Camcorder Recommendation ~$600 - Canadian TV, Computing and Home Theatre Forums

Nighthawk 1 · 2011-07-27, 10:41 PM

Updating my old Sony Hi-8 camcorder to a newer unit. Can anyone please recommend something they have and works well for ~ $600. I realize there are different recording storage options out there and have no idea if one is better over another. Would prefer something with HD capability. I'm open to anything (just not something too bulky).

cooper83 · 2011-07-27, 10:52 PM

From the initial research I've done, your best value is to get one with litte-to-no onboard storage due to the premium price for the included hard drives. Flash memory is so cheap nowadays, it makes more sense to buy your own SD cards. Cuts down on weight too.

What will you be using it for? Do you need a mic input? 24fps?

Nighthawk 1 · 2011-07-29, 01:54 AM

Don't think I need a mic input or anything. Frame rate...no idea. Just want to film and throw it onto the tv to watch later.

cooper83 · 2011-07-29, 12:59 PM

You might want to consider a pocket camcorder then - Kodak, Sony, Flip (super cheap right now as their parent company folded that part of the business), etc.

Or even a point & shoot digital camera with HD video recording. For the price, the quality is surprisingly good on these little cameras. If you won't be doing any editing and don't require extra features, I don't see the need to spend $600 on a camera.

2011-07-27, 10:41 PM	#1
Nighthawk 1 Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Victoria Posts: 546	Camcorder Recommendation ~$600 Updating my old Sony Hi-8 camcorder to a newer unit. Can anyone please recommend something they have and works well for ~ $600. I realize there are different recording storage options out there and have no idea if one is better over another. Would prefer something with HD capability. I'm open to anything (just not something too bulky).

2011-07-27, 10:52 PM	#2
cooper83 Veteran Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Victoria, BC Posts: 2,537	From the initial research I've done, your best value is to get one with litte-to-no onboard storage due to the premium price for the included hard drives. Flash memory is so cheap nowadays, it makes more sense to buy your own SD cards. Cuts down on weight too. What will you be using it for? Do you need a mic input? 24fps? __________________ Panasonic TH-42PE7U plasma, Toshiba HD-D3, PS3, Shaw DCX3400, Yamaha HTR-6160, Polk 6.1, Belkin PF30, Harmony 700

2011-07-29, 12:59 PM	#4
cooper83 Veteran Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Victoria, BC Posts: 2,537	You might want to consider a pocket camcorder then - Kodak, Sony, Flip (super cheap right now as their parent company folded that part of the business), etc. Or even a point & shoot digital camera with HD video recording. For the price, the quality is surprisingly good on these little cameras. If you won't be doing any editing and don't require extra features, I don't see the need to spend $600 on a camera. __________________ Panasonic TH-42PE7U plasma, Toshiba HD-D3, PS3, Shaw DCX3400, Yamaha HTR-6160, Polk 6.1, Belkin PF30, Harmony 700

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2011-07-29, 01:54 AM	#3
Nighthawk 1 Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Victoria Posts: 546	Don't think I need a mic input or anything. Frame rate...no idea. Just want to film and throw it onto the tv to watch later.