handy cam / microphone advice

[bunyboy]

im working with some kids to shoot mini movies so they can learn the basics of film making.. the budget is small though so im being asked to get handy cam style cameras (rather than renting the pd150/170 style id like) and im looking for some advice on good and reasonably priced options in these small cameras.. the chunkier the better to be honest, im not looking for a fit in my pocket style camera but im guessing im going to out of luck as consumer cams are all tiny!

even more importantly, i would like to improve on the usually terrible mics that come in built to these cameras and need some advice on simple but effective mics i can attach to improve matters... also some tips on cheap but effective headphones...

other advice on how to make the best of this situation would be most welcome!

thanks all

[redsox_mark]

I'm a bit of a bore on this subject, but the Canon MD101 is a cheap and reasonable camcorder with an external mic input; it is popular for use in schools. It is small, but as you said all consumer cams are these days. Panasonic GS230 is another good choice, a bit more expensive.

You can then add any external mic; I have the Rode Videomic (mono version) which I like a lot. There is also a stereo one.

[bunyboy]

Originally Posted by redsox_mark

I'm a bit of a bore on this subject, but the Canon MD101 is a cheap and reasonable camcorder with an external mic input; it is popular for use in schools. It is small, but as you said all consumer cams are these days. Panasonic GS230 is another good choice, a bit more expensive.

You can then add any external mic; I have the Rode Videomic (mono version) which I like a lot. There is also a stereo one.

that mic sounds great - thanks!

does the canon md101 have a shoe ontop to attach the mic though? i can tell from the pic i found...

it would also be handy to be able to firewire footage from the camera to the computer and also the finished edit back to tape again...

its frustrating that all these cameras are so small!

[redsox_mark]

The MD101 doesn't have a shoe, you could use a bracket like this
http://www.keene.co.uk/electronics/multi.php?mycode=AS2

Unfortunatly it doesn't have DV input, so you can't save back to the camcorder.

[bunyboy]

im starting to like the look of the panasonic gs230 but have also been looking at the gs250, gs300 and gs320 and am now very confused as to the differences between them and im hoping someone could talk me through it!

ive also found a site called purelygadgets which seem to have all (but the gs250 - which seems to not be on sale anywhere) for reasonable prices... i dont know anything about the company though so would like some feedback on if they're any good...

[redsox_mark]

The GS250, GS300, and GS320 are basically 3 different versions of the same model over time. GS320 replaced the GS300, which in turn replaced the GS250. Video quality is similar between all of them... though in terms of features with each newer model they reduced them. E.g. the 300 has a mic input whilst the 320 doesn't... I believe the 250 had AV in, the others don't. The trend with Panasonic is to reduce price but also features with each new model.

[bunyboy]

im looking at maybe getting another camcorder for this gig and have been looking at the canon md101 you mentioned... i like the look of it but the cheapest price i can find for it is at amazon and they dont have it in stock...

i have found another canon that seems to be only available through currys/dixons but looks very similar to the md101 and is the same price.. its the mv901... do you know anything about it? i cant find any reviews...

[redsox_mark]

MV901 is nearly identical to the MV890.. which is basically last year's MD101. Quality wise these are all about the same.

[bunyboy]

Originally Posted by redsox_mark

MV901 is nearly identical to the MV890.. which is basically last year's MD101. Quality wise these are all about the same.

hmm... the canon website doesnt have the mv901 listed so i cant compare specs... do you know what the differences are? im assuming the md101 is a little better (so i should get that if they can both be had for the same price) but i might be wrong..?

i was looking at the md101 coz ive heard great things about it at the price range and its a big plus for me that it has the external mic input... does the mv901 have that too?

[redsox_mark]

I'm pretty sure the only difference between the MV890 and the MV901 is the 890 has a 22x zoom and the 901 has 25x.

See this
http://www.canon.co.uk/about_us/news...ries_mv890.asp

MD101 is newer so maybe marginally better, but really nothing the eye can see.