[hexniks]

I'm toying with the idea of buy a video camera and have no idea what to look for. I don't know the first thing about them and need some help from folks that actually own one. If I decide to buy one it's basically to mess around with shooting hummingbirds out my window or fooling around when I'm bored. Because it wouldn't be used for anything real serious I probably wouldn't spend more than 500 or 600 bucks.

Thanks for your help

[deandrecooke]

i have a little samsung,decent piece of kit

[Alex]

I'm toying with the idea of buy a video camera and have no idea what to look for. I don't know the first thing about them and need some help from folks that actually own one. If I decide to buy one it's basically to mess around with shooting hummingbirds out my window or fooling around when I'm bored. Because it wouldn't be used for anything real serious I probably wouldn't spend more than 500 or 600 bucks.

Thanks for your help

As in Camcorder..

I bought one a few weeks ago.. Got it on sale at BestBuy for $567.00 down from $795.00..

Best ones out there by far, and this one has been great, are the Sony's..

If you plan on getting one, now is the time. Two reasons.. Japan earthquake is about to make these skyrocket in price as well as those with Hard Drives are flooding the market due to knew technology not really required in the new camcorders but will be pushed in about 3 months..

You get software that can basically cut out a freeze frame in HD and use it as a picture if you want..

[KhJOHbTM]

It's been a while since I looked into the world of camcorders. I have had a couple over the years - for wedding and other club stuff mainly that I then post edit footage on.

Things that I would look for now would be the usual suspects of image stabilisation, big optical zoom. Most if not all take photos too but this is an irrelevance perhaps to you as you have a very good camera for that of course.

Flash memory, hard drives, blu rays are all recordable media but battery life may be important to you so it would likely be better with flash memory (albeit cost would be higher I daresay).

It's been a while since I've looked into things but I also recall three ccd camcorders offering superior imaging quality compared to single ccd ones (e.g. separate image for rgb). Not sure if this is still relevant.

[kKFB1BxX]

It's been a while since I looked into the world of camcorders. I have had a couple over the years - for wedding and other club stuff mainly that I then post edit footage on.

Things that I would look for now would be the usual suspects of image stabilisation, big optical zoom. Most if not all take photos too but this is an irrelevance perhaps to you as you have a very good camera for that of course.

Flash memory, hard drives, blu rays are all recordable media but battery life may be important to you so it would likely be better with flash memory (albeit cost would be higher I daresay).

It's been a while since I've looked into things but I also recall three ccd camcorders offering superior imaging quality compared to single ccd ones (e.g. separate image for rgb). Not sure if this is still relevant.

Siph, I recommended this model to Guyzerr.. It's the one I purchased a few weeks ago and is fantastic.. It has all the features you mention above and I had done all my homework on this.. I am truly amazed this is on sale again but it is..

The greatest asset on these is stabilization and these are fantastic..

Sony Handycam High-Definition 120GB Hard Drive Camcorder Model HDRXR150

[Pinkman]

This one, take pics on the sly...! just ... you are going to find it difficult to take a pic of your lovely new tie

[Gabbavnf]

Siph, I recommended this model to Guyzerr.. It's the one I purchased a few weeks ago and is fantastic.. It has all the features you mention above and I had done all my homework on this.. I am truly amazed this is on sale again but it is..

The greatest asset on these is stabilization and these are fantastic..

Sony Handycam High-Definition 120GB Hard Drive Camcorder Model HDRXR150

I borrowed my brothers old one yesterday just for the heck of it and from what I can see the one you suggested fits the bill quite well. I'm doing a bit more research before I make the plunge.

The silly thing is my 7D is supposed to take great videos but I would need to buy a proper lens as the ones I own for still photography just wouldn't cut it. If I'm going to buy a new lens it sure won't be for video so that's the main reason I want to separate the two.