Camcorder recommendations?

RSXTC · #1 (**permalink**) 01-31-2007, 12:37 AM

I'm thinking about buying an entry-level camcorder within the next month or so.

After reading a few articles, I'm pretty sure I want one that records on either DVD's or an SD card / Memory Stick / hard drive. I don't have a ton of money to spend, so I'd like to keep the price around $300-500. I'd like to buy a new one, but I'm not opposed to buying used either, so if I could find a nicer, used one on eBay for the right price and in great condition, that'd work too.

Any recommendations? Reviews? Input? Videos will be uploaded to my Mac (not sure if that makes a difference in what camcorder I should get, so I'm mentioning it just in case). I'm not in a hurry to buy. Going to do a bunch of reading and shopping around, first.

slwrthnu · #2 (**permalink**) 01-31-2007, 12:38 AM

canon...best one you can afford.

Pete · #3 (**permalink**) 01-31-2007, 08:20 AM

I just got the Canon Elura 100.
It's supposed to be really good for the price, but I haven't tried it yet.
I just did a bunch of research on sites like Amazon, Newegg, and some others I forgot the names of, before I made any decisions, and they all said it's a really great video camera (if not the best) for the 300-500 price range.

mikecentola · #4 (**permalink**) 01-31-2007, 08:35 AM

Panasonic first, then canon, then sony...imo

I had found a couple I like on B&H... let me see if I can find them again. You could always pick up a used Canon GL2, which is MiniDV, but its a 3-CCD. Let me see what I can find for you.

waltbabyluv · #5 (**permalink**) 01-31-2007, 09:12 AM

I have a sony that takes the mini DVDs, its been god so far, im sure it will break though. Everything I have ever owned from Sony shits the bed real fast

myfakeevo · #6 (**permalink**) 01-31-2007, 09:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mikecentola

Panasonic first, then canon, then sony...imo

I had found a couple I like on B&H... let me see if I can find them again. You could always pick up a used Canon GL2, which is MiniDV, but its a 3-CCD. Let me see what I can find for you.

haha mike this person posted the same question on stuntfactory.

i said panasonic first, sony second and then cannon. weird.

SIC · #7 (**permalink**) 01-31-2007, 07:29 PM

i have a panasonic, i risked it and bought it off ebay, the price was lower on it cause it was a shelf model, well i got it and it looked brand new to me, not a mark on it and still works (2 years old) so i think i paid close to 300 for it (thats with the on shelf dicount) but i was happy with it.

has anyone used or know how good the Hard drive video cams are? i think that it would be a hit? havnt herd much though.

Also, maybe someone can answer me this since were on the subject. my friend bought the sony dvd cam corder, well all i see are 30 mins per disc? whats up with that. is there other cds u can buy for it that last longer then 30 mins? cause i havnt seen any yet. so just was wondering about that.