Searching for camcorder - I am confused ;-----(

16 Jan 2006 3:15 PM

Zalek Bloom

I am totally confused which camcorder to choose. I am 100% amateur and
don't plan to shoot "Titanic" or "War and peace" - just plain, boring
home movies.
What I want from a camera:
MiniDV format
Price - up to $800
Decent pictures when shooting in average lighted room
Decent still pictures (at least 1600x1200)

Finalists are:
JVC GR-DF450
Canon Optura 60
Panasonic PV-GS250
Sony DCR-HC90

I prefer to use SD to save still pictures (I have few spare SD cards),
but I willing to go with Sony if Sony is much better.

I looked on http://www.easycamcorders.com, but it didn't help me -
only more confused me.

On http://www.pcmag.com Sony DCR-HC90 is rated as better then
Panasonic PV-GS250, but on http://www.easycamcorders.com/ratings.php
the Panasonic is better.

I noticed many people complained about poor quality in low light of
Panasonic PV-GS250, but what is "low light"?
I tried my old Sony TRV67 in a room - it look OK to me (TRV67 have
0.25" CCD, so I guess it is 1/4").
So can you guys confuse me more and give me some opinions about the
above cameras?

Thanks,

Zalek

16 Jan 2006 3:24 PM

Tzortzakakis Dimitrios

--
Tzortzakakis Dimitrios
major in electrical engineering,freelance electrician
FH von Iraklion-Kreta, freiberuflicher Elektriker
dimtzort AT otenet DOT gr

? "Zalek Bloom" <ZalekBl***@hotmail.com> ?????? ??? ??????
news:q1ens1pjmk4eb1r4cs293stqrv3ockt23p@4ax.com...
> I am totally confused which camcorder to choose. I am 100% amateur and
> don't plan to shoot "Titanic" or "War and peace" - just plain, boring
> home movies.
> What I want from a camera:
> MiniDV format
> Price - up to $800
> Decent pictures when shooting in average lighted room
> Decent still pictures (at least 1600x1200)

I think you should drop this and buy a separate digital still camera (see
rec.photo.digital).There are excellent cameras from 160 euro, complete with
card and charger, and reach to dSLRs for more than 1000 euro.While there are
megapixel mini DV camcorders, I recommend investing the extra buck needed to
buy one of them in a good P&S digital camera:-)

>
> Finalists are:
> JVC GR-DF450
> Canon Optura 60
> Panasonic PV-GS250
> Sony DCR-HC90
>

Which manufacturer do you prefer?I usually like sony very much, and from
the european brands I prefer Philips.

> I prefer to use SD to save still pictures (I have few spare SD cards),
> but I willing to go with Sony if Sony is much better.
>

Sony has a good reputation and is japanese.

> I looked on http://www.easycamcorders.com, but it didn't help me -
> only more confused me.
>
> On http://www.pcmag.com Sony DCR-HC90 is rated as better then
> Panasonic PV-GS250, but on http://www.easycamcorders.com/ratings.php
> the Panasonic is better.
>
> I noticed many people complained about poor quality in low light of
> Panasonic PV-GS250, but what is "low light"?

Low light is *not* daylight but usually indoors with incadescent or
fluorescent lighting
Show quoteHide quote

>n a room - it look OK to me (TRV67 have
> 0.25" CCD, so I guess it is 1/4").
> So can you guys confuse me more and give me some opinions about the
> above cameras?
>
> Thanks,
>
> Zalek
>