Camcorder Recommendations for use in the Parks

[YodasMom]

I need recommendations for a camcorder for use in the parks.
I have a Cannon ES 800 which I would like to replace and it's just too big to carry in the Parks. It is an analog 8mm camcorder.

I am comparing the Sony Mini DV HC20 and the Sony Mini DV HC40. Also, I would like to compare them to the Canon Mini DV's in this price range as well.

I would prefer to spend under $600, preferably under $500, if possible. But, if there is a major difference in the quality of the recordings, I would spend closer to $600.

I would like to be able to shoot in darker as well as well-lit conditions and have adequate sound.

Can anyone give me some suggestions?

Thanks in advance!!!

 

[alloyd1170]

I dont know about other brands, but Ive always gone with Sony. Their video cameras have a night shot, and some, like mine, have super night shot which uses infrared (????). I have filmed in some very dark spots. However, be sure it has an image stablizer (as Sony does) or every little shake will be visible. Also, on the super night shot, the colors dont come out. Light objects are greenish.

alison

 

[YodasMom]

Thanks for our reply, Alison. Which model Sony do you use?

Anyone else with suggestions?

 

[MrsJ Henry]

We also have a sony and like it a lot.

 

[blujaymama]

I have the Canon Elura 65. It is a fantastic little lightweight, compact camera. Sony has some great ones too, but after a long time of comparing and shopping and checking Consumer Reports, I went with the Canon. The have the lowest repair rating (CR last year) and I found it for a fair price online (around $400-450) It takes still photos (saves to an SD card) and video. The stills print out decent 4x6s and 5x7s. The resolution is good and the colors are great. I would recommend it to anyone. There is a Elura 60 and a 70 as well. 70 is for the fansy schmansy video recording folks who like to do high tech stuff and use the computer to edit . I don't remember why I didn't get the 60, but I think ithe 65 had some other features I wanted. Check it out online, there are lots of reviews.

Good Luck!

 

[MissionMouse]

If you can find the November 2004 edition of Consumer Reports (CR) they provided a comparison of a variety of brands...mainly digital models. If you can't find one in the store you might try either your local library or pay a small fee to access the information on-line with Consumer Reports.

Their quick picks for a digital camcorder included:
Sony DCR-HC20 $500
Sony DCR-TRV260 $350 also listed as the BEST BUY by CR

You want to be cautious of not being drawn into buying a very small pocket-sized camcorder since their analysis found their performance to be less than satisfactory. They cited the Panasonic SV-AV50 as an example.

I'm not sure night shot is still around (to the same technical capabilities as before) since if was often used for other purposes other than what it was intended...during the daytime shooting at people making some specific clothing "sort of disappear." It did allow us to take some nice shots of the kids sleeping in the crib.

Here is the brand repair history:
(fewer to serious problems, based upon feedback from over 37,000 consumers)
DIGITAL
1) Sony D8
2) Sony MiniDV
3) Panasonic MiniDV
4) Canon MiniDV
5) JVC MiniDV

FEATURES TO SERIOUSLY CONSIDER:
1) LCD Viewer size (2.5in) and clarity (larger is better but more $$$)
realize view screens wash out in bright sunlight so ensure the regular viewer eyepiece meets your needs and provides the comfort you expect.
2) Full auto switch
3) Quick review
4) Video light

NICE BUT OPTIONAL
1) Long Zoom Range (10x is adequate, when cameras use digital zooming it is achieved at the expense of image quality)
2) Audio/video inputs (used to make copies and displaying)
3) Microphone
4) Still image capture

DON'T FORGET
When you purchase a camera you need to remember the additional expenses to complete the camera
1) Tripod (eliminates shakey videos like you find in the Blair Witch Movie)
2) Extra Batteries
3) External microphone (This is the only way to get good sound with a handheld camera)
4) Camera bag
5) Lint free lenses cloth along with lense liquid cleaner, camera head cleaner

Try the camera out in the store and evaluate everything:
Ease of Use
Picture Quality
Image stablizer (compensates for vibrations and shakey hand)
Weight
Optical Zoom
Types of Controls
View Screen size
Check out the eye piece (important since most of the time outside with sun you will be using the eye piece)
Battery life
Extra battery cost
recharrge time of batteries
Playback
Image Quality
Wide Angle and Zoom
Image quality at max zoom
recording media cost

I have a Sony TRV model and it works fine and the cost of batteries and recording media continually comes down in price as more and more people enter the digital recorder market.

I would note the CR BEST BUY recommendation would also allow you to complete an entire camera set-up and still be under your $500 dollar budget. Just realize, buying a camera is like buying clothes...it has to fit you or you just won't use it. Try out a bunch of cameras and you will find yourself knowing exactly what you want.

Good Luck.

 

[WDW Poly Princess]

I just got a Samsung SCD103 Mini DV, $312 at Best Buy. Haven't had too much time to play with it yet, but it does have a night shooting mode that I'm hoping will get some nice night shots! It also takes stills, so if I run out of memory on my digital camera, I'm still ok!

 

[FatCow]

rules of thumb:

1. the smaller the CCD size, the worse its performance in low-light.

2. the lighter the camera, the less stable it's going to be in your hands.

3. very important, not really a rule of thumb: ergonomics. This, obviously, different from one person to another

 

[YodasMom]

Thanks everyone for you input and suggestions.
It was helpful in narrowing my choices!!

 

[katysquid]

We have a Sony and they're usually user-friendly.

Have a great trip!

See you down there!

 

[jenjersnap]

Originally posted by blujaymama
I have the Canon Elura 65. It is a fantastic little lightweight, compact camera. Sony has some great ones too, but after a long time of comparing and shopping and checking Consumer Reports, I went with the Canon. The have the lowest repair rating (CR last year) and I found it for a fair price online (around $400-450) It takes still photos (saves to an SD card) and video. The stills print out decent 4x6s and 5x7s. The resolution is good and the colors are great. I would recommend it to anyone. There is a Elura 60 and a 70 as well. 70 is for the fansy schmansy video recording folks who like to do high tech stuff and use the computer to edit . I don't remember why I didn't get the 60, but I think ithe 65 had some other features I wanted. Check it out online, there are lots of reviews.

Good Luck!

We're liking the Elura 65 too from our research online, though I am having trouble seeing one in person! Can you tell me - does it have a slot for a memory card? I know it's upgradable, but we thought a removable one might be best. Thanks!

 

[blujaymama]

jenjersnap~

I bought mine online because I could find one in the store either (especially for a good price). It is a nice, small (but not too small), compact camera. So far it has worked out perfectly for us and we have had it for about 6 months and used it on one vacation so far. It will be our first time with the camcorder in Disney in two weeks! Woo Hoo!
The 65 does have a removable memory card. It uses the SD card (the slot is right on the side). It comes with a 32 MB card for free (woop dee doo) but you would definitely want a larger card. I looked on bizrate.com for the best price and found a 256 MB for only $25 and there was a $15 Mail in Rebate!! How awesome is that! The company delivered in 2 days so they were great.

Let me know if there is anything else I can try to answer!