Camcorder

[Mozzy]

Been using my Canon DSLR for odd clips but of late I quite fancy a simple auto focus camcorder. I have NO knowledge of these things and would really appreciate a nudge in the right direction. Not a huge budget, just a few hundred but if I can get a decent recommendation that is price kind that would be great.

Any help gratefully appreciated.

 

[twowheelsgood]

Hi Mozzy, your budget is in a bit of a no-man's-land between the "flip" style cameras and a "real" camcorder.

If you can stretch to it I cannot but sing the praises of Panasonic's lower end camcorders high enough (I only ever recommend what I know). I have the SD60 and I got it from the states for about £230 over a year ago (caution: 30/60fps on US models and not 25/50 as in the UK if this bothers you). I think this model has since been replaced by the SD90. Do be careful though, go for the one with the 1/4 inch sensor, there is a cheaper model which has a smaller, lower res sensor (SD80 I think). Just because a camcorder records an HD stream doesn't mean what's in it is actually has HD resolution (much like these equally silly compact cameras with "14MP resolution") as many of those who have helmet/bar cams with ambitious advertised resolutions will testify.

It's also incredibly compact and easy to handle and has the huge advantage of very effective optical image stabilisation - if you've ever used a camcorder you'll know that without this (or a tripod) most of what you'll film on the go is pretty unwatchable. Oh and the optical smart zoom too.., excellent.

http://www.camcorderinfo.com/

Hope this helps. Oh and another thing for editing you'll need a very good PC!

 

[Mozzy]

Thank you very much indeed. I have an Apple Mac with lots of editing software. Sounds good and always better to receive a recommendation.

 

[Milemuncher]

I am no expert, Mossy, but like you had been using my Nikon stills camera until recently. Then bought myself a Flip Ultra. This is a simple point and shoot video camera - tiny little thing - but it does have image stabilisation. One thing, these have been discontinued by their makers (Cisco) despite having a good reputation: the good bit about this is you can pick up old stock at knock down prices. I paid £70. Just Google it. Like you I use a Mac and the two work well together. Advantage: cheap way to dip your toe in the water. Disadvantage: known to work much better in good light and you may outgrow it and want a better featured camera quite soon. A few months in I am happy with mine and it comes with me in my bar bag each trip. As I say it weighs next to nothing and is about the size of a phone. Ah another thought - I am told by those who have some experience that the new iPhone 4s is a super wee video camera. Hope this helps.

 

[gbb]

Like Milemuncher, i brought the wife a Flip Ultra last Xmas, a lovely little bit of kit. Of course it can't match proper camcorders for functions and picture quality, but it really does do the job, lovely reproduction when you download it to the computer. I'm amazed they stopped making them or that people didnt buy them.
The other advantage is...how many people buy a camcorder, use it a bit, then it gets consigned to the bottom drawer, i know mine has. Even the wifes Flip doesnt get much use. I paid a lot of money for my Sont handycam...its hardly seen any use in the 10 years or whatever ive had it. I'd have been just as happy with a Flip if they'd have been around at the time.

The downside is the flip out USB connector...looks flimsy to me.

That said, if you want functions and real quality pictures, a camcorder probably is the way to go.

 

[Mozzy]

This is just what I was after. Does the Flip offer an auto focus facility?

 

[Milemuncher]

This is just what I was after. Does the Flip offer an auto focus facility?

Yes, Mossy, the Flip is just a point and shoot job with a reasonably wide angle lens so pretty well everything is in focus. You can buy cheapie wider angle lenses to stick on top of the original if you want, but not really needed. One disadvantage, is that the built in mike has no wind protection so it creates a lot of noise when used on the bike, but its fine for recording conversations in quiet locations. There is no way you can plug in an external mike - another limitation, but one shared with many less expensive camcorders. If you cannot get a Flip, Kodak do something similar at the bottom of their range I believe. But by the time you are paying say £100+ I guess you are wise to consider 'proper' camcorders. I only have very limited experience of the cheap and cheerful Flip.