Guide

Digital Camcorder Buyer's Guide

Everyone wishes to cherish all precious moments of our life. The best way of keeping your memories alive is to record those moments with a camcorder. Digital camcorders have become popular gadgets. They are available in a wide range of formats. Today, camcorders are manufactured by many leading brands, like Sony, Canon, Samsung, Panasonic, Hitachi, Sanyo, and Toshiba. In the highly competitive global market, every company launches new models with enhanced features. To buy the best camcorder is a real challenge. So, if you are planning to buy a new digital camcorder, then this camcorder buying guide will help you in your buying decision.

What should I keep in mind before buying a camcorder?

It is very important to do some basic product research, before buying a camcorder. You should be very clear on what you want from your camcorder, or for what purposes you are going to use it. Next step is to decide on the budget. If you are a pro looking for a high-quality camcorder, then you have to invest a little more to buy the best camcorder. Here are a few camcorder buying tips, which will help you select the right one.

Types of Digital Camcorders:

Based on the recording medium, camcorders are categorized into the following types:

  • Digital8 Camcorders: Digital8 is a digital videotape format that was originally designed by Sony. The tape used for recording is similar to that of analogue Hi8. This format is a combination of the Hi8 tape with the DV codec that produce studio-quality video with 500 lines of resolution. If you want to upgrade from Hi8 or 8mm, then this digital camcorder will perfectly meet your requirement.
  • MiniDV Camcorders: MiniDV camcorders records digital video onto small MiniDV tapes, which are inexpensive, reusable, and readily available. These MiniDV tapes come with a recording time of one hour. A MiniDV camcorder is compact in size and portable that makes it an excellent travel companion. This camcorder lets you rewind and forward video even when you are shooting, but you cannot randomly jump to a specific frame or shot. Just like Digital8 camcorders, MiniDV camcorders produce studio-quality videos. They can be connected to a PC and recorded video can be transferred for editing.
  • Disc/DVD Camcorders: If you want to record your video directly on a DVD, then go for disc-based camcorders. DVD camcorders hold several advantages, like you can make a playlist in edit or play mode in your camcorder, which will let you to view selected clips in any random order. Another advantage of using this camcorder is you can directly playback the recorded DVD's using a DVD player. The recording time differs from one disc to another based on the disc quality. The DVD-R is compatible with most of the DVD players, but it cannot be reused. While the DVD RAM, DVD RW, and DVD+RW can be reused. Unlike MiniDV, rapid transfer of files to a PC is possible via a USB connection.
  • Flash Memory Camcorders

    Flash Memory Camcorders use memory cards such as flash memory, Memory Sticks, or Secure Digital cards, as their recording medium. The recording time depends on the storage capacity of the memory cards, which ranges from 256 MB to 2 GB.

  • Hard-drive-based Camcorder: In this type, the recorded video is stored onto a built-in hard drive. So, you don't have the problem of changing the tapes every time. One disadvantage using the hard-drive-based camcorder is that the disk is not removable. So, you have to move the recorded videos to a PC at periodic intervals to keep the hard disk's space free for your next recording. You can easily transfer the recorded videos to your computer using a USB or FireWire connection without any special installation drivers.
  • Hybrid Camcorders

    Hybrid Camcorders are a combination of a hard-drive and a DVD drive or memory card in one unit. Incorporating the advantages of both the formats, the camcorder helps in fast recording and makes archiving your videos a breeze.

Selecting the Best Camcorder:

After deciding on the type, there are other key factors to consider before you buy the best camcorder.

  1. Ergonomics:

    The size and weight of a camcorder is one of the key criteria, which you need to look for. If you are a frequent traveler, opt for an ultra-compact, lightweight camcorder.

  2. Sensors:

    Today, there are two types of sensors used in a camcorder, Charge-Coupled Device (CCD), or a Complementary Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor (CMOS) sensor. There are single CCD camcorders and 3 CCD camcorders. If you want high-quality images, opt for a 3 CCD camcorder. The most advanced of all is the CMOS sensor. Most of the high-definition camcorder uses CMOS sensors as they can deliver vibrant images and consumes less power when compared with CCDs.

  3. LCD and Viewfinder:

    LCD and Viewfinders are two important parts of the camcorder that are used for playback and recording. High-resolution LCD screens display crystal clear images. The latest in the market is the touch-screen LCD that facilitates easy navigation and spot focus. The viewfinder is handy, as it gives a better a better view of the subject you are shooting and also, saves the battery. The basic model camcorders feature a black and white viewfinder, while a few high-end camcorders come with a color viewfinder.

  4. Lens and Zoom:

    The lens is the most integral part of a camcorder. Most of the camcorders feature a zoom lens that lets you shoot distant object. There are two types of zoom lenses, optical and digital. A digital zoom enlarges the subject, but there will a reduction in quality. The optical zoom typically ranges from 10x to 40x and makes the image appear closer with the internal lens movement, which results in high-quality videos. If you are professional, then go for a camcorder with optical zoom function.

  5. Microphone and Sound quality:

    Most of the digital camcorders come with a built-in microphone, which is either front-mounted or top-mounted. If you want to record speeches or family videos, opt for a camcorder with a zoom microphone. For professional quality audio it is always better to connect an external microphone, and to support an external mic the camcorder should have a microphone-in jack along with a headphone-out jack for monitoring the footage being recorded. Some high-end camcorders will let you manually adjust the audio level of the microphone's channels. DVD camcorders record sound in Dolby Digital format for improved audio clarity.

  6. Settings:

    If you are an entry-level videographer, then it is essential to look for a camcorder that is easy to operate. Most of the consumer camcorders offer auto settings for focus, white balance, and exposure. Advanced camcorder models offer professional features such as manual controls for white balance, aperture, shutter speed, audio levels, and focus. So, buy the best camcorder that meets your personal preference.

  7. Image Stabilization:

    For quality video opt for a camcorder integrated with image stabilization technology. This technology reduces jerks and blurs caused by camcorder shake. A Digital Image Stabilizer analyses the picture to sense the nature of the vibration and attempts to correct it before recording. The more sophisticated Optical Stabilizer employs a mechanical gyroscope system, which senses a vibration and moves the lens assembly to correct shaky images.

  8. Accessories:
    • Battery and Battery Charger: If you are planning to shoot outdoor, then you need to equip your camcorder with a fully-charged battery. Camcorder batteries are of two types: rechargeable and non-rechargeable. It is always better to go for rechargeable batteries, which can be recharged and used many times. To keep your batteries alive, you need a battery charger. Most of the camcorders packs a battery and a charger, if not you can always get one.
    • Tripod: Tripod keeps your camcorder intact and steady that avoids jerks and distortions when shooting.
    • Case: It is always better to buy a camcorder carry case to protect the camcorder from water, dust, moisture, fog, and much more. It also helps you to keep all your