HD Camcorder-where to start?

Azzin · 26-01-2009, 3:32 PM

Hi all,

So I've decided to get a new camcorder (inspired by an upcoming trip to Cuba!).

I simply don't know where to start, so I thought I'd start here!

The camcorder will only be used for what I would call occasional filming-holidays, birthdays etc, so it wouldn't come out of it's box more than a few times a year.

Budget wise I'm thinking of around the £300/£350 mark and would appreciate any advice on what models I should be looking at.

I should also say that I have a PS3, so I'm presuming that could come into the equation somewhere for playback?

Cheers.

jeddati · 26-01-2009, 3:58 PM

I bought a Panasonic HDC-SD9 yesterday from Costco for £299.99 that falls into your budget it's HD and you can playback clips on your PS3.

The main criticism has been it's not very good in low light conditions. Some reviews below:

SimplyDV Review: Panasonic HDC-SD9 3CCD AVCHD Camcorder

Panasonic HDC-SD9 Camcorder Review - Panasonic Flash Memory Camcorders

Panasonic HDC-SD9 - Full HD Camcorder Review - Camcorder Reviews - TrustedReviews

Azzin · 26-01-2009, 5:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jeddati

I bought a Panasonic HDC-SD9 yesterday from Costco for £299.99 that falls into your budget it's HD and you can playback clips on your PS3.

The main criticism has been it's not very good in low light conditions. Some reviews below:

SimplyDV Review: Panasonic HDC-SD9 3CCD AVCHD Camcorder

Panasonic HDC-SD9 Camcorder Review - Panasonic Flash Memory Camcorders

Panasonic HDC-SD9 - Full HD Camcorder Review - Camcorder Reviews - TrustedReviews

Good info, thanks.

I've actually got the latest Costco voucher book and it's got that voucher in it for that camcorder at £299.99.

*A n d r e w* · 26-01-2009, 6:37 PM

I'll second the SD9. So long as you stick to well illuminated subjects (should be no shortage of those in the Caribbean!) I'm sure you'll be happy with the results. It does a reasonable job of indoor ("low light") shooting, too, though it's not the best in class - but you need to spend something on the order of £450-£500 to do better (with something like the Canon HF100).

jeddati · 26-01-2009, 7:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Azzin

Good info, thanks.

I've actually got the latest Costco voucher book and it's got that voucher in it for that camcorder at £299.99.

I think the voucher is only valid for another week so you might need to make a choice soon.

Azzin · 26-01-2009, 8:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jeddati

I think the voucher is only valid for another week so you might need to make a choice soon.

Yes, it's only valid up 01/01/09.....

WarPig843 · 26-01-2009, 11:13 PM

Yes, get the SD9.

You can then shove the SD card into the PS3 (via memory card reader if you havent got an original PS3 with SD card slot) and store the recording on the PS3 hard drive.

Easy peazy lemon squeezy

Azzin · 27-01-2009, 7:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WarPig843

Yes, get the SD9.

You can then shove the SD card into the PS3 (via memory card reader if you havent got an original PS3 with SD card slot) and store the recording on the PS3 hard drive.

Easy peazy lemon squeezy

I'm there, SD9 it is!

I've just been lookintg on Play.com and they have an 8GB Sandisk SDHC card @ £15.99: Play.com (UK) : SanDisk 8GB SDHC Video HD Ultra II Memory Card : Electronics - Free Delivery and a USB Reader at £7.99: Play.com (UK) : SD / SDHC Memory Card Reader : Electronics - Free Delivery

Good products/prices?

Thanks again everyone.

Azzin · 27-01-2009, 9:17 AM

Actually, Amazon seem to have some ok priced 16 gig cards: Amazon.co.uk: sdhc 16gb - Electronics & Photo: Electronics & Photo

[Edit] - Link to cards actually being sold by Amazin themselves: http://www.amazon.co.uk/sdhc-16gb-El...A3P5ROKL5A1OLE

baillie · 27-01-2009, 12:32 PM

I've been having a look at this camcorder as well, but am worried about how much video you can fit onto the flash cards verses the HDD versions. I think I read somewhere that a 1gb card could hold around 10mins at the highest quality, is this correct?

Got to factor in the additional cost of a least a couple of cards, depending on how much they hold. Actually come to think of it I'll need a new external HDD as well. This is getting expensive!

Azzin · 27-01-2009, 2:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jeddati

I bought a Panasonic HDC-SD9 yesterday from Costco for £299.99.

If you don't mind me asking, which one did you get it from?

I just spoke to Costco in Reading and the guy said they had sold out but were taking names and numbers of people who wanted them so they could contact them when they got them back into stock (a couple of weeks apparently), but he did say they would be honouring the voucher price of £299.99.

[Edit] - Are memberships enforced to the one you signed up with, or as a Costco member can you shop at another branch?

gpl1968 · 27-01-2009, 4:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Azzin

Are memberships enforced to the one you signed up with, or as a Costco member can you shop at another branch?

You can shop at any branch with your Costco card.

john o · 27-01-2009, 5:27 PM

Hi, I got my sd9 on saturday in the Croydon branch of Costco and the man said I got the last one.

Good luck in getting one it is a great Camcorder at a great price.

WarPig843 · 27-01-2009, 5:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Azzin

I'm there, SD9 it is!

I've just been lookintg on Play.com and they have an 8GB Sandisk SDHC card @ £15.99: Play.com (UK) : SanDisk 8GB SDHC Video HD Ultra II Memory Card : Electronics - Free Delivery and a USB Reader at £7.99: Play.com (UK) : SD / SDHC Memory Card Reader : Electronics - Free Delivery

Good products/prices?

Thanks again everyone.

That card is only a class 4. You can get an 8GB class 6 Transcend card for slightly less if you search around the net. Try 'memorybits' and 'mymemory' websites.

Azzin · 27-01-2009, 5:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WarPig843

That card is only a class 4. You can get an 8GB class 6 Transcend card for slightly less if you search around the net. Try 'memorybits' and 'mymemory' websites.

Thanks.

Now I've just got to find the camera.....

figrin_dan · 27-01-2009, 6:12 PM

I got the Sanyo HD700 for my trip to Cuba in September!

I got it in red so it looked like a toy and not very stealable. It's only 720p which is enough for me and is pretty poor in low light. I got 2 x 8GB SDHC class 6 which give about 2 hours each. And a spare (non Sanyo) battery with charger which is pretty important I think. For the price (Total <£300) I am quite happy, It came with plenty of cables too and you can plug in a HDD for archiving.

All this came from Amazon.

Enjoy Cuba!

Azzin · 27-01-2009, 6:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by figrin_dan

I got the Sanyo HD700 for my trip to Cuba in September!

I got it in red so it looked like a toy and not very stealable. It's only 720p which is enough for me and is pretty poor in low light. I got 2 x 8GB SDHC class 6 which give about 2 hours each. And a spare (non Sanyo) battery with charger which is pretty important I think. For the price (Total <£300) I am quite happy, It came with plenty of cables too and you can plug in a HDD for archiving.

All this came from Amazon.

This one: Sanyo Xacti HD700 High Definition SD Digital Movie: Amazon.co.uk: Electronics & Photo ?

Quote:

Originally Posted by figrin_dan

Enjoy Cuba!

I'm sure I will!

Azzin · 27-01-2009, 6:20 PM

Any thoughts on this: Samsung VP-HMX10/XEU High Definition Flash Memory: Amazon.co.uk: Electronics & Photo ?

figrin_dan · 27-01-2009, 6:34 PM

That's the one! It was a toss up between that and the Samsung. tbh I can't remember what swung it for the Sanyo, it may have just been that much cheaper at the time. Also the Sanyo fits easily into a pocket.

I would suggest that HD camcorders aren't really good enough yet to spend lots of money on so unless you are loaded, I'd recommend these two.

jeddati · 27-01-2009, 6:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Azzin

If you don't mind me asking, which one did you get it from?

I just spoke to Costco in Reading and the guy said they had sold out but were taking names and numbers of people who wanted them so they could contact them when they got them back into stock (a couple of weeks apparently), but he did say they would be honouring the voucher price of £299.99.

[Edit] - Are memberships enforced to the one you signed up with, or as a Costco member can you shop at another branch?

Hi

I got mine from the Chingford branch I'm sure they have more... you can call them before you go just give them the Item Number printed on the voucher bottom right hand corner. They will tell you if they have stock

You need a minimum class4 card to work with the camcorder class6 is even better.
play247 was doing a 16gb class4 for 16.99

Play.com (UK) : Play.com 16GB SD HC Memory Card : Electronics - Free Delivery

In answer to Baillie question 16GB card in Full HD 1920x1080 at the highest quality setting you can record for 2 hours ( from page 36 of the manual) your battery will give up first !

You can download the manual here :

Panasonic - ideas for life - Downloads

Azzin · 27-01-2009, 8:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jeddati

Hi

I got mine from the Chingford branch I'm sure they have more... you can call them before you go just give them the Item Number printed on the voucher bottom right hand corner. They will tell you if they have stock

Thanks, I'll give them a ring tomorrow.

Quote:

Originally Posted by jeddati

You need a minimum class4 card to work with the camcorder class6 is even better.

play247 was doing a 16gb class4 for 16.99

Play.com (UK) : Play.com 16GB SD HC Memory Card : Electronics - Free Delivery

Good info, thanks.

Quote:

Originally Posted by jeddati

In answer to Baillie question 16GB card in Full HD 1920x1080 at the highest quality setting you can record for 2 hours ( from page 36 of the manual) your battery will give up first !

You can download the manual here :

Panasonic - ideas for life - Downloads

More good info!

chrishull3 · 28-01-2009, 12:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by figrin_dan

That's the one! It was a toss up between that and the Samsung. tbh I can't remember what swung it for the Sanyo, it may have just been that much cheaper at the time. Also the Sanyo fits easily into a pocket.

I would suggest that HD camcorders aren't really good enough yet to spend lots of money on so unless you are loaded, I'd recommend these two.

The Undersea World in HD on Vimeo
This was filmed with a sony fx-7 i have one but my much smaller sr-12 takes footage every bit as good and i suspect most of the small sonys and canons give very good pq.

Azzin · 01-02-2009, 9:57 AM

Any thoughts on the Samsung VP-HMX10/XEU : Samsung VP-HMX10/XEU High Definition Flash Memory: Amazon.co.uk: Electronics & Photo ?

Ta.

Azzin · 02-02-2009, 11:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Azzin

Any thoughts on the Samsung VP-HMX10/XEU : Samsung VP-HMX10/XEU High Definition Flash Memory: Amazon.co.uk: Electronics & Photo ?

Ta.

BenchyUK · 02-02-2009, 2:08 PM

I wouldn't mind the SD9 for £299 but i don't have a costco near me nor am i a member. I doubt currys would pricematch either

Azzin · 03-02-2009, 8:06 AM

It looks like Amazon is the next cheapest for the SD9 at £396.73.

I really wanted to get this by Friday as I'm off to Spain for a few days and it would have been a good test of the machine, but I don't really want to pay £400 if I can pay £300.....

Azzin · 03-02-2009, 8:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Azzin

It looks like Amazon is the next cheapest for the SD9 at £396.73.

I really wanted to get this by Friday as I'm off to Spain for a few days and it would have been a good test of the machine, but I don't really want to pay £400 if I can pay £300.....

Although Dixons Tax Free have it for £373.90.....

Dixons Tax Free

[Edit - Just phoned them-no stock.

Azzin · 03-02-2009, 8:30 AM

It looks like Amazon @£396.73 is my only option.

Panasonic HDC-SD9EB-S HD Camcorder: Amazon.co.uk: Electronics & Photo

Azzin · 03-02-2009, 11:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Azzin

It looks like Amazon @£396.73 is my only option.

Panasonic HDC-SD9EB-S HD Camcorder: Amazon.co.uk: Electronics & Photo

I'm going to bite the bullet and order from Amazon, along with this SDHC Card and USB reader: ByteStor Pro3 8GB SDHC Class 6 Memory Card with USB: Amazon.co.uk: Electronics & Photo

Is that a good card/reader?

Ta.