Buying Your First Camcorder

Since I'm always recording and always making videos, I always have a lot of people asking me what sort of camcorder they should buy. What should they look for? What brand? What features do they need? What format? Hopefully, with this lens, I can answer a few of those questions.

What Will You Mainly Be Using Your Camcorder For?

The first thing you should figure out before you begin seriously looking for your camcorder is what you plan on using it for. Here's a short list of the most common uses.

For recording family events (recitals, graduations, births, weddings)
For vacation and travel videos
For producing online video - paid or free
For making short or no-budget indie films
For on-the-fly recording (if you want to keep one with you in case someone does something really stupid and you're privileged enough to witness it.

What do you plan on recording with your camcorder?

And if you already own a camcorder, what do you find yourself using it for most often?

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Mini DV

Mini DV is probably one of the most popular formats of camcorders presently. Here's a list of the pros and cons of Mini DV

Pro - The digital format gives a much clearer image than analog tapes.
Pro - The media is fairly inexpensive. You can buy a pack of five tapes for around $20 at most retail outlets.
Con - You still have to fumble with tapes.

Mini DV Camcorders at Amazon

Panasonic PV-GS80 MiniDV Camcorder with 32x Optical Image Stabilized Zoom

I currently own a Panasonic Hard Drive camcorder. Panasonic's cameras deliver a clear picture and aren't dependent on the LCD screen for functionality.

Amazon Price: $599.55 (as of 07/05/2009)

Canon HV10 3.1MP High-Definition MiniDV Camcorder with 10x Optical Zoom

Canon's cameras offer supreme picture quality. I've owned a Canon and loved it.

Amazon Price: $1,599.95 (as of 07/05/2009)

Panasonic PV-GS320 3.1MP 3CCD MiniDV Camcorder with 10x Optical Image Stabilized Zoom

This is Panasonic's 3 chip mini-dv at an affordable price. For a 3 chip, you really can't beat the price.

Amazon Price: $999.00 (as of 07/05/2009)

Sony HDR-HC7 6.1MP MiniDV High Definition Camcorder with 10x Optical Zoom

This camera, while still being a consumer camcorder, offers one the ability to record in high definition. If this isn't an issue for you, stick to the regular MiniDVs.

Amazon Price: $1,599.55 (as of 07/05/2009)

Sony DCR-HC96 MiniDV 3.3MP Digital Handycam Camcorder with 10x Optical Zoom (Includes Handycam Station)

I have also owned a Sony. A few actually. Sony offers fantastic picture quality and pretty decent service. However, Sony's cameras are dependent on their own brand. For instance, you can't use a regular SD card in Sony's. You have to use Sony's Memory Stick Pro Duo.

Amazon Price: (as of 07/05/2009)

Mini DVD

Most newcomers to camcorders hear the term "DVD" and their eyes sparkle. Is it really all that it's cracked up to be?

Pro - Just as you would suspect, once you've filmed your video, you can pop the DVD out, put it in your player and watch it instantly.
Con - You can't edit your video as easily. Editing Mini DVD takes special software and isn't available for editing on standard editing suites such as Windows Movie Maker, Final Cut Pro or Sony Vegas.
Con - Media is more expensive than some other formats.

Mini DVD Camcorders on Amazon

Sony DCR-DVD108 DVD Handycam Camcorder with 40x Optical Zoom

Sony's Handycams always seem to offer great picture quality. Again, you'll be dependent on Sony's line of accessories, but it's a small price to pay for quality.

Amazon Price: $499.55 (as of 07/05/2009)

Sony DCR-DVD308 1MP DVD Handycam Camcorder with 25x Optical Zoom

Amazon Price: Too low to display (as of 07/05/2009)

Hitachi DZHS300A DVD Hybrid Camcorder with 25x Optical Zoom & 8GB Hard Disc Drive

Hitachi's DZHS300A claims to be a DVD hybrid. I know little about this, but it might possibly make the editing of the DVD a bit easier.

Amazon Price: (as of 07/05/2009)

Hard Drive Disk Camcorder

Pro - No worrying with or spending extra money on tapes.
Pro - Easy to transfer video from camera to computer.
Con - Many people cite that, if you travel without a laptop, you're a slave to how much video the camera will hold.

Hard Drive Camcorders at Amazon

Panasonic SDR-H18 30GB Hard Disk Drive Camcorder with 32x Optical Image Stabilized Zoom

While I don't own this exact model, I do own a Panasonic Hard Disk Drive Camcorder and I quite love it. Good picture quality and does well in low light conditions.

Amazon Price: $898.23 (as of 07/05/2009)

Sony HDR-SR7 AVCHD 6.1MP 60GB High Definition Hard Disk Drive Camcorder with 10x Optical Zoom

I'm still a fan of Sony's camcorders. They consistently deliver great picture quality while being durable.

Amazon Price: $1,481.97 (as of 07/05/2009)

Sony DCR-SR300 6.1MP 40GB Hard Disk Drive Handycam Camcorder with 10x Optical Zoom

Amazon Price: $999.95 (as of 07/05/2009)

JVC Everio GZMG130 30GB Hard Disk Drive Camcorder with 34x Optical Zoom

I've heard many good things about the JVC Everio and it was my first choice for a HDD Camcorder before I finally went with the Panasonic.

Amazon Price: $698.33 (as of 07/05/2009)

JVC Everio GZMG255 2MP 30GB Hard Disk Drive Camcorder with 10x Optical Zoom (Includes Docking Station)

Amazon Price: $999.99 (as of 07/05/2009)

Analog VHS-C

Analog VHS-C is considered by many to be an archaic format. Most VHS-C cameras don't have the built in ability to be connected to one's computer through IEEE or USB interface. Here's the pros and cons of the VHS-C format.

Pro - Media is inexpensive.
Pro - Many users find the familiarity of the device to be good for simply hooking the camera up to the television and watching their recordings.
Con - Most VHS-C recorders don't come with the capability to be connected to a computer for digital editing. One would have to buy some sort of digitizing capture device in order to enable capture with a computer that lacks audio/video in ports.
Con - The quality is going to be much lower than its digital counterparts.

VHS-C Camcorders at Amazon

JVC GR-AXM18US Compact VHS Camcorder

With its compact design and lcd screen, this JVC camcorder makes a good choice for those married to the idea of owning an analog camcorder.

Amazon Price: (as of 07/05/2009)

Books on Producing Video at Amazon

Digital Video for Beginners: A Step-by-Step Guide to Making Great Home Movies (Lark Photography Book)

Buying a camcorder? Have a question?

Leave me a note. :)

Lensmaster

Mitja G wrote

Really nice article, thanks a lot! I made an article about how to make the most of your camera, with some video tips on my Optical Zoom Camcorder blog, hope you check it out :)

Posted August 09, 2008

Buying Your First Camcorder