Camcorders. There are different types of camcorders: miniDV, HD, etc. You don't necessarily need the most expensive model, just the one that best serves your needs.
What kind of digital camcorder is best for YOUR needs?
We don’t recommend you simply walk into a store and buy the coolest looking gadget that the salesperson recommends.Instead, remind yourself of:
1) what you really intend to do with the camcorder, 2) how technically proficient you are, and 3) your budget. Take a look at the User Profiles, below, to help you find a profile that matches you as closely as possible: 1.Tight Budget
You don’t want to spend more than, say, $599 on a camcorder, and you don’t want to have to use expensive discs or cassettes.You just want a basic camcorder, even if it’s a bit more bulky than the more expensive models.
specs you should consider
Recording format
MiniDV; mini DVD-R/RW/+RW/RAM
Lens type
10x or greater zoom controlled via switch; electronic image stabilization
Sensor
1/6-inch CCD; 680,000-pixel or greater effective video resolution
Illumination rating
7 lux or lower (minimum)
Ports and connectors
FireWire (i.Link or IEEE 1394); USB 2.0; A/V; S-Video; microphone terminal
Exposure controls
Automatic; exposure shift
Focus controls
Automatic
Viewfinder and LCD
Black-and-white or color viewfinder and/or 2.5-inch color LCD
Price
@$349 to $599
Features to consider
Digital effects; fader; remote control; analog-to-digital conversion for digitizing 8mm or Hi8 video; Bundled video-editing software
2.User friendly Home and Vacation Movies
You need a simple-to-use camcorder that you can use for your kids parties, sporting events, vacation and other fun stuff. You don’t want do anything fancy, just point and shoot.
specs you should consider
Recording format
MiniDV; mini DVD-R/RW/+RW/RAM; SD card; hard disk
Lens type
10x or greater zoom controlled via switch or lens ring; electronic or optical image stabilization
Sensor
1/6-inch or larger CCD; minimum 680,000-pixel effective video resolution
Illumination rating
7 lux or lower (minimum)
Ports and connectors
FireWire (i.Link or IEEE 1394); A/V; USB 2.0; S-Video; accessory shoe; microphone terminal; headphone terminal
Exposure controls
Automatic; exposure shift; programmed scene modes; backlight mode; low-light mode
Focus controls
Automatic; manual option via dial on camcorder body
Viewfinder and LCD
Color viewfinder and 2.5-inch or larger color LCD
Multimedia
Tape-based models: memory card slot for photo capture; MPEG-1 or MPEG-4 video for Web and e-mail
Price
@$399 to $1,599
Features to consider
Digital effects; fader; Webcam functionality; HD recording; 2-megapixel or greater photo capture; remote control; touch-screen LCD; interval recording; analog-to-digital conversion for digitizing 8mm or Hi8 video; Bundled video-editing software;
3.The Technophile with the Latest Gadgets
OK, you want the latest stuff, and you aren’t so concerned about price. Here’s some cutting-edge specs.
specs you should consider
Recording format
MiniDV tape; mini DVD-R/RW/+RW DL/RAM; SD card; hard disk
Lens type
10x or greater zoom controlled via switch or lens ring; electronic or optical image stabilization
Sensor
1/4-inch or 1/3-inch CCD or CMOS; minimum 1-megapixel effective video resolution for SD, minimum 2-megapixel effective resolution for HD; 2-megapixel or greater effective still-image resolution
Illumination rating
2 to 7 lux (minimum; lower is better)
Ports and connectors
FireWire (i.Link or IEEE 1394); A/V; USB 2.0; S-Video; accessory shoe; microphone terminal; headphone terminal
Exposure controls
Automatic; exposure shift; programmed scene modes; spot metering; low-light infrared mode; built-in video light; pop-up flash for stills
Focus controls
Automatic; manual option via dial on camcorder body or ring on lens; spot focus
Viewfinder and LCD
Color viewfinder and 3-inch or larger color LCD
Multimedia
Tape-based models: memory card slot that supports high-capacity media (SD, MicroSD, Memory Stick Pro) for photo capture; MPEG-1 or MPEG-4 video for Web and e-mail
Price
@$799 to $1,999
Features to consider
HD video support; simultaneous video recording and photo capture; high-definition capture; Bluetooth and networking features for wireless on-camera Web and e-mail access; digital effects; fader; Webcam functionality; 16:9 aspect-ratio mode for wide-screen playback; remote control; touch-screen LCD; interval recording; analog-to-digital conversion for digitizing 8mm or Hi8 video; laser-assisted autofocus; compatibility with portable printer for photos
4.More Serious Filmmaker
You want to use your camcorder for more serious pursuits and you need more manual controls and excellent image and sound quality.
specs you should consider
Recording format
MiniDV tape, P2 card, external hard disk
Lens type
Fixed lens with 10x or greater zoom or interchangeable lens system; zoom control via lens ring and switch; optical image stabilization
Sensor
Three 1/6-inch or larger CCDs or CMOS chips (1/4- or 1/3-inch recommended); minimum 345,000-pixel effective (aka actual) video resolution per sensor, minimum 1.6 megapixels effective resolution per sensor for HD
Illumination rating
2 to 7 lux (minimum; lower is better)
Ports and connectors
FireWire (i.Link or IEEE 1394); A/V; S-Video; LANC; accessory shoe; microphone terminal; headphone terminal with volume control; XLR ports or optional XLR adapter
Exposure controls
Automatic; exposure shift; manual aperture and shutter settings; selectable gain settings; zebra stripes to aid exposure adjustment
Focus controls
Automatic; manual focus ring on lens and automatic override button
Viewfinder and LCD
Color or black-and-white viewfinder and 2.5-inch or larger color LCD
Price
@$1,499 and up
Features to Consider
Progressive scan, HD-capable sensor; selectable frame rates (24P, 30P, 60i); high-definition capture; SMPTE color bars; cam-driven zoom and focus rings; onscreen focus reference numbers; selectable gamma curves, black point, and zebra stripe pedestal; manual saturation and sharpness adjustment; interval recording; customizable settings
