I can completely understand your budget crunch, I got my first camera when I was in just about the same boat as you. Here's what you want to look for:
If you want to be able to transfer the videos to your computer then you are going to want to get a camcorder that has a USB output. Firewire (or IEEE1394) output is another good option, but if your computer doesn't already have the capture card then it is just one more expense.
The next thing you want to look for is the zoom options. The largest optical zoom you can find the better. When you start using the digital zoom you lose picture quality, so a camcorder that relies on digital zoom is not always as nice as optical, depending on its intended use.
I don't have a whole lot of experience with hard disk drive (HDD) camcorders but I do know that because they have to compress the footage to store it on the drive, they do not give you the picture quality of miniDV camcorders of comparable price. The upside to HDD is not having to buy tapes all the time, but if you transfer your videos anyway, you can always reuse the same tape.
Here are three camcorders that combine the best of these features and at the best price I could find them:
http://www.circuitcity.com/ccd/compare.d…
You may be able to find them for less on eBay or yahoo! auctions too if you aren't in a big hurry! Good luck!I need advice on a good video camera?
If you're saving up maybe wait until next Black Friday (day after Thanksgiving) and go to any of the stores.
This last year Wal Mart had a JVC for $280. That's about the lowest price out there.
All the new cameras come out in another 60 days, so wait and see what they are offering when the lines change in March and April.
ASK YOUR PARENTS/GRANDPARENTS FOR SOME MONEY AND THEN READ THIS!!!!!
Or if they are not willing to help you purchase, then save your money, do some more research, and wait until you find the one you want and see which store will give you the best price. And if you go to Circuit City or Best Buy, don't buy the protection plan...they offer that to get more money out of you...you don't need that because if anything does go wrong with the camcorder or if you get one and it doesn't work, that isn't your problem. They just use those protection plans to scam more money out of you. And if they won't take it back (if you do have problems) then send it back to the manufacturer. The usually offer at least a 1 year limited warranty.
Panasonic, Panasonic, Panasonic!
***And no, I am not a sales rep for Panasonic, I just believe they have the best products out there.***
If you want a serious camcorder not a piece of junk read this, but know that you will end up spending between $400-1000 for a ';good'; one.
***Remember, miniDV tape format is digital and any video you take with a miniDV camcorder you will be able to use on your computer (to edit and make movies), on your tv (to play back your video), and if you have a DVD recorder you will be able to make DVD's from the video you have on the tape and then the tape becomes reusable***
***I would recommend miniDV camcorders because for the price, what you can get is way better than what you can get with a DVD camcorder. And the tapes are pretty much comparable in price to the DVD's. The DVD camcorders are a newer technology and they haven't perfected everything yet. The only positive thing about the DVD camcorders is that you can get the video on your computer or on your DVR in a matter of seconds. With miniDV, it takes a little longer.***
Panasonic, Panasonic, Panasonic!
You should look for a camera that is similar to the one listed below. The Panasonic PV-GS300 is listed below and is a great camera for around $475. Other good Panasonic brand camcorders include the PV-GS320 and the PV-GS500 but the higher the model number, the higher the price.
•10x Optical Zoom and 700x Digital Zoom
•2.7” Widescreen LCD Display (123,000 pixels)
•3CCD (3 x 800,000 pixel, 1/6” CCD image sensors for best quality and clarity photos and video. The same kind of system used in professional broadcast cameras means crisp color reproduction, thanks to a separate CCD for reds, greens, and blues. (most camcorders just have 1CCD)
•Recording system NTSC
•SP and LP recording and playback modes (most MiniDV tapes are 60 minutes, but in LP you can record 90 minutes on these tapes)
•Video and Photos can be taken in 16:9 (widescreen) or 4:3 (regular)
•High-quality Lecia lens (37 mm)
•5 preprogrammed auto exposure modes for a variety of shooting options
•OIS (optical image stabilizer…minimizes shake and vibration distortion) This is a helpful tool, but if you want still images use a tripod.
•Soft skin detail mode (softens details to reduce skin imperfections when shooting close-ups)
•MagicPix (allows full color recording in low light)
•1-touch navigation with easy joystick control
•3.1 MP photos in Photo Mode with build in flash that can be turned on/off. Photo size is determined by what mode you have the camcorder set at. (video/photo and 16:9/4:3) In Video mode, the photos are smaller and quality is not as good as taking a photo in Photo mode.
o.2 MP photo size is 640 x 360
o.3 MP photo size is 640 x 480
o1 MP photo size is 1280 x 960
o2 MP photo size is 1600 x 1200
o2.4 MP photo size is 2048 x 1152
o3.1 MP photo size is 2048 x 1512
•Min shutter speed is 1/30 sec
•Max shutter speed is 1/8000sec
•Built in Stereo Microphone
•Stores photos on SD Memory Card (slot located on bottom of camera)
•Stores video on MiniDV Digital Tapes
•USB 2.0 and Firewire IEEE 1394 compliant
•DV, AV, external mic, and USB ports (the included AV cable has RCA and S-Video outputs)
•PictBridge (direct printing from camcorder)
•Includes MotionDV and Quick Movie Magic software
What’s in the box?
•PV-GS300 Camcorder
•RCA/S-Video cable
•AC cable
•Battery and charger
•Remote control
•Hand and shoulder strap
•USB 2.0 cable
•Software
What you will need to purchase.
•MiniDV Digital Video Tapes. Most stores sell these tapes between $7-10.00/tape! Check out eBay for good deals on tapes...you can probably find them for around $3.00/tape.
•Carrying case (Circuit City and Best Buy have a good selection, but expect to spend about $20.00.)
•Firewire (DV) cable. You don’t necessarily need this, but the quality is supposedly better when transferring tapes to DVD. I haven’t noticed any difference between the two and I prefer to use the included RCA cables with my DVD Recorder. If you have a laptop or desktop that has a firewire port this will come in handy...but note, a firewire cable is NOT included on most camcorders. You do, however, get a usb 2.0 cable that works just fine. Check out www.accstation.com for cheap, but great quality firewire cables. And if you have windows xp, you can use Windows Movie Maker to edit your videos. You shouldn't need to purchase any extra software.)
Stores and Prices
www.jr.com had it for under $475.00 (including shipping). Definitely check out this site. They offer great customer service, competitive prices, and fast/cheap shipping. They are located in New York and are a very reliable, trustworthy store.
•Circuit City…around $500.
•Best Buy…around $500.
Panasonic makes the best. If I were you, before you make an expensive purchase, do some research...look at customer reviews at www.camcorderinfo.com, www.bestbuy.com, www.circuitcity.com, or at any other review website. Most of those people that answer reviews do it for your benefit...they let you know if it is worth spending $500-1000+ for a certain product.
I have owned a JVC (miniDV), Sony (miniDV, DVD, and hard drive), and Panasonic (miniDV and hard drive) camcorders and I have to say that the Panasonic are the best. They have the best quality...best design...are the easiest to use...and are more durable than JVC and Sony. I use them for my business, which is why I have used and tested so many different kinds.
***PLEASE...go to the stores and try them out...don't make a purchase online without actually holding one and testing out its functions.
***And also be careful...if you do a google search to try and find a store that sells the camcorder that you are looking for, for the cheapest price...do some research and check out that store before you make your purchase. There are many great deals out there, but at what cost? A lot of places will advertise a cheap price but then will try to get you to buy more equipment for your camcorder that should already be in the box! WATCH OUT FOR SCAMS! I can't stress that enough.
GOOD LUCK!
The best video camera for you is probably SONY. The reason is that you can even buy a used or older SONY model and it will do everything you want. They also come with simple, but VERY good, software. It is also easy to use with ANY computer. I find that their best features are crisp video and a good zoom feature. There are better cameras on the market, but you won't be disappointed with a SONY.
Of course, the best feature you might look for, if you can afford it, is ones that have a hard drive instead of putting in a DVD or tape. A 10 gig drive will give you about 2.5 hours of high quality recording time. You will save TONS of money later. If you are unsure, check the prices of tapes and DVDs. Remember, they won't tell you how much high quality time is on the tape of DVD, just the low quality time. Most DVDs for cameras can record 20-30 minutes. If you want to use re-writable DVDs, make sure you have LOTS of money on hand. Remember, salespeople are not our friends. They will tell you the moon is made of green cheese if it will make you buy their product. When you decide what you want. Check on the product specifications on the Internet.
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