Topic: HD Camcorders

[mackbig]

Anyone have any recommendations for a new HD camcorder?

Looking for smallish hand held for home movies.  Even though I really want something like a Sony HVR-V1U
http://pro.sony.com/bbsccms/ext/hdv/hvrv1u/HVR-V1U/overview.html
The $2800-5000 price tags, and large size are less than desirable.

Always been in the Sony camp, but willing to look elsewhere.  But it seems they have finally realized that not everyone like Memory Stick tech, so it looks like some are supporting SD/SDHC cards now.

This one caught my eye from Canon, rated high on Cnet.
Canon VIXIA HF20 – HD camcorder
http://www.canon.ca/inetCA/products?m=gp&pid=977#_030

So, anyone buy one recently, any suggestions.  It also appears that flash cards are the way to go now, which makes sense as if the HDD fills up on a trip you are fubar'd, and I glad I missed the whole recordable DVD phase of camcorders, that was just begging for disappointment after getting home from a trip/event with a wonky piece of plastic with nothing on it....

Thanks,
Andrew

[katlon]

Andrew
I, like you, had been a Sony only camcorder owner for years until I wanted to get a new HD camcorder a year or so ago. I searched and searched until I decided to buy the Canon Vixia HV30. I decided to stay with a tape recorder because back then the cards weren't getting a lot of high praise for hd recording. The Canon I have has been an excellent investment. There are several modes of recording and the still picture quality is as good as can be expected.

Lonnie

[Bushman]

Get a Red One      www.red.com

[vcbmoore]

So, anyone buy one recently, any suggestions.  It also appears that flash cards are the way to go now, which makes sense as if the HDD fills up on a trip you are fubar'd, and I glad I missed the whole recordable DVD phase of camcorders, that was just begging for disappointment after getting home from a trip/event with a wonky piece of plastic with nothing on it....

About a month ago I bought a Canon HF M30.  Amazon has them for $400, no shipping, no sales tax.  Below is a copy of an email I sent to friend interested in a new Camcorder.

Below are some links to various camcorders websites.  At first I was looking at the Low End, HD Camcorder market and spending under $350.  Unfortunately, everything I read in this category had serious flaws - pictures quality, noisy audio, etc.  So I started looking at the mid range and was pleasantly surprised.  The bottom line is, in the mid range, high definition, camcorder arena, based on all the reviews I've read and research I've done, Canon and Panasonic are the two brands to consider.  Specifically, HF M300 and HF M30 from Canon and available from Amazon for $379 and $399 respectively, or the Panasonic HDC-SD60K and HDC-TM55K.  Both are available from Amazon for $375 and $420 respectively.  In each case, whether it be Canon or Panasonic, the more expensive camcorders have built in memory.  This is not a big deal because the memory will only hold about 60 minutes of recording.  So additional memory will be needed anyway.  However both higher priced units have some subtle features that I wanted.  I opted for the Canon HF M30 because it had a couple of very subtle features the Panasonic didn't.  In addition to the camcorder, I bought another, larger battery, battery charger and UV filter to protect the lens.   BTW, Amazon does not charge for shipping or sales tax.  That is a huge savings on items this costly.
 
Canon:
Website:  http://www.usa.canon.com/cusa/consumer/products/camcorders/consumer_camcorders
Canon Product Guide:  On Canon website
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/s/?field-brand=Canon&field-browse=172421
 
Panasonic:
Website: http://www2.panasonic.com/consumer-electronics/shop/Cameras-Camcorders/Camcorders/1-MOS-High-Def-Camcorders.list.149046_11002_7000000000000005702
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/s/?field-brand=Panasonic&field-browse=172421
 
Reviewing websites:
CNET:  http://reviews.cnet.com/best-hd-camcorders/
TestFreaks:  http://www.testfreaks.com/digital-camcorders/?sort=score
Smart Review:  http://www.smartreview.com/best-flash-memory-camcorder-reviews-and-comparison
TopTen Reviews:  http://camcorders.toptenreviews.com/hdv/
Camcorder Reviews:  http://camcorder-reviews.net/top-10-camcorders/