Any Video Camera experts out there?

[MistyCherie]

We're looking at getting a handheld video camera and we have no idea how to compare and what to compare, and what we should care about comparing. This would be for home/vacation use - not beads.

The mini-dvd looks nice, but then you have to buy the mini dvds. The built in hard drive looks nice (because you don't have to buy anything) but how many times can you write/rewrite to it?

On my digital camera, I wanted the optical zoom to be high (since I'd rather not have pixelated images by using the digital zoom too much). Would this theory also apply to video cameras?

How about battery life? Lens quality? Alllll that stuff!

Price is of course, somewhat important. We're looking at putting this on our registry (wedding) and hoping for it as a gift, but if we don't get it as a gift we plan on buying one to have for our trip to Tahiti (honeymoon).

Suggestions, thoughts, any advice would be appreciated.

=)

[Cosmo]

I personally prefer the ones with the mini hard drive. I think you can write to them like 10,000 times safely. A lot of them have ways to connect external hard drives as well.

Zoom works the same on still cameras and film. You want the highest optical zoom you can get. But, you don't notice the pixelation on the digital zoom as much with video as you do with photos.

Battery life is hard to judge. The batteries that come with most cameras aren't much to brag about. The main thing to remember is to always discharge the battery completely before you recharge it.

[MistyCherie]

Thanks Chad - do you have (or know of) a couple of recommendations for models/brands?

=)

[parisgal]

A good rule of thumb for battery life is to take what the manufacturer claims, cut it half... for a start. :-(

Another thought that was important for me was size factor. I have small hands, and the majority of the cameras on the market are just too big for me, like a kid using adult stuff. Some of the really small cameras are still too big, since they are "high". I almost sprain my thumb to hold on and push the start button at once.

If you're up for it you could look at http://www.steves-digicams.com/ It might make things worse, but... ;-)

[Mike]

Hi,

It my experince there is only one choice of comsumer grade digital video camera to purchase. That would be the Panasonic PV-GS400. "IF" you can still get it. The rest dont come close.


Good Luck


Mike

[JCollie]

Mike,
You might check the Consumer Report Magazine, or their website. I check them before I buy on anything. I want the best for my money.
Hope this helps.
Janet