Best minDV Cam for less than $650 +tax?

[freakx2001]

Hi guys,

I'm just looking for some in sight on this crazy topic. I'm about to buy a miniDV camcorders, and i'm really not sure which one to buy. Here are some of my criteria:

- Color ViewScreen
- Do WideScreen

I'm going between Sony, Cannon and Panasonic. Also what is the best type of tape to buy?

Any help would be great.

[mm_1001]

The Canon Elura 65 is going to have a Costco coupon for $100 off in a few weeks. It has the features you want for $599.99 plus tax with the coupon.

http://www.costco.ca/en-CA/Browse/Product.aspx?Prodid=10285793&whse=&topnav=&cat=4709&hierPath=79*4708*4709*

[hagbard]

Avoid Canon, Sony is supposed to be very good as are Panasonic. Try this site:

http://www.camcorderinfo.com/ratings.php

And have a look at consumer reviews on cnet to see if there are patterns of issues with a particular cam or product line.

[freakx2001]

Avoid Canon, Sony is supposed to be very good as are Panasonic. Try this site:

http://www.camcorderinfo.com/ratings.php

And have a look at consumer reviews on cnet to see if there are patterns of issues with a particular cam or product line.


The only thing I don't like about the Sony (i.e: DCR-HC21) ones is that appearently according to Bestbuy / Futureshop they don't have colour view finders.

[hagbard]

The only thing I don't like about the Sony (i.e: DCR-HC21) ones is that appearently according to Bestbuy / Futureshop they don't have colour view finders.

Sounds odd. Go to Sony's website and see what they say.

[freakx2001]

ok here is the link to the sony site:

http://www.sonystyle.com/is-bin/INTERSHOP.enfinity/eCS/Store/en/-/USD/SY_DisplayProductInformation-Start?ProductSKU=DCRHC21&Dept=cameras&CategoryName=dcc_DICamcorders_MiniDVHandycamCamcor ders

so on the specifications link it says the following:

• Viewfinder: Black and White, 123K Pixels

• LCD: 2.5" Color1 (123K)


... I'm confused.... so is the LCD screen in Color and the think you look through with your eye in Black and White???

I noticed that the picture of the CamCorder shows a color LCD, but I doubt you can always trust that.

[hagbard]

ok here is the link to the sony site:

http://www.sonystyle.com/is-bin/INTERSHOP.enfinity/eCS/Store/en/-/USD/SY_DisplayProductInformation-Start?ProductSKU=DCRHC21&Dept=cameras&CategoryName=dcc_DICamcorders_MiniDVHandycamCamcor ders

so on the specifications link it says the following:

• Viewfinder: Black and White, 123K Pixels

• LCD: 2.5" Color1 (123K)


... I'm confused.... so is the LCD screen in Color and the think you look through with your eye in Black and White???

I noticed that the picture of the CamCorder shows a color LCD, but I doubt you can always trust that.

If they say its a b&w viewfinder it is. LcD is always colour. Come to think of it, its B&W in my old Sony camcorder. They must sell some with colour viewfinders?

[freakx2001]

stupid question.. but the black and white viewfinder we are talking about... is the thing you hold up to your eye? lol... i'm new to this camcorder stuff.

[ChinpokoMon]

but the black and white viewfinder we are talking about... is the thing you hold up to your eye?

that's right!

[freakx2001]

hmm.. really? see I think that is stupid, how the viewfinder is in B/W. You would think that it would be what ever you really looking at... like looking through a camera to take a picture.

So i'm guessing when most people use camCorders they use the LCD screen to see what they are taping?