Help finding a Camcorder

[Rebel]

Hey guys I'm currently looking into buying a camcorder for filming things and my dad said he'd buy me one for christmas and that the max buget is £200.

 

I've been looking around online for the last hour or so and have come across some good ones but with drawbacks.

 

I'm looking for a camcorder that has about 2 hours or more battery life and that its quite lightweight (although not a small one to fit in the pocket, since I've seen the battery life only lasts about 40mins)

 

And just a simple one. You know where you're out and you can just press a button and start recording.

 

Also looking for one where I can have an SD card put in there so that it can hold more memory. Would be nice if someone could help me with what size I should get for that since I only have a 4GB one for a camera of mine.

 

So I'm asking you guys if you could help me out and find pretty much a point and shoot camcorder with a better than an hour battery life that looks quite nice to the eye. Don't forget the max budget is £200 so I'll be paying the extra myself for an SD card.

[Ats.]

I'd recommend Creative Vado HD. I bought it some weeks ago and it's awesome! The quality is awesome. It's nice, simple and small. It has 8 gigs of storage and it records 2 hours of HD footage. The battery lasts about 2 hours too. It costs about 140-150£.

 

 

Good quality comparison video with two other cameras like that:

 

 

I really recommend this camera if you want something simple.

Edited November 24, 2009 by Ats.

[Slamman]

I'm a long, long time Sony Handycam owner, and one major reason is battery life, Info Lithium Ions that have gone 12 hours or more, it's amazing to me, but in the digital age, I think it's not gonna provide that kinda life any longer, and SD is not really supported for Sony, of course. You can get HDD camcorders as well as those burning to 3 inch DVDs. I actually just bought one of the DVDs and have yet to use it.

[Rebel]

@Ats - I've seen those small ones they kind of look like phones to me and they kind of look stupid. Are there really any advantages over them compared to the standard camcorder?

 

@Slamman - Yeah thanks for not helping me at all. Please don't post in here again if you've got nothing to add since I'm not looking for a camcorder that won't take some kind of SD card or one that I'd have to buy DVD's for.

[Ats.]

@Ats - I've seen those small ones they kind of look like phones to me and they kind of look stupid. Are there really any advantages over them compared to the standard camcorder?

Well I think the only advantage is that it's small and very portable.

[Otter]

Heya Rebs.

 

I went hunting a bit, and found this great deal on amazon:

 

http://www.amazon.com/Panasonic-HDC-SD10K-...7XEBB7207NNDK2D

 

That's the range of product you want. I'm not entirely sure how that translates to pounds.

 

If that's not suitable, I'd recommend hunting for a Canon camcorder in the VIXIA line - they're beyond your price range, but you may just find a deal if you hunt around.

 

 

[Rebel]

Thanks for the help Otter. I'll take a look at the Panasonic. I did actually find a Canon FS200 and I know its a little out of my price range but I'm sure I could scrape the extra 40-50 together for it. Especially from the reviews I've seen it seems worth it. Not to mention I've seen the battery life to be about 3 hours.

 

Just looked at the Panasonic you linked - Its £300 odd in Pounds so its way out of my price range. Still, what do you think about the Canon FS200? I know its not in HD but really, with the way I'll be uploading them to the PC and pretty much watching them on there and maybe uploading a few to Youtube I don't think having HD would really matter. Especially since they seem to be a lot more expensive than others.

[Otter]

Well, if you don't mind about HD, that FS200 is a rather tight little package. The 37x optical zoom is rather incredible, the native widescreen is great too. The only drawbacks I can see are A) I can't see any note regarding progressive scan. You want progessive scan. Without progressive scan, your videos will be interlaced, and look like crap on your computer, and B) it records to MPEG2, which is basically the same as DVD compression. That compression can look a little soft, especially if you have to deinterlace it.

[Rebel]

Yeah I've seen great reviews on it, then I saw a written up one on a site and at least 3 more customer reviews and they were all negative on the image quality, the format and some other things. So yeah I'm back to square one. I also noticed for that price on the Canon FS200 I could get a HD quality camera. So I've looked into the Canon make you mentioned, all about £500-800 odd so that's a no. I looked at a Samsung HD R10 and saw that the image stabilizer is pretty much sh*t so I'm steering clear.

 

So this has pretty much left me to a dead end once again. I've noticed that you really don't seem to get value for money with something priced £100-200. That's what I've found anyway, at least something major is f*cked or just useless when looking at all of the different kinds of brands and I really don't want to be snuffed with something so expensive. Especially when I want it to last for more than 2 or 3 years.

 

This has left me looking at the max price of £300, with another couple months saving..unless I can bribe a family member to give me more for christmas (or before christmas since I want to record christmas day)

I've found a Panasonic HDc-SD10 High Def cam for just over £300, looked into it and found that the only real problems are the fact that you're f*cked if you don't have a blu ray dvd player (which again I don't need since I'll be watching them on the PC) and that the format is in some weird recording format? AVC? Which is putting me off, although I've read it also records in MPEG4 or whatever it is which I'm sure VGA player could play. I've seen it only records for an hour, which again is a little off putting but I guess I could buy an extra battery if it really ever needs it.

 

Still I've found looking for cam corders really isn't as easy as I thought it would be.

[Mince]

Sony Webbie HD

 

This camera right here might fit your needs. It is considered a "pocket camcorder", however, it is styled like a traditional camera. It has more customizable settings and features that a pocket cam, but maybe not as many as a professional camera. It takes HD video, has a 5x optical zoom, has a built in light, and also takes 5 megapixels pictures (no flash). Unfortunately, it has a built in battery that only lasts for about an hour, which isn't as much as you say you want. It doesn't record to SD either, but it does record to Memory Stick Pro Duo cards, which are usually about the same (maybe a bit more) than SD cards and work just as good.

 

I got it about a month ago, and it's been pretty good. It is simple to use, and while the HD quality might not be as good as more expensive cameras, it should still be good for putting on a computer. It is usually between $160-$180 USD, not sure how much in pounds.

[Otter]

Camcorders are a bitch. They all seem to save the good features (that cost nothing more to manufacture) for the higher price range.... because no one else will undercut them.

 

AVC isn't a problem at all. The camera will come with software to import the footage onto your computer.

 

Here's a wishlist for you:

 

- decent optical zoom (20x)

- HD. If not HD, then native widescreen and progressive

- decent steadyshot

- Better compression than Mpeg2. Mpeg4, AVC, H264 are all fine.

- Manual focus and exposure control

 

 

Edit - That webbie is pretty cool, despite its shortcomings.

[Rebel]

I've noticed that, you find something perfect - read a little more into it and there's something that puts you right off. Especially from customer reviews.

 

This Panasonic HDC-SD10 has AF tracking. Which from what I've read just tracks the thing you want in the picture and makes it a sharp image while its moving which I presume is progressive?

Only has an optical x16 zoom - but that seems more than enough for me.

Has a stabilizer and all that jazz. I also have a digital camera by Panasonic and know full well that stuff on the camera is really good so I'm sure it will be working great on this too.

From what I've read it also has a manual option on focus and contrast and what not. Also has a lot of pre programme scenes too. But if its anything like my digi cam again then they do the job well.

 

Plus - this has been on adverts over here so I can't really complain - yet - since I guess if it really wasn't that good they wouldn't advertise it. (Then again this is a huge company were talking about so you can never be to positive)

 

I think from what I've seen of this model I'll save up for it. Right now (and I'm sure in the coming month, I'll still think its good for the job - might even pop into a local electronic store when I get the chance to get a play with it if they'll let me)

[Otter]

Progressive is a different issue from focus.

 

Standard Definition video is interlaced, meaning it's recorded at 50 fields per second. Every frame (over there, you've got 25 frames per second) is composed of two fields, composited together in a sort of comb-like pattern. On an old TV, these would be displayed one after the other, negating any problem. However, on a new HDTV or on a computer display, this interlacing can't be hidden, and it becomes really ugly.

 

Progressive means that the footage is shot without this interlacing.

 

But this is all behind you. That camera shoots progressive HD, so you're smiling. Check out this review.

 

http://www.techradar.com/reviews/cameras-a...0-609533/review

 

(I tend to avoid in-depth reading of customer reviews. They can be overwhelmingly negative for the wrong reasons.)

[Rebel]

Ah good news then! Still I've talked it over with my mum and of course with her not seeing the point in having a camcorder she thinks I'm spending lots of money on this. She also told me to wait until after Christmas to buy this - since she thinks that because everything will go on sale she thinks this will. I'm kind of reluctant to think that since its quite new out (it being on adverts over here) and that Amazon have already started the half price things for Christmas.

 

I'm going to have to save - blag money from my dad which is at least £100, and £100 from me. And then hopefully try and blag another £100 or more from my gran since she's the rich one! Still I'll get there somehow. Maybe I haven't got the money by Christmas I'll find out if its any cheaper after.

[Slamman]

Should buy one on Black Friday, if you live in the States, your flag is USA isn't it??

Anyway, JVC in the digital age ain't too bad, but stay away from Samsung, I already tried their digital and the focus was terrible!!

 

My last reply was deleted, but in brief, I mentioned spending $1500USD on a CAnon top model, the batteries it came with were all bad, so be sure they've improved their mistakes before buying. Consumer reviews are good if you know a bit about them yourself, Features and performance are the keys, then styling.

Edited November 25, 2009 by Slamman

[Otter]

You can't judge a camera solely by brand - for good OR bad - as their different lines more often than not contract different manufacturers.

 

And if you'd followed the conversation at all, you'd see she's buying in POUNDS, not dollars, so I doubt Black Friday would be of much use to her. She shouldn't buy a North American model, either.

 

[Slamman]

Pounds, yes, but there is a USA flag there, so I'm not sure what to make of that. Just asking. Anywho, I would steer clear of Samsung because I found out the hard way the recording I made was so terrible, and it was one time deal, no do-over for a live show I was recording with it. So make sure you can test it at least!

[Rebel]

Samsung is alright for TV's and what not but after seeing some reviews on the Samsung camcorders they were pretty bad on the main functions needed. And yes I'm buying in GB Pounds since I live in the UK. I just have the US flag since my mum's currently over there and all these other things going on. But right now I'm working on funding the thing - hopefully I might get a plan in motion come the end of the weekend. I'll let you guys know how long it might take for me to get it!

[Slamman]

Thanks for clearing that up, Since this is the WWW, shopping typically depends on your resources. If your focus is constantly adjusting as it was on my Samsung, or on the Canon, the battery gives you unexpected shut offs, and you are recording priceless footage, believe me, you won't be too dang happy! Since some footage needs to be archived, no ifs or buts, it's pretty important to get a respectible camcorder/camera

[Rebel]

Just an update really. My mum has come round to the idea after me showing her how well I was saving and what not. And after she looked at the camera I went with (well, even after her disapproval for the whole idea and money wasting) she came round and said she'd buy it for me (since she's in the US) and I'm here. The only deal was if she bought it for me I need to live off my savings for food shopping - petrol, general living for a month or more.

Anyway the camcorder I've gone with (from help from Mark as well who gave me the push to get this one) is a Sony HandyCam HDR-CX105 silver. Here's the link anyway.

http://mark.reevoo.com/reevoomark/en_GB/pr...sonly_jsp175x50

 

I might have to get another battery, or some more memory in the future when I've got the free funds to do so. I'm excited anyway, although my mum might end up buying me a second hand one from Amazon with some slight 'blemish's' on the unit since it was a model. Hopefully won't be blemishes that ruin the cameras look, but I'll find out within a couple weeks. Its covered anyway so if it does look like crap because of that then I'll get to return it and the money back for a new one.

[Otter]

Oh, cool. Good for you.

 

If you get an American model, be sure that you get all the proper power adapters. Also, be aware that the camera will record at a different frame rate from the European model - 30 or 60 as opposed to 25 or 50. Not a big deal, unless you're shooting SD. Just something to keep in mind when editing.

 

I was in Future Shop the other day, and saw this little beast. It seems almost too good to be true for $99.

 

 

 

I haven't seen any good footage from it yet, though, so it may just be a sh*tbox. Almost worth it just for the LCD alone. .

[Rebel]

That guy has such a messed up accent. Nice video though.

 

And my camcorders going to be the Europe version since I'm in the UK. Although if I ever do get my visa then I'll be sure to head right over to Best Buy or Target or wherever else to pick up some American adapters and what not. Although I'll have a couple of those adapters I'll be taking over so I can charge my phone. I'm dead excited about getting this within the next week hopefully. I'll just have to look round for some extra memory and a battery though so I can buy them whenever I have some spare cash. And be sure to take it out with me wherever I go so I can record crap.

[Otter]

Well, I'm excited for you! Be sure to share your videos. If you ever need any help editing - I'm your man.

 

Speaking of which, I should get back to work.

[Rebel]

I'll post a video the second I get it out and start playing around. Hopefully something exciting will be happening outside..or I'll have to wait until the weekend so you can see my dog go on a walk. I should be alright with editing, I have that Sony Vegas video editor hopefully that will do the job with the format it comes out in.

[Waddy]

I actually went for the one Otter linked to. The Panasonic. Used it over xmas and new year and its pretty smart. Such a nice compact camera, really light too. The quality is pretty good for what I use it for which is mainly business. I probably only use 10% of what it can actually do but I really like it. I went for this because I dont think it will be obsolete in 12 months. Really cool bit of kit.

 

[Slamman]

Went with Panasonic for my digital camera as well.

I'm curious about what ports you use, report on that when you use it further

[Rebel]

I saw the Panasonic and really was tempted to buy it, but I ended up with this second hand Sony. So hopefully when I get it maybe Tuesday/Wednesday depending on how the weather is, it won't be too bad for a floor model if all they said is 'blemishes' on the actual camcorder. If its too bad then I can send it back and get the money and just buy the Panasonic!

 

Still, I'll put up some pictures/a video when it comes.

Edited January 7, 2010 by $RebelG

[Rebel]

Excuse the bump, but it came today! I was in bed so the postman was knocking on the door a couple times and I caught him just before he would of given it to the next door neighbor. I think he was a little shocked I answered in my PJ's though.

Anyway, I took some photos to show you guys. This is the one where Amazon said it was a model unit and that it had some blemishes on it. All I can say is they must of given me the wrong one because its immaculate. Its sitting on charge now, so hopefully by mid afternoon I'll go out and shoot the snow and have a play around and I'll post it up here to show you guys the quality. Cant believe how small it is. Fits perfectly into my hand!

 

Leaving them as links since I'm to lazy to actually make them smaller.

 

Picture 1

Picture 2

Picture 3

Picture 4

[-maddog-]

You will be SOOOO happy with the 105! i've had mine since may of last year and i just LOVE it! All of my Youtube vids are shot on it! and upped in HD.. My most recent in the 1080p res..

 

Lol i saw the thread and thought to myself "hope she dont go for that crappy panasonic"

 

 

*sigh of relief*

 

 

edit: you might know by now but im saying it anyway! Sony Vegas handles the Sony files natively! straight off the camera! its delish!

Edited January 9, 2010 by -maddog-

[Rebel]

Haha, I've recorded 2 things today just for a taste and they looked pretty good on playback and I'm going to upload them to the PC and then youtube later on so I'll post them when they are up. I've f*cked myself over though and realise I need a stand for it while recording things from the TV (like my games) so I'm going to take a look for a really cheap option that does the job.