Complete Newbie Needs to buy

Happytab · 09-07-2007, 12:15 PM

Hi all, thanks in advance for taking time to read this thread and potentially helping me out.

I am completely new to this CamCorder stuff but fell I would like to buy one in advance of a holiday to Florida in a month or so.

My budget is around £200.

I have no clue what media/format I want - it's all so confusing.

I just want a camcorder that takes good qualirt video, that is fairly simple to transfer to PC for editing, a general good allrounder would be ideal.

I guess I want widescreen although I dont have a widescreen telly just yet.

So can anyone point me in the right direction - I only have a month and, from experience, I can't make a decision to save my life, so need to start now to have any hope getting one in time.

On another note, are these much cheaper in USA - would I be better of waiting and buying one there ?

Thanks again and sorry for waffling.

glesgaguyav · 09-07-2007, 12:52 PM

It's horses for courses I am afraid.

For £200 you won't get much, although you can get a good basic camcorder for that price, Sony,Canon and others all do basic entry cams for around that price, I bought a Sony DV camcorder over a year ago in Sansbury's of all places for £199, it was a good basic camera, touch screen operation, easy shoot mode, infra red night shot and most of all good pictures.

The camcorder prices in the US would be cheaper especially now that the pound is so strong against the dollar, but be aware that the camcorders format will very likely be NTSC format and not PAL unless otherwise stated this could cause problems viewing the footage in the Uk

Happytab · 09-07-2007, 4:25 PM

Thanks for the reply - which Sony did you buy ? Would be interested to know.

Deanali · 09-07-2007, 7:32 PM

I was is a similar position to you. I was looking to spend £250 on a widescreen DV. Ended up with 3 options Canon MD101, Panasonic GS80 or Sony HC47.

I dedicded against the Canon as there seem to be concerns over motor noise. It left the Sony and Panasonic. Saw the Panasonic with case, spare battery, tape and 2 yrs warranty for £209. This made it nearly £100 less than the Sony with those extras so I plumped for the Panasonic. Havn't got it yet though as they were out of stock, should be back in stock this week. I'll post when I get it to say if i am happy or not!!

Happytab · 11-07-2007, 4:21 PM

Let me know as soon as you get the Panasonic Deanali as I am now really interested in this model & would appreciate your feedback. Cheers.

Deanali · 11-07-2007, 6:01 PM

I'll let you know. Still waiting for it at the moment so hopfully it will be next week.

Barbs · 11-07-2007, 9:09 PM

Much like Deanali I was also ploughing through these threads and asking advice. I had a budget of around 200-250 and also narrowed it down to the models listed: md101, hc47 and the gs80/180.

I got the canon md101 for £150 from amazon, it was a bargain until I used it

.... the motor noise on the recording was pretty bad and I sent it back the next day

. I then opted for the Panasonic GS180 (got it as a last one in Currys for £229

). I have only used it a bit around the house today, but when you watch the 2 recordings the difference between the canon and the GS180 is startling...... so far the Panasonic gets my vote