Best digital camcorder

[Sea_dreamer]

I am on the hunt for a good digital camcorder. While it will be used for general family stuff, I am looking to:

1. Attach it to the back of the boat and film the crew in action (so battery life/capable of running off 12V is important).

2. Fly it off a kite (did anyone else see the KiteCam link) - so it needs to be robust. I might even take it up the mast.

3. Give it to others to take film - so it needs to be easy to use.

I will also be editing footage so any recommendations as to DVD editing software would be appreciated.

What does the panel think?

John

 

[mobeydick]

You did say 'boat' once, so I guess the post is allowed here....
I think you need to specify format at least:

MiniDV (best quality, easiest to edit, most difficult to use, least robust)
DVD (medium quality, difficult to edit, easy to use)
Solid state (lightest/smallest, worst quality, easy to use, most robust)

 

[Sea_dreamer]

This is a very boaty question - I am aware of the risks of NB questions! I thought that the KiteCam footage was fantastic, and am inspired. I was at the Scottish Series, and received the DVD recently. Lots of shore-side footage which was very disappointing...

Anyway - solid state was what I was thinking - the question is how poor is the quality. At the moment I am taking footage with my digital camera so my standards are not high.

 

[Aja]

Solid state will not be broadcast quality. Not of course you are able to spend lots of dosh.

I think you have to look at frames/second too.

Donald

 

[JackFrobisher]

There are loads to choose from, but I guess you know that if you've been looking. FWIW I opted for a tape-based camcorder because of availability of blanks. You can get a blank Digital 8 tape almost anywhere (a beach in Peru for example). I suspect that it would not be so easy to buy blank DVDs and compact flash etc. in out of the way places. Editing down from too much footage is better than missing a once in a lifetime moment because you have no space left. You can edit and create space to record more stuff as you go but it is time consuming to do it on a camera.
I use Ulead Video Studio 8 (version 9 or maybe 10 out now), which is reasonably priced and does what I want. You might look at Microsoft Movie Maker, which comes free with XP.

 

[landlockedpirate]

I've had a couple of solid state type camcorders current 1 is a Sanyo Xacti C6 (They also do a water resistant version). Comments above are true, the quality is not the best, but I find that because of its tiny size I actually carry it with me and therefore use it more. (Its the same size as a mobile phone).

If quality pictures are at the top of your list, these arnt for you, but point and shoot and easy to carry are then one of these would be great.

Standard Sanyo Xacti

Hi-def Xacti

Waterproof Xacti

Samsung Miniket

Mark

 

[Sea_dreamer]

Just to be clear - when I say solid state - I was thinking of Hard Disk Drive camcorders, which seem to have 20-30Gb drives.

 

[steve_cronin]

You can hardly expect an un-biased view here...

.. for as when anyone asks for a recommendation, contributors just jump up and proclaim that theirs is the best thing since sliced bread.

Well here's My recommendation:-


Get yourself a copy of "Which" the Consumer Association magazine or look at their Camcorder tests site. lash out £2.99 for guest membership and examine an unbiased report.

having said that though, you might just pick up an odd useful tip here but hardly an objective analysis.

Steve Cronin

 

[Sea_dreamer]

Re: You can hardly expect an un-biased view here...

Thanks. I was on the Which site - but hesitated when asked for cash...

On your recommendation I shall throw some money at the issue!