JR Lang asked:


Today there are many choices available when it comes to digital camcorders. The shelfs are full of brands and models each unique in their features and capabilities. Here is a list of the top 7 digital camcorders.

Canon Vixia HF10 - This is Canon's first flash memory media digital camcorder. It delivers excellent High Definition quality video and performance while remaining compact and user-friendly. Specifications: High Definition Digital Camcorder, 16 GB Internal Flash Drive, full 1920x1080 capture and recording High Definition Video, 12 x optical/200x digital zoom lens. Retail: $1099.00

CANON VIXIA HF100 - Canon's second Flash Media digital camcorder, same small package and continues to deliver excellent High Definition video quality. With it's advanced Video Codec High Definition, the picture never fails to deliver a supreme high-def viewing experience.

Specifications: Digital Camcorder, Flash Card memory, full 1920x1080 capture and recording High Definition Video, 12 x high definition video zoom lens. Retail: $899.00

Canon DC-50 Digital CamcorderCanon DC-50 - Nice and simple. Canon delivers a simple DVD camcorder that produces great video. Specifications: DVD Digital Camcorder, 5.39 megapixels, 10 x optical zoom, DVD-R (8cm), DVD-RW (8 cm), DVD-R DL (8 cm). Retail: $799.00

Sony Handycam HDR-SR11 - This 60GB Hard Drive based High Definition Video digital camcorder features superb image quality and top notch performance. Specifications: 60GB Hard-Drive Digital Camcorder, full 1920x1080 capture and recording High Definition Video, 12 x optical zoom. Retail: $1199.00

Canon DC230 - A great budget model. While it has few frills, the long lens and good video quality makes the Canon DC230 stand above the rest of the inexpensive DVD type camcorders. Specifications: DVD Digital Camcorder, 1.07 megapixels, 35 x optical zoom, DVD-R (8cm), DVD-RW (8 cm), DVD-R DL (8 cm). Retail: $449.00

JVC GR-D250 - While JVC manufacturers offer several types of digital camcorders the GR-D250 stands out due to a budget price and a big zoom range. Specifications: MiniDV Digital Camcorder, 25 x optical zoom/800 x digital zoom. Retail: $279.00

Flip Ultra: You cannot write about top digital camcorders and not mention the Flip Ultra, the second and better version of the original Flip from Pure Digital. An innovation in video recording the Flip hit the market by storm and accounts for over 13% of all video camera sales. Major manufacturers are all ready mimicking the Flip by coming out with similar versions. The Flip Ultra can definitely be dubbed as the "simple and perfect" digital camcorder.

Specifications are pretty much nill with this one. The screen is tiny (1.5 inches) and doesn't swing out for self-portraits. No still shots. There are no settings, no menu buttons, no light, no lens cap and no memory card. No optical zoom, only a 2 x digital zoom. The entire unit is pocket size, has three buttons, play, stop and trash. No battery pack, works with AA batteries, (alkalines last about 2 hours and rechargeables about 5 hours).

No tapes or disks, all footage is downloaded via attached USB plug, which pops out at 90 degrees to the camera body, plug that into the computer and download the footage. The Flip's icon appears on your screen as though it's a disk. When you open it, you find a folder full of video clips, which you can play, copy to your hard drive and burn to DVD and edit in most standard editing programs. All of this requires a one-time installation of a special codec (a video-format translator). You can also use a special cable to plug it into the TV and watch footage.

Also, you can take the Flip to a CVS or other participating store where they will make you a DVD for $13.

The entire filming process is: Press the red button once to record and once to stop. Press play to review the video and then trash to delete scene. Thats it?

Yes that's it! It is the most simple of digital camcorders that fits anywhere and everywhere, and is light enough for a baby to hold. It's size allows it to go anywhere, and everywhere where a traditional camcorder may not, like a purse, beach bag, or pocket. It's rugged so you can take it skiing, to the playground, while playing a sport and virtually anywhere where you might need to shoot some clips. And if you get the acrylic accessory case (retails: $50) you can even take it UNDERWATER!

With all this simplicity, the Flip delivers an amazingly good picture quality. It has TV resolution (640 x 480 pixels, 30 frames per second). The picture is surprisingly good, not as good as high definition or tape digital camcorders but for the price and simplicity the Flip definitely earns a spot on the top digital camcorders list. The most amazing feature is the Flip's low-light ability, which trumps even the most expensive of digital camcorders. Not only is the video grain-free, but recorded dim scenes actually look brighter than they looked to the naked eye. Retail Price: $149.99 with max 60 minutes of footage.

Something to consider is that in todays' world with the Internet providing a stage where millions of sellers and merchants compete for your business it is easy to save significant amounts of money by avoiding retail merchants and purchasing discount digital camcorders.



Drew

Shaun Parker asked:


Want to make movies but do not want to blow the budget? There are two camcorders for under 100 GBP that you will want. So which one should you choose?

With dimensions a little larger than your average mobile phone 32 x 55 x 106mm, the Flip Video Ultra is a pocketable camcorder for capturing movies on the move. But this is not designed to take on the big boys like Canon and JVC, but instead offer you movies on the cheap. The simple design sees a lens on the front, power switch on one side and the flip-out USB connector on the other as well as a TV out socket. The rear sports 1-inch LCD screen and the controls.

This is a concept we like, it is so simple to shoot and share video with this pocketable device. The approach is easier than using a mobile phone and the results are better, so you are more likely to do it. Also, you can go from pocket to filming in seconds, so you do not miss the moment.

The price is perhaps a little high, at 99 GBP this could be beyond the reach of some, considering the duplication of existing phone or camera features. A replacement for a camcorder this is not, but for capturing those passing moments and having fun with video, it is a great little device.

Sporting the moniker Pocket Video Cam, Creative are lining up against Flip Video in the battle to be the video in your pocket. The device is slimmer that the Flip, with the lens and screen being flush to the body rather than protruding, again, there is no lens cover.

The slimmer design is thanks to the lithium-ion battery, rather than the AA batteries of the Flip. You also get 2 hours from the battery, meaning you can fill the 2GB memory before the battery dies.

The software supporting the Vado does not compare to the offering from Flip and practically serves no purpose for those on their home computer; granted, those in internet cafes or on the move might depend on those sharing options.

However, the Vado stands-up against the Flip in a number of areas: the rechargeable battery and the slimmer profile will appeal. Likewise, the option of step down in quality to get an extra hour from the memory is an option that makes this a much more versatile device. The screen is bigger, the design more conservative and the price lower. The camcorder battle lines are drawn, so let the video shoot-out commence!



German