High Def Camcorder-Any Recommendations?

[iheartscience]

I really want a camcorder for Christmas but have no idea what kind to get. I actually wouldn''t mind just a standard definition camcorder but my husband wants to get me the HD because pretty soon the other ones will be obsolete.

I looked on Consumer Reports but none of the HD camcorders had great scores unless they were $800-1300. I was hoping it would be on the less expensive side (maybe $300ish if that''s even possible?) because who knows how much I''ll actually use it once I get it.

I would love any and all recommendations! Thank you!

 

[miraclesrule]

I want one too! I was looking at Costco, and they had some HD camcorders that started at $379. They need to have a minimum resolution for HD. 1080 or something like that? I need to get one to shoot video of my granddaughter.

I''ll be watching to see what you find.

 

[iheartscience]

Date: 11/26/2009 12:31:07 AM
Author: miraclesrule
I want one too! I was looking at Costco, and they had some HD camcorders that started at $379. They need to have a minimum resolution for HD. 1080 or something like that? I need to get one to shoot video of my granddaughter.

I''ll be watching to see what you find.

Ha, we''re in the same boat! I''ll update this if I find one...I think I could handle $379 for sure. I''ll have to go to Costco...obviously not this weekend though!

I just don''t want my husband to get me some crazy $800 one and then I barely use it! He gets all into electronic/gadgety stuff (he LOVES it when I want something electronic for a present!) and he could easily go overboard! Plus I''m just cheap when it comes to anything not clothing/jewelry/house-related.

And I''m going to go ahead and admit that I want one to take videos of...my kitties!

 

[miraclesrule]

ahahaha, don''t fret...I''d take videos of my cats too!!

I waffled and didn''t buy one at Costco because I was wondering if I would ever do anything with the video. I know I''d take the video and then it''d probably sit on the camcorder until I realized that I wanted to use it for something important and the thing would be at full capacity because I just left it sitting there.

If I trusted myself to actually upload or copy the videos somewhere, then I''d cave and make the purchase. I am not "Inspector Gadgetress" by any means. I don''t even like deleting pictures from my camera.

 

[Hera]

I don''t know but I''m scared to death of a hi-def camcorder. Not only will I look ten pounds heavier but you''ll see every pore and wrinkle in it''s magnified state.

 

[TravelingGal]

Ditch SD. I have one bought for me as a gift when Amelia was born. Honestly, I''d rather use the "video" feature on my canon point and shoot camera. Plus battery life on those things are horrible. I just never take it out with me, so even though my videos taken with my cameras aren''t great, at least they are actually TAKEN.

HD: everyone is throwing HD in the name of their product now. There''s a reason that the more expensive cameras are rated higher...at this point in the game, with HD you get what you pay for.

 

[PrettyBlues]

Thing, I don''t know if this is quite what you are looking for, but thought I would mention it as I really want one and think they are pretty cool.

It''s called the Flip camcorder. You can get it HD or regular, and it''s just a super small camcorder that does not use tapes or cards, the video goes directly on the built-in memory. You can get up to two hours of video, and when you are done, you just download it straight to the computer.

The best part - price

The HD one from Amazon is only around $150. Linky

The only downside is it is not a "true" HD, only 720p, don''t know if that is a dealbreaker for you or not.

 

[4ever]

The downside to many true HD cameras is that the amount of extra information the camera needs to store to make a true HD picture can be up to 4 times that of SD meaning that if the info goes on memory cards of any sort you are not likely to have much space on there compared to a SD camera.

I don''t really know the small handycams well enough to make a recomendation but should you ever want to spend several thousand on a professional camera I''d have a few suggestions

 

[iheartscience]

Miracles-I am definitely not a gadget queen, either! That''s what I keep the husband around for-he loves all that stuff and likes to edit videos he takes with his iPhone, add music to them, etc. So I would take the cute kitty videos and then he would edit them and make them look good!

hera-ha, so true! I''d have to make sure to be behind the camera at all times!

TGal-the cheap ones being no good is exactly what I was afraid of! Bummer...I''ll have to think hard about getting an expensive one. Not sure if I''ll use it enough to make it worth the money.

PrettyBlues-I think I''ve heard of those! What''s the deal with them? Is the picture quality as good as regular camcorders? I''ll have to look into those because I''m liking the price!

4ever-thanks for the info on the memory-I didn''t think about that! And feel free to give me a professional video camera as well as information about them!

 

[Lilac]

This thread is awesome and such perfect timing!

After trying SO HARD to figure out gift ideas for DH (for Hanukkah and for his birthday on December 26) I just realized about an hour ago that he has been saying he wants a camcorder - and I spent the last hour looking online trying to find reviews of good camcorders, but it''s so hard to figure out what''s good and what''s not! I don''t want to spend a lot of money (we don''t need a high-level professional recorder, just something to record little videos of us and family). I wanted to spend between 200 and 300 dollars (preferably less, obviously) but it seems like everything is either cheap and not good or it''s very expensive and really good.

I''m so happy someone here mentioned the Flip camcorder - it just caught my eye because of the price (and seeing many commercials recently for it) but I wish I knew more about it. Anyone have any more info on it?

 

[iheartscience]

Hey Lilac, my mom''s b-day is Dec. 26, too! I''m going to look into the Flip thing-I''ll report back if I find/hear anything and you do the same!

 

[Lilac]

Date: 11/27/2009 12:34:00 AM
Author: thing2of2
Hey Lilac, my mom''s b-day is Dec. 26, too! I''m going to look into the Flip thing-I''ll report back if I find/hear anything and you do the same!

Sounds great! I''m going to try to do some more research tomorrow and I''ll come back if I find anything...

 

[cellentani]

thing2, we''re also looking for a camcorder. HD definitely is more expensive, and we''re probably going to go with a standard definition one. www.cnet.com has great reviews from experts as well as customers - we research that site everytime we buy a tech gadget. Our dilemma is whether to go with a flash drive or hard drive based camcorder, but I think we''re leaning towards a flash drive.

 

[PrettyBlues]

Date: 11/26/2009 11:00:37 PM
Author: thing2of2

PrettyBlues-I think I've heard of those! What's the deal with them? Is the picture quality as good as regular camcorders? I'll have to look into those because I'm liking the price!

Thing (and Lilac), Unfortunately I can't give any first hand advice or experience, because I don't have it either - I just want it! But I read through all the reviews on Amazon, and I actually first heard about it on younghouselove because it's what they use to shoot all of their videos and they rave about it fairly often.

I probably won't get it until right around the time the baby is born (May), so hopefully one of you will own it by then and can give a review.

 

[TheDoctor]

I picked up one of these using credit card points. Surprisingly adept at many purposes.

http://reviews.cnet.com/digital-camcorders/sony-handycam-hdr-cx100/4505-6500_7-33485109.html

 

[iheartscience]

cellentani-any SD one you''re leaning towards? I''ll definitely check out cnet.com for review-thanks for the tip!

The Doctor-thanks for the recommendation and the video clip-it looks awesome! I''m thinking it''ll be worth it to spring for the HD after seeing that!

 

[iheartscience]

Date: 11/27/2009 9:05:00 AM
Author: PrettyBlues

Date: 11/26/2009 11:00:37 PM

Author: thing2of2

PrettyBlues-I think I''ve heard of those! What''s the deal with them? Is the picture quality as good as regular camcorders? I''ll have to look into those because I''m liking the price!

Thing (and Lilac), Unfortunately I can''t give any first hand advice or experience, because I don''t have it either - I just want it! But I read through all the reviews on Amazon, and I actually first heard about it on younghouselove because it''s what they use to shoot all of their videos and they rave about it fairly often.

I probably won''t get it until right around the time the baby is born (May), so hopefully one of you will own it by then and can give a review.

I''ll definitely let you know if I get one!

 

[cellentani]

Okay, DH just brought back a camcorder from Target - JVC Everio S, flash drive, standard def, $249. And, it gets a thumbs down, unfortunately. DH thought the frame rate was slightly smoother, but the image quality wasn''t as good as the video we can shoot on our Canon PowerShot SD1200. He''s guessing that the image quality is crappy due to the compression - hard drive units may be better. I know it was a McCheapy and probably not on anyone''s radar, but just thought I''d share - this one''s definitely going back.

 

[MonkeyPie]

Date: 11/27/2009 3:10:34 PM
Author: cellentani
Okay, DH just brought back a camcorder from Target - JVC Everio S, flash drive, standard def, $249. And, it gets a thumbs down, unfortunately. DH thought the frame rate was slightly smoother, but the image quality wasn''t as good as the video we can shoot on our Canon PowerShot SD1200. He''s guessing that the image quality is crappy due to the compression - hard drive units may be better. I know it was a McCheapy and probably not on anyone''s radar, but just thought I''d share - this one''s definitely going back.

We got the same one today, for $150. So far we like it - I took a quickie couple of snapshots and a lil video, and it actually looks pretty decent.

 

[TravelingGal]

Hey Thing...

I''ve been doing some research on this because I would like something better (but as portable) than my canon SD850 to take video of my kid. Hence looking into the flip type camcorders.

I''ve read that most of the HD ones can produce a nice pictures (for what it is). All current flip are 720P. The Kodak Zi8 can do 1080, but from what I have read, that setting is mostly worthless. So I consider the playing field relatively even on that issue.

Right now, there don''t seem to be any good discounts on the newer models. So I''m waiting.

It really depends on what you want to do with it. The flip models do not have an external mic jack. I''m thinking that I might really want that, so I''m leaning toward the Kodak. However, the flip software is supposed to be much better and for a novice, so that would be helpful. You can take your videos, do some minor editing, and then upload to a sharing site easily. Since I am in the video editing business, that means far less to me as I would use my own software.

You cannot increase the storage capacity on the flip. You can on the kodak (in fact, there is no hard drive space...you have to factor in the price of a SDHC card on the Kodak). The flip comes with a case. Kodak does not.

So if you are a real novice user, and don''t mind the limitations on storage, the flip might be nicer for you. It seems to be the more popular choice and support for it seems better. I am not really a fan of things Kodak, so I''m sitting on this for now because I think the product will get better and the prices will come down pretty quickly.

As far as flip goes, they have the ultra and mino models, and HD models for both. The ultra models are a bit bigger, and there are some updates for the mino model.

If I had to buy a flip now, I would choose the mino HD 120 minutes model, but this model doesn''t have a whole lot of price breaks right now. However, on flip''s site, you if you want to pay full price, you can custom order one using an uploaded photo or print.

Hope that helps.

 

[iheartscience]

Date: 11/30/2009 1:11:30 PM
Author: TravelingGal
Hey Thing...

I''ve been doing some research on this because I would like something better (but as portable) than my canon SD850 to take video of my kid. Hence looking into the flip type camcorders.

I''ve read that most of the HD ones can produce a nice pictures (for what it is). All current flip are 720P. The Kodak Zi8 can do 1080, but from what I have read, that setting is mostly worthless. So I consider the playing field relatively even on that issue.

Right now, there don''t seem to be any good discounts on the newer models. So I''m waiting.

It really depends on what you want to do with it. The flip models do not have an external mic jack. I''m thinking that I might really want that, so I''m leaning toward the Kodak. However, the flip software is supposed to be much better and for a novice, so that would be helpful. You can take your videos, do some minor editing, and then upload to a sharing site easily. Since I am in the video editing business, that means far less to me as I would use my own software.

You cannot increase the storage capacity on the flip. You can on the kodak (in fact, there is no hard drive space...you have to factor in the price of a SDHC card on the Kodak). The flip comes with a case. Kodak does not.

So if you are a real novice user, and don''t mind the limitations on storage, the flip might be nicer for you. It seems to be the more popular choice and support for it seems better. I am not really a fan of things Kodak, so I''m sitting on this for now because I think the product will get better and the prices will come down pretty quickly.

As far as flip goes, they have the ultra and mino models, and HD models for both. The ultra models are a bit bigger, and there are some updates for the mino model.

If I had to buy a flip now, I would choose the mino HD 120 minutes model, but this model doesn''t have a whole lot of price breaks right now. However, on flip''s site, you if you want to pay full price, you can custom order one using an uploaded photo or print.

Hope that helps.

It helps a TON! Thank you! I knew if I asked here a tech-savvy PSer would come to my rescue!

I''m definitely a novice video user/editor, but my husband is good at editing video and he loves doing it, so I don''t have to worry too much about that. (Plus I don''t know how much I''d need to edit videos of my cats!) He has whatever the basic Apple editing program is. I bet the mic on the Kodak makes a big difference for sound, though. Hmmm...decisions, decisions!

Do you think the price is worth it for the Flip and the Kodak or would it make more sense to pony up more $ and get a full size? And I know you can''t tell the future, but...how long do you think it will take for these little video cameras to get better/cheaper? I don''t know enough about electronics to even hazard a guess. Sorry for being needy! And thanks again!

 

[TravelingGal]

Date: 11/30/2009 7:46:04 PM
Author: thing2of2


It helps a TON! Thank you! I knew if I asked here a tech-savvy PSer would come to my rescue!

I''m definitely a novice video user/editor, but my husband is good at editing video and he loves doing it, so I don''t have to worry too much about that. (Plus I don''t know how much I''d need to edit videos of my cats!) He has whatever the basic Apple editing program is. I bet the mic on the Kodak makes a big difference for sound, though. Hmmm...decisions, decisions!

Do you think the price is worth it for the Flip and the Kodak or would it make more sense to pony up more $ and get a full size? And I know you can''t tell the future, but...how long do you think it will take for these little video cameras to get better/cheaper? I don''t know enough about electronics to even hazard a guess. Sorry for being needy! And thanks again!

Hey no problem...I enjoy this stuff. I love gadgets. In fact, you should feel honored...I am writing to you FIRST over my package I got today from Amazon full of camera birthday goodies I bought for myself, hee!!!

I wish I could predict it...I''m in the same boat as you right now. All I know is I would NOT carry around a "real" HD camcorder at the moment. I haven''t done the research on what''s out there in that space, but I hate tapes and capturing video. I like the idea of a quick drag and copy.

I am hesitant on the kodak and am considering waiting for the next gen to come out on that one. I feel like if they do another model, they will get it all right the the next go around. HOWEVER, if this model comes down sub 150, I will consider it. But with the mic ($30) and a memory card, that puts the purchase still at $200 even if it were a $150 price point. However it would really do the job I want it to do...which is to be accessible to take video of my kid. Probably the same concept with your cats. Oh, and if flip HD mino 120 minutes were to be at sub 150 bucks? I''d grab it at that price point now and call it a loss if something else comes out in a year or two I want. I spend 150 bucks on dinner on any given night, so I''d just wouldn''t go out one weekend to make up for it.

I think next year we''ll see a price decrease on these. But at that time, some thing new will be out in the same price category, so at that point do we buy the old, not perfect technology at a discount, or the newer, better one at $200? If the new technology is really great, I''d pay the 200. For a full HD camcorder, I''m still looking at 800 minimum and that''s still quite a difference. Especially if I don''t take it out and about, and do anything with the footage I capture.

But right now, I''m waiting. If there is a good HD camera in the 500 range that comes out, that will probably be the sweet spot for me. Tough decision for me because my kid doesn''t wait for me and grows up, KWIM?

I wasn''t any help, was I?

 

[iheartscience]

Date: 12/1/2009 12:11:20 AM
Author: TravelingGal

Date: 11/30/2009 7:46:04 PM

Author: thing2of2

It helps a TON! Thank you! I knew if I asked here a tech-savvy PSer would come to my rescue!

I''m definitely a novice video user/editor, but my husband is good at editing video and he loves doing it, so I don''t have to worry too much about that. (Plus I don''t know how much I''d need to edit videos of my cats!) He has whatever the basic Apple editing program is. I bet the mic on the Kodak makes a big difference for sound, though. Hmmm...decisions, decisions!

Do you think the price is worth it for the Flip and the Kodak or would it make more sense to pony up more $ and get a full size? And I know you can''t tell the future, but...how long do you think it will take for these little video cameras to get better/cheaper? I don''t know enough about electronics to even hazard a guess. Sorry for being needy! And thanks again!

Hey no problem...I enjoy this stuff. I love gadgets. In fact, you should feel honored...I am writing to you FIRST over my package I got today from Amazon full of camera birthday goodies I bought for myself, hee!!!

I wish I could predict it...I''m in the same boat as you right now. All I know is I would NOT carry around a ''real'' HD camcorder at the moment. I haven''t done the research on what''s out there in that space, but I hate tapes and capturing video. I like the idea of a quick drag and copy.

I am hesitant on the kodak and am considering waiting for the next gen to come out on that one. I feel like if they do another model, they will get it all right the the next go around. HOWEVER, if this model comes down sub 150, I will consider it. But with the mic ($30) and a memory card, that puts the purchase still at $200 even if it were a $150 price point. However it would really do the job I want it to do...which is to be accessible to take video of my kid. Probably the same concept with your cats. Oh, and if flip HD mino 120 minutes were to be at sub 150 bucks? I''d grab it at that price point now and call it a loss if something else comes out in a year or two I want. I spend 150 bucks on dinner on any given night, so I''d just wouldn''t go out one weekend to make up for it.

I think next year we''ll see a price decrease on these. But at that time, some thing new will be out in the same price category, so at that point do we buy the old, not perfect technology at a discount, or the newer, better one at $200? If the new technology is really great, I''d pay the 200. For a full HD camcorder, I''m still looking at 800 minimum and that''s still quite a difference. Especially if I don''t take it out and about, and do anything with the footage I capture.

But right now, I''m waiting. If there is a good HD camera in the 500 range that comes out, that will probably be the sweet spot for me. Tough decision for me because my kid doesn''t wait for me and grows up, KWIM?

I wasn''t any help, was I?

I am honored-I would ditch my needy ass for a package of goodies any time!

You''re typing what I''m thinking but with more tech knowledge and research to back it up. I just don''t know if I should suck it up and spring for a really good one now or wait until they get cheaper! For my skill levels I know the Flip would probably be better but I''m the type of person who wants the really good thing even if I have to wait a while longer. Plus I have a weird money thing where I''m like "Well if I spend $200 I might as well spend $500!" and it''s a slippery slope!

I also want to take videos of my family members, nieces and nephews, etc., (not just the kitties, believe it or not!) and it''s the same thing-they''re not getting any younger and they''re so funny while they''re young...they don''t get bratty and sassy until they''re older!

Ahhh well I''ll let you know if I get the Flip! Maybe my husband will get me that one for Christmas and hopefully he won''t get crazy and buy a real one! For what I want to do with it the price is probably worth it for the Flip and at $150 it''s not a huge loss if we get a real fancy one in the next year or two. Why does technology have to be like this?! This is why I''m incapable of doing real research on tech stuff myself...it hurts my head!

 

[miraclesrule]

My DD and SIL bought the Flip in time to video the birth of Veda. I was impressed by the relative ease of use and the small compact nature of the gadget. I thought for sure it was HD, but apparently that is not the case. The Flip is awesome, but if it doesn''t have HD, I''m not going to consider it. I want to be able to upload cute HD video to YouTube to share with family and friends. How can my darling Granddaughter get noticed if the video sucks.?

 

[steph72276]

Thing, I have the Flip that came out a few years ago, non HD. It is really cool that you can just plug it right up to the computer, download and email the video to family and friends. The non HD one is okay up close, but I filmed my son''s school Christmas program last year and we were close to the back and the quality is pretty bad. I am also thinking about upgrading to the HD one this year. I like it because you can just put it right in your purse, it is really compact. I would probably just go for it this year and wait a year or two for the prices to come down for the really good ones.

 

[TravelingGal]

Thanks ladies for your input. I''m holding firm on buying right now, but if I see some hot prices, I will let everyone know!

 

[TravelingGal]

OK, I bit the bullet and bought the Kodak. The black one is $145 on amazon at the moment. I liked the blue and raspberry ones, but they are still more expensive.

16 GB SDHC class 6 at $38, plus the external Mic at $33. Out for $223 (the mic was sold by buy.com so they added tax.)

I''ll post my impressions once I get all the stuff.

 

[TravelingGal]

Date: 12/1/2009 1:33:52 PM
Author: TravelingGal
OK, I bit the bullet and bought the Kodak. The black one is $145 on amazon at the moment. I liked the blue and raspberry ones, but they are still more expensive.

16 GB SDHC class 6 at $38, plus the external Mic at $33. Out for $223 (the mic was sold by buy.com so they added tax.)

I''ll post my impressions once I get all the stuff.

Well that was short lived...Amazon''s price is back up to 176. It''s like the stock market...all over the place!!!

 

[iheartscience]

Date: 12/1/2009 6:43:12 PM
Author: TravelingGal

Date: 12/1/2009 1:33:52 PM

Author: TravelingGal

OK, I bit the bullet and bought the Kodak. The black one is $145 on amazon at the moment. I liked the blue and raspberry ones, but they are still more expensive.

16 GB SDHC class 6 at $38, plus the external Mic at $33. Out for $223 (the mic was sold by buy.com so they added tax.)

I''ll post my impressions once I get all the stuff.

Well that was short lived...Amazon''s price is back up to 176. It''s like the stock market...all over the place!!!

What the?! Well I''m glad you snagged it for the cheaper price and I''ll look forward to your review!

 

[TravelingGal]

Date: 12/1/2009 6:56:59 PM
Author: thing2of2

Date: 12/1/2009 6:43:12 PM
Author: TravelingGal

Date: 12/1/2009 1:33:52 PM

Author: TravelingGal

OK, I bit the bullet and bought the Kodak. The black one is $145 on amazon at the moment. I liked the blue and raspberry ones, but they are still more expensive.

16 GB SDHC class 6 at $38, plus the external Mic at $33. Out for $223 (the mic was sold by buy.com so they added tax.)

I''ll post my impressions once I get all the stuff.

Well that was short lived...Amazon''s price is back up to 176. It''s like the stock market...all over the place!!!

What the?! Well I''m glad you snagged it for the cheaper price and I''ll look forward to your review!

I''ll keep you posted. I''m going to keep the mic and HD card either way, so if it doesn''t perform as well as my canon (which I can''t imagine why it wouldn''t), it will be going back.