Video HDCamcorder help?

Hello,

I am a proud owner of a AE1 program, and a G6, but now thinking about a new camcorder, and hate very much to throw down other names like Sony and Panasonic, but does anyone know of a few camcorder video forums i can discuss about possibly new camcorder choices to buy? I do appreciate the help.

I'm thinking about buying a new camcorder to replace my old,very old JVC analog camcorder. There are way too many models and features, pros and cons about this area.
The Panasonic site has it phased out. My local Electronics store has one for $899.90.

Panasonic also told me the HDC-SD800K, also last years model has also been phased out. So then I began looking at the Canon Vixia M500. Someone told me to save my money if the camera is a middle of the road and spend at least twice as much for a good camera. I can not afford a PROSUMER, just something better in a consumer, higher than average camera with AVCHD, 3.1 or 5.1 Dolby, low motor noise, good optics and optical zoom. NO HARD DRIVE. They can go bad sitting on a back of a boat, can be dropped, and then it's broken. I'm not going to do 3D, or use the projector feature on the Sony.

So out of these four models,
*Canon M500 - (chose this body because I can buy my own SDHC cards, don't really think I need the internal memory)

*Panasonic X900MK OR ($898.00)

*Panasonic HDC-TM900K ($899.99) OR

*Sony HDR-CX760 ($1500.00) Too much for my pocket book.

So optical zoom, low motor noise, great optics and dolby sound, (no hard drives) most still pixel images, if i needed that, etc., what would be the best choice, without going over $ 900.00?

Panasonic X900 is where it's at right now. I read into the Sony, but it would seem that it has a lot of fluff for the price they're selling it at, but the stabilizer is awesome though, it's Steadicam-level stabilization.

Thanks.
The Panasonic HC-X900 might be "THE" camera now, but I went to Fry's Electronics today and their price was a whopping $1199.00! I know you get what you pay for, but that also, besides the Sony HDR-CX760 is too rich for my blood, as good as it sounds.

The $900.00 price that I found for the HC-X900 was on an online vendor site, and I'm weary of buying online these high priced cameras, and possible warranty problems like I've had in the past. I'd like to keep it local.

So if anything, I'm leaning towards the $900.00 HDC-TM900K, but not all Fry's stores has them and they might be on their way OUT. Last year this camera was about 1300.00, but now it's only $400.00 cheaper...then you add a 3-year warranty is another $140.00. (Fry's) Other online vendors about $350.00 for a 2-year, etc.!!!

I remember when manufacturers used to take pride in their work and made products to last,without any mention (or any thought whatsoever) of an extended warranty, but they got smart and the dough keeps rolling in. They know if you were to spend 1000.00 on a camera, then why not add another few hundred..

Today, I almost bought the Canon M500, Price was good, features not so matched up with Panasonic, but wanted to research the Panasonic choices, or another brand, and try to come to some compromise of a good quality camcorder I can actually afford.

I am going to use this for Nieces/nephews sports, water activities at the beach and River, family get-togethers, etc. Burn to BluRay and regular DVD for family and friends using the Pinnacle Studio 15 program.or Thanks!

for a hundred more you can find a used hmc40 on craigslist..

Considering OP is afraid of getting burned through online purchase, even from a big-box retailer, Craigslist is probably the last place to recommend. Technically, you can find a lot of great stuff used, but camcorders are something I wouldn't recommend getting used unless it's pro gear.

FWIW, the X900 and TM900 are basically the same camera, the older-by-a-year TM900 was already great as-is, so I found it strange that Panny went and made an update. The X900 has a better stabilizer, putting just behind the Sony 760 for top-shelf stabilization, and maybe some other things, but you probably won't notice the difference unless you look for it. If you can get the TM cheaper, then by all means go ahead, you won't suffer for it in any case.

Thank you guys,
Well, right now I can buy Pan X900 for $898.00 price on Amazon. (replacement model for the TM900.)

Somewhere I saw the HDC-TM900K for $899.00, but now re-looking, that might have been a used model, because I looked again and saw that other retailers has this same camera starting from $1280.00 to $1448.79, at a few other online vendors.

So here is what I found.....
Amazon~ I put Pan HDC-TM900K in the search box, and then saw this......
"There is a newer model of this item:
Panasonic X900MK 3MOS 3D Full HD SD Camcorder with 32GB Internal Memory (Black) HC-X900MK Panasonic X900MK 3MOS 3D Full HD SD Camcorder with 32GB Internal Memory (Black) HC-X900MK 3.9 out of 5 stars (7)
$898.00
In Stock."

So for obvious reasons,I would want to go with the newer X900 model. Still with the $900 price PLUS WARRANTY, I'm still looking over $1000.00 dollars plus tax.

Ummmm Warranty.....That's another thing, I can definitely see getting a extended warranty on any Hard drive with moving parts camcorder these days, but would I be silly (or stupid) NOT to get a warranty for a FLASH camera? Two, three, or four years?
When I bought my JVC analog Camcorder back in 1997, I did get a warranty through Circuit City, which included an annual maintenance cleanings of the camera, which was a VSC tape based camera, then after the warranty expired, I kept on renewing the maintenance for about $100.00 a year....OK, call me STUPID, but every time I went in for those cleanings, they always gave me a print out telling what the cleaning would have cost,.....yeah right. Without the warranty.....about $250.00..yep, it's a big a game., and now a days it's a cash cow with all these extended warranties, because they make cheaper cameras that are not made to last. So, I think it's the luck of the draw. TV's are only made to last five years, according to a Samsung tech who recently had to replace my the warranted power box. I thankfully, bought a five year warranty through Fry's Electronics, at that time was only $239.99,which would have expired early next year. Car batteries last almost to the date of prescribed year, etc. So, I guess it's all about the peace of mind. Thanks for all the help....

rivrbyte wrote in post #14711695
Thank you guys,
Well, right now I can buy Pan X900 for $898.00 price on Amazon. (replacement model for the TM900.).

B&H has a used one in 9 condition for $719.00 and they are a reputable company.

http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …Definition_Camc​order.html

Wayne