Please recommend some Sony/Canon digital camcorder models within the price range $400-800
Which recording format is better?
In general which cams are better … Sony or Canon?
Thanks
Enjoy!
P.S. I would advise you to wait for few more days and the prices will lot cheaper than what they are asking rite now. Thanks!
A good site : http://www.dvspot.com/features/index.shtml
Ill talk about MiniDV only. They are commonly used and are fairly good qual.
From experience : Sony cams (both vid and still) suck. Panasonic makes good vid cams. I find Panasonic’s products to be well made and good in results. Canon has Excellent results for cheap, but some of their products are flimsy (they make great vid and stills). I say go for a Canon. You’ll get great video, but some need extra lighting.
The only good Sony camcorder is the DCR-TRV740. Its cheap, and has Very Good results. But- its a digital8 format. I have never used it…so dont know much.
Also - dont forget to calculate the cost of a firewire port. These videos take alot of time to load onto your pc. A usb is not sufficient. A video can sometimes take upto 4gb on your harddrive. Imagine transfering 4gb. A firewire port will cost about 100cdn for a port and cable. (Cables dont come with many dv cams)
-------------------------------Summary
Video Quality : In order : Canon, Panasonic, and Sony. Other corps in between.
Build Quality : Canon all the way. Screw Sony.
**Format : **No doubt about it - MiniDV. MicroMV
I say : A decent dvcam from Canon : the ZR25. (or any other ZR). or the Sony DCR-TRV740 if you dont want miniDV format.
Enjoy!