By MICHAEL MILLER
What Type of Camcorder Should I Buy?
Posted: 2007-07-02 15:00:12
Understanding Camcorder Formats
If you had an older camcorder, chances are it used the either the VHS or VHS-C tape format. Both of these formats were analog formats with limited image resolution. But now nearly every camcorder sold records in a digital format and is capable of much better picture quality than in the past.
|
Click here and listen to our expert tell you more.
Several recording formats are available. The most common ones include:
• MiniDV - This is the most popular digital camcorder format. It records broadcast-quality video (500+ lines of resolution) digital video in the DV format, using small, low-priced cassettes that are about 1/12 the size of a standard VHS tape. Use MiniDV for optimal compatibility with video editing programs and other equipment.
• Digital8 - This is an older and generally lower-priced digital format. It records in the same DV format as do MiniDV camcorders but uses a significantly larger cassette, which makes Digital8 camcorders larger in size and weight than MiniDV models. For compatibility with older analog recorders, Digital8 camcorders can view 8mm or Hi-8 tapes.
• MicroMV - This is a newer and smaller digital format, somewhat proprietary to Sony camcorders and not widely accepted in the marketplace. MicroMV tapes are 70% smaller than MiniDV tapes and record in the MPEG-2 format rather than the more universal DV format. As a result, MicroMV tapes are incompatible with most video editing software. This format does enable the smallest camcorders on the market, however.
• HDV - This is a high-definition version of the MiniDV format, found on some higher-priced high definition camcorders. HDV uses standard MiniDV cassettes but produces either 720p or 1080i resolution, along with Dolby Digital surround sound.
• DVD - DVD camcorders don't use tape at all but instead record directly to DVDs using small (8 cm diameter) discs that record in either the DVD-R, DVD-RW or DVD+RW formats. Depending on the picture quality level you select, each disc can hold from 20-60 minutes of video. Assuming that your home DVD player can accept these mini discs, the advantage of this format is that you don't have to bother transferring your movies from tape to DVD. DVD camcorders record video in MPEG-2 format.
• HDD - In this instance, HDD stands for hard disk drive. HDD camcorders record directly to a built-in miniature hard disk drive, just like the kind you have on your personal computer. Current models incorporate hard drives from 4GB to 30GB in size. It takes about 4GB of storage for one hour of video at the highest-quality setting. The lower-quality "economy" setting needs less than 1GB for each hour of video. HDD camcorders record video in MPEG-2 format.
• Flash memory - These camcorders record directly to a CompactFlash, SD/MMC or Memory Stick flash memory device, in MPEG-2 format. Because of the small size of the storage card, these are typically very compact camcorders.
Most camcorders today use the MiniDV format, although some low-priced Digital8 models are still floating around. MiniDV camcorders are also the most affordable models to operate, with a 60-minute MiniDV tape costing $5 or less.
Understanding Camcorder Features
Even the lowest-priced MiniDV camcorders will take surprisingly good pictures since most of the picture quality is in the format itself, rather than in the additional features a particular camcorder offers. This means that many people can get by with a simple $400 camcorder, no problem. But higher-priced models are available and worthy of your consideration.
The more money you spend on a camcorder, the more bells and whistles you get. In particular, a bigger budget can buy you a more compact size, easier usage, a bigger zoom lens or special features such as transition effects or night-vision shooting.
Once you get beyond budget camcorders, you should look for a model that includes a good-quality zoom lens, image stabilization (to keep your pictures steady, even if your hands aren't), a variety of automatic exposure modes and some sort of built-in video editing. This last feature lets you perform in-camera edits between scenes, including dubbing audio and fading in and out.
Also pay particular attention to the camcorder's image sensing system. Most lower-priced camcorders use a single charge-coupled device (CCD) to capture the video image. Higher-priced models use a 3-CCD system that splits the image optically and feeds color-filtered versions of the scene to three CCD sensors, one for each color -- red, green and blue. Naturally, a 3-CCD camera will deliver better color than a single-CCD model. In addition, a bigger CCD reproduces a better-quality picture. In the world of camcorders, 1/3" CCDs are better than 1/6" ones. And for even better picture quality, look for a camcorder with progressive scan technology and true 16:9 framing for film-like results.
Handheld Camcorders
Most camcorders sold today are compact and pack a lot of features into a handheld case. Depending on how much money you want to spend, these camcorders can be basic no-frills units or high-quality, feature-rich devices.
Prosumer Camcorders
Most consumer-level camcorders are small enough to hold in the palm of your hand. But if you're interested in independent filmmaking or just want higher performance, you'll want a larger model called prosumer camcorders, which are often big enough to require a shoulder rest. They look, feel and perform just like the type of camcorder you see TV news crews and independent filmmakers lugging around. Many prosumer camcorders let you use interchangeable lenses for more versatility and shoot in the 16:9 widescreen format. They also come with a bevy of automatic recording modes and manual adjustments that let you customize your movies to a variety of shooting styles and situations. Plus, picture quality is second-to-none, especially under difficult lighting conditions.
High Definition Camcorders
The best camcorders today move beyond the traditional standard definition format to record movies in true high definition video (HDV). Today, HDV camcorders are few and far between and are priced like small cars, but more models will hit the market over the next few years. An HDV camcorder offers all the features of a pro-level standard definition camcorder, but with the capability of recording high-definition signals onto a MiniDV tape. Depending on the camera, recording is in either the 720p or 1080i format, both of which should be playable on any HDTV-capable television.
Naturally, an HDV camcorder will shoot in the 16:9 aspect ratio, which is part of the high-definition format. You can also record Dolby Digital surround sound, although you'll probably need an external surround sound microphone for that.
Choosing the Right Camcorder
With all the different types and formats available, which should you choose? It depends on how you plan to use your camcorder. Check to see which of the following groups you best fit into:
• Budget shooter. You use your camcorder occasionally and don't want to spend a lot of money on it. You want a basic MiniDV or Digital8 model, with a 10X zoom lens and 1/6" CCD. Expect to pay in the $350-$500 range.
• Vacation and home movie shooter. You take pride in the home movies you shoot on family vacations and special occasions, and you like to transfer your movies to your PC to edit them and add fancy titles and scene-change effects. What you want is a mid-range MiniDV model, with 10X or greater zoom lens, image stabilization, programmed scene modes and 1/6" or larger CCD. Expect to pay from $500 to $1,000 -- and maybe a little more, if you want a model with a larger CCD and 16:9 aspect ratio.
• Independent filmmaker. You use your camcorder professionally, to make independent films or business videos, so what's important to you is picture quality and versatility. You want either a prosumer MiniDV model or a high-definition HDV format camcorder. Look for a model that incorporates three 1/6" or larger CCDs and shoots in the 16:9 aspect ratio. It should also have interchangeable lenses, selectable frame rate and built-in SMPTE color bars. Expect to pay from $1,500 to $5,000 or more.
Michael Miller is a writer and commentator on technology and digital lifestyle topics.
• MiniDV - This is the most popular digital camcorder format. It records broadcast-quality video (500+ lines of resolution) digital video in the DV format, using small, low-priced cassettes that are about 1/12 the size of a standard VHS tape. Use MiniDV for optimal compatibility with video editing programs and other equipment.
• Digital8 - This is an older and generally lower-priced digital format. It records in the same DV format as do MiniDV camcorders but uses a significantly larger cassette, which makes Digital8 camcorders larger in size and weight than MiniDV models. For compatibility with older analog recorders, Digital8 camcorders can view 8mm or Hi-8 tapes.
• MicroMV - This is a newer and smaller digital format, somewhat proprietary to Sony camcorders and not widely accepted in the marketplace. MicroMV tapes are 70% smaller than MiniDV tapes and record in the MPEG-2 format rather than the more universal DV format. As a result, MicroMV tapes are incompatible with most video editing software. This format does enable the smallest camcorders on the market, however.
• HDV - This is a high-definition version of the MiniDV format, found on some higher-priced high definition camcorders. HDV uses standard MiniDV cassettes but produces either 720p or 1080i resolution, along with Dolby Digital surround sound.
• DVD - DVD camcorders don't use tape at all but instead record directly to DVDs using small (8 cm diameter) discs that record in either the DVD-R, DVD-RW or DVD+RW formats. Depending on the picture quality level you select, each disc can hold from 20-60 minutes of video. Assuming that your home DVD player can accept these mini discs, the advantage of this format is that you don't have to bother transferring your movies from tape to DVD. DVD camcorders record video in MPEG-2 format.
• HDD - In this instance, HDD stands for hard disk drive. HDD camcorders record directly to a built-in miniature hard disk drive, just like the kind you have on your personal computer. Current models incorporate hard drives from 4GB to 30GB in size. It takes about 4GB of storage for one hour of video at the highest-quality setting. The lower-quality "economy" setting needs less than 1GB for each hour of video. HDD camcorders record video in MPEG-2 format.
• Flash memory - These camcorders record directly to a CompactFlash, SD/MMC or Memory Stick flash memory device, in MPEG-2 format. Because of the small size of the storage card, these are typically very compact camcorders.
Most camcorders today use the MiniDV format, although some low-priced Digital8 models are still floating around. MiniDV camcorders are also the most affordable models to operate, with a 60-minute MiniDV tape costing $5 or less.
Understanding Camcorder Features
Even the lowest-priced MiniDV camcorders will take surprisingly good pictures since most of the picture quality is in the format itself, rather than in the additional features a particular camcorder offers. This means that many people can get by with a simple $400 camcorder, no problem. But higher-priced models are available and worthy of your consideration.
The more money you spend on a camcorder, the more bells and whistles you get. In particular, a bigger budget can buy you a more compact size, easier usage, a bigger zoom lens or special features such as transition effects or night-vision shooting.
Once you get beyond budget camcorders, you should look for a model that includes a good-quality zoom lens, image stabilization (to keep your pictures steady, even if your hands aren't), a variety of automatic exposure modes and some sort of built-in video editing. This last feature lets you perform in-camera edits between scenes, including dubbing audio and fading in and out.
Also pay particular attention to the camcorder's image sensing system. Most lower-priced camcorders use a single charge-coupled device (CCD) to capture the video image. Higher-priced models use a 3-CCD system that splits the image optically and feeds color-filtered versions of the scene to three CCD sensors, one for each color -- red, green and blue. Naturally, a 3-CCD camera will deliver better color than a single-CCD model. In addition, a bigger CCD reproduces a better-quality picture. In the world of camcorders, 1/3" CCDs are better than 1/6" ones. And for even better picture quality, look for a camcorder with progressive scan technology and true 16:9 framing for film-like results.
Handheld Camcorders
Most camcorders sold today are compact and pack a lot of features into a handheld case. Depending on how much money you want to spend, these camcorders can be basic no-frills units or high-quality, feature-rich devices.
Prosumer Camcorders
Most consumer-level camcorders are small enough to hold in the palm of your hand. But if you're interested in independent filmmaking or just want higher performance, you'll want a larger model called prosumer camcorders, which are often big enough to require a shoulder rest. They look, feel and perform just like the type of camcorder you see TV news crews and independent filmmakers lugging around. Many prosumer camcorders let you use interchangeable lenses for more versatility and shoot in the 16:9 widescreen format. They also come with a bevy of automatic recording modes and manual adjustments that let you customize your movies to a variety of shooting styles and situations. Plus, picture quality is second-to-none, especially under difficult lighting conditions.
High Definition Camcorders
The best camcorders today move beyond the traditional standard definition format to record movies in true high definition video (HDV). Today, HDV camcorders are few and far between and are priced like small cars, but more models will hit the market over the next few years. An HDV camcorder offers all the features of a pro-level standard definition camcorder, but with the capability of recording high-definition signals onto a MiniDV tape. Depending on the camera, recording is in either the 720p or 1080i format, both of which should be playable on any HDTV-capable television.
Naturally, an HDV camcorder will shoot in the 16:9 aspect ratio, which is part of the high-definition format. You can also record Dolby Digital surround sound, although you'll probably need an external surround sound microphone for that.
Choosing the Right Camcorder
With all the different types and formats available, which should you choose? It depends on how you plan to use your camcorder. Check to see which of the following groups you best fit into:
• Budget shooter. You use your camcorder occasionally and don't want to spend a lot of money on it. You want a basic MiniDV or Digital8 model, with a 10X zoom lens and 1/6" CCD. Expect to pay in the $350-$500 range.
• Vacation and home movie shooter. You take pride in the home movies you shoot on family vacations and special occasions, and you like to transfer your movies to your PC to edit them and add fancy titles and scene-change effects. What you want is a mid-range MiniDV model, with 10X or greater zoom lens, image stabilization, programmed scene modes and 1/6" or larger CCD. Expect to pay from $500 to $1,000 -- and maybe a little more, if you want a model with a larger CCD and 16:9 aspect ratio.
• Independent filmmaker. You use your camcorder professionally, to make independent films or business videos, so what's important to you is picture quality and versatility. You want either a prosumer MiniDV model or a high-definition HDV format camcorder. Look for a model that incorporates three 1/6" or larger CCDs and shoots in the 16:9 aspect ratio. It should also have interchangeable lenses, selectable frame rate and built-in SMPTE color bars. Expect to pay from $1,500 to $5,000 or more.
Michael Miller is a writer and commentator on technology and digital lifestyle topics.
2006-06-15 11:46:00
