Video Camera Purchase Advice...

[JR2]

Well folks since my wife and I are about to bring a new bouncing baby boy into the world we decided that we should probably have a video camera. I have spent several sessions on the net searching and reading about them and now I am mostly confused about what to buy. I see some nice cameras that get good ratings that have 3 ccd's and I see some 1 ccd cameras for the same $$. Then there is the whole tape vs DVD debate. Its all quite confusing so I am turning to you all. Tell me what you have, how you like it, what you don't like and what you would buy if you where to buy one today. I am looking at spending $1000 max. All we really want to do is take some decent video the new baby and maybe some vid's of my truck billowing smoke.



Thanks for your help.



JR2

 

[Mike Ellis]

The 3-CCD cameras have better color and resolution overall, the video can be pretty awesome, but for a good one you would be spending $1500+ new. You could get a used Sony TRV-900 in that price range used, it is still one of the best video cams produced to date and very competitive with the current models.



I think Mini-DV or a DVD cam is the way to go, I would look for the smallest and most compact Mini-DV I could get in the $1000 range. A lot of people obsess over features like the optical and digital zoom levels, still photos, etc, but truthfully most of the cameras have pretty decent optics nowadays and the average user never fools with all the bells and whistles at all. With a kiddo, you want something you can conveniently carry, and whip out and get good video in "auto" mode (or still pics) at a moment's notice.



Canon made a very nice little compact camera called the Elura, I have heard many good reviews on it. It is a different form-factor from the traditional videocams, but actually pretty convenient to carry and takes great video to boot.

 

[tpuig]

I just started a search for a video camera as well. I asked some coworkers who shoot for advice. The consistant recommendations are to stick with Sony or Canon. Both make fine cameras.

Next, I decided that although I think recording to DVD is pretty handy, I plan on doing some editing, so will stick with the MiniDV. Tapes are small, and hold an hour. I'll be transferring to an external hard drive anyway. The two that I'm looking at so far are the Canon ZR90 ($500), and Sony DCR-HC85 ($700).

From what I've read so far, the Canon is a nice inexpensive but highly rated camera, and has a nice color tone for close up people shots. Might be a good choice for a lot of baby film. The Optura line is rated even better, but costs a bit more.

The Sony uses a Ziess lens, which is said to be of very high quality and extremely clear. It also has a pretty cool feature that allows shooting in very low light or even darkness. Sounds silly, but we have a family of skunks living under our deck and I'd love to get some pictures of them. I've only handled the Sony, which is a nice fit for my smallish hands. I'm pretty much decided to go with it, but will definitely check out the Canon as well before any purchase.

My sister in law and husband just had a baby, and we've got enough reward/bonus credit card points to get a free camera. We've decided to get them the Canon as a gift. I may end up with the same one. Hope this helps.

TP

 

[JR2]

Back to the top in hope of more comments..... anyone??

 

[Bob Wagner]

JR congrats on the new addition

 

[Mike Ellis]

JR2,



Check out http://www.bealecorner.com/trv900/index.html, it has a wealth of info on the TRV900 and MiniDV camcorders in general.

 

[Mel Swanson]

jVC DIGITAL VIDEO CAMERA works for me. Small and simple also works for me. This unit has 700X Digital Zoom, Night Alive, analog and USB, Digital Still, MultiMedia card 8MB, lens: 16X, f+2. 7~43. 2mm, F1. 6. Came in under $400.

 

[daveshoe]

I am looking also. My BIN let me use his 'C' tape camera to tape track meets as college recruiters are wanting tapes of my kid. Try to get a stable picture when the camera has no image stabilizer and people are JUMPING up and down on the same bleacher board you are standing on!. One thing I want is a color eyepiece so I can find our team uniform after some bloke jumps in front of me or half knocks me down. It sure seems that you can spend $450 and get something pretty good. I think that I would not spend double that price to get digital still frame capability ,but get clearer pictures by also buying a digital camera. I have also heard that editing is also easy with the digital stuff and the computer program that comes with it.

Those are just my guesses for now . Feel free to shoot me down or further educate me. I am sure that my ''borrowed camera'' was state of the art for it's time ,and it is hard to keep up with all the changes in this stuff.