Camcorder/digital camera advice?

[lulugirl]

I would like to purchase a new digital camera as well as a camcorder that records straight to disk. Is there such a thing as a combo camera/camcorder?
Any advice on particular brands/products you like?
I prefer something that is VERY user friendly!
Any input is appreciated!
-Elisabeth

 

[BibbidiBobbidiBOO]

You may want to check out the photography board here. I started there, then searched the Internet.

I learned that DVD camcorders sound like a great idea, but are not all that great quality/storage/editing/compatibility wise. It depends on what is important to you though. In fact I had salespersons steer me away and back to the minidv (little tapes). My new camcorder (Canon Elura 100) has a slot for a SD card for pics, but quality will not be what it is on my digital camera. It will just be for a backup/emergency picture now and again. I can easily burn DVD's from the camcorder, but will keep the little tapes as the quality on them last longer. I can also burn to my hard drive.

Just read a lot and decide what is important for your needs. Good luck! Here is one site: http://reviews.cnet.com/Camcorders/2001-6500_7-0.html

 

[lulugirl]

Thank you, you got me off to a good start!

 

[bicker]

I agree with BOO. While recording video directly to DVD sounds good, it really isn't, and you're much better off recording digital video onto miniDV. It is just a more stable long-term storage medium. You can master the video and burn it onto DVD, if you wish, but you're still advised to keep the originals, on miniDV.

I'm partial to Sony and Canon. I have a Sony camcorder and a Canon digital camera, but I'd be just as happy with either.