Camcorders Buyers Guide
Capturing Special Moments
Have you been unable to capture those moments when your toddler took his first step or the last few moments of your college farewell day? It is at these times that you realize how much you need a camcorder. Reminiscing becomes a greater joy when you can share the moments with your loved ones. However, buying camcorders may not be as easy as it sounds. There is no point picking up a camcorder impulsively from your nearest store and regretting your buy later. There are a few things you need know and bear in mind so that you can make a wise purchase.
Various formats of camcorders
A visit to an electronic store will present you with such a huge range of camcorders that you may end up completely confused. The differences in the various models of camcorders lies in their style and the media to which the camcorder records. Also, there will be differences in the features that each model possesses. There are various formats available when it comes to making a choice of camcorder. The format you select will depend on your requirement and preference.
Recordable DVD
Recordable DVD camcorders are for people who simply wish to record and view the video and not to edit it. These can be viewed on regular DVD players. This model allows you to instantly play a video on the camcorder after it is recorded. This variety is quite affordable.
MiniDV
The MiniDV variety of camcorders uses tapes that are quite cheap and easily available. The demerit in this model is that immediate replay is not possible in the camcorder. The quality of these videos is extremely good and they can even be edited and copied.
MicroMV
As the name suggests, the MicroMV camcorders are small in size and so are the tapes used therein. These tapes are quite costly and rare too. Editing the videos recorded with these camcorders is quite difficult. These formats will perhaps become obsolete soon.
Memory cards and Microdrives
The models with memory cards and Microdrives are the modern digital versions of the camcorder. The camcorders are found at most electronic retail shops. They look chic and are modern in every sense. The videos can be conveniently imported to the computer. However, the quality may be slightly compromised with. If you are buying such a camcorder make sure it comes with a memory card.
Hi-8, 8mm and VHS-C
The Hi-8, 8mm and VHS-C are camcorder versions that come with analog tapes. These camcorders are very cheap but the image quality is not too good. It is possible to transfer the images to the computer. However, you will require additional accessories for the purpose.
Other influencing factors
The choice of the format will depend on whether you will use the camcorder as an amateur or as a pro. Check out the number of chips the camcorder has. Also, the quality of the chip matters. Good chips avoid smears in the video. This will determine the quality of the picture. Light plays an important role in photography. Hence, opt for a camcorder that has high sensitivity to light. Resolution is a feature you need to take care of. The higher the resolution the clearer is the video. The camcorders with automatic operations are easier to handle and help you do a fast yet good job. You could opt for a camcorder with a DSR or a Digital Signal Processing. This makes recording much more convenient than it has ever been. It is better to go for a camcorder that is flexible and can be used with equal ease at a studio and in the field. The other minor factors that you will need to be careful about are shutter speed, lens, prompt start up, consumption of power, viewfinder, etc. Buy a camcorder that you will cherish down the years. Put in a good deal of research in your buying decision. Make sure you are satisfied with your purchase.
Key Features
| Key Features | | | Optical Zoom | | | Memory Still Resolution | | | Recording Format |
| | With over 900 camcorders on the market, key features such as Optical Zoom, Memory Still Resolution & Recording Format are important factors when buying. These features not only effect the performane and quality of the camcorder you choose, but also the price. Shown below are price guides for a selection of camcorders focusing on the key features: Optical Zoom, Memory Still Resolution & Recording Format. |
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| Optical Zoom | | 1x | £107.00 | | 25x | £240.00 | | 36x | £297.00 | | 24x | £330.00 | | 10x | £596.00 | | * | 10x | £596.00 |
| | | Memory Still Resolution | | 3.15 Megapixels | £92.00 | | 2.32 Megapixels | £387.00 | | 1.92 Megapixels | £453.00 | | 2 Megapixels | £555.00 | | 5.04 Megapixels | £710.00 | | * | 0.31 Megapixels | £548.00 |
| | | Recording Format | | Hi-8 | £181.00 | | Digital-8 | £245.00 | | Memory Card | £591.00 | | DV | £912.00 | | HDV | £1,133.00 | | * | Mini DV | £691.00 |
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* Taking into account all current camcorders on the market the most desirable would be a camcorder with 10x Optical Zoom, 0.31 Megapixels Memory Still Resolution and Mini DV Recording Format.For a camcorder with these features expect to pay between £32.57 and £9,410.00
Price Guide
| Min | £32.57 | | Avg | £600.34 | | Max | £9,410.00 |
| | CAmcorders cost anywhere from £32.57 for a basic camcorder with few features to around £9,410.00 for a fully featured camcorder. |
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