Camcorders

[JadeIcing]

Ok so I love camcorders. My old one...well is old. I mean really old. I use the video mode on my digi cam but when I am recording I can't zoom or anything.
I have for several months been looking at several camcorders and this is the one I like.


Sony Handycam DCR-SR45

Sony Handycam DCR-SR45

Comparing to others.

 

[JadeIcing]

Full specifications - Sony Handycam DCR-SR45
Part number: DCR-SR45
General
Product Type Camcorder
Digital Zoom 2000 x
Optical Sensor Size 1/8 in
Optical Sensor Type Advanced HAD CCD
Min Illumination 0 lux
Digital Video Format MPEG-2
Special Effects Sepia, Pastel, Monotone, Old Movie
Image Stabilizer Electronic (Super Steady Shot)
Digital Scene Transition Black fader, White fader
Min Shutter Speed 1/4 sec
Max Shutter Speed 1/4000 sec
Shooting Modes Digital photo mode
Shooting Programs Snow, Beach, Candle, Sunset, Sunrise, Fireworks, Landscape, Spotlight, Sports mode, Portrait mode, Twilight mode
White Balance Custom, Presets, Automatic
White Balance Presets Indoor, Outdoor
Exposure Modes Program, Automatic
Exposure Metering Spot, Matrix
Camera Flash None
Widescreen Video Capture Yes
Main Features
Camcorder Effective Still Resolution 0.3 megapixels
Color Support Color
Face Detection Yes
Still Image Format JPEG
Remote Control None
TV Tuner None
Memory / Storage
Floppy Drive None
Digital Storage Media Hard disk drive - Built-in - 30 GB
Image Storage JPEG 640 x 480, JPEG 640 x 360
Media Type Flash card, Hard disk drive
Recording Speed HQ, LP, SP
Lens System
Type Zoom lens - 1.9 mm - 76 mm - F/1.8-4.1
Focal Length 1.9 mm - 76 mm
Lens Aperture F/1.8-4.1
Optical Zoom 40 x
Lens system type Zoom lens
Min focal length 1.9 mm
Max focal length 76 mm
Auto Focus TTL contrast detection
Lens Manufacturer Carl Zeiss
Filter Size 30 mm
Focus Adjustment Manual, Automatic
Zoom Adjustment Motorized drive
Additional Features
Self Timer Yes
Low Lux / Night Mode Yes
Digital Still Camera Function Yes
Search Modes Index search, Face index search
Additional Features Face detection, Auto power save, Built-in speaker, Histogram display, PictBridge support, Touch-screen control, USB 2.0 compatibility, Backlight compensation, Digital noise reduction, Dolby Digital AC-3 (2 channel) recording
Remote control None
Software Drivers & Utilities, Sony Picture Motion Browser
Viewfinder
Viewfinder Type None
Display
Type LCD display - TFT active matrix - 2.7 in - Color
Digital Player (Recorder)
Type None
Microphone
Type Microphone - Built-in
Microphone Features Zoom, Wind noise reduction

Connections
Connector Type 1 x USB, 1 x Composite video/audio output, 1 x S-Video output, 1 x Control-L (LANC), 1 x DC power input
Expansion Slot(s) 1 x Memory Stick PRO Duo
Audio Input
Audio input type Microphone
Microphone type Built-in
Microphone Operation Mode Stereo
Microphone Technology Electret condenser
System Requirements for PC Connection
Operating System Support MS Windows Vista, MS Windows XP Professional, MS Windows 2000 Professional
Peripheral Devices USB port, CD-ROM drive
Miscellaneous
Cables Included A/V cable, USB cable
Power
Power Device Power adapter - External
Battery
Supported Battery 1 x Li-ion rechargeable battery - 680 mAh ( Included )
Viewfinder / Display
Display Form Factor Rotating
Display Format 123,200 pixels
Physical Characteristics
Width 3 in
Depth 4.4 in
Height 3 in
Weight 12.3 oz

 

[pinksalamander]

I have a Sony Handycam DCR-DVD92E. Its an old model, it was second hand, but I love it! Mine is a DVD one, which is dead annoying, but I've heard the hard drive ones are brilliant. I'd definatley go for one, mine is really easy to use, although on mine editing within the camcorder is limited but if you put it on the computer you can use anotehr editing software.

Fran :hearts :brownbunny

 

[JadeIcing]

Thanks. Mind you this would be something I have to save for. But my mom and grandma would chip in. I think my brother would to. More so if I let him borrow it once in a while.

 

[Little Bay Poo]

I got a Sony camcorder back in 2001. Never used it all that much or got technical with it, but I was really pleased with the product. My digital camera is Sony and takes really good video for a point and shoot, so that makes me think Sony is a good brand for camcorders.

Random question though: My friend told me they took the "night shot" feature off of camcorders. This would be the full on greenish colored screen, not the "twilight" setting. I saw you wrote that the camcorder you are looking at has "night mode" is this the same as the "night shot" I'm talking about?

 

[JadeIcing]

Little Bay Poo wrote:

Random question though: My friend told me they took the "night shot" feature off of camcorders. This would be the full on greenish colored screen, not the "twilight" setting. I saw you wrote that the camcorder you are looking at has "night mode" is this the same as the "night shot" I'm talking about?

My old one is Sony. It is great just can't do much with the old ones. I am going to fool around with the one on display at work and I will let you know more about it.

 

[mouse_chalk]

Oh, I sooo want a camcorder too! My DSLR obviously doesn't have a video mode, and I really don't like the video that comes out when I use my compact camera to take video...

I might be getting one in the next couple of months, but I was wondering, if anyone knows, do you get what you pay for with them? Like if I was to go for a fairly cheap model, would it be rubbish? I don't know what my budget is, maybe £150-200 max?

I know a lot about cameras and could choose one of them quite easily, it would even be fun, but I know nothing about camcorders and no idea where to start! :shock:

 

[pinksalamander]

Jen, I'd have to say spend a little extra and get a hard drive camcorder, rather than a DVD, if you are wanting to put clips and such on the computer, rather than just watching them on the TV. The pains I went through trying to get the videos off the DVD... I spent around 3 months trying to figure it out, and the video quality the way I have worked out how is pretty crap, which defeats the purpose of a camcorder.

I've heard Sony is good, and its what I have. Despite the fact the videos are so difficult to rip from the DVD I'm happy with the way it works. I just wish it was a hard drive one!

Fran :hearts :brownbunny

 

[mouse_chalk]

See, personally I wouldn't rate Sony for cameras, but I've heard good things about their camcorders... Argh! It's gonna take a LOT of research I reckon lol...

And yeah I'll definately not buy a DVD one, I'll want it for uploading videos to my laptop, so it'll have to be easy to do!