On 26 Mar 2002 05:24:39 -0800, dayhikerus@yahoo.com (Just Me) wrote:

>Please forgive me if this has been asked a million times but I'm
>really confused over the two formats. Is it true that the Digital 8
>will give the same quality as a DV cam? We already own an older Canon
>model (High 8) that we want to upgrade because we lack the ability to
>add/edit sound.
>
>We are looking to purchase a camcorder for the purpose of using on
>vacations and for family events (the usual home uses). We go to
>Yellowstone at least once every other year and enjoy filming the
>wildlife. Sometimes the lighting conditions can be very iffy -
>overcast, twilight etc. So that would be the first need we have - good
>low light filming ability. We do hope to do editing on our computer -
>nothing fancy - some dubbing of sound, music, cutting of frames etc.
>Having still photo is not necessary as I have a high quality 35 MM SLR
>as well as a 3.4 megapixel digital camera.
>
>The models we have been looking into are the new Sony Digital 8s, the
>Canon Optura 100MC (would prefer not to spend that much but we have an
>extra battery that would work in the new models so that's one thing
>less we would have to purchase) and the Canon ZR50MC. We were also
>considering the Sony TRV 17 and TRV 30 (or the new models thereof).
>We've printed the specs of all the cameras, poured over the statistics
>and are more confused than ever!
>
>We would so appreciate it if anyone can give us some real world
>advice, experience and help point us in the right direction. I'm sorry
>this is so long but we really need help. :-)

Specs are nearly useless for judging cameras..., but
having said that, a few things can be said... In general,
"megapixel" CCD cameras are worse in low-light - though
"HAD"-type CCDs can compensate some for this (and these
tend to have better color, but more bright-light streaking);
one-chip cameras with *on-tape* resolutions that are very
high (500+ lines) tend to show irritating motion effects;
many one-chip cameras have resolutions well below 500,
or even 400 lines, making them not very interesting "trade
ups" from good Hi-8 (especially since they sometimes have
worse low-light ability than good Hi-8s); the D8 and
Mini-DV *signal formats* are the same, but D8 cameras
tend to produce lower-quality images, being often lower
in the maker's price line-up of models (but a top-end D8
can be a good choice, especially if you have a lot of
recorded Hi-8 tapes to play); again, in general, Sony
image quality tends to be better than Canon's; for most
uses, the TRV17/PC9 is a good choice in Mini-DV for
casual use, though the picture is noticeably less sharp
than the the TRV30's (and with fewer motion-artifacts).
BTW, the Sony *imaging types* are compared at:
www.David-Ruether-Photography.com/camcorder--comparison.htm,
and also BTW, the LN, low-use, well-checked-out TRV30
used in the comparison is FS, $1200 + shipping...;-)