My husband and I would like to buy our first camcorder. We're doing research now, but are completely overwhelmed by all the different ones available. We'd like to spend under $500 so I'm looking for any advice on brands, models that you own and like. ...or ones that we should avoid. Thanks in advance!
Hi S., my husband and I bought a Sony hybrid. It has the disks instead of the tapes. It was great when my daughter was born, we were able to tape her and upload the disks into the computer and make copies for family.
I really like ours: Canon ZR950. We bought it about 6 months ago, and I know it was not that expensive (we want to eventually buy a HD-camera, once they're not so expensive, so we wanted something reasonable to use in the meantime). It uses mini-DV tapes. Otherwise I would recommend looking at www.cnet.com - they have reviews and lots of helpful information on all sorts of technology stuff.
Hi S.,
I personally don't own a camcorder either, but my mom does and I use it rather often. She bought it probably 2-3 years ago and I think that this one is going to be the closest...Sony Handycam DCR-DVD610 DVD Camcorder w/ 40x Optical Zoom. Anyway, I am almost positive that she bought it at Walmart for under $400. This camera is really nice and easy to run. She uses it to record my brothers football games and wrestling matches and also on my son too:)
This camcorders uses the mini dvd's and has a spot for a memory stick so you can take pictures.
I know the only thing that my mom didn't like about it was the little battery. It didn't have a very long charged life. She went out and bought a bigger one and with this one it has a recording life of 300 mins, I think.
we like our Sony Handycam. You can but most of the good ones at Walmart for way cheaper and bought a 2 year warranty for like $30. Do the research at Best Buy or online but don't spend the extra money there!
Hi S.,
My husband and I bought a sony handycam 60gig, but it was more than you are looking to spend. We love it! We didn't want to mess with mini dvds or cassettes... so we got one with a hard drive. My husband gives that advice to anyone looking.
Good luck!
J.
One thing to watch for as far as the memory cards go...Sony brand has their own memory cards and you can only use theirs in all the devices I've looked at so if you want to have one that's more universal, go with a different brand.
