Help with Video Cameras
 

I'm going to be an Uncle.... my brother needs to make the investment in a video camera for his new daughter....

I guess there are a few $1000 ones that are the standard right now. But neither of us have any idea what is important and what should be a priority in this sort of purchase.

Also, I saw a Samsung Duocam - it has both the Video and Still modes...

Thoughts???

When I bought mine (and my digital camera also), the most important factor for me was optical zoom -- not digital zoom.

If you want to read some un-biased reviews, PM me. I can give you my username and password for my Consumer Reports login.

Juan

Thanks, Juan, much appreciated... but I have read the consumer report reviews... However, I was looking for specific thoughts on these dual camera products (and anyone who really likes their camera).

I agree, optical zoom was most important... But what other variables are there to consider?

This is what he needs :)
http://images.google.com/images?q=tb...HDV1080i-g.jpg

As Juan says, optical zoom is important. If he's going to use it for sports then manual shutter speed control is a nice to have (Canons have it, most Sonys only have Sports AE mode). I like Canon DV camcorders personally (I have a GL-2 and an Optura Pi). Optura Xi would be a good choice.

I don't recommend DVD camcorders because they are harder to use on the PC/MAC.

Definitely, recommend agains microMV from Sony if they're still making that.

Some places I've used with decent service:

http://buydig.com
http://profeel.com

Buy accessories (batteries, etc) on eBay for the best deal.

I use a Canon Elura mini DV and really love it. Simple to use, has firewire of course, and USB, separate mem card for digital stills, shoots in 16x9 <-- love this feature. A zillion manual modes and tweaks, smart hot shoe, lots of lens choices. And it is not expensive. I think it is just below the Optura that Haigha mentioned. I would buy it again in a heartbeat.

get a HD camcorder, there only about $3k!!

For lower end video camera, Canon and Sony are good. Canon has a wormer slightly more saturated image than Sony. Digital Zoom is a Marketing Technical term for what realy is blowing up pixels, nothing more, you can achieve the same result in any entry level video editing software. However, for the past few years the new player has been Panasonic, their video cameras quality has blown away both Sony and Canon both in term of Optics (they use Leica lenses in their prosumer line don't know about their consumer line) and electronics which translate in superior quality. Try to get 3CCD price for 3CCD cameras are a bit more expensive, but the quality you'll get will be worth the extra price. I also think sony is coming out with an HD consumer line camera for under $2000.