Need help for buying a digital video camera

I don't expect to edit video after recorded. Regards

Sorry for posting outside the thread. Thanks for your attention, I think I will shoot for sony.

But in terms of image stabilization and a rapid and good autofocus what is the beste camcorder for achieve that? A dvd one or a mini dv? What models you suggest? Thanks

In terms of features I said what camera you would choose among canon md-150, canon md-160, canon dc230 and sony dcr-dvd106E? Thanks

Honestly. If you aren't editing and you aren't expecting to move the video to your computer for uploading to the web (that falls under the heading of "editing"... and you aren't shooting the next Harry Potter movie, just pick one.

In the range of the camcorders on your list, the differences aren't that big - certainly not enough to spend a lot of time on... just get A camera and start capturing video. It isn't a big deal.

do you know if performance of dc230 is good?
By the way what mini dv camera you would buy if you want the features I already need? Thanks

I would not waste my money on a miniDVD based camcorder. I like to edit - and I post stuff to the web at MySpace, YouTube and websites where much less compression is used. If someone GAVE me a DVD-based camcorder, I would recycle it be cause I would feel too guilty giving it to someone.

MiniDV tape based camcorders continue to provide the highest quality video image available and are affordable - as are the tapes. A Panasonic PV-GS320 (no external mic jack) or even a Canon ZR800 (has an external mic jack) would be a much better investment... but if you have no expectation to get the video into your computer for any particular reason, then it does not matter.

I have been using a Sony HDR-HC1 for almost 2 years. Before that is was a Canon Elura. I am currently looking at the Sony HVR-V1 or HVR-Z1, Canon XH A1 or Panasonic AG-HVX200. These cameras are very different than those you are evaluating. They will do everything you want - and much more... and they all have a couple of common items: They all do high definition and they all record to miniDV tape. That they all *can* record to an external hard drive is helpful, but a nice to have (external drive file format is like tape - not like the internal drive camcorders). The Panasonic also can record to P2 memory cards.

If I was in your shoes, I would probably be looking at the Canon ZR800 (to be fair, the PV-GS320, PV-GS85 and Sony HC96 are fine cameras too). Video is about 1/4 of the story... Audio, editing and lighting make up a big part of the important stuff. Of course, it helps to have a good story (even with family videos); characters/subjects willing to be filmed... but this is just my opinion...

I've been looking in web and I found in cnet a review that says ZR800 has a problem in stabilization at maximum zoom.. That's why I put it a bit apart of my choices. By the way, ZR850 is better than ZR800 in this aspect?

stabilization issues at maximum zoom - that is because all the visual is magnified and the tiniest movement is very apparent. At 1/2-to-maximum zoom on any camcorder, you should be using a tripod.

The ZR850 does not have the mic-in jack that the ZR800 has.

And between ZR800/850 and MD160, what's your advice? Thanks

Looks like the MD160 does marginally better in low light... Both are miniDV; both have external mic-in... Optical zoom is the same 35x (by the way, whichever camcorder you get, turn digital zoom off when you get it - digital zoom is useless).

If you decide to go this route, remember, you need FireWire to transfer video from the camcorder ("DV" port) to the computer - and *most* Windows based coputers don't include FireWire (Macs have had FireWire ports for years). Also, the camcorder manufacturers generally do not include a FireWire cable. 4-pin on the camcorder side to 4 or 6 pin (depending on your computer's port) on the computer side. If you don't have a FireWire port, they are typically easy and inexpensive to add. FireWire is not USB. The USB port is for transferring stills off a memory card in the camcorder.

Also consider an optional high-capacity battery; a sturdy tripod; sturdy case to protect your investment... and when you are ready, an external stereo or shotgun mic... like those from RODE or NRG - you *could* spend a lot more on the mic (Audio-Technica AT-822, AT-825 or Shure VP88 or similar) but that is not necessary in this camera range.

Thanks very much for your answers!!
Now I'm really between the sony DCR-HC47 and the canon MD160 because I found good reviews of the sony. Both has pratically the same price in shops near me, but I think sony may have a higher video quality and maybe the best choice for a future camcorder. Can you help me decide which is the better choice? Thanks

I have already a firewire port (I394) in my laptop, so no problem at that point.

mic-in jack. I don't count the Sony proprietary "active interface" shoe (even though there is an adapter)...

By the way, if you use the camera's auto-volume level control feature (typically the default), any camcorder's built in mics will pick up noise - from the camcorder drive mechanism. This is especially apparent when there is not a lot noise... the mics are listening for noise to record - that is their job. Remember, they are co-located in the same body as the drive mechanism (whether hard drive, DVD or tape) just shows how sensitive they are. That is why one of the important things to learn to use is the manual audio level control... with or without an external mic.

The manual audio control will not eliminate picking up the extraneous camera noise, but the auto volume level circuit will not kick in when there is no (or only VERY low) noise in whatever environment you are recording.