[Damo77]

Hello all,

I'm thinking about buying myself a HD Camcorder but want to make 100% sure I am buying a decent one before I go ahead with it.

Now my budget is around £500-600 and I have seen a few I like but wondered if anyone had any views at all.

To let you know the ones I have been looking at so far are:

Canon Legria HF200 (would prefer the HF20 but at £700 is probably out of my price range.

Panasonic HDC-SD20

Sony HDR XR105E

Sony HDR CX105E

When I went into the new Currys Megastore near me the guy in there said to look no further than the Canon Legria HF200 as the picture quality etc was by far the best.

Would people agree? Does anybody know of any other different camcorders they would recommend?

Any help or advice would be greatly received.

[Damo77]

Also been looking at the Panasonic HDC-SD200........

[chrishull3]

Originally Posted by Damo77

Also been looking at the Panasonic HDC-SD200........

Realy you should have a good read through the tests, no two people will give the same recommendation,Most of the upper range consumer cams are good nowadays.

[Damo77]

Yeah thanks for your response and I have had a good read up on these. I guess I was just hoping to get a few opinions from people who either had any of these camcorders or have used them and so therefore giving a thumbs up or down to help me disregard any and so making my choice a little easier!!

But in the meantime I'll keep reading to help my decision.

[A n d r e w]

My opinion is that the SD200 and the HF200 are far and away the pick of the bunch you mention in your first two posts. They both use 1/4-inch sensors (the Panasonic's are slightly smaller, at 1/4.1") but the Panny has three sensors against the Canon's single sensor - though whether this will make any appreciable difference or not, I'm not sure. The Canon has a slightly longer optical zoom, but the Panasonic records 5.1 surround versus the Canon's two-track stereo. The Canon has a mic input, so it can take an accessory microphone, but the Panasonic can't.

Personally, I'd go for the HF200, but there are plenty of things to weigh up here.

[chrishull3]

See its all about opinions.

[Damo77]

Originally Posted by chrishull3

See its all about opinions.

You're so right there! I've read enough postings on forums over the last week or so to know it is definitely about opinions.

Bit ANDREW thanks for your reply. Imust admit the more I was reading the more the SD200 & HF200 were starting to stand out from the crowd.

Looks as though its a 2 horse race!!

[chrishull3]

Originally Posted by Damo77

You're so right there! I've read enough postings on forums over the last week or so to know it is definitely about opinions.

Bit ANDREW thanks for your reply. Imust admit the more I was reading the more the SD200 & HF200 were starting to stand out from the crowd.

Looks as though its a 2 horse race!!

pay a bit more and get a canon HF S10 not that i would swap my HV30 for one at present for reasons i have said many times.

[Damo77]

Originally Posted by chrishull3

pay a bit more and get a canon HF S10 not that i would swap my HV30 for one at present for reasons i have said many times.

Believe me I would love to buy this camera but it is out of my price range.

Looks a pretty amazing camera though!

[andy_elvis]

B&H Photo Video have the Canon Hf11 listed for about £500ish at the moment (with shipping)

Just throwing it in there. It IS from US, so i dont think it'll be PAL, but never the less....

[mattr]

I like my Sony TG3. Small and very nice picture. So that's another option.

[fox]

Originally Posted by andy_elvis

B&H Photo Video have the Canon Hf11 listed for about £500ish at the moment (with shipping)

Just throwing it in there. It IS from US, so i dont think it'll be PAL, but never the less....

Are there any real downsides to having an NTSC camcorder here? Presumably you're ok if you're playing your video through a PC, or directly onto a TV that supports NTSC signals?

edit: I suppose if it breaks you're a bit screwed...hmm

[A n d r e w]

There is no PAL or NTSC - standard definition formats - with high defintion video, just different frame rates: 25 frames per second a.k.a 50i, and 30 frames per second a.k.a. 60i. The only problem you'll ever have with a 60i camcorder is converting to standard definition for viewing on DVD on a PAL-only player, should such a thing exist.

[ade4all]

just be aware that if you do buy from the u.s. you will more than likely have to pay duty (about 15%) & the courier may also charge for bringing it into the uk. also worth knowing that you may get a flickering effect when using a 60i 30p camera in the uk under lights which work at 50hz

[thesilverfox]

I recently put in serious consideration for the HF200, but decided on the HG20 instead. They are both very similar, but the HG20 pips it in terms of low-light or indoor quality - at least from the samples I saw..

Outdoors and in good light, they are both very similar.

If you consider one, Pixmania are selling the HG20 for £508 +del, but there is a code on HUKD for about £10 off to cover shipping. Mine should arrive in the next few days.

[mikebuddy2]

If you want the best then go for the Canon HFS100.It's the top of the range but you will not be sorry!I'm lovin it!

[chrishull3]

Originally Posted by mikebuddy2

If you want the best then go for the Canon HFS100.It's the top of the range but you will not be sorry!I'm lovin it!

Not quite top of the range but close Canon Vixia HF S100 Camcorder Review - Reviews and Ratings - Reviewed.com

[jacko5]

Personally, I would buy an HDV camcorder unless you feel strongly otherwise.
I was was looking at various SDHC cameras with a view to upgrading my Sony HDR-HC3E HDV camcorder until I worked it out that I would definitely need a new computer for editing. Mini DV tapes are cheap and I have found that I can do all the editing I want to do using newly acquired Pinnacle 12plus. I can burn HD quality video (AVCHD) up to 30 mins. on a standard DVD disc which plays in my Blu-Ray player and I am delighted with the quality of the video.
I don't know whether an SDHC camcorder of similar price range would produce even better results, but for now I am more than satisfied.