Recommendation for new video camera

[etwtec]

I am interested in purchasing a new video camera and have been looking at cameras at Best Buy and would like some suggestions. I have seen these pocket video cameras that appear to be non expensive.
I do not want to spend a lot as a video camera is not something I will be using except when visiting the parks. However I do want a video camera that:

1. Has Good quality, HD
2. Really good mic
3. Records in low light such as SpectroMagic, Electrical Parade, Fireworks.

Any suggestions?

 

[kashmir]

Nothing in the $100-200 price range has all the features you mention, and low light is a difficulty with all pocket camcorders.
Some posters will say Flip models do it, but image stabilization and image quality suffer in these compact models. The best quality video can be found on the iPodNanos but the sound quality is poor when the volume is increased - becoming distorted.

Audio quality is good on the Samsung SMX-F34BN for $265.
The other okay low-light camera is the Canon ZR960, which also has better picture quality than most. It costs $250.

I like Consumer Reports for buying advice!:king:

 

[etwtec]

Nothing in the $100-200 price range has all the features you mention, and low light is a difficulty with all pocket camcorders.
Some posters will say Flip models do it, but image stabilization and image quality suffer in these compact models. The best quality video can be found on the iPodNanos but the sound quality is poor when the volume is increased - becoming distorted.

Audio quality is good on the Samsung SMX-F34BN for $265.
The other okay low-light camera is the Canon ZR960, which also has better picture quality than most. It costs $250.

I like Consumer Reports for buying advice!:king:

Cool thanks. I went to Best Buy today and talked to them. I did not get very far but the guy recommended a few good ones Unfortunately NOT in my current price range haha.

 

[heartodisney]

I will purchase something very different for next trip...I have a Sony mini-dvd...only 30 minutes per dvd..then it takes 5 to 6 minutes between finalizing and loading another disc, do not get me wrong, great shots and did notice that alot of Disney parades and shows were around 30 minutes, not all, but it was a PAIN! It will be a full dvd or one with a memory stick..which most now seem to be going to. I do hope more post so we all will recieve more info..Consumer Reports will help also!

 

[etwtec]

I will purchase something very different for next trip...I have a Sony mini-dvd...only 30 minutes per dvd..then it takes 5 to 6 minutes between finalizing and loading another disc, do not get me wrong, great shots and did notice that alot of Disney parades and shows were around 30 minutes, not all, but it was a PAIN! It will be a full dvd or one with a memory stick..which most now seem to be going to. I do hope more post so we all will recieve more info..Consumer Reports will help also!

Yes I used to have the same exactly camera and it Was a pain! Nice little small camcorder but it barely recorded the full parades or shows on a disk. Not to mention it got costly buying disks. Now they have hard drive ones that would be a LOT better.

I was looking at one at best buy, Sony HDR-XR150. little more than I had in mind of spending right now haha but the guy at Best Buy was saying it was good....

 

[heartodisney]

Yes I used to have the same exactly camera and it Was a pain! Nice little small camcorder but it barely recorded the full parades or shows on a disk. Not to mention it got costly buying disks. Now they have hard drive ones that would be a LOT better.

I was looking at one at best buy, Sony HDR-XR150. little more than I had in mind of spending right now haha but the guy at Best Buy was saying it was good....

Hmmmmm, funny, I did purchase mine from Best Buy, It was my fault for not doing enough research into this "small" problem, but that being said, they at Best Buy should have metioned or stated this while I was purchasing said product. :lol: I can live with it though!

 

[cemeb4dk]

Yes I used to have the same exactly camera and it Was a pain! Nice little small camcorder but it barely recorded the full parades or shows on a disk. Not to mention it got costly buying disks. Now they have hard drive ones that would be a LOT better.

I was looking at one at best buy, Sony HDR-XR150. little more than I had in mind of spending right now haha but the guy at Best Buy was saying it was good....

I just bought the SOny HD XR150, its on sale right now at best buy for $549, normally $699. Its my first HD camcorder, and WOW what a difference. It takes great video and the pics are not to bad for a 3mp camera. Its pretty much automatic and changes to suit the enviorment your taping in. Sony does make the Cx150 its the same thing but you need memory sticks, and its on sale for $499. They way I figured it I could not buy the memory that the xr has for $50 so I went with it. So far so good and looking forward to our first disney trip with it in Oct.