Trying to figure out a camcorder to buy

[Jbregz]

JVC GZ HD620BU 699
- 120 GB HDD
Also MicroSD
- Very good Low Light Performance
- Laser Touch Strip
- No mic input

Sony HDRXR150 519

Panasonic HDCSD60K 449

Panasonic HDCHS60K 599
120 GB HDD
- No mic input


JVC GZ HD500BU 499
80 GB HDD
Also Micro SD
Laser Touch System

Sony HDR CX300 599

Canon HFS200 769

I have gathered a little information on some of the camcorders.
The Canon HF S200 is the only one with a focus ring and the JVC GZ HD500BU and JVC GZ HD620BU
have the laser touch strip which seemed nice. The others use touch for that and It would seem to me that having to focus by touching the screen wouldn't be good as you'd be blocking what your seeing and you could bump the camera while recording? The prices are beside the names.

 

[bigdaddyross]

Canon HFS200 769

Solely based on you list, this one is the winner.

The DSLR still cameras that shoot HD video are also good, minus audio inputs.

 

[Kim Welch]

Sony

Sony

Sony did come out with some new models coming out in Feb 2011

 

[Kim Welch]

Panasonic Cameras

Panasonic Cameras

Panasonic makes great cameras and you don't have to get all the ad ons and attachments you have to get with an hdslr. Get a camera that fists your needs.

 

[PT]

If you haven't bought yet:
There are some new ones as of CES 2011. Notable ones are the Panasonic TM900, TM800 and some Canon Vixia's, and their pricey XA10.

IMO, be sure to get 24P and at least 24Mbs data rate, and manual audio gain control.

The 2010 Panasonic TM700 (and I'd guess the new TM800 and TM900) has a 3 second pre-record feature which is very useful. The TM700 currently asks $749, the TM900 is opening at $999. Watch them to go down.

Good luck. I'll be getting a new one myself in the coming months.

 

[Kim Welch]

sony

sony

What happened to Sony?

 

[PT]

What happened to Sony?

Personally, not sure about anything new of substance from Sony. http://www.digitalcamerareview.com/...y+bloggie+canon+vixia+panasonic+samsung+kodak

Their only current prosumer offering ($2,000) appears to be: http://www.pcworld.com/article/201036/sony_nexvg10_an_hd_camcorder_with_dslr_brains.html

However, they're talking about a "NXCAM HD 35mm" for mid 2011, but it appears to be pro, not prosumer price-range: http://www.hightech-edge.com/sony-nxcam-hd-35mm-camcorder/9827/

The 2011 important prosumer video cam developments I'm aware of are:
Canon Vixia's--HF S30 and HF G10.
Canon XA10 (Professional).
Panasonic TM900 camcorder.
------
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH2 mirror-less Micro-Four-Thirds dSLR-like camera.
Canon EOS Rebel T3i (EOS 600D) APS-C dSLR.

 

[Psywalker]

Check out the new Sony NEX-VG10. it's a handycam with interchangeable lenses.