Camcorders
17 March 2008, 02:12 PM
#1
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Camcorders
I'm about to retire, and my employer reckons there should be around £250 in the whip-round pot 
.
I've been thinking about buying a camcorder for a while now, but every time I start to research into them my eyes glaze over after about 2 minutes as they all look the same to me. What I'm thinking of is either to blow the £250 on something decent with a hard drive (i.e. not tape) or maybe add a similar amount and get a HD version (which I understand will have to be tape).
Can anyone advise me on the best models to go for at either of my price points please?
.I've been thinking about buying a camcorder for a while now, but every time I start to research into them my eyes glaze over after about 2 minutes as they all look the same to me. What I'm thinking of is either to blow the £250 on something decent with a hard drive (i.e. not tape) or maybe add a similar amount and get a HD version (which I understand will have to be tape).
Can anyone advise me on the best models to go for at either of my price points please?
17 March 2008, 02:32 PM
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post this in the photgraphy section buddy, you'll get more geeks there.
good luck with the retirement!!!
good luck with the retirement!!!
17 March 2008, 03:23 PM
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I've just bought a nice new Canon HV30. HD (using tape), and the picture quality is superb. It's a new model that cost around £630, but you can buy the old model (which isn't really any different apart from minor cosmetic things) for around £500 if you shop around. Definitely worth a look if you want to spend a bit more
Have a look here for more info Canon HV20 / HV30 User Forum - Powered by vBulletin
Have a look here for more info Canon HV20 / HV30 User Forum - Powered by vBulletin
17 March 2008, 05:06 PM
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for £250 you cant go wrong with Buy SONY DCR-DVD110 | Dvd camcorder - Specification | Comet
Amazon.co.uk: Sony DCR-DVD110 DVD Handycam with X40 Zoom: Electronics & Photo
DVD much easier than tape
Amazon.co.uk: Sony DCR-DVD110 DVD Handycam with X40 Zoom: Electronics & Photo
DVD much easier than tape
17 March 2008, 05:12 PM
#7
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Not if you want to edit it afterwards it isn't, and the battery life can be a bit iffy on the dvd models. Also, having had a number of dvds corrupt with age, I wouldn't like to vouch for their reliability either.
If you want an alternative storage medium, I'd be tempted to look at one of the solid state machines (that use things like flash cards). Bit more pricey, but a lot more reliable than dvd and much longer usage between battery charges.
Food for thought
If you want an alternative storage medium, I'd be tempted to look at one of the solid state machines (that use things like flash cards). Bit more pricey, but a lot more reliable than dvd and much longer usage between battery charges.
Food for thought
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17 March 2008, 06:34 PM
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I almost went for a HG10, but reading around, the HV30 seemed to have better image quality (and battery life). Not actually tried one though.
18 March 2008, 02:10 PM
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Not found any reviews of that one, (which made me a bit suspect). It might be worth having a look at the Panasonic range as well...
Panasonic UK - Camcorders - Digital Camcorder, DVD Camcorder, e.cam, Leica Lens
Seem very good in terms of image quality, (in fact and I nearly got one) but the media is expensive compared to dv tape (uses ulta fast SD cards), it's more expensive than the Canon HV30, and the picture quality isn't really any better.
Panasonic UK - Camcorders - Digital Camcorder, DVD Camcorder, e.cam, Leica Lens
Seem very good in terms of image quality, (in fact and I nearly got one) but the media is expensive compared to dv tape (uses ulta fast SD cards), it's more expensive than the Canon HV30, and the picture quality isn't really any better.
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