Which Camcorder

Crap_with_money.com

Hi guys,

Not sure if this is the correct place to post - but I'm looking for a little advice!

I've decided on getting my OH a camcorder for his birthday next month - only snag is that I don't know the first thing about them!

Does anyone have any recommendations of one which is reasonably priced, reliable and user friendly?

xx

Laz123

What sort of budget? Do you want to record straight to dvd or tape? Tape is better quality and easier to edit.

Rich44_2

Actually tape is best quality but Flash memory based camcorders are FAR easier to edit as there is no capture process.

Different formats:

Tape also referred to as DV, MiniDV
DVD - Uses mini DVD-R/RW's
Flash - uses flash cards like cameras to record to
Hard Drive - Uses a laptop hard drive to record

Pros and Cons

Pros

Tape - uncompressed, best quality, tapes relatively cheap
DVD - Can play in most players straight from camera, no transfer needed as put disc in PC
Flash - No transfer process just files to transfer, smallest and lightest or all camcorders, cheap flash cards available 2GB for £3.96 delivered for example although you will want 4 or 8GB really expect to pay about £20 for an 8GB.

Cons

Tape - To edit has to be transferred in realtime to the PC (ie if you have 30 mins of footage that's how long it will take to capture to the PC), linear so to skip forward/back requires winding the tape

DVD - Requires quite expensive mini DVDs, not available everywhere like DV tapes, footage already compressed adding time and possibility of loss of quality during editing.

Flash - Already compressed as with DVD, some camcorders not really very good quality often using small size as selling point over quality, need multiple cards if going away for longer period (or use higher compression)

Hard Drive - fixed capacity once it's full it's full, battery life may not be as good as other formats, hard drive potentially vulnerable to knocks whilst in use

Don't forget you also have the choice of High Def camcorders as well as the above. Personally I love the flash camcorders, having used quite a number the quality is superb.

Using modern hardware/software the fact it's already compressed isnt too much of an issue and if you stick to lower compression the quality isn't that noticeable between tcompressed and DV once it's been through the editing process anyway

Crap_with_money.com

I was thinking about spending approx £200 - I've no idea if this is enough, as it's more based on what I can afford rather than anything else - is this enough to get a semi-decent one? Or would I be better thinking of something else?

You've sold the Flash one quite well Rich - again though, how expensive is it likely to be to get one which is semi-decent?

I don't think he's likely to use it too seriously - mostly just for holidays or Christmas/Special occassiona etc

xx

mchale

google: Panasonic SDR-S7EB-K or JVC Everio GZ-MS100

Taffybiker

Or you can get a Sony DCR-HC51 for about £150 (search with pricerunner). It's a DV model with firewire output. Each person has their own idea of what is best for them. Me? I like DV, but then I enjoy the editing as well.

jackieblack

Taffybiker wrote: »

Or you can get a Sony DCR-HC51 for about £150 (search with pricerunner). It's a DV model with firewire output. Each person has their own idea of what is best for them. Me? I like DV, but then I enjoy the editing as well.

I'll add a second vote for the sony, I bought this model last year (from Amazon) and have nothing but praise for it. It's easy to use and gives great results.

I tried lots of different camcorders, some at work, some borrowed from friends, DVD, HDD and mini-dv and as this is far and away the best of those I tried.