top camcorders under 400 image
ducksflymo
There is so much choice, and all i can remember is from my manual/SLR days.....this time i'm looking to collect quality images and sound, documentary style....mostly interviews and fly-on the wall stuff. Got a medium budget, gotta account for all the accessories. Any good search domains? Any brilliant suggestions? Best answer to the person who points me the most successful direction. need to know what to look for really...all these terms that i don't understand....
Answer
Tape is not dead. It may be dying, especially in the consumer market, but it is not dead, and until we receive its equal or better, tape will be here to stay.
Tape =/= analog, but analog be put to tape, unless it's film. All the formats listed below are digital. The major thing you need to consider is what you want: image quality, ease of use, and ease of editing. Even if you don't plan on editing now, it still applies. MiniDV tapes offer the best image quality out of DVDs, or hard drive cams. (from now on, when I compare image quality, I mean in a cam of a similar quality/price, but with a different format. Obviously an $700 DVD cam will outperform a $200 miniDV cam). MiniDVs are also the easiest to edit. DVDs, on the other hand, are the Antichrist of editing formats, but they are the easiest to use (sort of), by the fact that you can pop one into your DVD player and watch your raw unedited footage instantaneously. Finally HDD cams. They try to combine ease of use with some editing functionality. Unfortunately, the only thing that HDD cams really have an advantage of is that they don't have to use any recording media. Transferring clips to your computer and watching them are relatively painless, but the same can't be said about editing. And MOST finally, HDV cams. You DON'T want these, unless: you have a 3.4 ghz computer or dual core 2 ghz processors, at least 1 GB of ram, an HDTV, and a blu-ray burner, disc, and player (if you don't want to export to tape).
Ok now that you've picked your format, you have all these other options to choose from. Basically, if its anything under $1000, the features will stay the same, except for Panasonic. All the other companies will have emphasis on automatic features, but the higher end Panasonic miniDV cameras have 3ccds for better color, and give you some prosumer controls for a less-than-prosumer price. If you want a documentary style images and sound, the Panasonic pv-gs300 or pv-gs500 may well be the camera for you. There was a 400, but you probably won't find one unless it's on eBay, but if you do, and you planned on getting a pv-gs series cam, get the 400. Trust me on this. Also if you want good sound for interviews, the above cams all come with mic ports and shoes (hot or cold, not too sure). Stick a $200 rode videomic on top, and you're good to go. Like I said, if you're just looking for auto functions, then any other manufacturer will be fine. I know I kind of rambled on and on in some areas, and didn't cover everything, so if you ever need more help, feel free to contact me from my answers profile. Hope this helps!
Tape is not dead. It may be dying, especially in the consumer market, but it is not dead, and until we receive its equal or better, tape will be here to stay.
Tape =/= analog, but analog be put to tape, unless it's film. All the formats listed below are digital. The major thing you need to consider is what you want: image quality, ease of use, and ease of editing. Even if you don't plan on editing now, it still applies. MiniDV tapes offer the best image quality out of DVDs, or hard drive cams. (from now on, when I compare image quality, I mean in a cam of a similar quality/price, but with a different format. Obviously an $700 DVD cam will outperform a $200 miniDV cam). MiniDVs are also the easiest to edit. DVDs, on the other hand, are the Antichrist of editing formats, but they are the easiest to use (sort of), by the fact that you can pop one into your DVD player and watch your raw unedited footage instantaneously. Finally HDD cams. They try to combine ease of use with some editing functionality. Unfortunately, the only thing that HDD cams really have an advantage of is that they don't have to use any recording media. Transferring clips to your computer and watching them are relatively painless, but the same can't be said about editing. And MOST finally, HDV cams. You DON'T want these, unless: you have a 3.4 ghz computer or dual core 2 ghz processors, at least 1 GB of ram, an HDTV, and a blu-ray burner, disc, and player (if you don't want to export to tape).
Ok now that you've picked your format, you have all these other options to choose from. Basically, if its anything under $1000, the features will stay the same, except for Panasonic. All the other companies will have emphasis on automatic features, but the higher end Panasonic miniDV cameras have 3ccds for better color, and give you some prosumer controls for a less-than-prosumer price. If you want a documentary style images and sound, the Panasonic pv-gs300 or pv-gs500 may well be the camera for you. There was a 400, but you probably won't find one unless it's on eBay, but if you do, and you planned on getting a pv-gs series cam, get the 400. Trust me on this. Also if you want good sound for interviews, the above cams all come with mic ports and shoes (hot or cold, not too sure). Stick a $200 rode videomic on top, and you're good to go. Like I said, if you're just looking for auto functions, then any other manufacturer will be fine. I know I kind of rambled on and on in some areas, and didn't cover everything, so if you ever need more help, feel free to contact me from my answers profile. Hope this helps!
I need a relatively inexpensive camcorder that will be easily edited on a MacBook.?
Pedro
I'm looking for a camcorder that will work well outdoors. I'm a beginner, but I need good zoom (preferable easy controls) and something pretty durable. I'm shooting a little film sketch in the woods with some friends and I'm also doing some Vlogs. If you could post links that'd be great, and try to keep it under $400. Thanks =)
Answer
I don't think there is a better camera for the price than the Sanyo Xacti CG10.
In fact the whole Sanyo range is great but the CG 10 is a real winner.
It shoots in HD, takes 10MP stills and fits in your pocket.
Incredibly cheap as well, around $200.
I have 3 Sanyo Xacti cameras, the very first one from about 5 years ago and still working great, the top of the range full HD and now the CG 10.
It's a brilliant little camera.
Now the best part, totally compatible with mac and iMovie.
Have a look at my YouTube channel - the Bluesfest Byron Bay 2009 video playlist.
All of this was taken with the CG 10, and edited in iMovie 09.
http://www.youtube.com/user/Zyfert
The only other thing you will need is a large capacity, high speed SD card and maybe a spare battery.
Regards, Zyfert
I don't think there is a better camera for the price than the Sanyo Xacti CG10.
In fact the whole Sanyo range is great but the CG 10 is a real winner.
It shoots in HD, takes 10MP stills and fits in your pocket.
Incredibly cheap as well, around $200.
I have 3 Sanyo Xacti cameras, the very first one from about 5 years ago and still working great, the top of the range full HD and now the CG 10.
It's a brilliant little camera.
Now the best part, totally compatible with mac and iMovie.
Have a look at my YouTube channel - the Bluesfest Byron Bay 2009 video playlist.
All of this was taken with the CG 10, and edited in iMovie 09.
http://www.youtube.com/user/Zyfert
The only other thing you will need is a large capacity, high speed SD card and maybe a spare battery.
Regards, Zyfert
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