Looking To Buy A Cheap 'n' Cheerful First Time Camcorder

[duncyboy]

As the weather's taken a lovely turn here for a while we've found ourselves in the back garden with my nephews most nights having a whale of a time. The thought of buying a camcorder has been hovering for a while but we were frolicking the other night and I thought "It's a shame we haven't got this on camera."

Add to that the fact that my sister is due to give birth to a 3rd nephew or 1st niece any day now and I've decided to take the plunge.

I've narrowed it down to these three offers/cameras:

http://www.dabs.com/productview.asp...49&PageMode=1&NavigationKey=11249,46790000,13

http://www.comet.co.uk/shopcomet/product/384194/SAMSUNG-VP-D371W-XEU

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/offer-li...x=0&me=&qid=&sr=&seller=&colid=&condition=new

I know they're all Samsung but that's because I found the best deals on their cameras. I'm not after a stunning unit here. What I do want is:

Overall good sound and picture quality

Flexibility between indoors and outdoors use: switching from sunny back garden with kids tearing around to indoors with bambino is a must

iMac compatibility- it has to integrate well with iMovie etc

Now, I know at that budget I'm at the bottom of the ladder and shouldn't expect miracles and I honestly don't. I've plumped for the "cheap" option with digital cameras, my TV etc and I know it doesn't necessarily mean losing out. A robust camcorder with good picture and sound for general family moments is great by me.

Any advice, alternatives or review sites would be welcome.

Thanks for any advice anyone can give

 

[MisterMe]

If you want to edit your video, then you need mini DV and FireWire. Each of your candidates use mini DV. This is a good thing. There is no indication that any of your candidates have FireWire ports. This is a bad thing.

My suggestion to you is to research the models that you are considering on their manufacturers' websites. Then find the honest vendor with the best price.

 

[karenflower]

I think the Flip Video is rather interesting - there's a detailed video review here.

It only has a USB connection - but is easy to use, and apparently does very well in low light, like indoors. The video is supposedly high quality too, I don't know if would match what you've been looking at, but if portability (and simplicity) is important then it might be worth considering.

 

[duncyboy]

This is a good thing. There is no indication that any of your candidates have FireWire ports. This is a bad thing.

The Samsung 381 doesn't have Firewire, the rest do so I'll avoid that one.

I think the Flip Video is rather interesting - there's a detailed video review here.

It only has a USB connection - but is easy to use, and apparently does very well in low light, like indoors. The video is supposedly high quality too, I don't know if would match what you've been looking at, but if portability (and simplicity) is important then it might be worth considering.

That's an interesting little camera- might remember that as a present for my sister, but it's not really what I'm after. It looks good but it saves movies as AVI which doesn't go well with iMovie without some tinkering so I think I'll stick with miniDV cameras.

Cheers anyway

 

[aafuss1]

The Flip doesn't have optical zoom-only digital zoom, which is worser than a camcorder with a optical zoom.

Some Canons to look at:
http://www.canon.co.uk/For_Home/Product_Finder/Camcorders/Digital/md235/index.asp
http://www.canon.co.uk/For_Home/Product_Finder/Camcorders/Digital/md205/index.asp
http://www.canon.co.uk/For_Home/Product_Finder/Camcorders/Digital/md101/index.asp
http://www.canon.co.uk/For_Home/Product_Finder/Camcorders/Digital/md160/index.asp

I have a Canon MD120 which has a easy automated mode for new users.

 

[zioxide]

If you can afford it, definitely go with Canon over Samsung. IMO Canon gives the best picture for low-budget consumer cameras like you want.

I'd get something like this:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Canon-Digit...1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1212075238&sr=1-1

Check out camcorderinfo.com. It's a great site for reviews.