How do I choose the right digital camcorder?

Can someone please help me choose the right digital camcorder?

• I need help finding the digital camcorder that's right for me. There are some things I'm looking for: 1. Set up vertically, with a screen that is turned/pulled out to record video. 2. Ability to record both video and take pictures (I care more about video quality than picture quality) and upload to a laptop. 3. There should be no restrictions on the length of a video recording, other than the memory of course. 4. High quality sound recording. For decent audio at concerts. 5. I'd appreciate it if the camcorder was kinda small. Small enough to be carried in little purse, or smuggled into concerts. 6. Ability to zoom in for pics and videos. The more the better, obviously. 7. Ability to function as a webcam. 8. Lol, I'd really love it if it came in colors other than silver. Black, white, or pink would be awesome! 9. I want to spend as little money as possible, but am willing to pay a lot if the camcorder is worth it. You get what you pay for. Does anyone have any advice? Thanks!

• Answer:

  I know what you are looking for and in general it is trash. The problem is that most camcorders that are vertical record using memory at really low quality. Although they are very small they have a terriable image and generally even worse audio. However there small size and cheepness (like this one at $210 somewhat make up for that http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/customer-reviews/B000EVLZNQ/ref=cm_cr_dp_all_top/002-6861088-3094417?ie=UTF8&n=502394&s=photo#customerReviews ) Really I would insted recomend a cheeper Mini DV camcorder like this one http://reviews.cnet.com/digital-camcorders/panasonic-pv-gs39/4505-6500_7-31660660.html?ar=o&tag=pdtl-list . This camera is cheep at only $212 from Amazon.com. Plus this camera has a fold out screen, can take pictures ( however poor of quality), can record for 1 hour or 90 minutes (the length of a tape in SP or LP modes), Very inportantly has a microphone input so if you dont like the quality of the built in one you can buy another mic from bestbuy for around $50, is small this camera is defiantly small enough to go in a jacket pocket or a purse, this camera can defiantly zoom with a 30x OPTICAL zoom. Optical is very inportant, while a digital zoom "zooms" by croping the picture/image and loosing image quality an optical lense zooms by moving a physcial glass lense. Optical zoom is always way better, and 30x is a lot. However past around 15x the image gets too shakey to use. This camera will also function as a webcam though the built in USB port. Sorry it doesn't come in colors. Overall this is a good cheep camcorder. The quality differance between Mini DV and memory is fairly drastic, especially on the low end camcorders. Plus with features like a longer battery life and external mic jack you really cant go wrong. Mini DV is always the best choice.