What is the best Digital Video Camera on the market right now?

Swiss Rugg

I am not a professional, I just want to get the best machine for vieoing my kids growing up etc...

Answer
What is your budget?

All miniDV camcorders use firewire to transfer video (from the DV port on the camcorder to the firewire port on your computer). MiniDV tape will provide you the best available video quality.

Pricing camcorders is odd... there are lots of choices from about $300 to $500 for standard definition (DV) palmcorder-handycam types. Like the Canon ZR family and the Sony DCR family.

Then there is a jump to around $700-$800. The Canon HV20, HV30, Sony HDR-HC7 and HC9 do both standard definition (DV) and high definition (HDV) and have external mic jacks and have full manual audio control...

Then there is a jump to $2000 and more...

need help choosing a camcorder?

mendoza353

I am looking to purchase a reasonable camcorder. Mostly want to use for taking videos of kids at school dances, etc.

I want something that has good optical zoom, but not sure of what zoom that will not distort the picture. I usually have to videotape from about 50 to 60 ft. away and I want something that when I play it back on tv that will show a good video.

What should I be looking for when buying one?

Answer
Unless you are going to use a tripod then don't bother with very high zooms. 16-20X no more. forget the digital zoom as they greatly reduce the quality.

To be honest go for Mini-dv. It has the best quality, easy to out onto your computer to edit if you want, or just plug into your TV.

High definition, if you want to streatch the budget a little, all the Main makers produce them at both ends of the market.

Mini-dv can be captered to any computer, PC/Mac and all editing packages will work with it.

http://video-cameras.suite101.com/article.cfm/camcorder_formats

http://www.afterbang.co.uk/2006/11/hdd-or-minidv.php

there are some pages to help you decide


Good luck

RR

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best kids camcorder on the market image

MM

Hi yeah I'm looking for educated answers, sensible ones and as many as possible please as would really help me - many thanks and top points to best answer.

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Need Help Choosing the best damn camera/recorder i can afford.?

Nunya

I am looking for a good video recorder/camera all in one. My price range is 100-250 dollars(maybe 300 if its really worth it). My purpose for this is to make home videos of my 2 kids and me, family get together s, nature walks, just all around record and picture everything pretty much. I want the video/sound/(picture) to be the best money can buy in my price range. I am ignorant when it comes to tech specs on these types of things and really need help investing my money into something that will last me and my kids and their kids a lifetime of all the awesome memories that we will have acquired . My number one concern is video/audio, not so much pictures because i will be recording just about everything (if the video is awesome then the pictures should be to). I know it would be something else to just sit back on my couch 30 years from now and watch my 2 kids grow up all over again over the videos that i have recorded.

Thanks,
-Tim

P.s. Post links with your replies if you have any.
Which camera would you buy?

http://tinyurl.com/bewapla

Answer
Hi Tim:

Get ready for the first part of your lessons in "shopping for video": your current budget is at the bare-bones bottom of the price range.

And since almost everything made for consumers is plastic with Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) screens which crack easily (not to mention those with breakable hinges), I don't think you'll find anything "that will last me and my kids... a lifetime." The memories stored on YouTube or DVDs might last, but the camera probably won't.

If you have small children, you might consider something in the pocket-cam "candy bar" form factor (this is what iPhones, Flip cams, Kodak PlaySports, etc. are called). Flips aren't made anymore, but you can still find Kodak PlaySport & PlayTouch shockproof & waterproof models in the $80-$200 price range. (Kodak's going out of the photo gadget business, but these discontinued models are still a good purchase.)

To stretch your budget, manufacturers like Canon offer factory refurbished models at a huge discount. See Canon USA's online store: http://shop.usa.canon.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/subCategory_10051_10051_-1_17252

JVC and Toshiba make decent, affordable models. I prefer JVC over Toshiba, when it comes to camcorders in the low-price range. Your local WalMart carries both these brands.

Personally, I've had good luck buying good used video gear on eBay (and the occasional flea market), but I've been dealing in used electronics & optics for a long time. I've been able to spend $20-$50 on digital camcorders (Sony, Canon, & JVC) that were $500-$1200 when new a few years ago. (Just don't buy any "mini-DVD" camcorders; not to be confused with "MiniDV" which is a good cassette format.)

My top tips for you:
1) Since you mostly want videos and not photos, don't buy a "point & shoot" camera-looking gadget (like a Nikon Coolpix or Fuji Finepix). You'll be disappointed in the video & sound "features".

2) Ignore "Digital Zoom" and only look for "Optical Zoom" (typically 3x to 20x). Some "candy bar" camcorders don't zoom at all, but that just makes them easier to use and cheaper to buy. Try a Sony Bloggie, if you can't find a Kodak PlaySport or PlayTouch.

3) Shy away from anything that uses "AAA" size mini-penlight batteries. First, they're junk imports. And second, the battery life stinks (even if you try rechargeables). Jazz, DXG, and Polaroid are 3 junk brands to avoid. Vivitar also makes cheap models that aren't worth the money.

4) Make sure your computer (PC or Mac) is compatible with either the "bundled software" (for editing and sharing) or that the "video format" (like AVCHD) actually =can= be edited by your computer. Consumer HD video takes a LOT of "horsepower" to edit properly. Camcorders that can shoot both "standard def" (VGA 640x480) and "HiDef" are more versatile to edit & share.

5) Spend a quiet afternoon or evening at a good local camera store. (Saturdays are not ideal.) Talk to the experts behind the counter (they know tons more than any Best Buy "associate"). Be honest with your budget, but still get some "hands-on" time with various models & features. Even those beyond your price range with give you a feel for quality & what to expect in a good camcorder.

hope this helps,
--Dennis C.
 

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