Looking to get a camcorder

Forums › Digital Imaging › Looking to get a camcorder

Ramboss

202 posts

Master Geek

#105823 11-Jul-2012 19:23

Looking to buy a camcorder but know next to nothing about them any tips on specs or brands would be much appreciated.

at the mo am looking at the panasonic v100GN, wanting to spend around the $5-600 dollar mark is this a good model for that price, or can anyone recomend any alternitives at that price range?

Regs

4064 posts

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Snowflake

#654175 11-Jul-2012 20:31

looks similar to the Panasonic cam I have. sdhc card recording is a must - I don't recommend hdd or dvd recording models. Full HD recording will give you nice clear picture for your 50" flat screen and the Panasonics rated well in all reviews when I bought mine.

in the past you couldn't upload the h.264 vids from these direct to youtube or facebook, but I don't think that's a problem any more.

if you have an old computer, you might have trouble with jumpy video playback. you might need a newer graphics card that does h.264 acceleration. you can get one for a desktop pc for around $50 though.

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Ramboss

202 posts

Master Geek

#654183 11-Jul-2012 20:42

Regs: looks similar to the Panasonic cam I have. sdhc card recording is a must - I don't recommend hdd or dvd recording models. Full HD recording will give you nice clear picture for your 50" flat screen and the Panasonics rated well in all reviews when I bought mine.

in the past you couldn't upload the h.264 vids from these direct to youtube or facebook, but I don't think that's a problem any more.

if you have an old computer, you might have trouble with jumpy video playback. you might need a newer graphics card that does h.264 acceleration. you can get one for a desktop pc for around $50 though.

Thanks for the tip, the pc shouldnt be a problem, neither youtube, will mainly be using cam for family events and what not.

scuwp

3868 posts

Uber Geek

#654191 11-Jul-2012 21:24

We have a JVC, but in all honesty our compact zoom camera does full HD videos better than the camcorder. Personally unless you want a huge zoom or to record for hours at a time then I wouldn't bother with a separate camcorder anymore. Just my 2 cents.

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Regs

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Snowflake

#654257 11-Jul-2012 23:28

scuwp: We have a JVC, but in all honesty our compact zoom camera does full HD videos better than the camcorder. Personally unless you want a huge zoom or to record for hours at a time then I wouldn't bother with a separate camcorder anymore. Just my 2 cents.

we often have the camera and the camcorder going at the same time. kids birthday parties, for example. that said, we dont always take the camcorder with us, so having a still camera with hd recording capability is useful.

if you want to use video special effects - fade in/out etc - then a camcorder is typically easier to use. you can also use a wireless mic with one if necessary.

if you want to film in low light, the camcorder typically has a much bigger lens than a compact so works a bit better in that scenario.

a compact zoom camera (or a smartphone with still/motion camera) doesnt tend to have a very big zoom at all. would be useless in a school hall filming a kids production (for example). if you were ditching the camcorder for an SLR with HD video, that might be a better substitute.

of course it all completely depends on what you want to use it for.....

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Snowflake
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Twitter: @nzregs