I got 24 hours to buy a digital video camcorder. Something upto $700 US for normal use would be just fine. Smaller the footprint the better. I prefer Japanese Electronics.
Please help me out.
get a panasonic.... im not sure of the model ive got.. but its really handy and u can do a bit of the jazzy stuff too..
hmm i got mine bout 3 years back.. and it was just over a grand then... i think the latest ones should be around the same...
lemme see if i can get a pic..
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woops forgot the model name
Panasonic VDR-M30
Recording Format: 3" DVD-RAM, 3" DVD-R
LCD Screen Size: 2.5 in
Digital Still Camera: Yes
Optical Zoom: 10 X
Digital Zoom: 240 X
Focus: Automatic, Manual
$636.00 - $899.95
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I like this one... any owners?
Canon Elura 40MC (*est. $850)
Where to buy The Canon Elura 40MC is reviewers' favorite camcorder, earning top scores at PC World, PC Magazine and CNet. At 14 ounces the Elura is one of the lightest models around, with all the features you'll find on nicer camcorders: analog to digital conversion, a bright, rotating LCD, SD card slot for storing stills, image stabilization and low-light settings. PC Magazine says the Elura produces "flawless video" with beautiful color saturation, and The New York Times says it's a "sweet little performer." The main advantage over the Sony above is the Elura's much more compact size and lighter weight.
I wont recommend a Canon. Image stabilization sucks. I have used couple of sony camcorders and they are great in most conditions. They are bit over-priced but I dont mind paying little more for a good product.
Funguy
JVC has these real small ones, go to their website and see.
the number is GVP7u or something. quality is great, footrpint is so small that u can put it in your shirt pocket. list price is 12oo but u can get it via yahoo shopping for about 650. ubid has them off and on too. JVC has come out with the GVP9u so teh 7u can be bought for cheap even though the suggested retail price on JVC website is still 1200.
thats the camcorder i want to get, but this month's purchases are washer, dryer and blinds..pains of moving houses..
I have JVC GR-DVL505 digital camcorder and love it! It records pretty impressive quality videos. I would recommend it. :k: However, if you wanna take snaps from this camcorder then it’s not for you.
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*
Specifications:
High Resolution 3 inch Amorphous Silicon LCD Color Monitor
250x Super Digital Zoom with Spline Interpolation
10x Optical Zoom
Built-in Auto Light, automatically turns on or off ( can be done manually)
Long-time Recording Capability- with supplied 75 min. Lithium-ion battery pack and 2.5 hour high-capacity battery or 8hr, 40min. migh-capacity battery kit (VUV856KIT)
High Value Software Package (includes seven apps. for Microsoft Windows 98 or 95)
-JLip Video Capture - JLip Video Producer - Picture Navigator - MultiMedia Navigator - Presto! Mr. Photo - Presto! PhotoAlbum - Presto! ImageFolio
I'd go for a Panasonic too. I personally like the Panasonic PV-GS70. It has 3CCD, but a much lower price tag.
Thanks for your help gups!
I ended up buying JVC GRD30US for $378. It has 16X zoom. Doesn't do still images but I already have a still digital camera. Plus none of the digital camcorders have quality still options. So, why waste an extra $100 on that.
Haven't used it yet but it looks promissing. Will update you after using it for a week or so.
Thanks again.
funguy, please let us know how it goes, what kind of software did they send with it, what extra stuff you had to buy, and also how the peripherals work with your computer and all the media conversion & stuff. I need to buy one too but am just waiting ...
BTW, where you did you get yours?
FG: How is the camera getting along? Can we have a 'after a month' review?