Camcorder question

[miss missy]

I haven't bought one in years! Last I had taped right in a VCR tape! I really want one now... so what kind should I go for? I would love to know if they have one that tapes right on a DVD, I loved the no transfer with my old one.

 

[MarkBarbieri]

Yes, there are camcorders that record on to a DVD. I think that most use mini-DVDs, but they should play in most players (except maybe slot loaders).

That can be handy for quick reviews of the days footage, but I can't imagine watching unedited footage on a regular basis. That would be the equivalent of keeping all of your pictures rather than just culling down to the good ones.

 

[miss missy]

How does this one look for simple home video?

http://www.circuitcity.com/ccd/prod...rs-_-Panasonic Ultra-Compact MiniDV Camcorder

 

[bdtracey]

OMG OMG OMG

That is the exact camcorder that I'm going out to buy tomorrow...and trust me I've been doing my research. 2 greatest things about this camera are the Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) and the 3 CCD's.

First the OIS: this actually mechanically stabilizes the image and counteracts the movement of your hand. Electronic image stabilization doesn't work nearly as well.

Second the 3 CCD's: These really help with low light because they have a bigger area to receive the image. Also, each CCD is devoted to one colour; red, green, blue. When an image is received into the lens it is split into these 3 colours and then recomibined to form the image that gets played back. The problem with 1 CCD camcorders is that the CCD will have to choose which colour to allocate to each pixel. For example, if one pixel was 51% blue and 49% red, the 1 CCD would allocate this pixel as being blue where it should have truly been purple. The only way to get this purple would be to have 3 CCD's to mix the colour in the pixel.

It's kinda tough to understand but that is a major feature. What I also like about this camera is that the battery is at the very back of the camcorder so you can get bigger, thus longer life, batteries.

Panasonic is the only brand that provides 3 CCD camcorders in this price range. Also, the PV-GS300 is the newer model of the GS250 (I think...) that was much more expensive last year. Here in Canada the price dropped from $1000 to $800 CDN for the 300. Although, some of the "prosumer" features have been dropped off of the 250 to create the 300. I can't exactly remember what these are but you can check out CNET review to find out what they were.

Like I said, the main features that I like are the low light performance and the OIS which really stabilizes the lens when you're zoomed in. The optical zoom is a little short but that really isn't a huge deal for me. Also, I wouldn't be too concerned when shopping for a camcorder if it has a built in still camera or the digital zoom. There are very few camcorders that provide a decent still camera and chances are good that you already own a digital camera. The digital zoom doesn't mean anything because once you get out of the range of optical zoom the picture begins to get 'noisy' or 'grainy' because all you're doing is enlarging the pixels. Personally, I do not even allow my digital camera to go into digital zoom (menu setting) and I guarantee you that I be leaving that menu option turned off on my GS300.

Once again...great pick and I hope you really enjoy it!

 

[miss missy]

OMG OMG OMG

That is the exact camcorder that I'm going out to buy tomorrow...and trust me I've been doing my research. 2 greatest things about this camera are the Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) and the 3 CCD's.

First the OIS: this actually mechanically stabilizes the image and counteracts the movement of your hand. Electronic image stabilization doesn't work nearly as well.

Second the 3 CCD's: These really help with low light because they have a bigger area to receive the image. Also, each CCD is devoted to one colour; red, green, blue. When an image is received into the lens it is split into these 3 colours and then recomibined to form the image that gets played back. The problem with 1 CCD camcorders is that the CCD will have to choose which colour to allocate to each pixel. For example, if one pixel was 51% blue and 49% red, the 1 CCD would allocate this pixel as being blue where it should have truly been purple. The only way to get this purple would be to have 3 CCD's to mix the colour in the pixel.

It's kinda tough to understand but that is a major feature. What I also like about this camera is that the battery is at the very back of the camcorder so you can get bigger, thus longer life, batteries.

Panasonic is the only brand that provides 3 CCD camcorders in this price range. Also, the PV-GS300 is the newer model of the GS250 (I think...) that was much more expensive last year. Here in Canada the price dropped from $1000 to $800 CDN for the 300. Although, some of the "prosumer" features have been dropped off of the 250 to create the 300. I can't exactly remember what these are but you can check out CNET review to find out what they were.

Like I said, the main features that I like are the low light performance and the OIS which really stabilizes the lens when you're zoomed in. The optical zoom is a little short but that really isn't a huge deal for me. Also, I wouldn't be too concerned when shopping for a camcorder if it has a built in still camera or the digital zoom. There are very few camcorders that provide a decent still camera and chances are good that you already own a digital camera. The digital zoom doesn't mean anything because once you get out of the range of optical zoom the picture begins to get 'noisy' or 'grainy' because all you're doing is enlarging the pixels. Personally, I do not even allow my digital camera to go into digital zoom (menu setting) and I guarantee you that I be leaving that menu option turned off on my GS300.

Once again...great pick and I hope you really enjoy it!

Thanks! I am not caring about the still pics, I wont use it for that.

I haven't gotten this yet, but chances are good this will be the one.