I need a good cheap camcorder for Youtube?

I need a cheap camcorder that can autofocus for Youtube Filming?

• I started a youtube channel and would like to get a cheap camera or camcorder that has the autofocus so when showing items up close they are very detailed and look good! Thanks so much! Every answer is deeply appreciated:)

• Answer:

  Hi Claire, and welcome to Yahoo!Answers: Similar Questions get asked here on Y!A all the time, and one of the problems with trying to answer is that "cheap" is a relative term and varies from person-to-person. It would be helpful if you'd use the Action Bar to post an "Additional Details" update with a specific price range/budget. Meanwhile, from a recent Y!A camcorder discussion, I had to dig into the specs on a couple of Sanyo Xacti models (see: http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=At1acGfkjhm6QDLb3BOBD9bty6IX;_ylv=3?qid=20110423222058AAtv3KF ) both of which have AutoFocus ("AF") features. The lower-priced model, the VPC-CG20, is in the USD$130+ range (depending on where you shop), and has tons of features that exceed any of the Kodak Z-series or Flip-style cheapies in the same price range. (Most of the cheap camcorders have fixed lenses, and wouldn't do well with product closeups or makeup demos.) If your budget will allow something more in the USD$180-$250 range, the JVC Everio line has a lot of great models to choose from (see: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/search?Ns=p_PRICE_2%7C0&Ntt=jvc+everio&N=0 – just click "JVC" brand on the left side under "Narrow Results" to filter out the carry pouches & accessories). Also, another factor to keep in mind is what computer platform (Mac/PC) and editing software you plan to use. Many consumers just go out & buy a cool camera, but then realize that the video files aren't easily compatible (highly compressed, wrong codec/format, etc.) with the video editor they have, or the file-transfer software that came with the camera won't work on their Mac. Worst yet, for YouTube, they think they need HD (it's a small computer screen, for goodness sake!) and don't realize editing HD takes massive computer power to do properly. You'll save money and headaches on YouTube if you stick with Standard Definition (which will include some money-saving older camcorder models with great AF features) for your beauty demos, or whatever you have planned. (The Sanyo's can be put into SDTV or 640x480 webpage mode for this.) Post some update details, and I or another Y!A Contributor can give you better Answers. Also, some YouTube advice: if you keep closing-out your YouTube account every time you make a new Channel, you won't keep a good following. (Hint: you can have more than one Channel. All your Comment links on other Channels are now dead & useless for folks to find your work or stay "subscribed"!) hope this helps, --Dennis C.