Can anyone recommend a good mini-dv camcorder?

[utahkennedys]

We are so frustrated! Our Panasonic broke and will cost $300+ to fix...so we bought a new one at Best Buy this weekend, a Canon zr600, and it STINKS! The indoor quality is terrible!!! Worse than our 4 year old Panasonic!

Anyhow, anyone have recommendations for one that takes good video indoors as well as outdoors? We want to stay under $500. We are thinking Sony?

 

[brat5063]

I was wondering the same thing. I don't know much about them, and someone had also mentioned to me a video camera that burns to a hard drive. Is one better then the other?

Sorry for adding.

 

[utahkennedys]

We looked at those too, and it is nice b/c you don't have to buy tapes, just upload directly to your computer. But really a decent one is in the $700-800+ range...

 

[brat5063]

Here are CR Top 5

1. JVC GF-DF 450 - $395
2. Cannon Elura 80 - $400
3. Panasonic VDR-M53 - $505
4. Sony DCR-HC21 - Best Buy - $360
5. Hitachi Ultravision DZGX20A - $570

 

[utahkennedys]

Thanks so much, that is very helpful. It is so hard to wade through various review sites, but I do trust CR!

 

[ceiligh1]

I just broke our Sony DCR HC26 last night. We loved the camera have had it for just a year but I dropped it one too many times. I am now looking to get the Sony DCR HC36. It has the same features that I want and it is only about $350. Circuit City has good deals right now on camcorders plus if you go through mypoints you get 5 point per dollar.

 

[brat5063]

Not a problem. I always try to see what they say. It didn't say what year the review was done it, so I am not sure if those models are still available. They didn't have anything on the Hard Drive ones. :-(

 

[In Luv with Disney]

I have a JVC...got it 2 years ago and it's pretty great!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I still love it and cannot find ANY reason to upgrade to a DVD camcorder! It has lots of features, along with a memory card slot so you can take pics,too. The pic quality isn't that great, though. But hey, at least the option is there!!!!

 

[allyn]

i recommend panasonic camcorders. i tend to overlook sony as they are usually overpriced or underfeatured.

(although if you have some money ($1200 or so) to spend, i would recommend the sony hc3 high-def camcorder -- no other manufacturer has anything close).

 

[RivaLJ]

check the Photography board. There is a sticky about choosing a camcorder.

 

[brat5063]

Thanks, I didn't even know there was a photography board.

 

[bnorm27]

Whatever you buy, get a service contract! Although most won't cover accidental damage,you will save a TON of money when the warranty runs out. Most warranties on Camcorders and Digital Cameras are for one year. As you found out when trying to fix your old camcorder, it can be downright expensive. You may pay about $60-$70 for the 3 yr. service contract, but it will be worth it. My wife dropped my digital camera on the driveway. There was no visible damge, but the battery door would not close. I took it back to Best Buy. It could not be fixed, so I got a brand new upgraded version for free. After my trip to Disney this fall, I think I'll let my wife hold the camera again!

 

[MommyBryn]

We have a THIS camcorder. We got it at Costco, so it's GREAT because they'll return pretty much anything. So if anything breaks, we can take it back (even after like 5 years) and they'll take care of it.