need advice on a new camcorder

[meekoman]

I need to buy a new camcorder since I have a new baby and we have a trip to WDW coming up in the next few months. I have tried to do some research on brands and the top three come up repeatedly: JVC, Sony and Panasonic. I'm looking to spend $250 to $300.

Any suggestions?

 

[jesserin]

We have a Panasonic. It's easy to use, very light weight and has a great sound feature. Just a tip - when looking for a new camcorder (especially when you have a new baby... Congrats by the way! :sohappy Be sure to test out the sound in the store... some of them have horrible sound features, and when you get that little person coo'ing and talking to you for the first time, that's not something you want distorted!

I wish I had more to offer than this, but I'm really very ignorant in the technology dept. I just know we tested several out and the Panasonic came highly recommened and we've been pleased with it ever since!

 

[duck_daddy]

I have this one's big brother:http://www.usa.canon.com/consumer/controller?act=ModelInfoAct&fcategoryid=174&modelid=12810
Mine is the ZR700 but that seems to be a little out of your price range. Good quality video in a palm size camcorder. The LCD is a little grainy, but the picture is much better on a computer or television screen. It is a mini-DV. I thought about going with a mini-DVD but to me it was just not worth the extra $$$! Good quality and is well built, comes with everything you need to start with the exception of the tapes! Tapes relatively cheap, I think $16.00 US for a 4 pack. Running 60-90 minutes depending on filming type! Only downside seems to be the battery life, but I have yet to have a camcorder I could tape all day with! Back-up batteries pretty cheap as well! I think $45.00 US. Hope this hepls!:wave:

 

[jesserin]

I have this one's big brother:http://www.usa.canon.com/consumer/controller?act=ModelInfoAct&fcategoryid=174&modelid=12810
Mine is the ZR700 but that seems to be a little out of your price range. Good quality video in a palm size camcorder. The LCD is a little grainy, but the picture is much better on a computer or television screen. It is a mini-DV. I thought about going with a mini-DVD but to me it was just not worth the extra $$$! Good quality and is well built, comes with everything you need to start with the exception of the tapes! Tapes relatively cheap, I think $16.00 US for a 4 pack. Running 60-90 minutes depending on filming type! Only downside seems to be the battery life, but I have yet to have a camcorder I could tape all day with! Back-up batteries pretty cheap as well! I think $45.00 US. Hope this hepls!:wave:

I guess I should have added that too... Mine is a miniDVD Panasonic... but even the less expensive one's we looked at had alot of great features. I'd say your best bet is to go into a couple stores and test them out... we found a couple we liked online but they didn't fit my small hands and were awkward to use. Good Luck with your hunt!

 

[dolbyman]

a friend of mine bought a new cheapo panasonic mini dv cam for filming his newborn son ... he's quite sattisfied with the quality .. it's ok .. was around 300$ (from euros .. might be cheaper in the US)

 

[Deadmanwalking]

Have had the mini-DV from JVC for quite a while and don't have any complaints, well except that the batteries don't last long enough so we had to buy a second battery so that we would have enough power to tape a complete 90 minutes of tape. So before you buy, look at how much you'll have to spend on accessories. Camcorder batteries aren't cheap, I spend as much on a camcorder batter the size of a golf ball as I did on a battery for my laptop.

There are benefits to the mini-dvd camcorders over the mini-dv. With a DVD you can just pop it into your computer if you want to make copies. With the mini-dv you'll have to link your camera to your computer (usually by firewire) and transfer the movies to the hard drive. Asside from the time it takes to add this to your computer, you should realize that the amount of hard disk space for your home movies is quite large (the DVD camcorders compress the picture the mini-dvd camcorders do not). Once you get the movie onto your computer you'll need software to make into a DVD playable format (again not a big deal but it takes time). So if you want simplicity you might look at the mini-dvds.... if you want the better quality I would stick with the mini-dv, its a little more tedious but worth it.

 

[jesserin]

I just wanted to add one more thing here... the dvd camcorders have a ways to go with technology. They're still kind of a pain to use. it's difficult to delete something or fill in gaps - where the DV camcorders are much easier in this regard. Also you have to finish a DVD before you can play it, so we often waste space on our DVD's which are rather expensive in the first place. However if you're techno impaired like I am... it is nice to "seal" the DVD and then pop it in your dvd player without all the middle steps. LOL

Within the next 3 years or so I think all those kinks will be worked out and it'll be worth getting the DVD camcorder... but for now - don't worry about just getting DV... you'll still be more than satisfied with the results.

 

[meekoman]

I heard too to wait to buy a dvd camcorder until they get better. As for transferring the mini dv tapes to real dvd, is there any hassle with that?
I'm also weighing out the option of buying one with a built in lamp. Most of them now have the low light option, but the quality from one brand to another is probably different.

 

[dolbyman]

low light under 1000$ is just not possible (without slow shutter).. and video lamps are annoying ..

my advice .. dvd's are no good .. stick with dv tape .. it's better

 

[meekoman]

Thanks for the advice dolbyman. Funny how many of us end up on different boards.
Milo (MouseBits)