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 MHE Guides > Camcorder Buying Guide
Camcorder buying guide
Buying a Camcorder can be a bit of a mine felid so to try and make it easier we have made this guide.
The first thing to decide on when choosing a camcorder is what you want to do, and a price range. We have split this guide into 3 sections
Fun Cams
These cameras are no frill bare bones camcorders. They are made for quick and easy use most have the ability to upload straight to media sharing sites like YouTube and Google Video.
Prices:
Starts from about £40 to £120
Storage Types:
Memory Cards, Flash
Examples:
Kodak Zi6 (Memory Cards, Flash,) |
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Mid range
Mid range camcorders are chosen by most people as they will fulfil most if not all of your needs, they can have up-to 1080p Full HD resolution. They tend to come in small form factors (hand held). They can also have up-to 5.1 Surround Sound (often in the more expensive models)
Prices:
Starts from about £200 to £500
Storage Types:
Memory Cards, Flash, MiniDV tape, DVD, HDD
Examples:
Sony HDR-TG3 (Memory Cards, Flash,) |
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Top Spec/Professional Models
These Camcorders are for the serious videographer and professionals
They tend to have 1080p full HD 5.1 surround sound and large HDD as standard in the models up to £1,000. Devices above this are made for professionals and used for Television and movies.
Prices:
Starts from about £500 to £5,000
Storage Types:
Memory Cards, Flash, MiniDV tape, DVD, HDD
Examples:
Sony HDR-SR12E |
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Storage Methods
Below you will find the positive and negatives on the main types of storage media.
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MiniDV
Positives
- High Quality Recording
- Used in the production of 100s of tv and movie.
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Negatives
-Old technology
sensitive to excessive temperatures |
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Memory Stick
Positives
- Cost effective (lower capacity cards)
- Reliable
- High Quality Recording |
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Negatives
- High capacity cards are expensive |
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Flash Memory
Positives
- Reliable
- High Quality |
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Negatives
- Expansion is impossible unless you the camcorder has Memory card slot |
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DVD
Positives
- Universal
- Once recorded you can replay on a dvd player no dubbing (editing) needed. |
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Negatives
- Consumable if you are using a dvdr they are one use
- Easily damaged |
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HDD
Positives
- Huge capacity
- Cheap
- Quick data transfer
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Negatives
- If the drive has not got drive protection a sudden shock can break the HDD. |
Drive protection is a senor in the camera that braces the HDD before a drop. |
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