What's a good camcorder?

[thesdx]

I'm looking for an inexpensive (under $300) camcorder that's easy to use, has nice video quality, and is Mac-friendly. I'd rather not have to deal with flash cards, so a DV or hard disk cam with FireWire would be best. Any recommendations?

 

[speakerwizard]

im saving for a hv-20 supposed to be about the best in its class.

 

[ftaok]

I'm looking for an inexpensive (under $300) camcorder that's easy to use, has nice video quality, and is Mac-friendly. I'd rather not have to deal with flash cards, so a DV or hard disk cam with FireWire would be best. Any recommendations?

For $300, you're looking exclusively at miniDV, unless you get a great deal or buy used. Also, I don't think there are any HDD camcorders that have Firewire, but that's neither here nor there.

Try finding a Canon Elura 100. It's discontinued, but you might be able to find one somewhere. They were selling for $380 or so when current. You might be able to get one around $300 if you can find it.

Also, you might be able to get a nice Panasonic 3CCD model for around that price range ... well maybe a little more, say $350 to $400. I think the Panny is called the GS320 or something.

Check out the reviews at camcorderinfo.com

 

[marioman38]

Agreed... Elura 100... If you can save up, the HV20 is one awesome camcorder!

 

[lorductape]

if you go hard drive or miniDVD you will live to regret it

 

[twoodcc]

if you go hard drive or miniDVD you will live to regret it

yes you will. i learned that the hard way.

i'd stick with a Canon though

 

[jbosing]

Why did the last two people nix hard drives and miniDVD?

 

[marioman38]

Mini-DV is still the industry standard, you'll run in to many issues trying to convert DVD or Harddrive, in to a format easily editable in iMovie/FCP... Most DVD and HD cams don't even have a firewire port to transfer the video. Go for mini-dv.

 

[twoodcc]

Why did the last two people nix hard drives and miniDVD?

b/c for one, they aren't "mac-friendly".

 

[fart]

if you can stretch your $300 to $500 or $800, go for an HV-10 (cheapest decent HDV, no?) or the HV-20/HC-Whatever.

IMHO, there is zero reason to invest anything in standard definition at this point.

 

[hauss316H]

im looking to upgrade my hi8 sony dcr-trv250 to something that does better quality video. i dont want to jump into the HD stuff yet because its too expensive and there isnt a demand for it yet. anyone have any recommendations? I would like it to have really good night vision like the camera i have now, duh mac supported, and looking to spend nothing more than about $500.

 

[ftaok]

b/c for one, they aren't "mac-friendly".

Actually, with iMovie'08, they are Mac-friendly. Well, with the DVD camcorders, just make sure you don't stick the DVD in the Mac if it has a slot-loading drive.

Still, I'd go with miniDV.

 

[jolton]

The canon hv20 has been spectacular. Granted I mainly use it to film my family and son but really phenomenal film quality.

 

[twoodcc]

Actually, with iMovie'08, they are Mac-friendly. Well, with the DVD camcorders, just make sure you don't stick the DVD in the Mac if it has a slot-loading drive.

Still, I'd go with miniDV.

yeah i know, but the one have doesn't make very good quality videos either. it's one of the first sony minidvd ones