camcorder question
- Thread starter debbie
- Start date
tx reef
Active Member
Originally Posted by Debbie
For all you photo folks out there. We are looking at getting a new camcorder, can you tell me in a medium price range what should we be looking at:
Zoom
Pixels
Brand
Etc
I have a Hitachi DVD Camcorder. I bought it for $850 2 years ago.
Zoom - 14x optical
Pixels - The resolution is not measured by pixels, it is measured by lines. I would have to look at it. If you take a picture with it, it is only 1.3 megapixels.
Brand - Hitachi
It is a fantastic camcorder and well worth the price (at the time).
You could get one of equal quality for around $500.
For all you photo folks out there. We are looking at getting a new camcorder, can you tell me in a medium price range what should we be looking at:
Zoom
Pixels
Brand
Etc
I have a Hitachi DVD Camcorder. I bought it for $850 2 years ago.
Zoom - 14x optical
Pixels - The resolution is not measured by pixels, it is measured by lines. I would have to look at it. If you take a picture with it, it is only 1.3 megapixels.
Brand - Hitachi
It is a fantastic camcorder and well worth the price (at the time).
You could get one of equal quality for around $500.
f14peter
Member
Zoom: Always go for a higher optical zoom over digital zoom.
Pixels: Pixels only count if the unit has a built-in still image recorder.
Brand: I'm partial to Panasonic (I use their pro gear), but any recognizable brand name would serve you well.
Etc: TX seems to have had good luck with his DVD camcorder, but I've seen some that are problematic, as in the disc needs to be finalized and the process doesn't seem to be all that intuitive (Maybe they're better now). DV tape camcorders are still viable, and are easily tranferred (Digitally, not a play-and-encode function) into a computer.
Depending upon how much you want to spend, I'd look for a good lens . . . as in high quality optics. I have a 4MP Minolta still camera, and a Panasonic camcorder with 4MP still camera built into it that shoots noticably better pictures, all because of it's Leica lens (And the video is outstanding). Old-school photographers have a saying . . . "It's all about the glass."
Pixels: Pixels only count if the unit has a built-in still image recorder.
Brand: I'm partial to Panasonic (I use their pro gear), but any recognizable brand name would serve you well.
Etc: TX seems to have had good luck with his DVD camcorder, but I've seen some that are problematic, as in the disc needs to be finalized and the process doesn't seem to be all that intuitive (Maybe they're better now). DV tape camcorders are still viable, and are easily tranferred (Digitally, not a play-and-encode function) into a computer.
Depending upon how much you want to spend, I'd look for a good lens . . . as in high quality optics. I have a 4MP Minolta still camera, and a Panasonic camcorder with 4MP still camera built into it that shoots noticably better pictures, all because of it's Leica lens (And the video is outstanding). Old-school photographers have a saying . . . "It's all about the glass."
debbie
Active Member
Thanks for the replies. I really wanted to know about the optical and digital zoom as well which was answered here for me. Thanks for that.
The brands we have here are: Canon, Sony, Panasonic, JVC. Our very old relic camcorder is a JVC and did its job at the time. It used a tape as well.
Which leads to me ask you all now, I know they have come out with the hard drive ones but they are just way to expensive. So if you were getting one today would it be the one that uses the mini DVD'S or the Mini tapes?
The brands we have here are: Canon, Sony, Panasonic, JVC. Our very old relic camcorder is a JVC and did its job at the time. It used a tape as well.
Which leads to me ask you all now, I know they have come out with the hard drive ones but they are just way to expensive. So if you were getting one today would it be the one that uses the mini DVD'S or the Mini tapes?