I need suggestions before buying a camcorder

[Baroness de Vale]

OK so the hubby and I have been talking and decided to buy a camcorder. Mainly it's to take lots of video of the kids and of course at faire. We don't have a lot of money so I would prefer something under $300. I've been reading lots of information on various camcorders and now my head is starting to swim. So I was hoping that some of you fine folk would be able to give me your suggestions for what you use and like. Thanks so much!

[wildthingjew]

here is consumer report testing, the number after the price is their overall rating, hope this helps:

Overall score
This score mainly reflects picture quality and ease of use. The displayed score is out of a total of 100 points.

Canon ZR900   
Canon ZR900
Price: $250
Summary: A standard-definition MiniDV camcorder from Canon with a 37x optical zoom and FireWire port.
See model overview
Similar Models:
Canon ZR930
   $250
  60           

Canon ZR950   
Canon ZR950
Price: $280
Summary: A standard-definition MiniDV camcorder from Canon with a 37x optical zoom and FireWire and USB ports.
See model overview
   $280
  59           

Sony DCR-HC62   
Sony DCR-HC62
Price: $300
Summary: A standard-definition MiniDV camcorder from Sony with a 25x optical zoom and FireWire and USB ports.
See model overview
   $300
  49           

Panasonic PV-GS90   
Panasonic PV-GS90
Price: $280
Summary: A standard-definition MiniDV camcorder from Panasonic with a 42x optical zoom and FireWire port.
See model overview
   $280
  48           

JVC GR-D870   
JVC GR-D870
Price: $240
Summary: A standard-definition MiniDV camcorder from JVC with a 35x optical zoom and FireWire and USB ports.
See model overview
   $240
  43           
 
DVD models     
Canon DC330   
Canon DC330
Price: $380
Summary: A standard-definition DVD camcorder from Canon with a 37x optical zoom and USB port.
See model overview
Similar Models:
Canon DC320
Canon DC310
   $380
  60           

Panasonic VDR-D50   
Panasonic VDR-D50
Price: $330
Summary: A standard-definition DVD camcorder from Panasonic with a 42x optical zoom and USB port.
See model overview
   $330
  51           

Samsung SC-DX103   
Samsung SC-DX103
Price: $300
Summary: A standard-definition DVD camcorder from Samsung with a 34x optical zoom and USB port.
See model overview
   $300
  32           
 
Flash memory models     
Canon FS11   
Canon FS11
Price: $600
Summary: A standard-definition flash memory camcorder from Canon with a 37x optical zoom and USB port.
See model overview
Similar Models:
Canon FS10
Canon FS100
   $600
  56           
 
Panasonic SDR-S7   
Panasonic SDR-S7
Price: $300
Summary: A standard-definition flash memory camcorder from Panasonic with a 10x optical zoom and USB port.
See model overview
   $300
  54           

Sanyo Xacti VPC-CG9   
Sanyo Xacti VPC-CG9
Price: $280
Summary: A standard-definition flash memory camcorder from Sanyo with a 5x optical zoom and USB port.
See model overview
   $280
  43           

JVC GZ-MS100   
JVC GZ-MS100
Price: $330
Summary: A standard-definition flash memory camcorder from JVC with a 35x optical zoom and USB port.
See model overview
   $330
  42           
 
Combination hard disk and flash models     
Panasonic SDR-H40   
Panasonic SDR-H40
Price: $400
Summary: A 40GB standard-definition hard-drive/flash combination camcorder from Panasonic with a 42x optical zoom and USB port.
See model overview
   $400
  50           

Sony DCR-SR85   
Sony DCR-SR85
Price: $600
Summary: A 60GB standard-definition hard-drive/flash combination camcorder from Sony with a 25x optical zoom and USB port.
See model overview
Similar Models:
Sony DCR-SR65
   $600
  50           
 
Combination DVD and flash models     
Sony DCR-DVD910   
Sony DCR-DVD910
Price: $650
Summary: A standard-definition DVD/flash combination camcorder from Sony with a 15x optical zoom and USB port.
See model overview
   $650
  52           

Sony DCR-DVD610   
Sony DCR-DVD610
Price: $350
Summary: A standard-definition DVD/flash combination camcorder from Sony with a 40x optical zoom and USB port.
See model overview
   $350
  47           
 
Hard disk models     
JVC GZ-MG730   
JVC GZ-MG730
Price: $800
Summary: A 30GB standard-definition hard-drive camcorder from JVC with a 10x optical zoom and FireWire and USB ports.
See model overview
   $800
  57           

Panasonic SDR-H60   
Panasonic SDR-H60
Price: $500
Summary: A 60GB standard-definition hard-drive camcorder from Panasonic with a 50x optical zoom and USB port.
See model overview
   $500
  56           

JVC GZ-MG365   
JVC GZ-MG365
Price: $555
Summary: A 60GB standard-definition hard-drive camcorder from JVC with a 35x optical zoom and FireWire and USB ports.
See model overview
Similar Models:
JVC GZ-MG360
JVC GZ-MG335
JVC GZ-MG330
   $555
  52           
 
 

[Baroness de Vale]

Thanks wildthingjew for all of the info! There are a couple on there that I had not read about that look promising!