Which Video Camera

[Pwheslop]

Hey, Im new on here.
I'll give you some background information.
I work for a Christian Youth Group Welcome to the Frontpage

And though this work we go on week camps and such activities.

Our next perchance will be a new HD Video Camera.

Our Budget is £250-£350, and it should be pretty small, and have HD Video, as well as over 5Mp Still shots. It Has To be SD OR HDD.

Now we were looking at the http://uk.sanyo.com/Products/View/VPC-CA9

Let Me Know Any Suggestions!

Pete!

[senu]

Originally Posted by Pwheslop

Hey, Im new on here.
I'll give you some background information.
I work for a Christian Youth Group Welcome to the Frontpage
And though this work we go on week camps and such activities.
Our next purchase will be a new HD Video Camera.

Welcome on here. I hope we can be of help

Our Budget is £250-£350, and it should be pretty small, and have HD Video, as well as over 5Mp Still shots. It Has To be SD OR HDD

.
I note your budget
However I will need you to question your own requirements

• Pretty small
• Have HD video
• 5Mp stills
• SD card or HDD

I assume small because it need to be portable
HD because you obviously in 2009 dont want to record in anything but high definition
5MP still because you want it to take still as well and are using 5Mp as an accetable minimum for still
SD card or HDD because you want easy transfer to PC and don't really want to use tapes in 2009
Nowhere do you mention anything about quality, compatibility .. or what you want to ultimately do with the footage
Is it for DVD?
Is it for PC ?
Is it for web use?
Any editing required if so .. do you have the hardware , and software?
High Def
I would suggest that for High definition, that budget is a bit on the lean size. Just recording Hi def does not mean you wil be impressed with its quality over a well sorted standard def model. Hi def does not always translate to better perceived definition
Small size
"Small" may be cute but if i is too small it becomes a "gadget" rather than a camcorder in absolute terms . A bit of size makes for stability to avoid wobbly shots too.
"Small" will also mean a small battery which will, invaiably mean short recording times. Small camcorder, small sensor , poorer video , poor low llight performance
In fact most consumer camcorders these days have a small form factor in real terms compared to thier Semi pro sibling and camcorders of the recent past
Hi def
HD video is not equal ..also HD video is not very easy to edit.. hink about using say a decnt Core 2 duo or Quad core and 3-4Gb RAM , a decnt graphic ard doent harm too
Also How are ou going to watch your footage as hi def ?, Are you still going to need to node them back to SD?
5Mp
Regarding 5Mp for still , it doesn not guarantee sharp pictures.. in any way although that figure for still is pretty much the norm. I would consider a ! £150 still will do a far better job although it is one more thing to have with you

Now we were looking at the http://uk.sanyo.com/Products/View/VPC-CA9

Not my cup of tea.. I dont like 30fps at 720p ,and it wont replace a haf decent still despite the still specificaion
On a personal not I dont like its form factor but you may like it..
It is certainly a nice " lifestyle" camcorder
Maybe someone will come in defence of it

One suggestion I would have is the Sony TG3 if you can stretch to it
I think it ticks many of your boxes and there is a thread or 2 about it here..
Otherwise give your wish list ( and budget) a rethink

[Pwheslop]

Thanks For the Detailed Reply!

On The Small Bit.. Its not Vital..

It will be used for Projecting Daily Videos at camp and also For Web.

Our Budget wouldn't stretch that far

But we did see this?
Buy Hitachi HV565E High Definition Pocket Camcorder - Black. at Argos.co.uk

Ticks all our boxs, and with Argos if its terrible it can jsut go back?

and comments?

[jonathan2202]

[QUOTEwith Argos if its terrible it can jsut go back?

and comments?[/QUOTE]

dont forget cameras and camcorders etc are excluded from 28 days money back at Argos so cant just have your money back if its bad

[jonathan2202]

i'm looking to buy a camcorder around £250 ish too, i have been looking at standard def SD cameras, the JVC ms120 which can be had from Dixons for around £260 and the Panasonic SDR-S26 £199 i dont know much about the picture quality of these which is why i still haven't parted with my money.
I have been looking at videos on you tube that people have posted although at a lower quality it gives you an idea what a certain camera is like.

[senu]

Originally Posted by Pwheslop

Thanks For the Detailed Reply!

On The Small Bit.. Its not Vital..

It will be used for Projecting Daily Videos at camp and also For Web.

Our Budget wouldn't stretch that far

But we did see this?
Buy Hitachi HV565E High Definition Pocket Camcorder - Black. at Argos.co.uk

Ticks all our boxs, and with Argos if its terrible it can jsut go back?

and comments?

If you are looking to project, why do you need Hi def? ( does the projector support Hi def?)
And indeed why do you need to avoid tape?
Also if you will be using a projector, it will probably expose more readily the " humble" source used , as such.. you need a decent SD or better HD than the 2 suggestions you have made
AFAIK, both the Sanyo and this second one you linked may tick the "spec" boxes i would however be pleasantly surprised if you found either them great after a short while , if that
Certainly YMMV but I would not buy these for myself, or a group.
There is a good reason why Canon , Sony and Panasonic are the top sellers, not because folk like to spend more but many have bought " cheap " and bought twice
Im not saying £250-300 is not a lot of moey but it is a bit limiting if all it seems to attract is the examples youve linked
Also, the Stills.. I say, get a dedicated camera
A camcorder which will perform al you want and do it well ( and not just paper spec) will cost more than a decent camcorder + modest still camera IMHO