I have been looking to buy a good value budget camcorder. I have been looking at the sony and cannon ranges. can't decide whether its worth spending an extra £60 to get the sony HC47E rather then the 45E, or maybe i should go for a canon instead would appreciate some advice. Thanks.

[redsox_mark]

The HC47 is true widescreen, the HC45 is not. If you will be shooting widescreen the HC45 is better.

In this price range I think the Canon MD101/MD160 are better value).

thanks for advice mark - What does the md160 offer that the md101 does not? the other canon i was looking at was the mv901 at currys for £169 - are the two models you mentioned newer/better?

[redsox_mark]

The main difference between the MD101 and MD160 are:

MD101 has a mic input, which MD160 doesn't have.

MD160 has a SD card slot and USB connection for stills, and high resolution (though only just over 1 MP) stills performance. It also comes with a remote control.

Video performance between the 2 is similar. I think the 101 is the better value.

MV901 is the previous generation model of the MD101. Performance between the 2 is similar.

[Wizzard]

I am looking at exactly the same choice. Having been a "Sony" man so far - currently on Analogue Hi8 - I was inclining towards the Sony although my Digital SLR is Canon 350D!!

Is there any help on comparing the Sony and the 101 please? Weight seems to be similar except Sony quotes withot a battery.

I also read on the web:

The Canon MD101 doesn't have a USB interface or a fire-wire so the only way to playback clips that have already been shot is done by attaching it to a TV or monitor and using the onscreen menu's to play or edit what is stored on the mini DV disk.

So how do you transfer the tape to PC?

[redsox_mark]

The Canon MD101 has Firewire (they call it a DV connection), that's what you use to transfer video. The statement you quoted is incorrect in that regard.

thanks for advice, i have bought the md 101 and am very happy with it

[senu]

Originally Posted by Wizzard

I am looking at exactly the same choice. Having been a "Sony" man so far - currently on Analogue Hi8 - I was inclining towards the Sony although my Digital SLR is Canon 350D!!

Is there any help on comparing the Sony and the 101 please? Weight seems to be similar except Sony quotes withot a battery.
I also read on the web:
The Canon MD101 doesn't have a USB interface or a fire-wire so the only way to playback clips that have already been shot is done by attaching it to a TV or monitor and using the onscreen menu's to play or edit what is stored on the mini DV disk.
So how do you transfer the tape to PC?

I similarly have 2 Canon DSLRs and Sony Camcorders ( 2 or 3)
Sonys DSLR came late in the day and I prefer the Canons anyway and Canons HDV camcorders took a while to come
Ironically ( Both Sony and Canon ) mid range ( there are no real "budget") HDV models all use CMOS sensors
As Mark has stated, firewire, DV, i link are synonymous and are the "standard" way of transferring DV and HDV data and it is likely that it writing the above , it was assumed the reader would know that
Also Im wondering about the source of that quote as there is no such thing as a miniDV "disk" Playback to TV is not by firewire or USB anyway

[senu]

Originally Posted by mike28

thanks for advice, i have bought the md 101 and am very happy with it

Great.. Are you capturing and editing yet.. If so how?

[Deanali]

Just the thread I was looking for!! I'm in a similar position. My main requirements are Mini DV and true widescreen. As far as I can see It's between the Sony DCRHC47E or the Canon MD160/MD101. I can't make out if the panasonic NV-GS80-EB-S is true widescreen or not? (I think not but am not quite sure).

It's really just going to be used to video the kids. I have used my dads old camcorder a Sony DCR-TRV25 and was very happy with that.

I'm not interested in taking stills, so the MD101 looks quit appealing, also the fact that you can attach an external mic might be handy in future. I did read that some Canons are noisy, but don't know about these new ones.
How much of a difference in the resolutions between the two Canons make, and how do they compare to my Dads sony?

Any help or experiences with any of the above most appreciated!!

[redsox_mark]

The "resolution" is fixed of course for all standard def camcorders at 720x576. In terms of video performance the MD101 and MD160 are pretty much the same.

[Deanali]

Originally Posted by redsox_mark

The "resolution" is fixed of course for all standard def camcorders at 720x576. In terms of video performance the MD101 and MD160 are pretty much the same.

Ahh I guess i'm getting a little confused!! On the Canon website it gives a CCD of 1.07 for the 160 and 800,000 for the 101. How does this affect the image quality (If at all?).

[redsox_mark]

Originally Posted by Deanali

Ahh I guess i'm getting a little confused!! On the Canon website it gives a CCD of 1.07 for the 160 and 800,000 for the 101. How does this affect the image quality (If at all?).

Doesn't affect the video quality at all, the extra pixels are only useful for still photos.

[Deanali]

Originally Posted by redsox_mark

Doesn't affect the video quality at all, the extra pixels are only useful for still photos.

Thamks Mark,

I think I'm now down to 3.

Canon MD101
Panasonic NV-GS80
Sony DCR-HC47

All Mini Dv and All Widescreen.

As I see it from looking around the Canon picks up motor noise (But has a mic in). The Sony isn't a good colourwise as the Canon, the Panasonic has goos Image stabilisation and zoom.

They all seem to have the same size CCD 1/6" which is smaller than my dads old camcorder.

So anyone been able to campare these hands on? I am really just going to use it to video the kids really, not interested in still pictures at all and I'll do the editing on my PC, if that helps anyone to give me advice!