Another 'which one' question - HC96, GS320 or MVX460?

[KrisLee]

Afternoon,

Apologies in advance for another of those 'which one do I buy' questions. I've not much experience with these things so was hoping you guys and gals would be able to help. I've read quite a few threads and search about a bit and I think I've got it down to these three - Sony HC96, Panny GS-320 and Canon MVX460. I could just use a gentle nudge/advice on them before I buy, iydm.

I need a camcorder to record my daughter growing up mainly so nothing too serious. I'm more than happy with using MiniDV and don't have a HD TV. I've up to £400 to spend.

Pros and cons I can see:

Sony HC96: widescreen, AV/DV in, 1xCCD 1/3inch, no mic in
Panny GS320: widescreen (?), no AV in, 3xCCD, no mic in
Canon MVX460: widescreen, AV/DV in, 1xCCD 1/5inch, mic in

Any advice or observations please?

Regards,

Kris.

[dibdab]

I just bought the sony last week, i choose it over the panasonic one mainly due to the fact that it has a less grainy picture in low light, i am going to use it mainly indoors and i'm very pleased with it. I tested it against a panasonic gs60 budget model and the video taken indoorrs in the same lighting condition is miles better.

[redsox_mark]

The GS320 is the only current model of the 3.

All are good. When it was current the MVX460 was very good value (it was cheaper than the HC96 or GS300 at the time), but now they are rare. Forgetting price I'd say it's a tie between the HC96 and GS320 (HC96 better low light, GS320 better colours), with the MVX460 right behind.

[KrisLee]

Afternoon,

Isn't it annoying when a manufacturer is showing an item on it's webpage and therefore current, but no one stocks it anymore!

I'm trying to find the Canon MVX460 because of it's AV and microphone in capabilities. Alas, I've had no luck. Can anyone help me out please? Also having the same problem with the Sony HC96 - any help there as well please?

Cheers,

Kris.

[felix2]

Originally Posted by KrisLee

Isn't it annoying when a manufacturer is showing an item on it's webpage and therefore current, but no one stocks it anymore!

It's also annoying when the manufacturers' own websites have the wrong or incomplete technical specs for their current models - sadly, too often the case!

Ebuyer (.co.uk) has got 21 of the Sony HC96 in stock as I write, at £350 inc VAT... (each)

[KrisLee]

Thanks Felix. They had none in yesterday when I checked. One HC96 is winging its way to me now...

Cheers,

Kris.

[felix2]

Great, hope you enjoy using it! I recently ordered a new DVI 19-inch TFT monitor from ebuyer (about 30% cheaper than anywhere else at all!), and by the time I'd sent the order, they said it was then out of stock. And for 24 hours, it kept changing between being 'in stock' and 'not in stock - order delayed' - they must have been chasing this one unit round their whole warehouse! It arrived 2 days later, and they even kindly refunded the 'next day delivery' surcharge I'd paid to get it quickly!