Camcorder Selection Process
WHICH CAMCORDER IS THE BEST?
1. The market moves fast, so figure out your needs based on work process, the user's technical capabilities, local servicing available, etc. See the reviews at:
http://reviews.cnet.com/Camcorders/
http://www.camcorderinfo.com/ **** This one in particular is great
http://www.dvspot.com http://www.consumersearch.com/www/photo
http://www.digitalcamera-hq.com/camcord
http://www.videomaker.com
http://www.amazon.com
2. Don't assume you have to spend $3000 to get something that works for you. Bob @ Good News Productions (gnpi.org), recently looked at camcorders with a view toward
high image quality,
manual functions (for aperture, shutter, focus, white balance),
ease of use for novices,
external audio input, firewire port (for connection to computers), cost, and manufacture track record.
The result: Panasonic PV GS500, a 3 CCD DV tape camcorder for ~$800.
Brad, another Brigada participant, chose the GS-250, as his favorite.
Consider video recording formats (tape, disk, hard drive) and each has its own pros and cons, requiring the smart shopper to consider how and where the camcorder will be used.
Also, some features that one camera user insists on having would intimidate others, as in manual controls versus total automation.
Image quality ranges from small, single CCD (the image capture device) to 3 CCD models, multiple digital video formats, wide screen, high definition, and a host of other considerations in how different camcorders record the image.
==> The higher the quality, the higher the cost so choose a camcorder that fits your budget. BUT, competition keeps the costs reasonable and the features develop to give you more better bang for your buck.
http://www.brigada.org
1. The market moves fast, so figure out your needs based on work process, the user's technical capabilities, local servicing available, etc. See the reviews at:
http://reviews.cnet.com/Camcorders/
http://www.camcorderinfo.com/ **** This one in particular is great
http://www.dvspot.com http://www.consumersearch.com/www/photo
http://www.digitalcamera-hq.com/camcord
http://www.videomaker.com
http://www.amazon.com
2. Don't assume you have to spend $3000 to get something that works for you. Bob @ Good News Productions (gnpi.org), recently looked at camcorders with a view toward
high image quality,
manual functions (for aperture, shutter, focus, white balance),
ease of use for novices,
external audio input, firewire port (for connection to computers), cost, and manufacture track record.
The result: Panasonic PV GS500, a 3 CCD DV tape camcorder for ~$800.
Brad, another Brigada participant, chose the GS-250, as his favorite.
Consider video recording formats (tape, disk, hard drive) and each has its own pros and cons, requiring the smart shopper to consider how and where the camcorder will be used.
Also, some features that one camera user insists on having would intimidate others, as in manual controls versus total automation.
Image quality ranges from small, single CCD (the image capture device) to 3 CCD models, multiple digital video formats, wide screen, high definition, and a host of other considerations in how different camcorders record the image.
==> The higher the quality, the higher the cost so choose a camcorder that fits your budget. BUT, competition keeps the costs reasonable and the features develop to give you more better bang for your buck.
http://www.brigada.org
