If you love to give advice, here's your chance. Our camcorder is so old, technologically speaking, that is is a true dinosaur. We recently watched a bunch of tapes and really enjoyed them, and would like to purchase a new one. It will be used mostly for special occasions (weddings, holidays, and vacations) but needs to be sturdy enough to withstand a teen.

Would you buy from a certain company, or go for certain features (which of course I'll have no clue how to use). What criteria would you use?

Oh, and price is a concern, but not a totally limiting factor.

So, please, share your advice :).

I have a Canon Elura 85 digital video camcorder, which I love because i can film with it and also take still photos. It's pretty simple to operate and is a nice size.

I have a Sony Digital8 camcorder that I really like. I love the ability to take pictures and movies with it as well as capture pictures from footage that I already took. Being that it a few years old, it is slightly larger than most out there nowadays but it has been very reliable.

If I was going to get a new one, it would probably be another Sony. However, some of the JVC HardDrive camcorders are looking like good options as well. I say that since I tend to go from camcorder to PC and then create my own custom home movies. However, I dont want to jump into a new technology without knowing some sort of track record.

I have a friend who just got a Sony DVD camcorder. Its small and provides a real sharp picture. But the DVD's only hold like 30 mins of video each, but a huge number of still pictures as well. But to be honest, it would still be a frontrunner in my choice for a new 'corder.

I have a Sony MiniDV digital camcorder. MiniDV, I believe, is the best quality non-HD format (for home use). Each tape holds an hour's worth of video in its highest quality mode. My Sony is very compact, and can take 3 Megapixel digital photos which are stored on a Memory Stick. The downside is that, though you can replay the tape directly to your TV, if you want to transfer your video to DVD you have to upload it to a PC or equivalent device. If you're interested in video editing, though, you can produce some really cool home video productions with relative ease. The video quality of the resulting DVDs is awesome. Warning: this format is a memory hog. A 1 hour video file (.avi) is about 15 Gigabytes in size.

Here's a link to Sony MiniDV camcorders:

Sony MiniDV Camcorders (http://www.sonystyle.com/is-bin/+INTERSHOP.enfinity/eCS/Store/en/-/USD/SY_BrowseCatalog-Start?CategoryName=dcc_DICamcorders_MiniDVHandycam Camcorders&Dept=cameras)

Canon makes good MiniDV camcorders as well.

Thanks, all. I didn't even know they made camcorders that take stills, too! I think I need a camcorder education.

The great part about camcorders that take stills is that in many cases, you can get distant and low-light shots with ease. I have some awesome nightvision shots of many rides as well as the fireworks. If this is a desire to be an option on your next camcorder, do try to get one that has a high pixel count. 2 or 3 MP at the least.

In my opinion it will not replace a standard digital still camera but will work well for times when a regualr camera just wont cut it.

Thanks, all. I didn't even know they made camcorders that take stills, too! I think I need a camcorder education.

That is actually pretty much a standard feature on digital camcorders now. In most cases, the quality of the still photos will be quite a bit lower than what you would get with a stand-alone still camera, although even that gap has been closing in recent years. As Gus noted, a camcorder can sometimes do a better job on stills in low light situations or from greater distances.

Early digital camcorders typically stored still photos right on the tape along with the video, but most models now include memory card slots.

-Jeff

For now--based on your criteria, I think the best option for you would be a Mini-DV camcorder from Canon (first brand choice) or Sony (second brand choice). PQ of DVD-based camcorders--although getting better--is still not quite as good as that of Mini-DV (recorded at SP tape setting); hard drive-based camcorders require that you offload your video footage to PC. I know that sounds like a "no-duh" statement, but keep in mind that if you somehow manage to fill up that hard drive and you don't have any immediate way of offloading that footage...you would be unable to record any additional footage until you do so (it's not like you can easily swap out hard drives, and even if you could I would imagine such a hard drive won't be really cheap).

Picture/still capture option on a camcorder is a nice feature to have, but as others have pointed out, is still not a great substitute for photos taken with a dedicated digital camera that most likely can take better-quality photos than what can be achieved w/ a camcorder w/ still option; don't be fooled by MP numbers--sheer number of megapixels does not by itself determine how great the PQ of a photo will be...but all this talk is moot anyways since it's hard to find a reputable camcorder that doesn't have a still-photo option.

Although I don't own one myself (I'm a bit deferential towards Sony when it comes to camcorders, to be honest with you), the Canon Elura 85 camcorder that tink's mom has is a pretty good choice...IIRC it was a Consumer Reports best buy in it's class.

For now--based on your criteria, I think the best option for you would be a Mini-DV camcorder from Canon (first brand choice) or Sony (second brand choice).

Good advice! We're still looking, so I'll check it out.
Thanks!

I purchased a Sony DCR-HC26 this July for a very very special occasion after returning two Canon ZR500 due to their excessive motor noise. I am very happy with the purchase.

I have a Canon Elura 50. I do have to say that I did have a problem with it after using it for 2 years. The camera always ejected the tape and it would not stay in. I sent it into Canon and I will tell you, that was the best service that I have ever had on any equipment. There is a web site for service that gives you exact information about what is going on with your repair. They completely replaced the tape drive and the CCD, it is like new now. even though it was out of warranty it only cost me $60. So be sure to take after purchase service into account when you buy a video camera. I now own 2 Canon digital camera too. Very happy with all of them. My parents have the Canon ZR500 and it does not have a motor noise problem, odd.