Help choosing 1st camcorder please

[jwfernee]

I'm looking to buy my first camcorder and have around £200-300 to spend. I am going to use it for holidays and other days out and would like a miniDV cam. Does anybody have any recommendations on any good camcorders and sites to buy from?
Thank you

[redsox_mark]

At the bottom of the price range the Canon MV930; nearer to £300 is the Panasonic GS180.
Note there are some new Canon models coming (which look to replace the MV series), not sure of their prices yet.

[jwfernee]

I'm looking at either the Panasonic GS180 or the Canon MVX460. Do you think that they are ok?

[redsox_mark]

Yes. I didn't mention the MVX460 as it is a bit over £300, and also getting hard to find (it is being discontinued). But if you can find one it's an excellent camcorder. Overall quality similar to the GS180. GS180 picture quality is slightly better; but the MVX460 has better widescreen support, and also has DV and AV input.

[Danjugan]

New Canon MD160 looks to be RRP 329 but some places seem to do it for nearer the 250 mark - not seen any reviews on its ability yet but it is a megapixal camera with DV in...
The new bottom of the range Canon MD101 seems to be RRP 260ish but some places are doing it for around 200.

Would be really interested to see a proper review of the MD160 (rather than just a rehash of the Canon marketing spiel) if anyone can find one......

Agree with Mark Redsox (on a different thread) that it seems a pity that Canon are losing the MVX range and simply upgrading the MV range but if the MD range is a marked improvement on the MV range - which were already pretty good - then the MD range may be something worth considering.

Pixmania seem to list lots of different MD models and most of the sites seem to suggest they will be available from mid next week.

[Danjugan]

sorry redsox mark

[redsox_mark]

Thanks - we should be seeing reviews soon then on the new MD models.