I'm trying to buy a camcorder in the $500 range and am wondering if I should
go hard drive/Mini DV/DVD or another option. It seems like hard drive would
be the easiest to deal with but it looks like there are compression issues
that could make it not the best choice.

I'm primarily looking for the camcorder that will provide the best image.
Recommendations would be appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

Barry

A google search would save everyone a lot of time, as this has been
discussed a lot.

Short version:  miniDV will give you much better video quality than either a
hard disk or DVD machine.


Show quoteHide quote

PTravel wrote:

Not to mention that - when compared to HDD camcorders - it also solves
the archival problem.

I'm looking at the Panasonic PVGS300. If anyone could throw in a few other
models to look at it would be appreciate.

Show quote Hide quote Hmmm.

Again, I'd recommend a google search.

In short:

As a rule, 3-ccd machines will produce better video than single-ccd
machines, as they generally have better color saturation, lower noise
and better low-light sensitivity.  Panasonic realized that a lot of
potential camera purchasers knew this, and came out with a line of
cheap 3-ccd machines, not because the video was great, but as a
marketing tool.  The PVGS300 uses 1/6" ccds -- these are tiny.  The
smaller the ccd, the poorer the low-light sensitivity and the higher
the video noise.  Though the Panny may do okay in bright sunlight (and
virtually any camcorder will), it does dismally in low-light.  There
is no comparison between the Panny and a "true" 3-ccd machine like a
VX2100, which uses 1/3" ccds and can produce gorgeous, noise-free,
saturated video under the most challenging conditions.  Unfortunately,
the VX2100 costs 3 times as much as the PVGS300, but there's a reason
-- it produces video of the highest quality.  The Panny doesn't.

Rule of thumb: get the biggest CCD you can (1/3" or 1/4" is far
preferable to 1/5" or 1/6"), get the _lowest_ pixel density you can
(this may be counterintuitive, but in low-cost camcorders high-density
pixels are used to enable crappy still photography and actually
degrade both video quality and low-light sensitivity), get the best
lens quality you can (ignore digital zoom as it's meaningless and just
produces horribly degraded video, and remember that no one can
handhold zoom ranges above 10x to 12x), and avoid silly and
unnecessary gimmicks (Bluetooth, ability to email video, built-in
special effects, etc.).

Sony and Canon both make reasonably-good mid-priced camcorders, though
I couldn't suggest any specific models.  The best thing to do is
determine how you're going to use the machine (e.g., travel video and
amateur music video production will have radically different
requirements than shooting the kid's birthday parties to send to
grandma and grandpa).  Only you know what will be "good enough" for
your purposes.

Then, go to a brick-and-mortar store that has a good selection, and
try different camcorders hands on.  Stores are good places to test
camcorders because they're mid- to low-light, which is when a
camcorder's abilities are really tested.  Is the picture bright and
saturated?  Grainy and washed out?  Does the autofocus "hunt" or lock
in quickly?  How effective is the image stabilization (next to
lighting, shake is the significant factor distinguishes lousy amateur
video from more professional-looking work)?  How's the lens?  Test it
by zooming in on a high contrast subject an looking for blue and/or
red fringes around the edges, as well as an overall loss of contrast
at the higher zoom ranges.  Don't judge by the image in the viewfinder
or on the LCD; record some video and play it back through a monitor to
see what the camcorder can really do.

Show quote Hide quote Canon Elura 100 is somewhat cheaper but a decent performer. I would also
suggest that if you plan to shoot a lot of hand-held video, that you make
sure you are comfortable holding the camcorder for extended periods. It's
not like a still camera where most of your shots will be individual ones
with lengthy time period in between shots. If the feel of the camera in your
hand for minutes at a time is unpleasant, then no matter what the image
quality, shooting your video will be a pain and not a joy.

Show quote Hide quote Thanks for everyone's help. I've been out of video for about 20 years. I
used to do professional video production back when Betacam was all the rage
and 3/4" was considered a decent format. Obviously things have changed quite
a bit since then. I'm really only looking for a camcorder that will record
my family moments but still want to get the best bang for the buck.
Obviously, getting a knowledgeable salesperson from Best Buy or Circuit City
is unlikely so I came here. With my background and also my background in
high end audio recording I fully understand how people don't want to see me
waste money on low end junk, but that's probably where I'm headed on this
one.

From the reseach I've done it looks like the Panasonic PVGS300 is one of the
best in $500 price point. I'm looking mostly for quality and not features.
If anyone would like to throw out the short list in this price range I would
be most appreciative.

Again, thanks for the replies.

Barry

Show quote Hide quote I must add, check that the camcorder you buy is made in japan.It's a too
delicate and complicated piece of engineering, so better safe than sorry.Of
course, it's difficult to get an unbiased opinion on a camcorder, because
everyone will think the best is their own!On the other hand, mine (sony dcr
hc 32 e)is quite a bang for the buck, bought it 350 euros (normally it cost
at least 420 euros, it was the one on display so hence the discount)has 800
k pixel HAD ccd,carl zeiss lens, mini dv, spot photo metering, spot
focusing, manual white balance and lot of gimmicks that would make a seminar
on the use of the camera reasonable.It can take still photos at 640*480,
which is quite an advantage, because making a megapixel 1/6 " sensor is no
easy game...

Hope this helps,

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