What camcorder do you use?

[yoyostock]

I don't think this question's been asked here before...what camcorder do you dgrinners use/like/covet (when you've got time and/or desire to put the camera down)?

I've been using my trusty 20D to capture the first two years of my first son's life and it's been fantastic! While seeing our photos on Smugmug had been satisfying enough, several friends and family members have expressed concern that we're missing out on capturing video footage of our first son's many toddler antics - that is, apart from the short little clippets we've shot on our digital point-and-shoot. So, with baby #2 coming in about a month, they pooled some funds together to buy us a nice camcorder. I'm still going to take my photos, but if y'all have any suggestions as to which camcorder you use, it'd be much appreciated.

[ian408]

Canon GL1. Maybe a little over the top, it's a mini-dv recorder.

They've got a nice HV10 now. It's a palm sized recorder. About $600 if I recall. And it does HD.

[RayLarson]

In my video business I use 2 Panasonic AG-DV15's and a Canon XL-1. We are in the process of looking to upgrade to the Canon HD HV-1 but at $9000 each it may be a while. The cameras and the upgrade of edit system to HDV could range up to $20,000 with the addition to HD or Blue Ray burners and duplication equipment. It just never stops. :D

To answer your question, you might look at the Panasonic AG-DV60. Retail about $2500 but top of the line and built solid.

[ian408]

And you can buy an adapter for the XL1 that allows you to use your sweet
"L" glass.

Always wanted one of the XL's. Nice camera. Pro enough that you sometimes see them in places you wouldn't want an Iki to splash down :)

[hamster]

I have a Canon EluraII that's about 5 years old. It's great, small, nice quality. But it's much easier to use my S3IS, and the quality is fantastic, and I don't have to buy tapes. It's about 100mb per minute, so I get 20 minutes on my 2gb card - which seems to be more than enough for my 2 year old.

[yoyostock]

After a lot of reseach, I decided to go for the Canon HV10. It'll shoot in HD, if I want, is small and easy to carry around, and seem to be getting pretty good reviews. Plus, it's a Canon, so I figure its functions will be Canon user-intuitive. I had originally thought about getting one of the Sony hard drive camcorders, but heard that the picture quality on it is pretty poor.

[claudermilk]

What I have and occasionally use is an ancient Sony Handycam, yep an old tape machine. Still works. When I thnk about doing video, I covet the Canon XL right now & am looking for when Canon gets into the hard drive-based cameras.

[cmason]

I use a Sony miniDV camcorder, its about 4 yrs old. Tape isnt an issue at all, since this is a Firewire camera, I simply download video off the tape to the PC, and then edit. The tape I reuse...since the source is digital, it looks great. Biggest issue is time it takes to edit...very time consuming process.

My experience says dont go crazy with a high end camcorder, unless you really want to put together some near broadcast quality stuff. Frankly, my video footage is to share with family, enjoy for a while and then put on a shelf for sometime when I am old and gray and want to remember old times.

[eoren1]

I'm literally in the exact same shoes as you - first kid born 11/05 and I've used the 350D to document his life with occasional 30sec clips from the Powershot S30. Now with #2 coming, I'm looking at camcorders.
I'm pretty sure that we're getting the Panasonic PV-GS80 MiniDV Camcorder with 32x Optical Image Stabilized Zoom (just cut and pasted that title from amazon). Retails for $200 and is supposed to have good low-light abilities. Has firewire as well. Didn't want to spend too much of my lens money on this so the price seems about right. IS a definate plus. Had thought about similar Canons in this price range but it seems most suffer from tape noise that can be quite annoying. This one gets good overall reviews on amazon.
Anyone with thoughts on this?
E

[Phyxius]

I like the Canon video cameras too. Even the lower end ones are nice. :):

And, it's simple enough that my mother can use it. :p

[colourbox]

This is an interesting time to ask the video camera question. In any year up to now the answer would be some good miniDV camera like a Canon or Sony. Now the question is whether you get miniDV, or a digital point-and-shoot with a very nice movie mode, especially if you only record in 1-3 minute snippets, or an HD video camera.

I use an old Canon Elura miniDV from 2000. I would buy Canon again, but next time it will be HD. From the reviews, I haven't seen any HD cameras that seemed both affordable and worth it.

At least we know this isn't going to turn into a Canon vs. Nikon thread! :D

[rajul]

Video was my first hobby shortly after my 1st daughter was born. It is amazing to see their development using motion pictures. Due to my previous cam limitations, i upgraded to sony HDR-HC1 last two years and extremely happy with it esp for recording family events, baby first step, vacation etc. It is compact, HD and useful manual control.

Almost at the same time, i develop another hobby i.e. photography:D so i bought D50 which is now i am getting addicted to it more :lust.

For family use this combo are excellent. You may want to have a look at Canon HV20 and Sony HDR-HC7 which are consider as for serious hobbyist. Don't buy low-range consumer cam, you will be dissapointed.

If you want more serious equipment, try Sony FX7.

Hope this helps.