Need help/recommendations buying a digital camcorder...

[mookie]

I originally posted this on the community board, but then realized this might be better suited here. Hope you can help me out...

Our camcorder is ancient and barely works half the time, and before the next baby is born in June, we are looking at getting a digital one. Ideally, I would love one that took still pictures, was small and compact to hold, very user firendly, and played dvds straight from the recorder into the dvd player. I've heard that stills aren't always the greatest, so that would be lowest priority on the list. Anyone have any suggestions?

Not quite sure what we want to spend, so any info would be helpful right now. Thanks!!!

 

[MOmousefan]

We replaced a 15 year old VHS camcorder last year and there are so many choices it can be daunting.I purchased a Canon Elura 90 and so far it has done a fine job. It fits the hand nicely and the audio is great. It's biggest drawback is the lowlight characteristics are marginal. I prefer the mini-DV format as it allows for more flexible video editing once downloaded to my PC. It has a 1.3Mp still camera that at best does a fair job.
Good luck in your search.

 

[YEKCIM]

We purchased a Canon Optura 30 in the fall of 04, and have been very pleased with it, except for less than stellar low-light performance. One of the deciding factors was the 2MP still imager, with which I have been very happy. All the pix on the following page were made with this camera:

http://s76.photobucket.com/albums/j11/fasteddiew/DisneyWorld/

I'm not necessarily endorsing this camera for your specific needs, but just sharing that very good quality stills *can* be made with a good quality camcorder. I suggest you visit www.camcorderinfo.com, and compare the models in your price range, based on the reviews on this site. That is the approach I took, and it proved an invaluable resource.

~YEKCIM

 

[Kelly Grannell]

there is a sticky about this... somewhere

 

[mookie]

there is a sticky about this... somewhere

Thanks, Kelly...guess I should look first, huh!?!?!?

 

[71DWfan]

You might want to start your research at camcorderinfo.
(I'm not allowed to post urls yet)
They have most of the latest models rated and reviewed.