Camcorder Buying Guide
Before buying a camcorder, you need to consider what you will use it for. For example, do you want to record videos in high definition, or will you just be sharing homemade videos with others via the web? Here is a brief guide to buying a camcorder to make your purchasing decision easier.
Types of Camcorders
There are three main types of camcorders:
MiniDV – These camcorders record videos by storing them on a video cassette. The advantage of this method of video recording is that you can record videos in an uncompressed format, which makes them higher quality. Plus, blank miniDV tapes are easy to come by in your local stores.
DVD Camcorder – These camcorder capture videos by storing the data on a mini DVD. The great thing about these camcorders is that you can play the DVD in just about any standard DVD player. Like miniDV tapes, blank DVDs are also very easy to come across.
HDD Camcorders – These camcorders record videos directly onto internal hard drives. The big advantage here is that you have a lot more storage space than if you were using a miniDV or a DVD recorder. Even if you run out of space, you can add more with an external memory card.
Now that you know what type of camcorder you would prefer, you need to think about what key features you are going to want. Here is a quick overview of some of the main camcorder features to look out for.
Optical/Digital Zoom – If you want to be able to take close up pictures of far away objects, a high optical and digital zoom is something you will need. Optical zoom refers to the amount that the lens physically adjusts to, while the digital zoom is the magnification of the image.
Editing Software – Check to see if the camcorder comes with editing software included. Video editing software will allow you to add special effects to videos if you wish to do so.
Playback Options – Most camcorders can be plugged into the back of a TV via the AV socket. With a DVD camcorder, most of the mini DVDs can be played on regular DVD players. You can also playback your videos on your computer whenever connected.
Digital Image Stabilization – Unless you’ll be using a tripod all the time, you will definitely want image stabilization. This will reduce the movement in your recording from your shaky hands. This makes recording videos much easier.
To help find the best camcorders, have a look through our huge collection of impartial camcorder reviews.
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