Low end camcorder buying advice?

12/13/2007 09:27:43 AM · #1

I figure some folks here own more than just still cameras and may have some experience with recent camcorders. I am looking to buy one for my wife for Christmas. My price range is $200-300. She's also a Mac user.

It looks at this range that my choices are a lot of MiniDV tape models and a handful of Mini DVD units. Any suggestions, or advantages of one type over the other?

12/13/2007 10:52:57 AM · #2

I would stick with something that records to tape. The mini DVD cameras are a pain, You can only get 20-30 minutes of video on one disc pending on quality settings. Takes much longer for camera to power up and be ready to use. You have to format the disks which takes time and eats up battery life rather fast. not a very handy camera.

Anything from Sony, Panasonic or JVC would be a decent purchase.

Message edited by author 2007-12-13 10:53:40.

12/13/2007 10:55:06 AM · #3

I have a mini DVD camcorder and love it. Bought it on Ebay last year for $250.

Start up is no biggie. The tapes are going to be phased out soon so I would stay away from them. I will update shortly with what my model is.

12/13/2007 11:04:46 AM · #4

Ebay

This is one just like mine. YOu can get 30minutes of video on a single Mini DVD.

That may be a drawback to some but most of the time I will not record more than 20minutes. Battery life has never been an issue with finalizing the DVDs.

If you can find a Hard Drive camcorder that cheap then the drawback to them is you have to either plug it directly into the TV or upload to a puter first then burn to a DVD.

I like the fact that I can record something and then in a matter of a minute or two can put it in my DVD player and watch it.

Message edited by author 2007-12-13 11:19:36.

12/13/2007 11:06:42 AM · #5

Given the fact that sony and other companies are still producing $4000+ cameras that use mini dv tapes, I highly doubt that the tapes will be fazed out anytime in the near future. They would be opening the doors for a huge class action suit if that were the case.

12/13/2007 11:11:07 AM · #6

Originally posted by Bugzeye:

Given the fact that I don't own a VCR and don't care to drain battery power by plugging the camcorder directly to the TV I won't buy one and will never recommend one.

I assume when you say $4000 you are talking Super High End. I seriously doubt they are putting much money into the consumer market for tapes.

12/13/2007 11:13:31 AM · #7

Some people like to edit their video. In my line of work it is required. Trust me. Tape is not going anywhere for awhile.

12/13/2007 11:14:16 AM · #8

Read the first line

for the Consumer Market I would place money that within 2 years it will be gone.

The high end market as far as movies, tv, etc. it could be around a while.

But this guy is not buying high end.

Message edited by author 2007-12-13 11:15:45.

12/13/2007 11:25:51 AM · #9

It is not just hollywood that uses the highend equipment. The place my wife works just purchased 2 very highend cameras to use in house. Schools Churchs and other places also have them. Far to many of them out there to stop making the tape. Like I said it would open the door to a huge suit and they would lose that one. I wouldn't take the word of B and H as the say all end all. They are trying to sell you a product, like a good salesman they will stretch the truth or in some cases avoid it all together.

12/13/2007 11:35:13 AM · #10

You are obviously not listening.

I never said the high end would lose them. And by high end I don't only mean Hollywood hence the "etc." on the end.

For the normal consumer market they will be phased out. Just like Circuit City stopped selling VHS a few years a go. Out with the old technology in with the new. I don't even own a VCR and I think the majority of consumers out there have gotten rid of theirs as well.

They will stop selling the consumer Mini DV camcorders soon and keep the blank tapes out there so you can still buy them.

History does repeat itself.

Lets take music for example:
8 Tracks
Records
Tapes
CDs
MP3

Now that we are way off subject let's try and get back on track. The guy asked for a low end camcorder. He obviously will not be submitting a pilot show to NBC.

I suggested Mini DVD because that is what I have and tapes for the consumer is old technology.

12/13/2007 11:40:34 AM · #11

my only argument is that the tapes will still be available for purchase. I agree they will probably wipe out all the lower end DV cameras in the next few years, But the tapes will be around for a long time. I was listening to you, Just not trying to drive home the same point.

Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR II

12/13/2007 12:11:37 PM · #12

I only expect this device to be used for a couple of years, anyway. My wife is really good at losing things (Or essential components of them) or damaging them through carelessness. She once told me she did not "drop" her new cellphone, but that it "fell". (Actually, I think the phone was attempting suicide.)

Thanks for all the advice and info. I'm about to go look some more on my lunch hour. I saw a 2006 model Panasonic on clearance that got a decent review and is well shaped for small hands. If I don't find one I like better, I will probably go with that.

krafty1

Nikon D80

12/13/2007 12:26:47 PM · #13

How much will she tape at any one time? Have you looked at these?

Flip Video

12/13/2007 12:39:14 PM · #14

Sorry about the debate over your question,

I shoot video for a living So I am going to stick with my words that if you want to edit your video, Tape is far easier to work with, Especially if you want to use something other than the software that comes with the camera which usually is not that great. If you want to shoot and view it on a DVD player minutes later. Then the DVD cam will probably do the job for you.

Now to further complicate your task, another thing to think about for buying video cameras is in a couple of years the 4:3 format will be taking the same road as the 8 track etc 16:9 native will become a market standard. It actually is standard on several camera models already and most new TV's. You may want to make sure the camera will shoot 16:9 You will want to fill the frame on those widescreen TVs that will be standard (barring anymore government delays) by end of 2009.

on a side note, My wife likes to drop stuff also. I never let her use any of my gear.

12/13/2007 01:11:31 PM · #15

Originally posted by krafty1:

How much will she tape at any one time? Have you looked at these?

Flip Video

Seems quite interesting.

Message edited by author 2007-12-13 13:11:42.

Sony 16-50mm f/3.5-5.6 (E-mount)

12/13/2007 02:34:03 PM · #16

I've seen the Flip, it actually looks TOO low end. I had bought her a Sanyo Exacti C4 last year, a handheld SD video camera. She likes it, but wanted a "Real" video camera. I do admit the Exacti lost a lot to compression in order to fit it all onto an SD card. She left the Exacti charging in the employee area at the YMCA where she works, and it was stolen. (She is NEVER taking my Canon into that YMCA!) Well, it made this years gift an easy one.

I went to the Wolf clearance center here in Dallas and they had that Panasonic I had seen at the other Wolf last night. (A model GS39.) The other store had it on clearance for $225. This place had it marked for $181 and after I had spent 10 minutes looking at a few of them, he offered me one of the Panasonics, NIB, for $160. Sold.

I'm looking forward to not having to go out shopping on Christmas eve this year. I think we only have a couple of family members left to buy for.

jmsetzler

Sony Alpha a6400

12/13/2007 03:41:01 PM · #17

I just purchased the Canon ZR800 this week and got it for $175 from newegg.com. This camera is MiniDV. I would have rather had one of the mini DVD cameras though because they will use the RW dvds and you can use them over and over without image quality loss. The mini DV tapes don't last forever and image quality will degrade over time. I just wanted something very cheap to experiment with to see how much I'll use it.

The boot up time issues will be balanced out in favor of the DVD in time it takes to transfer video to the PC. It's much quicker with the DVD than with tape.