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What is a good digital video camcorder that is under $250?

What is the best portable camcorder?

  • I am in the market for a portable camcorder. I have never had one before, and don't know much about them beside my research. It does not have to be 'pocket sized' just had to shoot great video. HD is preferred, but I will take what I can get on a tight budget. I would like it to be under $200. Waterproof and shockproof if possible, and if it CAN take still-images that's awesome but I do have a pretty good digital camera for that. I have looked at the Kodak Playsport Zx5 and the Flip Slide HD and even the JVC GZ-HM300 Dual Slot High Definition Camcorder. But I don't know much about camcorders. I need it to be as smooth as possible with videos, since I will be using it to document trips and other events, and will probably use it mostly when walking. I don't want my video to be jerky and shaky just because I was walking. I don't want to have to purchase editing software, so if SOME editing stuff was included that would be great. Any recommendations? I am literally open to any suggestions. Cheap though, under $200 if possible. I AM willing to go up to $250, it will just require much more saving on my part. Thank you!

  • Answer:

    "Best consumer camcorder" has you in the Sony HDR-CX700 or Canon HF S 2xx series cams. For $200 or less, you will be far from "best". Image stabilization is up to you - not the camcorder. If a stable image is *that* important, than either use a stabilizing device or use editing software that can remove "shakiness". iMovie can do that - but it is for Macintosh only. Since you did not tell us which computer you are using, and I use Macs to edit, it is the recommendation I can make. There is no useful software that comes in the box with the camcorder - from ANY manufacturer - that you need to install. The camcorder manufacturers make camcorders - not video editing software. Before we go to far down the path, lets stop here - it is likely you will not be happy with what you just read, but it is reality. You either get to change your requirements or waste your money learning the hard way.

Jaina Popken at Yahoo! Answers Visit the source

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Check out this blog, it listed out the top rated and cheap camcorder for you to pick: http://lovetosharethis.blogspot.com/2011/06/top-best-hd-and-digital-camcorders-can.html

Lovetosharethis

Digital Camcorders : Panasonic SV AV100, Canon

Martha

Kodak PlaySport Zx5 is easy to use be it video or camera. The playback on the video is very good. It's compact so you can take it anywhere. Used it on a sea fishing trip and the video picture quality I can not fault, so clear. My next attempt is to take it to the Isle of man on my motorbike. There are the normal different picture settings from HD to 30fps. Used the HD so far on a class 4 SDHC card, excellent.

brainy

Consumer level HD camcorders have 4 problems. 1) Blurry, fuzzy, out of focus areas closely around people in videos taken by consumer level HD camcorders. 2) Any movement, even a wave or lifting an arm, while in front of a recording consumer level HD camcorder, results in screen ghosts and artifacts being left on the video track, following the movement. Makes for bad video, sports videos are unwatchable. 3) These Consumer level HD camcorders all have a habit of the transferred to computer files are something you need to convert, thus losing your HD quality, to work with your editing software. 4) Mandatory maximum record times - 1 hour, 30 minutes, 8 minutes, 3 minutes – four different times advertised as maximum record time for some consumer level HD camcorders. No event I have ever been to is that short. Either take multiple camcorders or pack up with out getting the end of the event on video. With a MiniDV tape camcorder, record 60 or 90 minutes ( camcorder settings), 90 seconds or less to change a tape and record for 60 or 90 more and repeat till you run out of tapes. You can get a Canon ZR960 for $250. It is a MiniDV tape camcorder, has a Mic jack. You need a firewire (IEEE1394) card ($25 to 30) for the computer and a firewire cable (less than 10) to be able to transfer video to your computer. To say this is not HD, think about this. It would cost in excess of $3500 to get a HD camcorder that could equal the video Quality of a $250 Canon MiniDV tape camcorder. Here is a review to a review of 3 online editors, you can choose if one is right for you. http://www.videomaker.com/article/14923/ As far as waterproof, for in the pool, see this http://www.indymogul.com/backyardfx/episode/BFX_20101220/affordable-underwater-camera-rig-diy as far as the flip is concerned, view this please http://youtu.be/MfYNyiBSbRk

Palladini

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