Need help with video camera purchase for WDW

[Canadave]

I'm planning on buying a good video camera (mainly for our trip to WDW next January) this summer and I'm so confused on all the options. (thanks SandraC on your input so far ) If anybody has bought a camera recently or if you have any input on cameras, I would appreciate it. I want something that is decent quality that can take video in the darker attractions (ie Haunted Mansion)... has to be relatively light weight...flip out LCD screen ... good long lasting battery. I'd also appreciate any "don't buy this kind" of input too.

 

[vwrose14]

I just bought one for those reasons at shopathometv.com. It was a Canon 8100v. It has a 2.5 LCD flip screen and I love it. I paid 400.00 and they offer stretch pay

 

[wenabre]

Hi Canadave . We also bought a new camcorder last year and I decided to splurge a little and get a palmcorder and I do no regret it one bit. Ours is the JVC which also takes digital still photos and has a 3'LCD monitor. I have used a full size cannon before which took great footage but this one has been great especially beacuse of the size ands the ability to take a photo as well. Its not as inexpensive as the full size ones but over the years I'm sure it will be used much more than the other one ever was.

 

[Baboo]

Hi Dave! We bought a JVC last year for our trip down and really like it. We chose the kind that goes into an adapter and then right into your VCR. I hate to have to hook up wires and stuff in order to watch the tapes, and this way whenever the kids want to watch they just pop it in like a regular tape. It has a flip out LCD screen which was great for taping above people's heads for the parades and fireworks. We found that it worked quite well in dark situations. Our tapes of Pirates and things like that are pretty good. We bought an extra battery that was a long life one. It also has the ability to take still photos too. If we get together soon for a meet, I'll try to remember to bring it along so that you can have a look at it. Kathy

 

[Canadave]

Thanks to everyone for your input
Baboo...do you know the model of your camera? Seems I'll have to have a chat with you on several topics (ie Lion King in Toronto, videocamera)
wenabre...you make a great point about the camera being used more often because of the small size. I found that true with my 35mm camera. When I switched to the smaller automatic camera, I took a camera with me much more often.

 

[DSNY FN]

Hi Dave I just bought us one for christmas I purchased a new Panasonic Mini DV camcorder the model was the PVDV-400 from Panasonic it has many great features such as firewire port for the computer to transfer video over to your computer. It has removeable digital media cards for up to 90 or 100 digital still imigaes. It has an 18x optical and 300X digital zoom it has EIS Image stabilization for anyone with less than stellar stability while using it which I would have to say is almost everyone. It comes with a wireless remote and all the cables you need to hook it up to the tv both audio and video and a removeable light . It also has a 3 inch LCD display and colour viewfinder. It also has night shot so you can shoot in the dark without the light on it. Check it out at www.panasonic.com. I have been amazes at how good this camcorder is and it wasn't that expensive either it only cost me about 1600.00 I think with tax hope this helps
Darren & Lisa

 

[Canadave]

Wow DSNY FN! That sounds like quite the camcorder. I'm not sure how I feel about computers and cameras. I'd like to go digital (both in a still camera and a camcorder), but lately my computers have been causing me nothing but grief and time (time to repair the problems causing the grief LOL). I wish the computer gurus would make the computer world more reliable and user friendly than just faster. I would hate to have all my video/pictures wiped out with a computer crash. My latest thoughts are to buy a decent camcorder for now and when the technology gets a little more reliable, I'll upgrade to something that I can manipulate with the computer. (ie. editing) , but you never know.
Canadave

 

[tay's mom]

Hi Canadave, just got back from our trip in March....our 1 st (but not last)time. Thumbs up for our JVC Mini DV 501 camera. Loved the really small size compared to our 8 mm Sony camcorder which was considered small. The JVC fit perfectly in our waist pouch(bought at a camera store so it has extra padding in front to protect from bumps) I have to be hands free at WDW. It worked great, the only exception was the poor lighting in Tower of terror that the camera could not correct for. We paid $1200 almost a year ago, oh ya it to takes the pictures too and hooks up to the computer( haven't have the time for that though). I feel the small size and convenience makes up for the higher cost! Check out Consumer Reports for info.

 

[Canadave]

Thanks tay's mom. I think I am tending towards the smaller sized camera. I was hoping to stay under $1000., but if I am more likely to use it (because it is more convenient), then it would probably be the better value. I guess I'd better break the news to my wife I wonder which reaction I'll get. LOL

 

[wenabre]

Hi Canadave, if your wife is anything like me she will favour the smaller camera...because if you are anything like my husband was, then your probably use your wife's purse to keep stuff in!
If you do buy the video treat yourself to a longer lasting battery as well, to help avoid the OOPS! that happens when batteries don't seem to want to walk themselves to the charger and hop on.
Oh yes, another idea for the sell, tell your wife that you are quite willing for the difference in price, from planning to spending, to come out of your next birthday and Christmas presents.

 

[Canadave]

wenabre...thanks for the advice from a woman's point of view LOL. The long lasting battery is a good point too. They always seem to run out at the most inappropriate time. Unfortunately, the way we are saving for WDW is that instead of birthday presents and Christmas presents (other than those brought by Santa, of course), we are putting $200. per person into a special Disney account. So I guess we'll have to save a little harder this year to get the better camera.