Ok. I'll admit that I've been putting this off, but I need to pull the trigger w/in the next few days. We had our camcorder stolen in Jan during a break-in. Bought a decent digital camera for the inauguration, but now need to actually replace the camcorder. The last one was one of the panasonic( I think ... ) miniDV units that had good video in decent lighting, poor low light video, and crappy stills. But, it fit the hand perfectly, had controls in the right place, was easy to use, rel. light weight and seemed to have a decent auto setting. I didn't even mind carrying the little tapes around in the camera bag.
I need something that my wife can use around the house filming the little one, and for holidays. Not really concerned about the stills( have a camera for that... ), don't really care for the hard drive or dvd based units, needs to be easy to "pick up and use", decent video( standard def. ) and under $350.
Do you guys have any recommendations? Being that I waited so late, it has to be something that I can run out to BB or walmart( or whatever... ) this weekend or Mon.
Help, please!!!!
http://www.amazon.com/Aiptek-Action-HD-GVS-Definition/dp/B001GXR03U
SpeedTheory wrote:
http://www.amazon.com/Aiptek-Action-HD-GVS-Definition/dp/B001GXR03U
Thanks. What do you have that's alittle better in low light situations? Also, does anyone have any idea how much better the pic quality of MiniDv versus flash for most cameras in this price range?
http://reviews.cnet.com/digital-cameras/panasonic-lumix-dmc-zs3/4505-6501_7-33543454.html
Can't buy it in most big box stores but it's worth the wait. The video quality is good, decent low light capabilities plus the lens is silly wide.
Video sample
Well. I stand corrected. That was great video. I was thinking more along the lines of a camcorder, but maybe a decent camera will do the same job?? I do need something locally, though.
What else you got?? Keep 'em coming!!!
I picked up a JVC HD10 a few months back and it does great video, just not in low light. One problem I encountered is that it shoots in a ACVHD format (as do many other new HD cams) and ended up finding out my 'puter wasn't up to the task to edit the video. HD files have a lot more information in them than MPEGs. Solution was a getting a new laptop.
I guess my point is that whatever you get, make sure that your current computer is up to the task if you want to edit on it.
ansonivan wrote:
http://reviews.cnet.com/digital-cameras/panasonic-lumix-dmc-zs3/4505-6501_7-33543454.html
Can't buy it in most big box stores but it's worth the wait. The video quality is good, decent low light capabilities plus the lens is silly wide.
Video sample
I agree, the camera does very well in the sample video. The camera clearly picks out the red fire extinguisher within the first few seconds even if no one else does.
dpreview is an excellent way to narrow down the search.
ansonivan wrote:
dpreview is an excellent way to narrow down the search.
This site has alot of good info. Do you have anything more related to camcorders?? I've been using:
digitalcamera-hq.com and camcorderinfo.com/ so far. It's almost like drinking from a firehose, but its slow at work today so that helps.
jrw1621 wrote:
ansonivan wrote:
http://reviews.cnet.com/digital-cameras/panasonic-lumix-dmc-zs3/4505-6501_7-33543454.html
Can't buy it in most big box stores but it's worth the wait. The video quality is good, decent low light capabilities plus the lens is silly wide.
Video sample
I agree, the camera does very well in the sample video. The camera clearly picks out the red fire extinguisher within the first few seconds even if no one else does.
Yep. Gotta hate it when that happens. I think someone said in the comments that it was empty, though. Kinda like insurance. You don't need it till you do. But when you do, you do.
http://www.camcorderinfo.com/
For standard def I'd look at one of these Canon FS200
I shoot with a Canon HS S100 and love, love, love it. A little out of you desired price range, but insane quality for the money.
jg
JG Pasterjak wrote:
http://www.camcorderinfo.com/
For standard def I'd look at one of these Canon FS200
I shoot with a Canon HS S100 and love, love, love it. A little out of you desired price range, but insane quality for the money.
jg
The canon was one of the ones on the list:
1) canon fs200
2) canon fs21
3) JVC gz-ms120
4) panasonic sdr-s26
5) Panasonic pv-gs90
Thanks for the info so far. Kepp it coming!!
mrwillie wrote:
JG Pasterjak wrote:
http://www.camcorderinfo.com/
For standard def I'd look at one of these Canon FS200
I shoot with a Canon HS S100 and love, love, love it. A little out of you desired price range, but insane quality for the money.
jg
The canon was one of the ones on the list:
1) canon fs200
2) canon fs21
3) JVC gz-ms120
4) panasonic sdr-s26
5) Panasonic pv-gs90
Thanks for the info so far. Kepp it coming!!
JG -- What do you know about the Canon FS20??
Probably real similar to the FS200. It's the outgoing model I believe. One of the main reason I like Canon camcorders across the board is that they're among the few non-pro camcorders that offer a mic and a headphone jack. All built in camcorder mics suck. They're fine in a pinch, but it's really nive to be able to plug in a decent mic to record a show or a speaker once in a while.
jg
In reply to JG Pasterjak:
I'm trying to juggle this and doing house and baby stuff today. According to canon's website, the FS20 is the outgoing model replaced by the FS21. The FS21 is the next model up from the FS200. Seems like the main diff bewteen the two is the built-in flash memory and the lens. Both will still take an sdhc card.
Does that seem correct to you?
http://www.usa.canon.com/consumer/controller?act=ProductCompareNWAct&fcategoryid=173&modelid10=18001&modelid11=18057&modelid12=17999
Thanks for your help.
Just as an update, I bought the canon fs200 tonight from HH Gregg. I found it on amazon for about $20 cheaper so I'm gonna try and get a price match( yes, I'm one of those people... ). Thanks again for everyone's help!!
Will
