Camcorder help, please!

[bsnyder]

Can anyone recommend a good one.

My main requirement is that I need something EASY to operate. I don't want all the bells and whistles, because I'll never use them all and it will only confuse me. Just something plain and simple.

I'm not a video person....we've never owned a camcorder and we're not even very good at remembering to take a camera to special occasions.

My husband and I are going to California on Thursday to visit our son who's a freshman in college at USC. My folks were going to go with us on this trip, but my mom's cancer diagnosis has changed those plans.

But I'd love to be able to record the whole trip, and allow her to see Kyle's new environment at least through a video. Maybe record him "introducing" her to some of his new buddies and do a tour of his dorm and fraternity.

So, any suggestions on the simplest camcorder out there? I'm not trying to shoot a Spielberg movie....just the basics will do.

 

[elgerber]

I can't make a specific suggestion, but I would highly suggest a Sony. I am on my 3rd camcorder (only because I wanted more features, not because they broke or anything) and they have all been Sony's. I find them very easy to operate and the quality of the video is always excellent. You should go to Best Buy or something and play with them, but even the most basic of Sony's should be excellent. One thing I can say is stay away from the VHS-C models, the picture quality of those is not nearly as good as the 8mm.

 

[bsnyder]

Thanks Erica. I'm off to Best Buy now, to "play" with them. I probably won't buy anything today, so if anyone else has more suggestions, keep 'em coming!

 

[Dan Murphy]

 

[CruiserDew73]

Last December i bought a Canon (600 i think??) and i've been extremely happy with it. It's very easy to use, and isnt packed with unnecisary features. PM me if you want any more details. Ohh, BTW i bought mine at Best Buy also. thats definately the way to go.

 

[MaryAnnDVC]

Bet...the smaller the better as far as I'm concerned. We got to the point where we hate taking ours with us (it's a Sony 8mm, about 7 years old). I've been drooling over the really small ones they have now...it's on my "I want, I want, I want" list, as DH calls it.