Cheap Camcorders

[freakmode]

Hi

Looking to buy a cheap camcorder (under £150 ish) to take a couple of small vids for a clay shooting site we look after.

Its a bit of a nightmare as far as choice goes, Mini DV, DVD or SD.

Not too bothered about features as most of it we can do in software anyway but does anyone have an opinion on the way forward?

Anyone purchased anything in the sub prime market recently?

[RuralWeb]

Get a Flip - links to YouTube direct

[freakmode]

Who makes that Malc?

Looked at the Kodak Z16 earlier today looks interesting enough but not sure if it was any good - need to read up.

[RuralWeb]

just google flip. I got mine off dabs.com

[bamboo]

Go to www.vimeo.com

Type in Kodak Zi6 in the search and there are all manner of tests there.
Do the same for Mino
Make your choice.
Cheapest Zi6 at Lambdatech
Cheapest Mino at Amazon


Not wanting to influence you but I prefer the Zi6 as it has better clarity, sound, low light performance, removable storage media and best of all it runs on double AA's whereas the Mino has an inbuilt battery that has to be charged via a USB connection.

Do let us know what choice you make and why.

[Mike Hughes]

I like the reviews on Trusted reviews http://www.trustedreviews.com/. It's essentially the reviews from the magazines on the web.

They've reviewed both the Zi6 and the Flip in their camcorder section.

Mike

[chris ashdown]

There is a High definition recorder sold on QVC for £99.00 that seems to be a handy item it could aslo take snaps at quite a high resolution

Have a hunt on QVC.co.uk

[freakmode]

Just spotted this on Amazon

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B001IVN9XK/sr=1-27/qid=1227214310/ref=olp_product_details?ie=UTF8&me=&qid=1227214310&sr=1-27&seller=

Seems a good spec but from a no name brand - I think I'll end up with a Kodak if I can find one locally.

[wesleythorne]

if its just for web use then stick with a point and shoot digital camera with movie capability, something like a canon ixus wont disapoint.
If you need sound then most digital cameras do this, decent sound quality is something else.

[bamboo]

Just spotted this on Amazon

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B001IVN9XK/sr=1-27/qid=1227214310/ref=olp_product_details?ie=UTF8&me=&qid=1227214310&sr=1-27&seller=

Seems a good spec but from a no name brand - I think I'll end up with a Kodak if I can find one locally.

It's a re- badged one of these DXG 595v
Discussed here. (http://66.102.9.132/search?q=cache:Vl7boTxUvDoJ:www.stevesforums.com/forums/view_topic.php%3Fid%3D594908%26forum_id%3D92%26jump_to%3D938127+Speed+HD-8Z+1080P+HD+Camcorder&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=14&gl=uk) (8th post on the page)

Video test on vimeo here (http://www.vimeo.com/2067333)

[freakmode]

Purchased the Kodak today - Give it a whirl once the battery is charged

[Kate (newbie)]

Hi,

We're in the industry. I had a look at the suggestions above and they are very good.

You have so many options - its a bit like asking what PC do I buy. It all depends on you.

However here are some pointers;

1. Go for a DIGITAL format eg Mini DV (DV means digital Video)
2. You can't go wrong with Digital really. The only other "seemingly" silly tip is go for the BIGGEST camera. This is because the Lens will be better. The problem with the very small compacts is that the reduce the lense, focul length etc and then try and tart up the picture with fancy gadgets.
3. When recording - don't use the Anti shake switch - this mode attempts to smooth out the picture which is only useful if you're an alcoholic. This like other gadets are pretty bad in practice. They sound good on the features list but try and keep footage pure and free of AUTO buttons.

Gosh there are so many Do's - so heres some Don'ts

Don't go for Analogue formats eg SVHS, VHS-c, VHS, Hi8, 8mil (Hi8 compact), however CHEAP they seem - just make sure it's Digital. The analogue formats (once good) now appear so amaturish, bit like listening to your Dads audio cassettes and then the CD version.

If I was you I would go for the bulkiest Mini DV camera.

Hope this helps

(if you look at my site and think "she only does Cine film - whats she on about" please note we also transfer video to DVD, it's just that we don't have that site up yet.)

[freakmode]

Thanks for all the info Kate

SO just like all women size matter then?;)

[Kate (newbie)]

SO just like all women size matter then?;)

LOL No, it's what you do with it !!! :rolleyes:

[bamboo]

Purchased the Kodak today - Give it a whirl once the battery is charged

Hopefully you have the battery charged by now!
Any news on the little Kodaks abilities in your hands?

[freakmode]

Yep battery charged and I must say I am impressed at the quality of the image.

Only main problem is due to no image stabilizer the picture does move around a little when you hold it in your hand.

Purchased a gorillagrip for it today so I'll see how that idea goes.

[bamboo]

I use a unipod and although it takes a bit of getting used to it too stabilises the image and forces you to pay attention to what you are shooting which is a good thing in my opinion. 7dayshop do them for about £6 plus delivery.

None of these small and inexpensive cameras have image stabilisation built in. If they did they wouldn't be inexpensive!

The image quality is truly astonishing compared to the original Flip.
I can't wait to see your first video offering on vimeo or viddler sometime soon.