How to choose the best camcorder for you

Today's electronics market is flooded with a myriad of different models which are cheaper, have more features, and use a variety of storage formats.
The analogue days are becoming history as new formats and technology begin to take hold.
There has never been a better time to purchase a camcorder, the consumer has more choice then ever but naturally with so much choice comes confusion.

Don't be daunted however, take these tips and choose the camcorder that is best for you.

What will it be used for?
Think of all the potential uses for the camcorder, what can you see yourself using it for? What will it be used MOST for? For short periods (30 minutes)? or longer?
Knowing this information clearly can save you money and avoid being foisted with something you don't need.

If it will be used indoors then light stabilization becomes an issue, as some camcorders can have trouble indoors due to the lack of light.

If you plan to use the camcorder casually or on an occasional basis then it may be worth considering something fairly cheap and easy to use. No point in paying for features you won't need or will never use.
On the other hand if you are planning to make your own films or become a hobbyist then you'd do well to pay for the extra audio and manual control features as they will certainly come in handy.
Check the battery usage and how long it stays charged.

Will you need a tripod? A tripod can improve the quality of your footage and allow you to shoot for longer periods of time (no sore arms, less movement and judder).

You may also want to consider high shutter speed if you plan filming sports or fast movement.

Another issue is design, you should choose something which feels comfortable to hold and use, lighter is better especially for extended usage and watch out for awkward screens or poor color.

Check to see how it connects.
If you plan on connecting it directly to your PC then check to see if it uses Firewire (IEEE 1394) or USB, while most modern PCs support both, some people (especially those using older model PCs) may find they have no Firewire port.
Mini DV and Digital8 cams normally use an i.LINK digital jack while Mini DVD and
hard drive models tend to use Firewire or USB.
What format do I want to use?
There are a few choices here, Mini DV tapes can hold up to 2 hours of footage, Mini DVD discs can hold 4 hours and are also directly compatible with many DVD players and PC, some players also record onto standard DVD discs which can be convenient. Hard drive players tend to depend on the size of the Hard disc a 20GB model may give up to 15 hours of footage.

Taking these factors into consideration can help you to make the purchase that is right for you and your budget and avoid . A camcorder can be sizable purchase (think anywhere from $400 to $10,000 or more) but also great investment and lots of fun for you and your family. Good luck with your camcorder hunting.

Learn more about this author, Ryoken Ifould.
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