Best CHEAP digital camcorder??

MyST wrote on 5/11/2004, 5:49 PM

I'm looking at hopefully getting an inexpensive DV camera. Ideally I could also use it to transfer my analogue films from my present camcoder to the PC for editing.

My question is which one , in the $400 -$600 range, has the best image quality? Ideally I'll be filming mostly outdoors. Night shots aren't a consideration because I think I'd need to invest ALOT more to get quality night images.
Audio can, to an extent, be edited using my Noise Reduction plug-in.
That's why I'd like to concentrate on image quality in natural light.

Thanks for all/any input.

Mario

Back to post

Comments

Caruso wrote on 5/15/2004, 3:16 PM

Well, I bought my D8 new - has to be, gosh, al least four years ago, now - because I have tapes that span one of my kids' college days.

As far as comparison, Jester, I did say "considering what my cam cost compared to the other two" or something like that. I'm not going to sit here and tell you that I could not tell the images apart - I could - but for the money, I think the Digi8 compares quite nicely.

Frankly, images from the two sony cams were more closely matched in color temperature than the Canon that seemed truly to be the odd ball of the lot. Would I own the Canon if I had the chance? You bet. It's a fine camera. I didn't operate either of these expensive units - their owner's did.

As far as low-light goes, I've read that 3-chippers are generally less capable, not more, in this area. I've read that, but don't know it for a fact. The owner of the PD150 mentioned low-light capability as one of the PD150's few weaknesses - and he also owns a couple of single-chip Digi8's.

Believe me, I'm not going to turn this good thread into a debate to defend my measly Digi8 against those two pro-level cams. But, if you're budget restricts you to something less than $2,000 up (I think the fellow paid something in the range of $2,500 to $3,000 for his PD150 when bought new), then I would not hesitate to purchase one of these Digi8 cams.

I also don't want to knock salesmen(women) in general, but for him/her to make a statement that digital cams break down more often sounds suspect to me. What would he offer as an alternative a digital cam? VHSC, Hi8, Betacam, what?

I still have every camcorder I've ever purchased (I'm up to four, now). I carried my analog 8mm cams (they were big affairs) with me on roller coasters, fishing trips, motor scooters (those cute little 35mph jobs they rent in Bermuda), you name it.

Those cams are mostly retired from live shooting over the last four or so years, since I purchased the digi8 - so, I have done with it the same sort of activities mentioned above - never a moments trouble with it, either. Additionally, that cam was my editing deck when I first got into NLE editing (well, actually, I was using Pinnacle's VideoDirector 200, then Studio Director 400 - both were quasi NLE programs that used the computer to control your editing deck (my TRV103) to locate clips on the tape, then output them in any sequence required by your EDL to a record deck - bottom line, the camcorder was called on to FF,RW, locate by frame, etc. during assembly process - very intense use of all the mechanical mechanisms.

There was constant chatter on BBS's in those days as to how much wear and tear all lthis back and forth business would bring to bear on the camcorder. Again, I never have experienced a problem.

I can't imagine why the salesperson would want to make you more uncertain by making such a general, and, in my view, innacurrate statement. What was he/she trying to sell you?

I definitely think you ought to go ahead and get your feet wet - it's not about what cam you buy, but what you do with the cam after you have it - not the least of which will be to edit and make tapes using Vegas.

I would venture to say that there are more quality cams out in the market place than not. Buy one that strikes your fancy and fits your pocketbook, and start making some videos.

Good luck,
Caruso

MyST wrote on 5/15/2004, 3:35 PM

Thanks much Caruso!

Oops, I neglected to add that the saleswoman and salesman followed up the "breakdown" statement with a "but you can get an extended warranty".
Actually, the saleswoman who was serving me made the statement then when a salesman walked by she asked him to confirm it. There was an unusual pause between the "wouldn't you say digital cameras/camcorders break down often" statement from the woman and the " Uh, Yeah" replied by the man.
I must say I usually pick up quickly on these things when shopping around, but in this case, even the amount I'm able spend (however small it might seem to some of you), is alot given my present situation. Let's just say there are other priorities for the moment. But I'm dying to get into this stuff!
That's why the big deal over such a small expense.
Hope you understand.

Mario

RangerJay wrote on 5/15/2004, 4:34 PM

I bought a Canon ZR-80, and it is superb for the price. Very basic, though. No microphone input. However, very good picture for the price. Less than $400 for sure.

wcoxe1 wrote on 5/15/2004, 4:42 PM

Lets put it this way, if digital equipment broke down more often that other things to a really noticable degree, then it would be something that would be noticable enough that it would cause it not to sell well AT ALL. But, you may have noticed that just about everything has changed from analog to digital in the last few years. Somehow, it is still selling.

If the public had noticed major failure rates over what they had been experiencing before then they would not be buying the stuff. Think about it. Further, the digital and miniaturization has made it possible to get better and better while at the same time getting cheaper and cheaper and at a faster and faster rate. I for one would not want to go back to before the time of digital.

And, I am not convinced that you could even GET the quality of, say, a Sony VX-2100, into a reasonable package. And you certainly couldn't do it at anywhere NEAR the price without digital equipment and miniaturization.

MyST wrote on 6/17/2004, 7:55 PM

Sorry for bringing back an old thread here, but...

I'd really like to give a big thanks for everyone's suggestions regarding this purchase decision.
You guys really do show that Vegas' forum is tops for helpful advice!
I'm now the proud owner of the Sony TRV460 Digital8 camcorder!
Now I can start playing around with this DV stuff. Enough with the photo montages cuz I couldn't afford a camcorder. ;-)

Again, thanks for everyones' help!

Now to go RTFM!

Mario

PS: I can't believe I had to scroll back over a thousand topics to reach this one that was started just a little over a month ago!!
Can you say "heavy traffic"?

bbcdrum wrote on 6/21/2004, 8:36 AM

FWIW, I just got an email from buy.com offering the Canon Optura 10 for $389.98. A new model must be just around the corner...if not already here.

BrianStanding wrote on 6/21/2004, 3:06 PM

Pretty happy with my old Sony TRV-18. Cost me $450 from B&H about a year and a half ago. Any of the low-end Sonys are pretty decent.

Sony does a pretty nice job of having a pretty standard feature set with all their cameras. Whether it's a lowly one-chipper or my PD-150, they all have a similar "feel" and operation.