 7 camcorders, above, are 1/8", so the XLR adapter may be needed. A shotgun mic and one or two wireless lavaliere mics are something you might consider investigating.

If you jump to the "prosumer" environment, it starts with standard definition: Canon GL2, XL2, Sony VX2100, Panasonic DVX100B.

If you jump to the high definition prosumer environment: Canon XHA1, Sony HDR-FX1, FX7, HVR-V1U, Z1U, Panasonic HVX200.