When I started this article I thought it would be as easy
to decide about a camcorder as it was for a digital camera.
But NO! There are many more options to consider.
So here is a summary and some places to go for more information.
In general:
1. Decide which features you want and need before you start
looking, and omit those that you don’t. You’ll
be surprised how small the selection becomes.
2. Try not to buy a camcorder based only on its advertised
specs. Instead, go to a dealer and hold it your hand. You
can tell that a camcorder is right for you simply by the way
it feels and whether your fingers can reach all of the important
controls.
3. Check the size and the functionality of the camcorder’s
LCD screen. Make sure it is large enough and bright enough
to be usable in sunlight. Then check the internal viewfinder
display and make sure it’s clear enough to use when
you’re not relying on the swivel screen.
4. Turn the camera on and listen carefully. If it’s
noisy when you zoom or record, that sound will usually be
picked up on your tape as a distracting buzz.
5. All camcorders ship with rechargeable batteries, but ask
the dealer or check the manufacturer’s claims to see
how long the battery will last on a full charge. Some camcorders
even list the remaining battery time in the viewfinder.
The battery that comes with most camcorders only lasts an
hour or so. For $50 to $100, you can buy a longer-lasting
battery, so factor that into your cost if you think you’ll
need it. (Remember, however, that larger batteries add to
the camera’s weight.)
6. Pick the camcorder that includes the best lens you can
afford. Better optics always translate into better image quality.
Don’t expect to increase zoom range later by adding
an optional adapter lens, which will tend to reduce image
quality and low-light performance.
7. Camcorder microphones vary widely in quality and function.
Many have a windscreen to reduce noise, and the best ones
have a built-in zooming mechanism that narrows the pickup
pattern as you zoom the lens. Front-mounted microphones
get better results. Top-mounted microphones tend to capture
the voice of the person using the camera, and drown out everything
else.
8. An external microphone jack is a real plus for serious
videographers.
Where can I go to get all my questions answered you might
ask. Here is a great site that will help you: http://www10.activebuyersguide.com/
Click on ‘Electronics/Camcorders’; then choose
the ‘Decision Guide’ – it’ll walk
you thru a 6 step process!
What about prices? Once you’ve narrowed it down
to one or two cameras, check http://www.pricescan.com to check
prices.
Web Browsers – I’ve finally given up on Microsoft’s
Internet Explorer! I have now switched to Mozilla’s
Firefox as my tool to browse web sites. Why? Because
it does something that makes my life easier! Instead
of going thru my IE Favorites and one-by-one opening them,
each in a new browser; Firefox allows me to save a whole bunch
of web sites as ONE thing. Then when I choose that favorite
it opens them ALL in multiple tabs in ONE browser for me.
So I’ve ones for ‘politics’; ‘computer
problems’; my wife’s favorite sites; and more.
Give it a try and you’ll forget IE forever: http://www.mozilla.org/
choose the latest Firefox version!
