[Danoir]

Hey all,

I'm looking to purchase a new digital video camera and I would like some advice. I'm looking for:

-something small, lightweight
-1/4" CCD
-around 1.33 megapixels or more
-16/9 mode
-good battery life
-decent sized LCD
-remote control
-$700-1000


Thoughts?


D

[KeyLimePi]

Check out CNET's review of the latest batch of compact DV camcorders.

They picked the Canon Elura 40MC. This camera is really small, which is it's biggest feature. Of course with small you sacrifice some things, but I'm seriously considering one of these myself. I like Canons, so maybe I'm not as objective as some, so shop around.

If you want to spend more consider the Canon Optura 200MC. A little bigger but gives you a somewhat better picture quality, lower light shooting and optical image stabilization (much better than electronic image stabilization).

Sonys are great too, but be careful if you get a MicroMV format camera. I don't think theses will work with many common editing programs (like iMovie).

Anyway, just my $.02. Let us know what you get and what you think of it.

[Danoir]

I'm thinking about going for the Canon Optura 200MC. Although slightly more expensive, It seems to have everything I'm looking for in a very small package. One thing. The remote only works for about 16 feet. Is this a limitation shared by other companies and models as well or would it be possible to find something better? Thank you.

D

[jock]

I recently bought a Sony tcrv 27 which is only 1 meg for stills but does have excellent features, long battery life, 3 .5 inch lcd, excellent colour saturation etc. The Manager at our Audio Video dept bought one himself so they can't be bad. One caveat though, check to see that you get seemless integration as I've had mixed results with using Canons.
Mike

[Danoir]

jock,

What do you mean by seamless integration? Seamless integration with what?

D

[rplotkin]

The Canon ZR40-50MC series has only .64 MP resolution. The Sony camcorders, which can be had for around the same price, have twice the resolution. As for the Optura, I think it looks very good, but you get more bang for the buck from the Sony (simply because the Sony does almost as much, and is less expensive).

[KeyLimePi]

See my post above about new Sony cams. They use proprietary format called MicroMV which (I believe) is not compatible with iMovie, FCP and the like.

I don't get Sony. First Digital8, now MicroMV. Why can't they just play well with others. They can't even use Compact Flash cards, has to be Memory Sticks.

[m7]

my research has found that in the 5-700$ range the sony dcr trv240 and the canon zr40 are almost tit for tat with res capabilities and what not. I have seen these priced at 550$ and 500$ respectively.

the sony does have a better optical zoom (25x vs. canon's 18).

the main difference is the media size, miniDV(canon) vs. digital8 (hi8). So what is the best media choice?

who has the better picture? - I have found sony's still cameras to be grainy

and what one connects to a mac better?

[msuper69]

Originally posted by m7:
my research has found that in the 5-700$ range the sony dcr trv240 and the canon zr40 are almost tit for tat with res capabilities and what not. I have seen these priced at 550$ and 500$ respectively.

the sony does have a better optical zoom (25x vs. canon's 18).

the main difference is the media size, miniDV(canon) vs. digital8 (hi8). So what is the best media choice?

who has the better picture? - I have found sony's still cameras to be grainy

and what one connects to a mac better?

Go with miniDV. It's the defacto standard for digital video (non-professional). Canon miniDV camcorders are top quality and work great with both iMovie and Final Cut Pro.