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Guest
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 Posted:
Fri Sep 09, 2005 7:14 pm Post subject:
best camcorder for under $500 |
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hi,
could anyone recommend a good camcorder? i'm looking for one in the
price range of $500 or less
thanks
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RS
Guest
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| Posted:
Fri Sep 09, 2005 8:23 pm Post subject:
Re: best camcorder for under $500 |
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xiongnu@my-deja.com wrote:
| Quote: | hi,
could anyone recommend a good camcorder? i'm looking for one in the
price range of $500 or less
thanks
www.camcorderinfo.com has many good camcorder reviews. Good place to start. |
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David Chien
Guest
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| Posted:
Fri Sep 09, 2005 9:26 pm Post subject:
Re: best camcorder for under $500 |
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A Cheap one!
Sharp VL-Z3U and similar models for <$180 on ebay.com
Solid, basic camcorder. Just don't expect a lot of video resolution
here.
A cheap 3CCD!
Fry's electronics in CA, CircuitCity and GoodGuys open-box and end
of season models, etc.
Can easily get a Panasonic 3CCD for <$500. Much better video
resolution vs. the common lot of Sony, Panasonic, etc. DV camcorders
with 1CCD for the consumer sold in stores today.
A cheap DVD model!
See www.fatwallet.com/c/18/ and search for 'hitachi dvd'. That one
website authorized by Hitachi to sell their refurbished DVD camcorders
at $300-$350 is a steal vs. the $600+ they normally go for.
A flash-card based model!
Rather than going tape, try tapeless! The latest digital cameras
(Casio 7MP model, etc.; Sanyo Xacti C4/C5 models; Sony DSC-M1 model;
That one Samsung sold at BestBuy) etc. all record in MPEG-4 640x480
30fps format to flash cards.
Far lighter than any camcorder, shock proof (no moving parts), and
offers quicker transfer to the PC for editing than tape - these digital
camcorders also offer built-in 4+MP digital camera capability, and much
more.
Really the wave of the future, and you really get much nicer quality
off these than most cheap 1CCD camcorders sold today.
That CVS pharmacy store model for $25 or so.
Search the web for hacks on modifying this one-time-use camcorder
for multiple uses, your own downloads to your PC, mods to let it record
in 640x480 resolution, etc.
Really nice if you're thinking of attaching the camcorder to a toy
plane or remote controlled toy and don't want to crash a $$$$$ camcorder. |
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PTravel
Guest
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| Posted:
Fri Sep 09, 2005 10:19 pm Post subject:
Re: best camcorder for under $500 |
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"David Chien" <chiendh@uci.edu> wrote in message
news:dfscvl$dst$1@news.service.uci.edu...
| Quote: | A Cheap one!
Sharp VL-Z3U and similar models for <$180 on ebay.com
Solid, basic camcorder. Just don't expect a lot of video resolution
here.
A cheap 3CCD!
Fry's electronics in CA, CircuitCity and GoodGuys open-box and end
of season models, etc.
Can easily get a Panasonic 3CCD for <$500. Much better video
resolution vs. the common lot of Sony, Panasonic, etc. DV camcorders
with 1CCD for the consumer sold in stores today.
|
Panasonic's bottom-of-the-line 3CCD machines do not produce better video
than Sony and Canon's top-of-the-line 1CCD models. Small sensors, cheap
glass and crappy electronics will produce bad video, regardless of how many
sensors there are.
| Quote: |
A cheap DVD model!
See www.fatwallet.com/c/18/ and search for 'hitachi dvd'. That one
website authorized by Hitachi to sell their refurbished DVD camcorders
at $300-$350 is a steal vs. the $600+ they normally go for.
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DVD camcorders are consumer toys designed for people who have no interest in
producing quality video. They are the worst of the lot.
| Quote: |
A flash-card based model!
Rather than going tape, try tapeless! The latest digital cameras
(Casio 7MP model, etc.; Sanyo Xacti C4/C5 models; Sony DSC-M1 model;
That one Samsung sold at BestBuy) etc. all record in MPEG-4 640x480
30fps format to flash cards.
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I assume when the OP used the word "best" it was because he was interested
in something that would produce the best video. These silly toys barely
produce video at all.
| Quote: | Far lighter than any camcorder, shock proof (no moving parts), and
offers quicker transfer to the PC for editing than tape - these digital
camcorders also offer built-in 4+MP digital camera capability, and much
more.
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What they don't offer is decent video quality.
| Quote: | Really the wave of the future,
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Only the far, far future. Tape will continue to dominate for at least the
next decade.
| Quote: | and you really get much nicer quality
off these than most cheap 1CCD camcorders sold today.
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Completely untrue.
| Quote: |
That CVS pharmacy store model for $25 or so.
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You've got to be kidding. The OP asked about camcorders, not toys.
| Quote: | Search the web for hacks on modifying this one-time-use camcorder
for multiple uses, your own downloads to your PC, mods to let it record
in 640x480 resolution, etc.
Really nice if you're thinking of attaching the camcorder to a toy
plane or remote controlled toy and don't want to crash a $$$$$ camcorder. |
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RS
Guest
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| Posted:
Sat Sep 10, 2005 2:26 am Post subject:
Re: best camcorder for under $500 |
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PTravel wrote:
| Quote: |
Panasonic's bottom-of-the-line 3CCD machines do not produce better video
than Sony and Canon's top-of-the-line 1CCD models. Small sensors, cheap
glass and crappy electronics will produce bad video, regardless of how many
sensors there are.
|
Granted, but the Pannasonic GS200 produces a very nice video. It is, as
most every review will tell you, not very good in low light, but in
daylight or a well light indoor setting, it will produce an excellent
video with clear and vibrant colors. For under $800, its probably
cheaper than the to of the line one chippers.
RS |
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PTravel
Guest
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| Posted:
Sat Sep 10, 2005 2:50 am Post subject:
Re: best camcorder for under $500 |
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"RS" <mail@mail.com> wrote in message news:4321fb66$1_3@newspeer2.tds.net...
| Quote: | PTravel wrote:
Panasonic's bottom-of-the-line 3CCD machines do not produce better video
than Sony and Canon's top-of-the-line 1CCD models. Small sensors, cheap
glass and crappy electronics will produce bad video, regardless of how
many
sensors there are.
Granted, but the Pannasonic GS200 produces a very nice video. It is, as
most every review will tell you, not very good in low light, but in
daylight or a well light indoor setting, it will produce an excellent
video with clear and vibrant colors. For under $800, its probably
cheaper than the to of the line one chippers.
|
Most any miniDV camcorder will produce good video in bright daylight. It is
cheaper than the top-of-the-line single chippers, but I haven't seen
anything which suggests it is comparable.
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Guest
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| Posted:
Sat Sep 10, 2005 11:38 am Post subject:
Re: best camcorder for under $500 |
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thanks for the reply
i'm looking for a decent camcorder for recreational purposes, i.e.
travel, outdoor activities, etc...
i think i need it to be compact, long battery running time, reliable,
and good built quality, and my budget is around $500. what's the best
camcorder to fit into above criterion is what i want |
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Guest
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| Posted:
Sat Sep 10, 2005 12:13 pm Post subject:
Re: best camcorder for under $500 |
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thank you
that's very helpful |
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Hal Lowe
Guest
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| Posted:
Sat Sep 10, 2005 5:00 pm Post subject:
Re: best camcorder for under $500 |
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On 9 Sep 2005 23:38:21 -0700, xiongnu@my-deja.com wrote:
| Quote: | thanks for the reply
i'm looking for a decent camcorder for recreational purposes, i.e.
travel, outdoor activities, etc...
i think i need it to be compact, long battery running time, reliable,
and good built quality, and my budget is around $500. what's the best
camcorder to fit into above criterion is what i want
|
If someone already has suggested this, my apologies. Anyway, check
out the new Sanyo VPC-C5. Here's a review at Steve's Digicams:
http://www.steves-digicams.com/2005_reviews/c5.html
In addition to MPEG4 videos, it also take 5 megapixel stills. If you
shop around you should be able to find it in your price range.
Good luck!
Hal Lowe
http://www.halogos.com (logo t-shirts, mugs, etc.)
(make sure to check out the digiphoto t-shirts)
http://www.halowe-graphics.com/photo.html (digiPhoto)
http://www.halowe-graphics.com/music.html (Music Central)
http://www.1and1.com/?k_id=7391019 (web hosting)
http://www.halowe-graphics.com/tinc?key=0TmhZVQ5&formname=web_email |
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PTravel
Guest
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| Posted:
Sat Sep 10, 2005 5:26 pm Post subject:
Re: best camcorder for under $500 |
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"Hal Lowe" <hallowe@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:uei5i1dmq6oem3ev61o42rf54s4mudo9t8@4ax.com...
| Quote: | On 9 Sep 2005 23:38:21 -0700, xiongnu@my-deja.com wrote:
thanks for the reply
i'm looking for a decent camcorder for recreational purposes, i.e.
travel, outdoor activities, etc...
i think i need it to be compact, long battery running time, reliable,
and good built quality, and my budget is around $500. what's the best
camcorder to fit into above criterion is what i want
If someone already has suggested this, my apologies. Anyway, check
out the new Sanyo VPC-C5. Here's a review at Steve's Digicams:
http://www.steves-digicams.com/2005_reviews/c5.html
|
The camera compresses to mpeg4 on the fly, resulting in poorer quality video
than you'd get from a miniDV machine. In addition, the resulting video
can't be edited, with re-transcoding to some other format -- certainly none
of the "mainstream" editors can handle mpeg4. Add to that the fact that,
judging from the lens size, the sensors must be microscopic and of
ridiculously high-density, and it's going to have horrendous low-light
performance.
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RS
Guest
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| Posted:
Mon Sep 12, 2005 7:05 pm Post subject:
Re: best camcorder for under $500 |
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PTravel wrote:
| Quote: | "RS" <mail@mail.com> wrote in message news:4321fb66$1_3@newspeer2.tds.net...
PTravel wrote:
Panasonic's bottom-of-the-line 3CCD machines do not produce better video
than Sony and Canon's top-of-the-line 1CCD models. Small sensors, cheap
glass and crappy electronics will produce bad video, regardless of how
many
sensors there are.
Granted, but the Pannasonic GS200 produces a very nice video. It is, as
most every review will tell you, not very good in low light, but in
daylight or a well light indoor setting, it will produce an excellent
video with clear and vibrant colors. For under $800, its probably
cheaper than the to of the line one chippers.
Most any miniDV camcorder will produce good video in bright daylight. It is
cheaper than the top-of-the-line single chippers, but I haven't seen
anything which suggests it is comparable.
|
Again, you are technically right, which of course is the best kind of
right to be.
So, how much are you spending on this top of the line one chipper? It's
all find and good to compare, but when it comes to pulling out the
wallet, things suddenly become relative.
Did a little two camera shoot a week ago. One camera was a GL1 from the
cable access studio and the other my GS200. After looking at the
footable of the two side by side, my crew and I agreed that the GS200
was slightly more vibrant, but also a tiny bit hotter. We felt however
that we could have eliminated that had we had the time to do manual
exposure control. The GL-1, while softer on the colors, had a slight
tendency to overexpose one on reflections, such as light off a bald
persons head, but again, we can compensate for this in post, or could
have eliminated it had we had time to do detailed setting of the studio
lights.
So, yeah, I think it's actually comparable. And as its at least a
thousand less than anything considered 'top', and since I'm not a making
any money doing video, its what you call the best bang for the buck. |
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RS
Guest
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| Posted:
Mon Sep 12, 2005 7:09 pm Post subject:
Re: best camcorder for under $500 |
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xiongnu@my-deja.com wrote:
| Quote: | thanks for the reply
i'm looking for a decent camcorder for recreational purposes, i.e.
travel, outdoor activities, etc...
i think i need it to be compact, long battery running time, reliable,
and good built quality, and my budget is around $500. what's the best
camcorder to fit into above criterion is what i want
|
Stick with minidv, unless your top consideration is quick and easy. The
Mpg4, or minidisk units will compress your video into a dvd ready
format, which tends to make it more difficult to do any detailed editing.
But again, if your NOT wanting to do any detailed editing, perhaps just
quick cutting and or titles, these new units might fit your needs. But
overall, miniDV units will are the most flexible. |
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PTravel
Guest
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| Posted:
Mon Sep 12, 2005 7:29 pm Post subject:
Re: best camcorder for under $500 |
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"RS" <mail@mail.com> wrote in message news:4325888c_1@newspeer2.tds.net...
| Quote: | PTravel wrote:
"RS" <mail@mail.com> wrote in message
news:4321fb66$1_3@newspeer2.tds.net...
PTravel wrote:
Panasonic's bottom-of-the-line 3CCD machines do not produce better
video
than Sony and Canon's top-of-the-line 1CCD models. Small sensors,
cheap
glass and crappy electronics will produce bad video, regardless of how
many
sensors there are.
Granted, but the Pannasonic GS200 produces a very nice video. It is, as
most every review will tell you, not very good in low light, but in
daylight or a well light indoor setting, it will produce an excellent
video with clear and vibrant colors. For under $800, its probably
cheaper than the to of the line one chippers.
Most any miniDV camcorder will produce good video in bright daylight.
It is
cheaper than the top-of-the-line single chippers, but I haven't seen
anything which suggests it is comparable.
Again, you are technically right, which of course is the best kind of
right to be.
So, how much are you spending on this top of the line one chipper? It's
all find and good to compare, but when it comes to pulling out the
wallet, things suddenly become relative.
|
I don't have one, but I understand they are in the $1200-1500 range.
| Quote: |
Did a little two camera shoot a week ago. One camera was a GL1 from the
cable access studio and the other my GS200. After looking at the
footable of the two side by side, my crew and I agreed that the GS200
was slightly more vibrant, but also a tiny bit hotter.
|
The GL1 is not a good camcorder. The GL2, on the other hand, will do much
better than a GS200. A VX2100/PD170 will do far better than all of them.
| Quote: | We felt however
that we could have eliminated that had we had the time to do manual
exposure control. The GL-1, while softer on the colors, had a slight
tendency to overexpose one on reflections, such as light off a bald
persons head, but again, we can compensate for this in post, or could
have eliminated it had we had time to do detailed setting of the studio
lights.
So, yeah, I think it's actually comparable
And as its at least a
thousand less than anything considered 'top', and since I'm not a making
any money doing video, its what you call the best bang for the buck.
|
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Guest
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| Posted:
Tue Sep 13, 2005 6:08 pm Post subject:
Re: best camcorder for under $500 |
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Minidv is tape format, right?
i'm a novice as of camcorders, i think i saw this mini tape format
before, how does this being played in VHS recorder? it's too small to
fit in
also, from what i researched, it seems that low-light recording is a
big problem for many types of camcorders, is it possible to find a
camcorder capable of doing recording in low-light condition for under
$500?
one more question:
what's the typical battery life time for the camcorder? can the
camcorder be charged using both 110v and 220v AC? i'm asking this
because i plan to have a vacational trip to asia by the end of the
year. and i want to make sure whatever camcorder i'm getting is
compatible with 220v AC used by most asian countries.
thanks |
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RS
Guest
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| Posted:
Tue Sep 13, 2005 6:49 pm Post subject:
Re: best camcorder for under $500 |
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xiongnu@my-deja.com wrote:
| Quote: | Minidv is tape format, right?
i'm a novice as of camcorders, i think i saw this mini tape format
before, how does this being played in VHS recorder? it's too small to
fit in
|
Yes, its the little DV tapes. No, they won't play in a VHS. If you
require VHS, then you would need to hook up the video and audio output
cables to your camera, hook the other ends to the inputs on your VHS,
make sure your VHS is set to record the input from that source and then
press play and record on camera and VHS. (VHS! My god man, you can get a
cheap DVD player at Kmart for $40!)
| Quote: | also, from what i researched, it seems that low-light recording is a
big problem for many types of camcorders, is it possible to find a
camcorder capable of doing recording in low-light condition for under
$500?
|
Probably not. The size of the 'chip', which is the light sensitive
component in the camera is usually proportional to the cost of the
camera. I have an older Sony TRV320 which does better in low light than
my more expensive GS200. But better is a relative term. A gloomy indoor
setting will give me a viewable, but rather grainy picture.
| Quote: | one more question:
what's the typical battery life time for the camcorder? can the
camcorder be charged using both 110v and 220v AC? i'm asking this
because i plan to have a vacational trip to asia by the end of the
year. and i want to make sure whatever camcorder i'm getting is
compatible with 220v AC used by most asian countries.
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Maaaaan don't be one of those annoying camcorder tourists! |
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