"Nate
C." <xx@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:LI%Db.166254$M02.2881@twister.rdc-kc.rr.com...
> I
know this question's asked a lot on here, and I think I've read them all,
>
but everybody's needs seem quite varied.
Thanks in advance for the help.
>
Hopefully I can provide enough info to at least get me into the ballpark.
>
Here are my criteria:
>
> -
overall priority is clearest picture possible
One of
better 3-CCD or high-pixel-count 1-CCD camcorders...
> -
must do well in low light/indoor situations
One of
better 3-CCD or *possibly* low-pixel-count 1-CCD
camcorder...
> -
$1000 or less
Covers
only some 1-CCD units, unless you consider used
gear...
> -
prefer MiniDV
The
best (discontinued) D8 models may also serve...
> -
don't care about still photo abilities
Good
plan - though some of the better 1 and 3 CCD models produce
good
images for web use (none for good large paper prints, though...).
> -
don't care about special effects
Good
plan - most, except B&W mode, are useless...
> -
must have color viewfinder
B&W
can look sharper - and combined with an LCD panel, can serve...
> -
prefer horizontal over vertical form factor
Try
both - I prefer vertical for the small cameras for steadier grip
with
less fatigue (it may take a bit of experimenting to find the right
grip...).
> -
would like good automatic setting adjustments with the option of full
>
manual control
Good
auto is possible, but full manual is rare on 1-CCD models, and
even on
good 3-CCD Mini-DV "handycam" models, it is not adequate
(apertures
operate in steps only, zoom/focus is servo...).
> -
good sound is important, stereo if possible
All
will have "stereo", though most that do not have free-standing mics
will
not have much stereo spread. Some have poor sound, and also
pick up
the prominent DV drum "whine"...
> -
transfer to computer via Firewire for burning to DVD later
All can
do this...
>
I've been doing a lot of research on my own through the usual channels, and
>
here are some models that I've been checking out so far, if anyone cares to
>
comment:
>
>
Canon Elura50 - Consumer Reports top pick, but they claim Canons aren't that
>
reliable, and I'm not sure if I like the vertical form factor and the
>
microphone being on top.
Top mic
placement can be better than front, depending on finger
locations,
and if you breath heavily while shooting...;-) I would ignore
CR
recommendations, though - in photo/audio/video, I think they are
generally
wrong...
>
Panasonic PV-GS70 - I like the Leica optics and the 3 CCD idea - would
>
definitely satisfy my image quality needs, but I've read that this camera is
>
pretty bad in low light.
And in
other ways - watch out for "features" that don't deliver what
they
"should". This is a camera few would recommend for image quality...
>
Sony DCR-TRV70 - looks good but question its low-light shooting ability.
Better
than the GS70...;-) This camera is likely capable of excellent
image
sharpness and color, but it may suffer the motion-artifacting of
the
TRV30/50 (I don't know - but the TRV30 picture is excellent in
good
light, until the camera is moved...;-).
>
Many others I won't list in the interest of space.
It is
hard to recommend specifics, even with the number of preferences
you
have given, but I generally recommend the Sony TRV22 for "pleasant"
but not
outstanding characteristics (+ or -), the TRV33 for sharper image
with
better color and minimal motion-artifacting - but with less low-light
range,
and the TRV900 (used only) or VX2000 for better low-light range
and
overall image quality than either 1-CCD model...
>
One thing the woman at National Camera told me is that for the ~$500 models,
>
Sonys are better than Canon, but the ~$700-900 models, Canon's better than
>
Sony - something about Canon doing a price drop in that range while Sony
>
stayed the same. Can anybody else
verify this?
No...;-)
>
Thanks so much,
>
Nate
--
David Ruether
d_ruether@hotmail.com
http://www.David-Ruether-Photography.com