Digital camcorder under $300?

[janni518]

Any recommendations for a digital camcorder? I'd like to keep it under $300 if possible. Is that even feasible? I haven't really looked at them yet. Someone told me you can get them for under $100 now but I have to assume it'd be a piece of youknowwhat.

Any guidance would be very much appreciated. I'm pretty good at tracking down deals but first I need to know what it is I'm looking for.

 

[Green Tea]

Canon has what I researched to be a good one in that range. The 100 model. (RS, I think) In anycase, it was $269 on Amazon last I looked. It is a flash memory. Had good reviews.

 

[Auggietina]

Best Buy has a JVC one online for $299 (in the store it's on sale for $329)

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=8696324&type=product&id=1198888712721

It's a hard drive camera

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

It is a flash memory.

It's a hard drive camera

What's the difference? Which is better?
Is flash memory on a card vs. having a hard drive built in?

 

[Green Tea]

Flash is a memory card, like you use in your camera. No moving parts in the camera. Hard drive is like your computer. A little more sensitive to bumps or drops, but generally has more built in memory than you can get with a card. Some models that probably start a little above the $300 range combine both formats. www.crutchfield.com has a lot of information about selection and formats.

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

Thanks. I've been thinking about getting dh one maybe for next Christmas. We stopped using our old one. It was a wedding gift in 1995 and it's huge and heavy; not very practical for WDW or on DCL ships. Now they're so cute and small.

 

[janni518]

Thanks for the suggestions. Will check them out.

 

[cheesekate2005]

Best Buy has Sony Handycam DCR-SR45 30GB Camcorder for $269.99 with free shipping. This deal is going on now. We have the Sony handycam 610 and it is great.

 

[janni518]

Thanks, that is one of the few brands I've heard of. Definitely checking that one out. Thanks!

 

[nd5056]

Not sure how good it is.

Panasonic SDR-S7K Digital Camcorder (Black) for $199.99 + Free Shipping (List Price $299.99)

Search for SKU: 8732605

.

 

[mtblujeans]

Not sure how good it is.

Panasonic SDR-S7K Digital Camcorder (Black) for $199.99 + Free Shipping (List Price $299.99)

Search for SKU: 8732605

That is at Best Buy.

 

[nd5056]

Oops, thank you for correcting this.

.

 

[Green Tea]

Here is the link to understanding the newer technology options: http://www.crutchfield.com/learn/learningcenter/home/harddisk.html

Consumer Reports lists these as recommended models.

Best in mini DV tape
Canon ZR900 $250
Canon ZR 950 $280

Best Value in DVD Camcorder
Canon DC 330 $380

Best Value in Flash Memory
Panasonic SDR-S7 $300

 

[Green Tea]

Consumer Reports Rankings

Mini DV, the 2 models above are number 1 and 2. Then
Sony DCR-HC62
Panasonic PV-GS90
JVC GR-D870

DVD Models
Canon DC330
Panasonic VDR-D50
Samsung SC-DX103


Flash Memory Models
Canon FS11
Panasonic SDR-S7
Sanyo Xacti VPC-CG9
JVC GZ-MS100

Combination DVD Flash
Sony DCR-DVD910
Sony DCR-DVD610

Hard Dish models
JVC GZ-MG730
Panasonic SDR-H60
JVC GZ-MG365

 

[Green Tea]

Not sure how good it is.

Panasonic SDR-S7K Digital Camcorder (Black) for $199.99 + Free Shipping (List Price $299.99)

Search for SKU: 8732605

.

That is a good camera and a good price!

There are a lot of reviews of cameras on Amazon. I used that a lot in research.

 

[Melrosgirl]

Best Buy has a JVC one online for $299 (in the store it's on sale for $329)

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=8696324&type=product&id=1198888712721

It's a hard drive camera

I bought this one on Black Friday (same price $299) and I really like it. Easy and really compact.

 

[nd5056]

That is a good camera and a good price!

There are a lot of reviews of cameras on Amazon. I used that a lot in research.

The only problem I have with Amazon it’s like asking everyone if they prefer cold (snow) or hot (beach) style weather. And they are all right, based on the preferences they have. Believe me, I bought things based on others reviews and I wasn’t happy.

My place for Camcorder reviews is this one here:

http://www.camcorderinfo.com/

and for Digital Cameras:

www.dpreview.com

www.dcresource.com

But, if you can’t overcome that fact that everything they say is like looking at things under a huge magnifying glass, you’re better off sticking with Amazon reviews. Personally, things may have the highest reviews scores out there and I still won’t buy it if it doesn’t “feel” good in my hand when I’m holding it.