Totally Confused Newbie!

[jazzygirl]

Please can you help? I need to buy a camcorder and time is fast running out.

I have decided that a Mini DV is right though I haven't read any review about a hard drive one and am curious about those.

I need an analogue input, fairly decent optical zoom (around 16x) and low light recording, DV in/out, and preferably a 3in screen (is there much of a difference between 2.5 and 3 inches - it looks like a big difference to me, do you get used to it?)
I currently use a Sharp Viewcam and love using the LCD screen rather than the viewfinder.

The camera will mainly be used for holidays and family but I would like something a bit more substantial than the budget family machine. I will be doing all editing on the PC so don't need much in that dept on the camcorder. I love the size and style of the JVC GR-DX95 and JVC GR-DX97 although I find the Panasonic NV-GS150 much more comfortable. Maybe you get used to the JVC style? I don't like the reports of the noisy audio on the Canons and I have an aversion to Sony.

Any suggestions? My budget is £700 max. I don't want to pay for gadgets that I won't use but I want a machine that will serve me well for a good few years. Many thanks for your help.

[MarkE19]

TBH I doubt £700 will get you all the things you have listed!

Good low light performance means having a bigger lens & CCD(s) and these cost money and therefore tend to be found on prosumer cams.
DV-in & AV-in are also only found on the more expensive cams as the EU class a camcorder with any inputs other than just the lens as a VCR and therefore more tax is payable
I think 16x optical zoom will be a waiste as even on a fairly good tripod at full zoom you will still get camera shake. Without a tripod it will be totally unwatchable, even with steady shot on the cam.

Perhaps going second hand may get you more for your money!

Good luck with your search,
Mark.

[techie007]

Originally Posted by jazzygirl

I have decided that a Mini DV is right though I haven't read any review about a hard drive one and am curious about those.

I would definately get one with a hard drive they are tiny and the digicams of the future!

http://www.pixmania.co.uk/uk/uk/9140...camcorder.html

http://www.camcorderinfo.com/content...der-Review.htm