do weddings for a living use camcorders that are more $. They typically also have experience.
Personally, I would NEVER do video at a wedding. Especially for a family member. (and I have been asked many times by family and friends.) If this is supposed to be a fun family event, you don't get to participate because you are doing the video. If the video does not turn out well, you are blamed. When your battery runs out of power and you can't get the 2nd half of the ceremony or reception or whatever, you are blamed. If the lighting is poor and the video you get does not look good, you are blamed. When it comes time to edit and what you come up with is not what they were expecting, you are the bad guy.
If you are not the only person taking video, then go for it - but remember the above. But at least take a hint from the pros... Use a miniDV tape based camera. Use a tripod, monopod or other steadying device - Humans were not built to remain steady. Get extra rechargeable high-capacity batteries. There is no camcorder that comes with a "good" battery in the box. If it is a night ceremony or reception or it is expected to be dark when you are getting video, get a good video light (in the budget you have stated, there is no good "low-light" camera). Consider how the audio will be captured. If you are taping the ceremony and you are at the back of the room, the camera's built-in mics are also at the back of the room - which means they cannot hear anything. Will the camcorder you select need an external mic? What kind?
If you do decide to go down this path, a couple of extra batteries, a decent tripod, a decent external (possibly wireless) mic, video light... basically, your camera budget is about 1/2 of what you think it is... so $300-$400 for just the camcorder. This takes you to the Canon ZR family... with a mic connection, you are limited to the Canon ZR800 and Canon ZR900. There is no Sony, Panasonic or other miniDV tape based camcorder (or other media storage, for that matter) that fits the requirements (of which I am aware), so trying to determine "best video quality" or all the other stuff, does not even come into the discussion...
hi,
i am looking for a camcorder.i am setting my budget around 600-700 dollars. i've seen a couple, but there's just soo many choices and i don't know which to pick. i've been asked to video tape my uncle's wedding which is in august. so i guess you can say i need a camera that will do good in a wedding. any help will be great. thanks
