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General discussion

Best low-priced camcorder

Mar 10, 2006 8:48PM PST

What's the best low-priced camcorders and what's MiniDv, is it the way video are stored like Dvd or tape?

Discussion is locked

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MiniDV
Mar 11, 2006 4:39AM PST

is a digital format using mini sized cassettes. It is not the only format, but seems to be popular. Many good cameras are available in the $300-350 range. I just bought the Sony DCR HC-36 MiniDV with memory stick duo plus capability. Their HC-26 is the same camcorder w/o the memory stick option for

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check out Canon
Mar 12, 2006 5:42PM PST

The new Canon ZR500 is below 300$ but is rated good in the reviews. Only downside is that you can't take any stills with this cam.
Regards
Sektionschef

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Sony DCRHC32 (Close-out) ?
Mar 12, 2006 10:33PM PST

How about the Sony DCRHC32? Looks to be a close-out model which makes me skeptical but have seen prices from 285 - 335. Just not sure about buying a close-out model.

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DCR-HC32
Mar 13, 2006 2:19AM PST

The newer model HC36 isn't all that much more money. I looked at this same scenario a month ago and went with the newer model for $348.

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Dvd'S?
Mar 16, 2006 9:23AM PST

But are these cameras Dvd's? Cuz i'm looking for a dvd camera.

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No, they are MiniDV
Mar 16, 2006 9:50PM PST

You didn't mention wanting DVD format in your original post. No personal experience, but I understand there are issues with the VDD models making too many coasters and not enough DVDs. This may have been resolved with the latest generation. The MiniDV is a digital tape format that allows you to make DVDs on a PC if wanted.

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MiniDV is better...
Jun 7, 2006 3:51PM PDT

MiniDV is much better for your money (well better overall) because DVD camcorders save your video as an Mpeg2 video file, which is much lower quality than AVI (which you would probably capture your video as when using MiniDV tapes). Also Im quessing that and bump or knock that the camera experiences while recording will certainly ruin the disk.

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Canon Elura 100
Mar 24, 2006 5:58AM PST

Although I don't have one, I've done some research on the Elura 100 with positive findings. The low light is supposed to be good, it's got a 20x zoom, and a 1/5" ccd. Street prices are from 300-375, which seems like a great deal for what you get. I wanted to see what camcorderinfo.com said about it, but as yet they haven't reviewed it. I'm going to pick one up in the next few days.

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Canon Elura 100 Review
Mar 24, 2006 1:22PM PST

Hi Bob,
I too liked the specs that I read comcerning this camera. Looking forward to your feedback when you get one. Thanks
Hog

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Finally got the Elura
Apr 4, 2006 8:24AM PDT

Hog,

I've been playing around with the Elura 100 for a day now and have liked it so far. The layout and handling took a while to get used to, and I'm still learning, but I've been impressed with the video and low light of the camcorder. I don't think you can go wrong with it. The review on camcorderinfo.com was excellent (except for button layout and handling, which I've already addressed).

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Got one ... love it.
Mar 24, 2006 7:45PM PST

Bob,

I couldn't wait for the camcorderinfo review and went out and bought one. I just love it.

There is a "first impressions" review. It has a buch of positive comments. However, they did have certain negative comments that had me a bit worried before I got it. After using it I found any negative comments they had to be unfounded. (This is a first impressions review ... they just has a few minutes to evaluate it)

For example:

- they say the battery heats up the camcorder and causes slight discomfort. Can't figure this one. The battery is located in an area you won't touch, and it stays cool while charging and during use.
- they say that because of the reduced CCD size compared to last year's model, the low light capability will be worse. The Elura 100 has a 1/5 inch CCD while the ZR500 has a smaller 1/6 inch CCD, and the ZR500 has good low light performance. I found the Elura 100 to have low light performance as good as the ZR500.