Quizzes & Puzzles2 mins ago
Camcorder for beginners
7 Answers
Can anyone tell me what features I should be looking for in a camcorder? I have never used one before and am getting confused by all the different specs. Is Canon MDV101 any good?
Thanks very much.
Thanks very much.
Answers
1 to 7 of 7
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http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/B000M S08ZW/interactiveda3015-21
Hope this helps a little. But I think you are doing the right thing in choosing a cheaper camcorder if it is the first one youv'e had. (less setings/button/features to confuse you) Although this one from Amazon has a huge markdown in price, and is a good make.
Make sure you pick the right type of camcorder for your purpose. You can get them that record onto tape, record onto memory cards, record onto DVD discs or onto a built in hard drive.
But take my advice unless you want to mess about transfering your footage onto another medium, the Disc type is best, but dearer than a Tape type.
Hope this helps a little. But I think you are doing the right thing in choosing a cheaper camcorder if it is the first one youv'e had. (less setings/button/features to confuse you) Although this one from Amazon has a huge markdown in price, and is a good make.
Make sure you pick the right type of camcorder for your purpose. You can get them that record onto tape, record onto memory cards, record onto DVD discs or onto a built in hard drive.
But take my advice unless you want to mess about transfering your footage onto another medium, the Disc type is best, but dearer than a Tape type.
Hi there,
Most main camcorder manufacturers produce very good, reliable cameras. If you have a shortlist of the things you want it to do that will help with your decision. If you also have a stills camera for example made by Canon you may find some of the features are similar (icons etc).
You will need to go to a camera store to help with your choice. I have found that what looks good on paper sometimes is a different story when trying to operate all the little switches menus and dials. In a word ergonomics is important - how easy is it to operate and does it fit your hand well as that's wher it'll be most of the time.
Does it have a flp out screen - good if you're at the back of a crowd trying to see over heads. flip out the screen hold camera aloft and you'll ba able to catch the action.
Battery life is probably the next thing you shold consider. I think most camcorders use Lithium Ion cells which provide excellent usage and give an accurate battery remaining indicator. Older Nicads had a habit of dying suddenly usually just when the aciton was getting interesting.
Other things that you should look out for (in no particular order):
Firewire-In (If you plan on editing with the camcorder as well)
3-Chip imaging (gives superior colour and overall sharpness compared to the one chip models)
Optical stabilizer (I find the digital ones to be virtually useless)
Zoom range (most have 1-10 or 1-12, the Canon XM1 has 1-20). Do not be mislead by features such as "digital zoom" 1-48, this one again is useless as it only digitally magnifies a portion of the image.
Most main camcorder manufacturers produce very good, reliable cameras. If you have a shortlist of the things you want it to do that will help with your decision. If you also have a stills camera for example made by Canon you may find some of the features are similar (icons etc).
You will need to go to a camera store to help with your choice. I have found that what looks good on paper sometimes is a different story when trying to operate all the little switches menus and dials. In a word ergonomics is important - how easy is it to operate and does it fit your hand well as that's wher it'll be most of the time.
Does it have a flp out screen - good if you're at the back of a crowd trying to see over heads. flip out the screen hold camera aloft and you'll ba able to catch the action.
Battery life is probably the next thing you shold consider. I think most camcorders use Lithium Ion cells which provide excellent usage and give an accurate battery remaining indicator. Older Nicads had a habit of dying suddenly usually just when the aciton was getting interesting.
Other things that you should look out for (in no particular order):
Firewire-In (If you plan on editing with the camcorder as well)
3-Chip imaging (gives superior colour and overall sharpness compared to the one chip models)
Optical stabilizer (I find the digital ones to be virtually useless)
Zoom range (most have 1-10 or 1-12, the Canon XM1 has 1-20). Do not be mislead by features such as "digital zoom" 1-48, this one again is useless as it only digitally magnifies a portion of the image.
Manual Focus Make sure that you a) can switch off the auto focus and b) can focus using a ring on the lens.
Lens Quality (the XM1 comes with flouride lenses, which helps the colour rendition on long focal lengths. On the XL1 you can change the lenses and both Canon and third parties (such as OpTex) offer them. Some of the Sony camcorders come with Carl Zeiss lenses.
After Sales Support Sony, for example, offers a world wide guarantee. Important, if you are planning to travel with the camcorder.
The cheapest quote may not be the best. On the one hand, the cheapest dealers (in my experience) don't know (or even understand) detailed questions, sometimes give wrong information, that might very well convince you to buy a camera that turns out to be totally unsuited for your needs.
LCD screen - makes framing much easier for high and low angle shots. You can even make little jibs. Most camcorders have a screen, but the VX1000 lacks it. Also compare the screensizes (most have 2.5 inch, the PD100AP comes in 3.5 inch) and the resolution (important for manual focus. The PD100 has about 50% more pixels than the XM1)
Handling Try to get to try out as many camcorders as you can, see which button layout you prefer. Make sure that vital functions (such as manual focus, aperature, white balance) can be changed quickly and easily.
Balance The XL1, great camera as it is, tends to be front heavy which can be a problem in longer hand-held situations.
Battery life The longer, the better.
Lens Quality (the XM1 comes with flouride lenses, which helps the colour rendition on long focal lengths. On the XL1 you can change the lenses and both Canon and third parties (such as OpTex) offer them. Some of the Sony camcorders come with Carl Zeiss lenses.
After Sales Support Sony, for example, offers a world wide guarantee. Important, if you are planning to travel with the camcorder.
The cheapest quote may not be the best. On the one hand, the cheapest dealers (in my experience) don't know (or even understand) detailed questions, sometimes give wrong information, that might very well convince you to buy a camera that turns out to be totally unsuited for your needs.
LCD screen - makes framing much easier for high and low angle shots. You can even make little jibs. Most camcorders have a screen, but the VX1000 lacks it. Also compare the screensizes (most have 2.5 inch, the PD100AP comes in 3.5 inch) and the resolution (important for manual focus. The PD100 has about 50% more pixels than the XM1)
Handling Try to get to try out as many camcorders as you can, see which button layout you prefer. Make sure that vital functions (such as manual focus, aperature, white balance) can be changed quickly and easily.
Balance The XL1, great camera as it is, tends to be front heavy which can be a problem in longer hand-held situations.
Battery life The longer, the better.
Surfing I found it very useful, to do a lot of surfing on the Internet, punching in all the camcorder names and seeing what comes up. You get a lot of information from actual users of the cameras, though not exactly unbiased.
Magazines Read up on current trends, visit one of the bigger newsagent and you will find loads of magazines such as "Computer & Camera", "Camcorder User" and the like.
Price See how much you can afford, keeping in mind that you will also need a carry/protective bag, extra batteries, maybe external mike, tapes, tripod).
Analog video in Lets you record from soureces like TV and VTR without loss of quality.
Once you have decided on the right camera for you, call around to get a good quote. I would also always ask some technical questions to see if the dealer knows what s/he is selling. Some also offer finance deals. Others offer a price match. If they ask you for the best quote you have received so far, try giving one that is lower than your best one.
When you go to pick up your new camera, I would run a couple of tests before signing the cheque.
Check that everything is in the box that should be there.
Make sure to get a proper receipt, otherwise you might have problems claiming the warranty if anything should go wrong in the first 12 months. Good luck with your camera, Mart Weiss
Magazines Read up on current trends, visit one of the bigger newsagent and you will find loads of magazines such as "Computer & Camera", "Camcorder User" and the like.
Price See how much you can afford, keeping in mind that you will also need a carry/protective bag, extra batteries, maybe external mike, tapes, tripod).
Analog video in Lets you record from soureces like TV and VTR without loss of quality.
Once you have decided on the right camera for you, call around to get a good quote. I would also always ask some technical questions to see if the dealer knows what s/he is selling. Some also offer finance deals. Others offer a price match. If they ask you for the best quote you have received so far, try giving one that is lower than your best one.
When you go to pick up your new camera, I would run a couple of tests before signing the cheque.
Check that everything is in the box that should be there.
Make sure to get a proper receipt, otherwise you might have problems claiming the warranty if anything should go wrong in the first 12 months. Good luck with your camera, Mart Weiss
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