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CNET editors' digital camcorder buying guide
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Category: Consumer Electronic
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Short Description: Which video format should I choose? 4. How do I find a camcorder that shoots ..... with an inexpensive digital camera (effective resolution 1.9 megapixels). ...
Content Inside: What you need to know, from the kind of user you are to current technologies. 1. What kind of digital camcorder is best for me? 4. How do I find a camcorder that shoots good photos? 2. What are the different camcorder styles? 5. How do I get good sound? 3. Which video format should I choose? 6. What else should I buy? Before you fall in love with just any old camcorder, you need to know precisely what you're looking for, lest you realize somewhere down the road that you chose the wrong machine. Ask yourself the hard questions, then match your needs to one of these user profiles. To bone up on the audio specs that matter for your user type, take a look at our section on capturing good sound with video. Home and vacation moviemaker I want to shoot birthday parties, baby steps, holiday gatherings, and school plays. I plan to take my camcorder on vacations, so portability is important. I don't need to do anything fancy, but I'd like the option of doing a little editing and adding some basic effects. I'm looking for simple controls and easy output. THE SPECS THAT MATTER: Design horizontal, vertical, compact, ultracompact Lens type 10X or greater zoom controlled via switch or lens ring, electronic or optical image stabilization Sensor 1/6-inch or larger CCD, minimum 340,000-pixel effective (a.k.a. actual) video resolution Minimum illumination rating 7 lux or lower Recording format MiniDV, Digital8, MicroMV, mini-DVD-R/RW/RAM Ports and connectors FireWire (a.k.a. i.Link or IEEE 1394), A/V, USB, S-Video, accessory shoe, microphone terminal, headphone terminal Exposure controls automatic, exposure shift, programmed scene modes, backlight mode, low-light mode Focus controls automatic, manual option via dial on camcorder body Viewfinder and LCD color viewfinder and 2.5-inch or larger color LCD Multimedia memory card slot for photo capture, MPEG-1 or MPEG-4 video for Web and e-mail Price $600 to $1,500 bundled video-editing software, digital effects, fader, Webcam functionality, 16:9 aspect-ratio mode Cool features to look for for wide-screen playback, 1- or 2-megapixel photo capture, remote control, touch-screen LCD, interval recording, analog-to-digital conversion for digitizing 8mm or Hi8 video Budget buyer I can't afford to spend more than $600 on a camcorder, and I don't want a model that uses pricey cassettes or discs. I don't need an advanced feature set or compatibility with lots of accessories, and I don't mind a relatively bulky design either. I just want a basic camcorder that's easy to use. THE SPECS THAT MATTER: Design horizontal, vertical, compact Lens type 10X or greater zoom controlled via switch, electronic image stabilization Sensor 1/6-inch CCD, 290,000-pixel or greater effective (a.k.a. actual) video resolution Minimum illumination rating 7 lux or lower Recording format MiniDV, Digital8
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