Looking for camcorder suggestions...

[bentos]

I recommend a camcorder that has a big aperture opening for its lens. For instance the Canon HV40 has f/1.8 aperture and unrivaled noise reduction at low-light conditions. Original price is at around $700 but you can get older version or second hand ones on-line for cheaper.

 

[csummerlin55]

I recommend a camcorder that has a big aperture opening for its lens. For instance the Canon HV40 has f/1.8 aperture and unrivaled noise reduction at low-light conditions. Original price is at around $700 but you can get older version or second hand ones on-line for cheaper.

Thanks for the suggestion. Forgive my lack of knowledge but how does the larger aperture impact the video?

 

[WilsonFlyer]

Larger aperture=larger opening for light to get in=better light gathering in dark scenes=High $$$

You're not likely to find anything in your budget that will do what you want really, IMHO.

Honestly, you're asking for a lot and probably don't even realize it. Low light performance is currently the holy grail in camcorders. In other words, you can spend just about as much as you'd like trying to get one to meet your performance needs.

I'm not trying to judge you so please take this in the spirit in which it is intended. You're probably asking for something that will work in any situation (dark rides, coasters, etc.) and while it is generally "do-able", you might just be disappointed in your results regardless what you spend based on your comment about aperture.

This isn't one of those problems you can just throw money at and make it go away. Low light is tough on any camcorder, even the "high-dollar" ones and getting satisfactory results in low-light situations requires time, patience and many times; manual override of the automatic settings of the camcorder (assuming it even has manual controls that allow you to do so AND that you have familiarized yourself with using them PROPERLY which require a lot of practice as much as anything else).

I'm not trying to discourage you but rather to enlighten you that bad lighting conditions are a challenge to any photographer and to any equipment.

I have all kinds of cameras and camcorders. I'm somewhat of a collector. Always in search of the holy-grail.

For video, when at WDW, I generally carry a Kodak Zi8 in my pocket. I recently purchased a Kodak Playsport and will probably carry that one next month and let my wife carry the Zi8. Is it perfect? No. What it is, is convenient, light, easy to stow and works reasonably well in most situations. 1080p HD, and in the case of the PlaySport, waterproof to 10 feet too. $139 on sale at BestBuy this week (beginnning tomorrow, I think).

I have enough stress trying to keep up with one of my my Canon Rebels and all its accessories at WDW. It's nice to just throw the Kodak in my pocket knowing it will do 95% of what I want it to do and it's in my pocket and at the ready all the time.

You may want to take a look at it. You may find it might just be exactly what you really want.

 

[Experiment_626]

I've been looking into this question myself. If I were looking for a DSLR, I'd have a really good idea of what to buy -- but my knowledge of video cameras is sorely lacking. There are so many options and so many trade-offs ...

One knowledgeable video guy I spoke with suggested one of the Canons that still uses HD mini-DV tapes. Why? Because tapes are easy to archive -- you just save them in a safe place. That is a concern -- otherwise, where would I save all that space-gobbling data? I figure I'll eventually have a Blu-ray burner and be able to make HD discs, but for now, DVD is the best I can do. I already have 50,000-plus photos on my hard drives and can't afford to just run out and buy another any old time. I expect tapes will be available for a while, even if the cameras aren't sold much longer.

Anyone consider this?

 

[WilsonFlyer]

I've been looking into this question myself. If I were looking for a DSLR, I'd have a really good idea of what to buy -- but my knowledge of video cameras is sorely lacking. There are so many options and so many trade-offs ...

One knowledgeable video guy I spoke with suggested one of the Canons that still uses HD mini-DV tapes. Why? Because tapes are easy to archive -- you just save them in a safe place. That is a concern -- otherwise, where would I save all that space-gobbling data? I figure I'll eventually have a Blu-ray burner and be able to make HD discs, but for now, DVD is the best I can do. I already have 50,000-plus photos on my hard drives and can't afford to just run out and buy another any old time. I expect tapes will be available for a while, even if the cameras aren't sold much longer.

Anyone consider this?

And what are you going to do 10 years from now when your camera is broken and you can't find ANYTHING to play your archived tapes?

Mini-DV is a dead format. It's not coming back even though there are a few stragglers still out there. There's no new technological advancement going on in this format. It would be essentially foolish IMPO, to buy into a format that has been dead for all intents and purposes for 24-36 months already.

Terabyte archive drives can be bought for under a hundred bucks now and sub-hundred 1.5's and 2.0's are right around the corner. The AVCHD ship has sailed.

BTW, you can certainly archive HD to DVD and double-layer DVDs playable on almost any BluRay player available; certainly any that's been manufactured in the last 24 months or so. I do it all the time.

 

[Experiment_626]

And what are you going to do 10 years from now when your camera is broken and you can't find ANYTHING to play your archived tapes?

I expect that long before that happens, I'd have transferred all those tapes to Blu-ray (or some other media) and moved on to a much better, newer camcorder.

Terabyte archive drives can be bought for under a hundred bucks now and sub-hundred 1.5's and 2.0's are right around the corner.

Well, here's the thing. I don't currently have a job. That might change literally tomorrow, but who knows? And my dad wants to buy the camcorder -- he didn't say anything about funding the purchase of hard drives or Blu-ray burners for archiving.

 

[weloveprincesses]

Hi guys, I'm hoping I can get a couple of opinions on a new Sony Camcorder. My old one is a handycam that uses the mini Dvd, which I understand is technology on it's way out not to mention a little difficult to work with in the fact that I feel like I'm constantly changing out the mini dvds. I'm looking into one that has a hard drive but also uses the memory cards.

My big decision is whether to go with an SD or HD model. I'm a sahm, take videos of the kids with the expectation that I may put them on a family blog one day, or definitely put them on dvd's to watch at another time. I have a Macbook Pro, using iMovie '09 and really don't know anything other than plug and play, plug and import.

If I go with SD, will I be unhappy with the quality of the playback and will I regret it in the years to come as everything moves toward blu-ray and HD. We have one HD t.v. and two blu-ray players currently. I know none of you have a crystal ball so you can't predict what my happiness scale will be in the years to come, but it if were you, what would you do?

If I go HD, does anyone know what the difficulty will be to convert to SD to play in the blu-ray player?

Is someone like me going to even notice a difference in playback quality?

I would be happier with the price tag of the SD models, lol, but would be willing to spend 800 - 900 if it meant I would have something I could use for several years with an HD model. We are going on a zip line trip in August and I'd love to have one for that, plus our annual Disney trip in November.

Does any of this make sense? Lol.

Thanks so much for your time!!
Maggi

 

[squirrel]

I went with a camcorder that has both a SD memory card (same as my camera) and a Hard Drive.

Since you have one HDTV, I would lean towards a camcorder that has HD. Do other family/friends have HDTV? Would you be watching any of your movies at their house?

 

[weloveprincesses]

Thanks for the reply! I think the sticking point(s) for me is that no one else in our family has a blue ray player, so they wouldn't be able to play the dvd in their home players. Correct? Also, I'm worried that the programs needed to import and edit are above my technological expertise. Lol. But I guess there's no time like the present to learn!

I think I will go ahead and go HD, if I don't, I think I'll have something that I'm not loving in a year or so. I'm trying to look ahead.

Thank you so much for responding!!

Maggi

 

[topdog]

Typically, the editing software can convert from HD to SD for non-blue ray user. I use Final Cut Studio Suite. I think it's a matter of change the save as setting. Don't know does iMovie has the capability.

I just saw a brand new Sony HDR-CX500V (previous year model) with built-in 32 gb internal memory at Best Buys clearance from $1,100 mark down to $390. I asked the sales guy what's wrong with the camcorder. He said they just want to get rid of the product because they over stock and can not return back to Sony. So they mark it down ridiculously low since it's their last one.

That camcorder has excellent low light recording. The image stabilization is nothing I've ever seen. Hi-Def video is razor sharp. Even with highest quality recording mode, it can record up to 2 hours of HD video with just the internal memory. It can record in SD mode for over 6 hours of video. Only draw back is the camcorder only support 1 additional Sony memory stick. No SD card support and no external mic but not deal breaker.

I like the fact these camcorder has no mechanic moving part inside to avoid any vibration issue or wear and tear. You can take it to go skiing or biking. As long as you don't drop the camcorder, it can record as you move around.

 

[weloveprincesses]

OMG, that is an amazing price! I hadn't planned on going to Best Buy, but I'll surely stop by there at least to look! Maybe I'll get that lucky. Lol.

I don't mind if something is last years model, doesn't bother me at all. I'd rather save a little money than have the latest and greatest. Thanks for the tip!

Maggi

 

[dizny71]

I have a problem with my camcorder when I'm in the parks. I have the canon HG21 and it's really small and light but after holding it up to record a show or a parade for 10-15 minutes my poor arm is dead and my video quality suffers. Is there any tricks anyone has found that helps out? I thought about a monopod but I hate the idea of lugging that around with me all day. Anyone have anything that's worked for them?

Also, I picked up a DM-100 mic to help out with my sound. I thought about getting a lens cover to help with glare but I don't want to have a ton of items that I have to lug around. Right now my camera actually fits into one of those fanny packs so it's easy to pull out and put away in no time. Are their any camera bags or something that you've found work really well and aren't huge?

 

[Bstanley]

I have a 50 inch tall monopod that also converts to a 6 inch tall tripod that compresses down into about a 9 inch tall package that weighs a modest amount and hangs from a belt hook.

Otherwise I think your next best bet is a 10 gallon Cowboy hat and some duct tape

 

[Ana~n~Joseph]

Backstory - my best friend and I had planned a trip in September with our hubbies and with our kids (my 1 year old and her 5 year old). This past weekend a medical emergency occurred and her 6 month old was diagnosed with leukimea. Of course that means that she won't be able to make the trip but the psychologists at the hospital and doctors told her to still send her 5 year old (he has known about it for over a year). Anyway, so dad is going with the 5 year old.

BFF is extremely sad about all of this and not being able to see her son go to DW for the first time so I thought of taking a video camera to the trip and do a "video blog" type of thing with her son every day so she can watch the "special moments".

I immediately thought of buying a Flip but my husband would rather buy a "real" camcorder. I don't want to be carrying around some huge camera though - what camera would you recommend that may make both of us happy? I want something small, quick and easy that I can just take out and start shooting and easily upload to my laptop. My husband wants something that will last and will take videos longer than 2 hours as he plans to use it at home and during all of our trips.

Any suggestions?

 

[ChiSoxKeith]

First things first.....my heart goes out to your friend and her 6 month old. I hope that the doctors will take good care of both mom and child through this time.

On to the camcorder question.....

We bought one of these at Best Buy.


It's pretty small, has a huge Hard Drive for recording and isn't too pricey. There are many other very small camcorders out there with hard drives for lots of storage.

 

[Ana~n~Joseph]

First things first.....my heart goes out to your friend and her 6 month old. I hope that the doctors will take good care of both mom and child through this time.

On to the camcorder question.....

We bought one of these at Best Buy.


It's pretty small, has a huge Hard Drive for recording and isn't too pricey. There are many other very small camcorders out there with hard drives for lots of storage.

Thanks so much for your kind words and the camcorder suggestion - I am going to look into it.

 

[TmlndSpdwy03]

Does your camera take video? I have a seperate video camera with the harddrive (MUCH better then the DVD kind) but I find that I just use the video function on my point and shoot over the video camera and then its one less thing to carry.

 

[Bstanley]

Wow, nothing tears at the heart like a child with a serious illness - prayers for all.


Camcorder wants:

I don't want to be carrying around some huge camera ... I want something small, quick and easy that I can just take out and start shooting and easily upload to my laptop.

The smallest and lightest Camcorders these days are those that record to SD memory cards. They also tend to be the least expensive. And if your laptop has an SD memory slot you can take the card out of the camcorder, put it in the laptop and copy the video files into your laptop very easily each night.

Standard definition camcorders that use SD memory can be had for $150 and up - example JVC Everio for $175 at Best Buy

High definition camcorders would go for $350 and up - example Canon Vixia HF R100 at Sam's Clubfor $335.

You will need to buy at least one SD memory card to go along with the camcorder if you don't already have one. With a 16 GB SDHC card even a High-Definition camcorder will be able to hold more than 2 hours at it's highest quality setting.

The good news is that camcorders are wayyy less expensive than ever before - lighter too.

 

[richcook99]

Here's what I'm looking for. A digital camcorder to take our vacation videos with, that I can also use to take decent still photos. A couple years back we shot our entire vacation with our old DVD camcorder, taking tons of pictures. When I got home, our videos were good, but our stills were horrible. 2MP we found out. We never blow stills up beyond the regular 4x6 size anyway. Does anyone know a good camcorder we can get before our vacation in a couple weeks that takes good video, good stills and can shoot in places like Pirates and Small World? Would love your advice. Thanks in advance.

P.S. I only have about $250.

 

[ukcatfan]

I don't think you are going to find what you want for that budget. If you had a larger budget I would actually recommend a DSLR that had good video capabilities because doing video in low light is going to be tough and a fast DSLR lens could help. You would be talking closer to $700-800 though. You might consider a p&s camera in you price range that has decent video capabilities. If you go with a camera and use the video functionality, be aware that you will need to buy a decent amount of memory to go along with it.