Before buying a camcorder, there most important thing to do is research. You wouldn't buy a car or a house without the proper research, so why spend hundreds or thousands of dollars on a camcorder without researching first? First things first, consider what the camcorder will be used for and make a list. Are you a filmmaker, a parent, a traveler? Will you use it primarily for making home-movies, or are you interested in something more professional? Consider your list when looking at cameras.

Also consider your own experience with photography. If you are a complete novice, stick with something basic and easy to understand. The last thing you want is to buy a camera and get frustrated by not understanding how to use it, and tossing it in the closet. For the money you're investing, you want something you will actually use.

Next, decide what kind of format you need. MiniDV is one of the more popular formats because the DV's are cheap at $3-5 each, and can be transferred directly onto your computer. DVD is also popular because you can record directly onto the disc and load it into a DVD player. With a Hard Drive format, the camcorder records directly to the hard drive and can be uploaded onto a computer quickly. The last option is Flash Memory, which stores the information onto an SD card.

The best thing you can do, is go online and look at reviews published by other users. When a camcorder is first released, the best reviews found are by people who bought one and tried it. See what they had to say and don't be afraid to ask for help or suggestions.

Research doesn't have to be limited to online reviews though. Go out into the stores and look around. Tell people in the store that you are interested in buying a camcorder and looking for some help. Better yet, ask them what they use. If its good enough for the person selling it, its probably good enough for you.
Once you've compared a few camcorders and have in mind what you want, decide on a budget and stick to it. If you want a camcorder for $1000-1200, then stick to that budget and don't fall for a $2000 model simply because it looks nicer.

You're read reviews from users and you have a budget, so its time to take the next stop and read what the experts have to say. Look for websites that review every single camera when its released and go by personal experience rather than specifications. You need a website where the reviewers try out each camera and post their feelings, not just what the company says.

Some common questions to ask before buying a camcorder.
What will I use this for?
What kind of format do I want?
Do I need something that is easy to learn on?
How much money do I want to spend?
What brands am I most interested in?
Do I need a rechargeable battery?
Do I want a camcorder capable of taking still images?

Think about those questions and do your research before purchasing a camcorder.

Hopefully this will help you on your journey.

Learn more about this author, Jennifer Eblin.
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