How to Buy a Camcorder

This page includes a list of things to look for when considering a camcorder to buy.

Note: Specifications are only one part of the story — they don't tell you everything about the camera and they can even be misleading, but specs are as good a place to start as anywhere. The main thing is to know which specs are important to you and which can be ignored.

Format

Make sure you understand the recording format you are buying into. MiniDV is probably the best all-round performer in the consumer range — see video formats for more information. HDD (hard drive) camcorders are also worth serious consideration. We do not recommend DVD camcorders.

Also make sure the camcorder uses the same standard as the country you will be using it in, e.g. NTSC for the USA, PAL for Europe, etc. Don't buy a cheap camcorder in a foreign country and find you can't use it at home.

Zoom

There are two types of zoom: digital and optical. They are very different. Basically, digital zoom means nothing and you can ignore it. Optical zoom is what counts. As a side note, if a salesperson tries to impress you with a big digital zoom, find another salesperson because this one cannot be trusted.

You should expect at least a 10x optical zoom. Most people will not need more than this but it can't hurt. 20x is about as powerful as optical zooms get on consumer cameras.

Manual Controls

Manual controls are always a good thing - check for manual focus, iris and white balance.

Note: Some cameras offer the full suite of manual functions but not all at the same time. For example, you might be able to select manual focus or manual iris, but not both simultaneously.

Viewfinder / LCD Screen

Bigger LCD screens are preferable. Go for at least 2.5 inches. Check the screen in outside conditions as well — some LCDs are hard to see in sunlight.

Remember that the viewfinder uses less battery power than the LCD so you might want to check that out as well.

Ease of Use

A big problem with small camcorders is that the controls are tiny and therefore difficult to use. Try the controls yourself and make sure your fingers aren't too fat!

Many camcorders use menus to access functions such as iris control. This is often impractical — buttons or dials are usually quicker and easier.

Outputs / Connectivity

Make sure you can connect the camera to your computer, TV or other equipment as required. Analog outputs are handy for connecting to a range of TVs and VCRs. Computers generally use Firewire or USB. Both are acceptable but Firewire is widely considered to be superior.

For some people, audio/video inputs are also important. This can allow you to record from an external source onto the camcorder, or use the camcorder as an analog/digital converter.

Audio

If you are even half-serious about good video, you will want good audio. Stereo should be standard. An external mic input is highly recommended.

Other features

• Weight. Not usually an issue since most camcorders are very light, but consider how it will feel after several hours carrying around.
• Still image capture.
• Number of CCDs. All other things being equal, three CCDs are better than one. The size and resolution of the CCD is also important — bigger is better.
• Add-on filters. If you want to add these, make sure the camera can take them.
• Special effects. Although it is preferable to add effects in post-production, you might be interested in having the option to add them in-camera.
• Time lapse.
• Night-vision mode.