Newbie Advice On Flash Camcorder Choice

[thepominlaw]

First time on here so apologies if i have posted in the wrong place.



I currently use an aging Canon MV200 (I say aging but i have only ever run 5 tapes through it) and I am looking to upgrade to something a bit smaller and user friendly.



I want a flash based camcorder and currently have shortlisted the Panasonic SD9 and the Sony TG3. Trying to keep the costs down if i can or wifey will crucify me! Also looked at Canon HF10 but price puts me off a little.



What would my best choice me for general video.



Also I was offered £25 for my MV200 (still boxed) is this fair in todays market as i cannot seem many for sale.



Thanks



John

[CHINDLEY]

Costco have the Panny SD9 on promotion until Sunday, £256+
vat, I am considering one for my self.

[A n d r e w]

The MV200 used a single quarter-inch CCD sensor. The SD9 has three CCDs, but they're smaller - 1/6-inch in fact. So expect the SD9 to be noisier in low light than the MV200. On the plus side, it's sharper (producing more lines of video than the MV200) and the Costco price makes it quite the bargain.

The HF100 is better in indoors / low light situations, employing a single medium-sized CMOS sensor, but as you note it's more expensive.

The TG3 is more or less on par with the SD9, perhaps marginally sharper, but a different form factor.

All three will give you excellent results in bright sunlight outdoors.

Just make sure you've got some practical means of editing / playing back HD video recorded in the AVCHD format used by these camcorders.

Andrew.

[thepominlaw]

decided to hold back until i can afford the HF10, bit of a canon man really always have always will be.

Is £25 a fair price for the MV200 someone at work wants it and says thats all its worth? Even though i have only ever used it 5 times since new

[A n d r e w]

Seems a little cheap, perhaps, but then it's getting on in years: late nineties wasn't it? Sometimes lack of use is not a good thing with electronics.

[thepominlaw]

yeah bought it 2000, have to change it now as videos look awful on hd TFT tv.................

[Mr Lazy]

Originally Posted by thepominlaw

decided to hold back until i can afford the HF10

Personally I don't think the HF10 is worth the extra ££ over the HF100, unless you absolutely positively must have it in black...and feel the price difference is justified for getting 16GB on-board flash.