Camcorder suggestion?

canwin wrote:I am looking for a Camcorder this boxing day.
All I required is good video/audio & easy/fast transfer to computer.

Any experts out there?

Thanks

I'm in the same boat...looking for a decent MINIDV camcorder...have narrowed it down to either the Canon Optura 40 or Panasonic PV-GS200...probably go the Canon as I want the best 16:9 performance w/o having to actually go to a 16:9 camera (too much $$$ right now).

Want to give your head a spin.... go check out

www.camcorderinfo.com and read.... I've been reading and reading there..it never ends.

Although I do think that site is biased towards Panasonic for some reason....

thanks rc51,

I want a MiniDV too. so many choices out there, gotta do some
research work.

I'm very interested in this topic myself, so I'd like to give it a "bump" to keep it fresh in people's minds.

rc51 wrote:I'm in the same boat...looking for a decent MINIDV camcorder...have narrowed it down to either the Canon Optura 40 or Panasonic PV-GS200...probably go the Canon as I want the best 16:9 performance w/o having to actually go to a 16:9 camera (too much $$$ right now).

That's interesting because I read several good write-ups on the Sony DCR-HC20 including one from this site:

http://www.vancouvertelevision.com/olse ... 041215.htm

Panasonic GS200 is a great camera.....the 3 CCD is a high end feature and it really makes a difference. Colours are more accurate, and the image has fewer aliasing artifacts.

I have a Sony HC-40. Very happy with it. I think he HC-30 is a good value. I ended up buying the HC-40 because I got a good deal and the place I bought it from did not carry the HC30.

I bought the Panasonic GS14 but in the states (highly rated) ; they only carry GS 15 here

warpdrive wrote:Panasonic GS200 is a great camera.....the 3 CCD is a high end feature and it really makes a difference. Colours are more accurate, and the image has fewer aliasing artifacts.

OMG, it should be. I just seen the price.

Pavel wrote:OMG, it should be. I just seen the price.

You think that's a bad boy..check out the Panasonic PV-GS400!!!!

Now that's a camera...but I'm a little nervous about this tape transport problem they're rumored to be having.

The GS200 is nice..but supposedly lacks in performance when shooting in 16:9.... so my next best choice is the Canon 40... or possibly the GS400, if I can convince the frau to let me spend $2500 on a MiniDV!!

I don't care much about the 16:9 or other fancy functions. Just
need a basic miniDV that can show some good clips under regular light.

After checked this year's boxing deal, pretty disappointed.

Probably go with JVC GR-D231U at BB, $550
or Canon Elura 65 at FS, $600.

canwin wrote:Just need a basic miniDV that can show some good clips under regular light.

Probably go with JVC GR-D231U at BB, $550
or Canon Elura 65 at FS, $600.

Have you considered the Canon ZR80 or the Sony DCR-H20? The Canon does very well under regular light but the Sony is rated highly under all conditions, especially low light. The Canon is also a lot cheaper than the JVC.

Pavel wrote:Have you considered the Canon ZR80 or the Sony DCR-H20? The Canon does very well under regular light but the Sony is rated highly under all conditions, especially low light. The Canon is also a lot cheaper than the JVC.

I don't like Sony! IMO, they make over-rated craps. Bought some Sony products before, got some problems and can't get fixed.

How is the Hitachi DVD camcorder at 699?

canwin wrote:I don't like Sony! IMO, they make over-rated craps. Bought some Sony products before, got some problems and can't get fixed.

I think Sony makes very good camcorders. I usually avoid other Sony stuff, but always buy Sony camcorders. Haven't had any problems.

JuJu5522 wrote:How is the Hitachi DVD camcorder at 699?

Same question here. Why not buying a DVD camcorder?

arezooman wrote:Same question here. Why not buying a DVD camcorder?

Why?

because :
1) it is expensive
2) it is not the popular technic
3) the DVD burner probably won't last as long as the tape driver
4) it seems like a cutting-edge technology, however, I believe it
will be out-dated by memory-card based camcorder in the next
1 or 2 years. right now, memory card cost about $100/G, next
year will be like $25/G. Therefore, the DVD burner will be the
technology between tape and memory-card, and doesn't have
competitive edge.

I have the Sony hc40 as well and love it. Sony makes awesome camcorders. No problems.