Need help buying a new camcorder

[WillMontu]

If this helps you narrow it down, go with one that uses MiniDV tapes (as opposed to a hard disk or DVDs). I know that some of the High-Def camcorders also use tapes, but I don't have much experience with them. Tapes are better suited for ride stuff (they don't skip like DVD's or crash like hard drives) and are generally better to edit with (Most MiniDV camcorders hook up to your system or even another camcorder using an IEEE 1394 connection)

 

Also, I know that Robb uses Sony camcorders himself. I have a Canon, but Canon camcorders seem to give me a bit of trouble.

[JimmyBo]

I have to agree with Will about the Canon. I have a Canon and it does give me crap every now and then. I'm not one for the hard disk stuff though and I recommend getting a camcorder that uses MiniDV's. Also, pretty much a must if you are going to film onride footage is to get yourself a wide angle lens. Make sure that the camcorder that you do get has a wide angle lens made for that model and it won't cost you a lot of money. I think certain lens are really cheap at Best Buy.

[TheStig]

Never buy a Canon. About 4 minutes after I got mine out of the box, it died. Returned it, got a new one, and not even a month later it started giving me problems. Spent WAY too much trying to get it repaired, but then I bought a Sony.

 

I have a Sony DCR-HC42, but they don't make those anymore. Its a GREAT camcorder, never given me a problem. Sadly, my chager burnt up in Spain and some jerk on the plane dropped his bag on it, cracking the screen. But seriously, look into Sony's camcorders. There are a TON of things you can buy for them too (pistol mic, wide angle lens, fish-eye etc.) and they are pretty cheap as far as camera parts go.

 

Just my .02.

[spaceace12]

I have a JVC Everio Hard Drive Video Camera. Can get between 7 to 37 hours of recording depending on quality. Bad side is that you have to use thier software to make the video clips editable, but you can record continuously for 7 hours if you.

 

Whatever camera you get, get the bigger battery. The original batt that came with mine was good for 60 minutes and at times I ran out of battery before I was done shooting. Now I got the battery that lasts 180 minutes.

 

This thread with a similiar subject was found in "ask alvey" if that helps also.

 

http://www.themeparkreview.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=1347