You've boned up on camcorder specs. You know what style suits you. You may even know a thing or two about video formats. But even if you feel like an expert when you walk into the store, it's still possible to walk out with a bad buy. Before you plunk down your credit card, read through the following tips.

	Avoid a camcorder that doesn't carry a warranty. While it may look like the real deal, a camcorder that doesn't have a warranty is most likely of the gray-market variety: an unauthorized import or a resale camcorder that's not covered by the manufacturer. We suggest you steer clear.
	Don't buy before you try. To capture the best video, you need a camcorder design that lets you shoot with comfort and ease. If you plan to buy online, swing by a traditional store and try out a few different models. A midsize camcorder may be small enough to tote on your trip to Africa; you might not need that pricey ultracompact.
	Don't forget to budget for accessories and supplies. Most MiniDV camcorders don't include a critical component: the FireWire cable necessary for downloading DV video to your computer. You may also want an extra battery--most camcorders are also compatible with larger, higher-capacity batteries. Finally, leave some room in your budget for plenty of decent-quality cassettes or miniDVDs.
	Make sure your computer is prepared. Don't get stuck with hours of video and nothing to do with it. If you plan to play with or edit video, make sure you have the appropriate editing software, enough system memory to work with the software, and enough storage space to hold the amount of footage in one editing project. Consider adding a DVD-R or CD-R drive for archiving and distributing your videos.
	Don't overbuy or underbuy. If the camcorder is a gift, take the giftee to a store to try out different models. Quiz them about how they shoot: Do they like to play with settings or leave on the defaults? Do they want a model to grow into or one they can understand immediately? If the recipient is an enthusiast, you might want to spoil the surprise so that you can find out about any tape- or media-compatibility issues, exposure controls, an add-on video light or mic, and other preferences.
	Don't pay a premium for cutting-edge technology if you don't need to. Camcorders that record straight to DVD or use SD or Microdrive media have a lot of gadget appeal and might be just the thing for a technophile. But tried-and-true MiniDV cameras and media are affordable, enjoy broad support from software and peripherals, and offer a level of quality that the newer formats are still working to attain.
	Don't forget that looks matter. An entire subset of the camcorder market is devoted to pretty toys. If the potential recipient cares a bit more about how something looks than what it can do, just look for a slim, silver, design-intensive model and focus less on the reviewers' performance quibbles. You might want to pay attention to comments about finishes that scratch easily, though.
	Don't be seduced by advanced features that will never be used. Is there some special shooting situation your giftee may have in mind that requires an interchangeable lens system? Do you need that 24P setting because your special someone is a serious videographer working at an advanced level? If either answer is no, then save yourself some money.
	Don't buy a camcorder if what you really want is a camera. Although many camcorders capture still images, you'll generally get better results and more photo-related features with a dedicated still camera. If you tend to favor still images but don't want to lose the ability to capture moving pictures entirely, look for a still camera that has high-quality video capture (640x480 resolution at 30fps with unlimited clip length). You won't get DV-quality video, but your footage will be good enough to serve as a memento accompanying your higher-quality photographs.
	Don't shop seriously until you read our camcorder buying guide. If you're not sure where to start, this is the place: check out the camcorder buying guide here. Once you've narrowed down your choices, research prices online and make sure you know what it should cost before you walk into the store. Don't just take the salesperson's word for it. Some actually charge more than the list price.