Excuse all the talking but im just trying to make the right choice here.

Well it turns out that im in need of the best camera for a budget. I need a camera that I could transfer files onto my computer with, usb or something easier prefered so I can edit it. The video footage thats on my computer must not lag at all because it will have running, and quick action going on and I want really good quality that I could then burn and watch on my TV in a couple of years from now. So basically, needs to be able to capture fast movements, to be able to view on computer and camera, good zoom, nice effect modes to make videos a bit cooler, and easy onto-computer transfer methods.

I just want a camera that will record with good quality, have an easy way to transfer the videos onto my computer so i can edit them and burn them onto dvd and have fun watching them in like 5 years.

I have picked out a few camcorders..which one should I go with?
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/cont...goryNavigation
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/cont...goryNavigation
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/cont...goryNavigation
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/cont...goryNavigation
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/cont...goryNavigation

If there are different ones that arent up there, go ahead and post em.
Thanks alot to whoever helps out.

[redsox_mark]

Your list has 2 miniDV cams (Panny GS80, Canon ZR700), 2 DVD models (Samsung and Hitachi), and a Sony Digital 8 model.

In this price range best quality for the money will be with the miniDV cams. They also give the best format for editing. You generally need to use Firewire to copy the video to the PC though, not USB.

The ZR700 (which is last years model) is a good choice, as is the new ZR850 which replaces it.

You said that I should get a Firewire camera but what if my computer doesnt have that? Only USB? My buddy has a USB camcorder and it seems to work perfectly?

So from that list, only the 2 first cameras would be best? Which one of the 2?

[redsox_mark]

You generally can't capture from a DV camcorder except with Firewire. But as I've recently learned on another thread some DV cams will capture with USB, though I don't believe either of those do.

DVD cams you don't capture, but you can copy files with USB.

My preference would be the ZR700.

Which one should I buy from this list? : http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/cont...ar&A=search&Q=

Budget is up to 350 dollars. Just trying to get the best for the buck.

[redsox_mark]

Sorry, that link isn't working for me.

[senu]

Originally Posted by Vladdd

You said that I should get a Firewire camera but what if my computer doesnt have that? Only USB? My buddy has a USB camcorder and it seems to work perfectly?

Just to elaborate on Marks Post

Despite our "discovery" of DV via USB, it is more than likely that your buddies camcorder records to:
HDD
DVD
or a Memory card

These technologies are new (er) but don't offer as much Picture quality and VFM as similarly priced MiniDV models

Firewire cards are relatively easy to install in a PC , With a laptop, PCMCIA or express card Firewire expansion cards are relative common
If you feel strongly that tape is outdated or you cannot face the idea of putting a firewire card on your PC ( or laptop)

By all means get an HDD model but to get a similar quality to the MiniDV models, you'll have to bump up your budget a fair bit

That link is working but the webpage apparently no longer exists