What Digital Camcorder to buy?

[silverfoxtp]

I need to buy a camcorder for a trip and I am confused on what to buy.
So far, I read a lot about digital camcorders and it seems that the DV tape cameras are still better than the DVD ones.

What camcorder should I buy?
Which company should I go with?
What model is good?
It seems that most camcorders are terrible at still pictures so I have to buy another camera too?

I am looking for a camera in the $800-$1200 range.

Please toss out some suggestions.

Thank you!

[MGRip]

www.camcorderinfo.com

I known there as MaGin (in JVC Mini-Dv forum).

[jkwarras]

You could take a look at:

- Sony PCR-120E (or new model based on that one): it's the one I have, awesome quality image with Carl-Zeiss Lens (a must have). Still images at 1.5 MB, not very much but I guess it's what regular DV cameras can capture.

- Panasonic 24p AG-DVX100: New DV consumer camera with 24p mode (like film).

[smok3]

what i would look for in the dv camera is:

- 16:9 anamorfic progresiv mode (dont care for 24p becouse 25p will do just fine in pal world..)
- 3ccd camera which should have the sensors big enough to allow us to blur the background when needed (DOF).

for example small cameras like this sony:
http://somestuff.org/flip/printer.php?id=1086031157
would have some real trouble doing that.

- camera that is big enough to do some 'outofthehand' production...


(i would probably still go for the xl1s or something similar...)

[smok3]

Originally posted by jkwarras
Panasonic 24p AG-DVX100: New DV consumer camera with 24p mode (like film).

do you know if the pal version supports true 16:9 25p mode? (i will be working with this camera next month...:))

[jkwarras]

Originally posted by smok3
do you know if the pal version supports true 16:9 25p mode? (i will be working with this camera next month...:))

Apparently the PAL version use true 25p progressive mode (not 24p). But it isn't a true 16:9, it's a letterboxed 4:3. Don't trust me blindly on that, I've just google a little :cool:

Anyway, seems like a good Mini-DV cam for a film-look.

[mustardman]

Yes yes. All very nice. But do any of these cameras mentioned suit the proposed budget? Especially the progressive, real 16:9 and 3 CCD ones?

And by the way, is that us$, or euro, or somthing else $?

My advice is go for the best you can afford. Most camcorders now can do stills, most(?) of them do a really lousy job. With the low cost of semi-decent still digital cameras, you would be better off getting a separate one.

Personally, I would not buy a JVC. Their customer service sux.

Sony is really good. I have a Canon and am really pleased with it.

Go DV, not DVD. Better quality, and more flexible size options.

MM

Besides, how (and why) do people claim 25p is better than 50i? On a computer monitor sure, on a TV, I doubt it. And where do most people watch home video?

[smok3]

Originally posted by mustardman
Yes yes. All very nice. But do any of these cameras mentioned suit the proposed budget? Especially the progressive, real 16:9 and 3 CCD ones?
you are right, that kinda of cameras are in the 'over 2000$ budget' usually, the point is i would get another 500$ or so and get one of them ;)


jkwarras, ic, tnx.

[adoniscik]

In that price range it would have to be the Panasonic GS400. Wait a bit until its price comes down. It has 4MP still capability which probably equals the quality of a 2MP real camera. buydig is a good merchant if you live in the USA. Some of the recommendations above totally ignored your price constraint.