The Camcorder thread : Tech, deals and specs

appuchan · 1st August 2008, 13:21

I bought a Canon HF-100 camcorder in my last trip abroad with extra 16GB memory card. See the link below for a review. Paid almost $700.

Canon Vixia HF100 Camcorder Review - Canon Flash Memory

condor · 25th October 2008, 09:50

Which Camcorder ?
Budget - about 35k.

A quick search here gives the following features to look for:
* 3CCD
* Optical Image stabilization
* MiniDV is best
* more optical zoom
* Firewire connector
* Stereo audio recording
* Display quality in day-light.

Q: Which model ? Would like to select between Sony / Pana / Canon.

TIA !

breezydrive · 6th December 2008, 00:59

Can somebody suggest a camcorder capable of high resolution still images? Any link to JVC india sites?

Raajiv · 31st March 2009, 17:44

Hi Guys,

My Brother is picking a CamCorder for me in the US .Here are the requirements

Budget - 450$ - 500$

Here are the requirements
* 3CCD
* Optical Image stabilization
* HDD (MUST)
* more optical zoom
* 80 GB Storage capacity
* Must have a International Warranty
* Display quality in day-light
* Atleast a 2.7 inch Screen

Please suggest a good model.Not inclined to any particular brand.

tsk1979 · 14th July 2009, 09:56

Reviving this thread.
I am looking for a good quality Digital camcorder which can
1. Record in atleast 720P
2. Has options of 60fps also at some framerates
3. Records to SD memory card or inbuilt flash
4. Comes with nice software
5. Good low light image quality
6. Preferably has a night IR mode
7. Image stabilization is good to have

bigman · 14th July 2009, 13:13

tsk1979,

Many of tha camcoders that record to SD or flash are poor in low light conditions.

See if you can source the Pansonic HDC-SD20, I know of one Sony fanboy who ditched his Sony HD camcorder in favour of this.

smnrock · 18th July 2009, 08:24

I'm planning to get one and my budget is around 20K.
Sony DCR SR 47 or Panasonic SDR H 60
Can you guys please suggest me the best one in these range?

Thanks

bigman · 10th August 2009, 01:49

After I got a refund for my Mini DV camcorder (discovered it had a faulty firewire port after 5 years and 18 hours of use) I started looking at getting a new camcorder.

The main choices were either standard definition or high definition and then within these a camcorder that had built in HDD or one that used SD cards. After my last camcorder I did not fancy anything with moving parts and wanted something where I could transfer footage without requiring the camcorder.

So I went for a Panasonic SDR-S26 SD Camcorder (black). It is a SD card camcorder so I bought a 16GB SD card and a couple of 4GB cards as well as a couple of spare batteries. Total cost including all the bits and pieces was just shy of £210 (thanks to John Lewis giving me a £500 refund for the faulty camcorder I still have £290 left to play with).

Camcorders - SD Camcorders - SDR-S26 - Overview - UK & Ireland

I am enjoying using this camcorder. Everything is so simple, no need to faff about with firewire leads. I take the SD card insert into an SD card reader, fire up the Panasonic software and in about 20 minutes I can have the software encode and burn about 40 minutes of video (not recorded anything single event longer than 40 minutes yet).

I can back the SD cards up to multiple computers with ease. The camera is also very small and light.

Standard definition is more than enough for me currently and I can always use the £290 I have left to upgrade to a HD model when I replace the CRT television with something that has HD capability.

The only thing to watch out for is that you get decent quality SD cards. I have heard of a few people having problems with 16GB transcend branded cards. So far I have stuck to Panasonic branded cards and a PNY card. The battery does not last very long (I got less than 1 hour) so I have 2 spare ones I got off ebay. The battery issue surprises me as the camcorder has no moving mechanism for a tape, then again the battery utilised is the same one used in some of the Lumix camera models.

There are cheap HD camcorders available but the quality is dubious. There are Toshiba ones regulalry advertised in the UK for £100 or so but they are just cheap chinese ones where the manufacture has some sort of tie up with Toshiba to brand the cameras as Toshiba.

srishiva · 10th August 2009, 02:41

Quote:

Originally Posted by tsk1979

Reviving this thread.
I am looking for a good quality Digital camcorder which can
1. Record in atleast 720P
2. Has options of 60fps also at some framerates
3. Records to SD memory card or inbuilt flash
4. Comes with nice software
5. Good low light image quality
6. Preferably has a night IR mode
7. Image stabilization is good to have

Canons are better in image stabilisation and video quality. Sony is better when it comes to low light performance. So cant get both in one.
I have a HF11 and is very good. Thought of upgrading to HF s10, but low light performance from Canon is going down with every upgrade.
The Sanyo Xacti which is HDV 1080p(not AVCHD) is supposed to be good overall.

For editing Pinnacle studio is very good. Need real good hardware though.

vdiatech · 11th August 2009, 08:28

I am having a sour experience with Smasung. I understand their inability but it leaves customers like me stranded.

Last december, when I was in USA, I bought a samsung digital camera. They had some good christmas deals.

After 2 months of use the LCD conked. I had used the camera only twice.
I took it to Samsung India for service. One look and they said sorry , take it to USA and get it repaired (i am quoting their exact words).

1. I bought the camera after confirming from Samsung that the international warranty would cover me in India too.
2. I have the receipts and warranty card.

My camera is still with them, I have not collected it back, because I want them to give it in writing saying they will not repair my camera under international warranty. The letter, they are not willing to give. The fight goes on...

sanagg1 · 22nd September 2009, 08:09

Dear T-Bhpian
Request for help

My budget 25K-30K
I want a good quality VFM Camcorder
Please suggest Brand and Model I am novice in photography but want good output.
GURU's pls help
Thanx in advance

cheers

bblost · 23rd March 2010, 12:10

I just picked up a Sony DCR SX63E.

16,700 from Sony World and got a bag free.

Features:
16GB Internal Memory / Carl Zeiss 60x Optical Zoom Lens / DVDirect Express / Direct Copy / Face Detection / Compatible with Memory Stick® and SD/SDHC

Its nice and sleek. Fits my wife's hand better than mine.
I cannot use it if the power cord is attached. Palm too big for the space.

The zoom is seamless and there is no noise at all from the zoom and storage.
My old camcorder was a cassette based Sony and I remember it used to make some noise.

gopinathann · 23rd March 2010, 23:42

I recently bought 2010 Series - DCR SX44E Red from Sony World for Rs. 14700/- with additonal 4GB and Carrying case as promotional offer, It is so small and handy can be kept in the pocket. Clarity is good but in low light can see the grains, transferring the file is so easy.
Pros:
Small & Handy
Lot of Featues & Settings
Face detection & Scene selection
60X Optical / 2000 Digital Zoom is superb
LED Light, though not practical it's good to have for closeup shooting
Atlast Sony gives SD Card support for basic camcorders
Cons:
Touch screen difficult for people with big hands, joystick option should be good apart from touch.
Battery backup is less, comes around 100 min, need to have secondary battery.
Grains in low light
Tele Macro mode difficult to focus
No night mode
Menu navigation is difficult for first time users

speedsatya · 24th March 2010, 10:11

I was checking at Latest Handycam camcorder camera ,* Video Camera Mumbai , Delhi , India , Bangalore , Pune , Hyderabad , Chennai , gujarat

What do you guys think of the Panasonic SDR-H80 HDD Video Camera ?

Also ,which is the one to go for ...HDD or DVD ?

gopinathann · 24th March 2010, 11:13

Quote:

Originally Posted by speedsatya

I was checking at Latest Handycam camcorder camera ,* Video Camera Mumbai , Delhi , India , Bangalore , Pune , Hyderabad , Chennai , gujarat

What do you guys think of the Panasonic SDR-H80 HDD Video Camera ?

Also ,which is the one to go for ...HDD or DVD ?

DVD are obsolete, latest are HDD and Flash drive. If you want more storage space go for the 80GB without transferring the files immediatley, otherwise you can go with the flash drive. I planned to buy a HDD but I could feel the vibration of the hard disk and little heavy than the flash drive. Also I have the WDTV so it's easy for me to take the SD card and connect it to the WDTV to watch from TV.

If you are going to store all the movies in DVD for playback the in TV rather than Computer then go for the DVD.

1st August 2008, 13:21	#31
appuchan BHPian Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Bangy Posts: 644 Thanked: 27 Times	I bought a Canon HF-100 camcorder in my last trip abroad with extra 16GB memory card. See the link below for a review. Paid almost $700. Canon Vixia HF100 Camcorder Review - Canon Flash Memory Last edited by appuchan : 1st August 2008 at 13:25.
	() Thanks

25th October 2008, 09:50	#32
condor Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Speed-brkr City Posts: 16,240 Thanked: 16,888 Times View My Garage	Which Camcorder ? Budget - about 35k. A quick search here gives the following features to look for: * 3CCD * Optical Image stabilization * MiniDV is best * more optical zoom * Firewire connector * Stereo audio recording * Display quality in day-light. Q: Which model ? Would like to select between Sony / Pana / Canon. TIA !
	() Thanks

6th December 2008, 00:59	#33
breezydrive BHPian Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: NOIDA Posts: 752 Thanked: 131 Times View My Garage	Can somebody suggest a camcorder capable of high resolution still images? Any link to JVC india sites?
	() Thanks

31st March 2009, 17:44	#34
Raajiv BHPian Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Monterey Bay,CA Posts: 263 Thanked: 5 Times	Hi Guys, My Brother is picking a CamCorder for me in the US .Here are the requirements Budget - 450$ - 500$ Here are the requirements * 3CCD * Optical Image stabilization * HDD (MUST) * more optical zoom * 80 GB Storage capacity * Must have a International Warranty * Display quality in day-light * Atleast a 2.7 inch Screen Please suggest a good model.Not inclined to any particular brand.
	() Thanks

14th July 2009, 09:56	#35
tsk1979 Team-BHP Support Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: San Jose, CA Posts: 23,695 Thanked: 23,484 Times View My Garage	Reviving this thread. I am looking for a good quality Digital camcorder which can 1. Record in atleast 720P 2. Has options of 60fps also at some framerates 3. Records to SD memory card or inbuilt flash 4. Comes with nice software 5. Good low light image quality 6. Preferably has a night IR mode 7. Image stabilization is good to have
	() Thanks

14th July 2009, 13:13	#36
bigman Senior - BHPian Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: NA Posts: 1,225 Thanked: 94 Times	tsk1979, Many of tha camcoders that record to SD or flash are poor in low light conditions. See if you can source the Pansonic HDC-SD20, I know of one Sony fanboy who ditched his Sony HD camcorder in favour of this.
	() Thanks

18th July 2009, 08:24	#37
smnrock BHPian Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Bangalore Posts: 193 Thanked: 135 Times	I'm planning to get one and my budget is around 20K. Sony DCR SR 47 or Panasonic SDR H 60 Can you guys please suggest me the best one in these range? Thanks
	() Thanks

10th August 2009, 01:49	#38
bigman Senior - BHPian Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: NA Posts: 1,225 Thanked: 94 Times	After I got a refund for my Mini DV camcorder (discovered it had a faulty firewire port after 5 years and 18 hours of use) I started looking at getting a new camcorder. The main choices were either standard definition or high definition and then within these a camcorder that had built in HDD or one that used SD cards. After my last camcorder I did not fancy anything with moving parts and wanted something where I could transfer footage without requiring the camcorder. So I went for a Panasonic SDR-S26 SD Camcorder (black). It is a SD card camcorder so I bought a 16GB SD card and a couple of 4GB cards as well as a couple of spare batteries. Total cost including all the bits and pieces was just shy of £210 (thanks to John Lewis giving me a £500 refund for the faulty camcorder I still have £290 left to play with). Camcorders - SD Camcorders - SDR-S26 - Overview - UK & Ireland I am enjoying using this camcorder. Everything is so simple, no need to faff about with firewire leads. I take the SD card insert into an SD card reader, fire up the Panasonic software and in about 20 minutes I can have the software encode and burn about 40 minutes of video (not recorded anything single event longer than 40 minutes yet). I can back the SD cards up to multiple computers with ease. The camera is also very small and light. Standard definition is more than enough for me currently and I can always use the £290 I have left to upgrade to a HD model when I replace the CRT television with something that has HD capability. The only thing to watch out for is that you get decent quality SD cards. I have heard of a few people having problems with 16GB transcend branded cards. So far I have stuck to Panasonic branded cards and a PNY card. The battery does not last very long (I got less than 1 hour) so I have 2 spare ones I got off ebay. The battery issue surprises me as the camcorder has no moving mechanism for a tape, then again the battery utilised is the same one used in some of the Lumix camera models. There are cheap HD camcorders available but the quality is dubious. There are Toshiba ones regulalry advertised in the UK for £100 or so but they are just cheap chinese ones where the manufacture has some sort of tie up with Toshiba to brand the cameras as Toshiba. Last edited by bigman : 10th August 2009 at 01:56.
	() Thanks

11th August 2009, 08:28	#40
vdiatech BHPian Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Bangalore Posts: 414 Thanked: 10 Times	I am having a sour experience with Smasung. I understand their inability but it leaves customers like me stranded. Last december, when I was in USA, I bought a samsung digital camera. They had some good christmas deals. After 2 months of use the LCD conked. I had used the camera only twice. I took it to Samsung India for service. One look and they said sorry , take it to USA and get it repaired (i am quoting their exact words). 1. I bought the camera after confirming from Samsung that the international warranty would cover me in India too. 2. I have the receipts and warranty card. My camera is still with them, I have not collected it back, because I want them to give it in writing saying they will not repair my camera under international warranty. The letter, they are not willing to give. The fight goes on... Last edited by vdiatech : 11th August 2009 at 08:36.
	() Thanks

22nd September 2009, 08:09	#41
sanagg1 BHPian Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: HIMALYAS Posts: 279 Thanked: 6 Times	Dear T-Bhpian Request for help My budget 25K-30K I want a good quality VFM Camcorder Please suggest Brand and Model I am novice in photography but want good output. GURU's pls help Thanx in advance cheers
	() Thanks

23rd March 2010, 12:10	#42
bblost Team-BHP Support Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Hyderabad Posts: 11,291 Thanked: 17,975 Times View My Garage	I just picked up a Sony DCR SX63E. 16,700 from Sony World and got a bag free. Features: 16GB Internal Memory / Carl Zeiss 60x Optical Zoom Lens / DVDirect Express / Direct Copy / Face Detection / Compatible with Memory Stick® and SD/SDHC Its nice and sleek. Fits my wife's hand better than mine. I cannot use it if the power cord is attached. Palm too big for the space. The zoom is seamless and there is no noise at all from the zoom and storage. My old camcorder was a cassette based Sony and I remember it used to make some noise.
	() Thanks

23rd March 2010, 23:42	#43
gopinathann BHPian Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Chennai Posts: 765 Thanked: 22 Times View My Garage	I recently bought 2010 Series - DCR SX44E Red from Sony World for Rs. 14700/- with additonal 4GB and Carrying case as promotional offer, It is so small and handy can be kept in the pocket. Clarity is good but in low light can see the grains, transferring the file is so easy. Pros: Small & Handy Lot of Featues & Settings Face detection & Scene selection 60X Optical / 2000 Digital Zoom is superb LED Light, though not practical it's good to have for closeup shooting Atlast Sony gives SD Card support for basic camcorders Cons: Touch screen difficult for people with big hands, joystick option should be good apart from touch. Battery backup is less, comes around 100 min, need to have secondary battery. Grains in low light Tele Macro mode difficult to focus No night mode Menu navigation is difficult for first time users
	() Thanks

24th March 2010, 10:11	#44
speedsatya Senior - BHPian Join Date: May 2004 Location: bangalore/manga Posts: 3,167 Thanked: 741 Times View My Garage	I was checking at Latest Handycam camcorder camera ,* Video Camera Mumbai , Delhi , India , Bangalore , Pune , Hyderabad , Chennai , gujarat What do you guys think of the Panasonic SDR-H80 HDD Video Camera ? Also ,which is the one to go for ...HDD or DVD ?
	() Thanks