What Do You Recommend for a Digital Camcorder? About This Page:

[stretch2864]

We are in the market for a digital camcorder. After looking at several stores yesterday and finding a wide array of camcorders with many different features and many different price points, we are somewhat overwhelmed. We want it mostly for shooting videos when we practice speeches for Toastmasters or when I practice presentations for school. We would like to stay in the $300 or less range as it isn't something we will use a lot.

So for those of you who have a digital camcorder, what do you have and what do you like about it? Are there any features that are "must haves"? Thanks for your help!

[emilyandlogansmom]

We got a Sony last year and have been very happy with that! I have no idea about model #'s and things--sorry! It is very easy to use, copies right to the dvd, and small...we had no issues taking it with us to WDW. I do know that we paid under $300 for it...I want to say it was on sale for $229. Worth every penny...I highly recommend the Sony's.

[oldmom]

We have a Canon HV-20 that we love. Takes great videos and allows for taking still photos while you are filming, without stopping the film action.

[Dave Marx]

If those are your primary needs for a camcorder... if you have a digital still camera that can record videos, just use that. If you need to buy a larger memory card to record longer speeches, it's still cheaper than buying a dedicated camcorder.

Camcorders are designed for easy hand-held use when you may have to follow action, zoom, etc., but for the things you describe the camera can probably sit on a table or tripod and just run.

If you do want to buy, I'll second the recommendation of a Canon. At this point, the cheapest digital camcorders use Mini-DV tapes. While the camcorder is cheaper, the tapes are being phased out in favor of units using memory cards. Due to the much smaller number of moving parts in the cameras with memory cards, you'll probably get far more years of use out your purchase, and you'll be paying much less for recording media (as the tapes get less common, they're likely to get more expensive and harder to find).