Need to get a camcorder and no idea what I'm doing....

elsien

Never used a camcorder in my life, and I have to get one for work tomorrow before we lose the money.
Up to £180 (need to get the bag etc within that), reasonably solid to hold onto, decent size controls as it's for people with learning disabilities. Also idiot proof so the technophobe staff will use it. We're not going to be using it for any sort of fancy editing, so I'm just after something with a reasonable battery life, one that won't go all blurry if someone gets the shakes, that we can plug into a computer or tv so people can see it back pretty easily. And not so huge people won't want to take it out with them.
Ideally I'd have liked have bought on the high street rather than on line so we could have a play first, but we only have an argos and they get stroppy if you ask to get more than one out of the box. So on-line will do due to the urgency.
Any suggestions?

InsideInsurance

You'll be better off getting standard definition than HD at that price. How important is footage quality? Is it just for fun or are you wanting to use the footage for formal presentations or such? If quality is important will most footage be outside during the day or in other darker situations?

elsien

Footage quality doesn't need to be great, more camcording people who can't talk so that they can show families what they've been doing, filming staff as an in-house training aid, that sort of thing. It won't be used for formal presentations or to drum up business, anything like that. Filming will probably be more indoors that out.