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