[T800]

I'm looking for a HD Camcorder that ideally has some of the following features;

• Between £400-£600.
• View Finder.
• 1920x1080p with decent picture quality.
• 5.1 sound (does this work well?).
• HDD.
• Optional extra memory like SD card.
• Mac compatible. It doesn't have to be able to play only transfer for storage.
• HDMI out.

What are my options?

[redsox_mark]

I don't think there is any which meet all the requirements.

Closest is the Canon HG10. You can get it for around £500. It does all except it doesn't have 5.1 recording. (Not essential in my view).

Or the Sony SR11, but it's closer to £700. It has 5.1, doesn't have progressive recording.

[T800]

Thanks.
The HG10 does look pretty good, having a brief look at some reviews it mentions micro SD for still photos but no mention of it for video.
Does this mean if the HDD is full I have to empty it before shooting anymore footage?

[Disturber]

I believe the Panasonic HDC-HS9 covers all of those requirements, other than the view finder. From the reviews i have seen, highly recommended too.

[senu]

Originally Posted by T800

Thanks.
The HG10 does look pretty good, having a brief look at some reviews it mentions micro SD for still photos but no mention of it for video.
Does this mean if the HDD is full I have to empty it before shooting anymore footage?

Yes
The HG10 does not record video onto the card
Im a little unsure about 1080p output on the Panasonic
and like Mark
I dont rate 5.1 recording much...even if well captured ( ) Im unsure if it can be retained during editing
Its low light abilities are average
1080p Panasonic support is sparse . Vegas doesnt support it yet

[T800]

Originally Posted by senu

Yes
The HG10 does not record video onto the card
Im a little unsure about 1080p output on the Panasonic
and like Mark
I dont rate 5.1 recording much...even if well captured ( ) Im unsure if it can be retained during editing
Its low light abilities are average
1080p Panasonic support is sparse . Vegas doesnt support it yet

I'm sure Pro Logic II would sound just as good a camcorder produced 5.1 track.

Which one has average low light abilities?

[redsox_mark]

The Panasonic has average (or below) low light performance. The HG10 is better in that regard. Though all camcorders perform better with good light.

[T800]

Thanks for the replies guys.

[dkE]

I recently went through similar discussion with the good guys on this forum and plumped for the HG10 and really like it. Got it from Jessops at their special internet price of £499 plus used a code to get a further £25 off...if this helps...

[waf-tastic]

Great price! Care to share the code?

Scratch that - now £599 :-(

[mmace]

I'm looking for similar and have come up with the SD9 mentioned above (no HDD, just over £400) or the Sony SR10 (£510)

[dkE]

Originally Posted by waf-tastic

Great price! Care to share the code?

Scratch that - now £599 :-(

Glad I got it when I did. Just checked and empiredirect have it at £499 and there are usually codes around to get up to 10% of their prices - making an even better deal...

[rhubarbe]

Bing!

This matches all of your requirements:

http://www.camcorderinfo.com/content...ders-35263.htm

Panasonic HDC-HS100

Sadly, it's kinda shy and won't be putting in an appearance until September.

[waf-tastic]

Originally Posted by dkE

Glad I got it when I did. Just checked and empiredirect have it at £499 and there are usually codes around to get up to 10% of their prices - making an even better deal...

Their 10% voucher is currently for white goods - http://www.myvouchercodes.co.uk/disc...redirect.co.uk. £450 would be a great price. Amazon also have it for £500.

[waf-tastic]

Originally Posted by dkE

I recently went through similar discussion with the good guys on this forum and plumped for the HG10 and really like it. Got it from Jessops at their special internet price of £499 plus used a code to get a further £25 off...if this helps...

What do you think of it so far? Any highs/lows?

Hey there!! Heard that you are getting H10 for £499..I researched through some sites and got this one price comparison site checkcost Uk where I found 19 sellers for this model. Jessops are also there selling it at £499 as you said. You can also check prices offered by other stores like pcworld and ebuyer. You can compare what they are offering and then go for the best one rather than resaerching every store..That'll save your time and money as well.

http://www.checkcost.co.uk/canon-hg1.../keyword/hg10/

[Merecraft]

I can confirm that (on Monday at least), Jessops were still offering the HG10 at £499, even though the internet price and store price say £599. I just phoned them and asked if they were still able to do the offer and they "checked with their supervisor" and agreed.

Pixmania are also doing it for £499 right now. Just received mine from Pixmania (got some more off using Quidco too) and loving it so far.

[dkE]

Originally Posted by waf-tastic

What do you think of it so far? Any highs/lows?

So far only done test shots with kids and garden (no heavy duty filming such as holidays or day trips yet) but blown away with quality of recordings and playback on HD ready Plasma. Obviously much better than the Sony model I had (their cheap, standard definition hard-disk camcorder) although not really fair to compare. Seems like near silent operation, easy to find your way through menu...so far more than happy...

[T800]

Originally Posted by rhubarbe

Bing!

This matches all of your requirements:

http://www.camcorderinfo.com/content...ders-35263.htm

Panasonic HDC-HS100

Sadly, it's kinda shy and won't be putting in an appearance until September.

Unfortunately I need it no later than September as it's for filming my wedding in early October and consumer electronic's rarely meet the street date in my experience especially if it says 'HD' anywhere on it.

Cheers anyway.

I think I'm gonna go with the HG10, can anyone tell me how long the battery lasts and whats the best battery upgrade?

[rhubarbe]

I need one for my holiday too, and I have been lucky with the last three I have bought all arriving in time.

OTOH, I too have waited for several pieces of HD vapourware in my time so I do take your point:

Zensonic Z500
Dreambox DM8000 (hahahahahahahahahahahaha)

Can't answer the questions on HG10 but if it were me I'd hang on a bit to see if the SD100 does make an appearance and if not you can always make a more measured panic purchase nearer to the wedding date. After all, you'll welcome the excuse of having a camcorder to buy to get you out of endless discussions about who is sitting where and if cerise is better than baby pink for the bridesmaid(s)' corsage.

OTOH, if your bridesmaid is only a size 12 or lower she may well not need a corsage....

[sameerabedi]

What is the biggest HDD HD camera available at present for around £500? Are there any cameras with both HDD and flash memory capacity for around £500?

[T800]

Originally Posted by rhubarbe

I need one for my holiday too, and I have been lucky with the last three I have bought all arriving in time.

OTOH, I too have waited for several pieces of HD vapourware in my time so I do take your point:

Zensonic Z500
Dreambox DM8000 (hahahahahahahahahahahaha)

Can't answer the questions on HG10 but if it were me I'd hang on a bit to see if the SD100 does make an appearance and if not you can always make a more measured panic purchase nearer to the wedding date. After all, you'll welcome the excuse of having a camcorder to buy to get you out of endless discussions about who is sitting where and if cerise is better than baby pink for the bridesmaid(s)' corsage.

OTOH, if your bridesmaid is only a size 12 or lower she may well not need a corsage....

Hmmm, decisions decisions. I might leave it until early September and if there not much to hear about them or reviews I'll just get the HG10.

As far as bridesmaids are concerned I'm staying well out of it until summoned.

[rhubarbe]

I don't blame you.

On a plus note I remembered that it is mine and Mrs r MKII's wedding anniversary today.

[redsox_mark]

Originally Posted by sameerabedi

What is the biggest HDD HD camera available at present for around £500? Are there any cameras with both HDD and flash memory capacity for around £500?

Sony SR10 is around £500. 40 GB HDD, can record to HDD or flash memory.

Panasonic HS9 is slightly more (Amazon has it for £535, may be able to find it cheaper). 60 GB, also is dual media.

[T800]

How does the HG10 compare to the HS9 and the SR10?

[redsox_mark]

The HG10 is slightly better video quality overall. The HG10 and the Sony SR11 are very similar in overall quality. The SR10 as a smaller sensor, and whilst good for the money ranks below it. As does the HS9, which isn't as good in low light.

But the HG10 doesn't record video to flash memory (which sameerabedi wants).

[dkE]

This is incredibly annoying for me, but Empire Direct have just dropped the price of the HG10 to £399 -http://www.empiredirect.co.uk/conten...119&awid=60612

Hope someone here gets the bargain!

[rhubarbe]

Well, you could always buy one @ £399 and sell the other on eBay. PAL models on eBay are still making much better money than Empire Direct are selling them for - and this will only be a short term offer...

[waf-tastic]

Originally Posted by dkE

This is incredibly annoying for me, but Empire Direct have just dropped the price of the HG10 to £399 -http://www.empiredirect.co.uk/content/products/details/index~modelcode~cnn-hg10~dept~camcorders~subdept~harddisccamcorders~br and~canon.htm?aid=119&awid=60612

Hope someone here gets the bargain!

Thanks! I'd been looking to get one from Amazon @ 499, but just bought one from Empire direct Going on holiday in 2 weeks, so hopefully will get the best from it (in the mountains of Tuscany)

[waf-tastic]

Quick update - hg10 arrived today and I'm really impressed! Picture quality is very impressive. Screen is clear and easy to use - I had read about people having issues with the thumb wheel navigation - I have hands like shovels and don't have a problem, so they must be like king kong!
The remote control is a nice touch too.

Only concern is the battery life - I'll be getting a spare I think. Can anyone recommend somewhere (not ebay) to get a higher capacity one? Also considering a 8gb miniSD card as well.

Has anyone bought (and can recommend) a mini-tripod?

So far, a big from me.