What camcorder would you recommend?

[sugar_babygirli]

I'm not completely sure what the proper term is...camcorder, mini dv, video cam, etc...you get the point.

Does anyone have any recommendations for one they have used and liked that is maybe under $400-$500 or so? I don't know alot about them, but options I DO want are:

16:9 widescreen capture option
image stabilization/steady shot
spot meter/spot focus
Very decent quality of pixels
Harddrive (don't want dvd or flash card thing to have to remove)

Things that would be nice are:
LCD screen AND viewfinder option
Nightshot option
Touch screen (less buttons to worry about)

Right now I'm using my dad's Sony DCR-SR80 and like it alot, but it is somewhat out of my price range to buy for myself. :(

I am also doing my own research, but would love to hear opinion from others as well. Thanks.

[Zepher]

if you want a hard drive based camera, then you have a lot less choices.
Go with either Sony, Canon, Panasonic, or JVC, in that order.

Personally, I would go with a miniDV based camera. You can swap tapes when you run out and you always have an instant hard copy.

[sblais]

Canon 1D MkIII :D :p (at least, it's 10fps! ;))




(Sorry, I know nothing about camcorders...:()

[Zepher]

I was reading a review of the camera your father has and here are a few excerpts:

The DCR-SR80 ships with Sony’s Image Mixer for HDD Camcorder software, a basic editing program designed the company’s HDD camcorders. MPEG2 video files can be edited using a number of third party NLEs (non-linear editors) such as Ulead’s VideoStudio 7, or converted to a format editable by professional applications like Apple Final Cut Pro or Avid Xpress Pro. The fact that MPEG2 footage must be converted for higher-end NLEs is due to the fact that the format is considered a consumer rather than a professional format. Compared to DV, MPEG2 has a relatively low data rate (9Mbps vs. 25Mbps) and generally produces lower quality video.

A non-removable 60GB HDD (hard disk drive) enclosed by the right side of the camcorder stores video and still files on the DCR-SR80. Sony has incorporated a few safety mechanisms designed to prevent damage to the HDD and data corruption. The drop sensor function that detects what Sony euphemistically refers to as a “non-gravity condition” and pauses recording. The HDD is also protected by physical shock absorbers. Even with these protections in place, potential buyers should be aware that owning an HDD camcorder presents risks not present in camcorders that employ removable media since there is the potential for loss of a full 60GB of data if the camcorder is seriously damaged.

[Aquaman]

Zepher has many excellent points. Videography is purely a hobby, and I use mini DV in a Sony HC21. I edit all my videos and so far I have been very satisfied with the mini DV medium. I have been sceptical of the DVD and hard drive mediums. There are too many things that can go wrong. DV has been around a lomg time. It's reliable and it's not going anywhere (at least for the foreseeable future).

[sugar_babygirli]

Thanks for the insight all!

sblais: LOL! I knew someone would post something similar as you did. ;)

Zepher: Maybe you are right about the harddrive thing. I guess I just got so used to taking the clip, plopping the camcorder on the output stand, and getting the clips instantly rather than taking a tape in/out of it. I do see what you mean about losing all the data if something goes wrong, though. Hmm.

rmwaterman: I'll check into the model you have. Thanks for the info.

So, with a mini DV, you're saying it has a tape that you take in/out of the unit to retrieve your footage? What do you load it into so you can transfer to the computer? I'm trying to do some research, but there are SO many kinds out there I didn't even know where to start. Now, you all are helping me to narrow it down some, but I'm still needing a bit more guidance.

Really appreciate all the help from the members here. :)

[Zepher]

You play the tape in the camcorder and capture it into the computer via a Firewire port.
After you capture your footage, you put the tape away in safe place (this is your hard copy of the Raw footage).
Look at the Sony ones first, as they usually have the best NightShot setting, as well as very good to excellent video quality.

[sugar_babygirli]

Alright! I was actually leaning towards Sony as my first choice. Thanks

[cgratti]

I have the 20GB JVC and am very happy with it. It's pretty painlees to get the video to DVD format and the quality seems to be on par with most consumer video recorders.

The best part of the whole deal is NO TAPES TO BUY.

[august23]

My SD700 is my video camera. Gets the job done.

[Zepher]

I have the 20GB JVC and am very happy with it. It's pretty painlees to get the video to DVD format and the quality seems to be on par with most consumer video recorders.

The best part of the whole deal is NO TAPES TO BUY.
And when you are out shooting and run out of space, what do you do? Run out and buy another camcorder?