Home Movies 101: The Grandparents’ Guide to Buying a Video Camera
With so many cameras on the market, how do you know which is right for you?
by Amy Schulman
Buying a digital video camera for the first time is a daunting task. With so many features available, each promising to help you make "professional quality" home movies, how do you figure out which one to buy? “Just because a camera has a dozen or more options does not mean you have to use them all," says Yitzie Schwartz, Video Department training manager for New York City's B&H Photo Video. "Pick the ones suitable for you.”
Your First Decision: Format
The first decision you need to make before buying a camera is the type of video storage you want. In other words, once you've finished shooting, in what format will the camera give you your video?
There are four main kinds of storage media: Flash memory (also known as memory cards); hard drives; DVDs; and miniDV tapes (tiny versions of traditional VHS tapes). “Flash memory is the most reliable, hard-drive cameras have the most capacity for the money, and the DVD format provides the user with a finished product," Schwartz says.
MiniDV tapes give you the largest, and highest-quality videos, but to edit and share them, you must first "compress" them via your computer. Memory cards, DVDs, and hard drives compress your video while you shoot, but don’t give you the standalone copy that tapes do.
The bottom line? If you do not plan to edit or share your videos, choose tapes or DVDs. If you are planning to edit and share videos via the internet, choose models that use memory cards or hard drives.
A Camera for Every Budget
Whichever storage medium is right for you, there are many excellent cameras on the market. Below, we list some of the best options for you and your family. All of these cameras are ready to use out of the box and all feature: automatic mode (you point and shoot, and the camera takes care of the rest); a viewing screen (so you can get a better look at what you're shooting while you film); zoom capability; and image stabilization software (to stabilize the image automatically even if you move around, so that your videos aren't shaky).
Less Than $200
For less than $200, Flip makes two entry-level cameras that fit in your pocket, the Ultra and the Mino. Each records about an hour of compressed video right onto its internal hard drive. An attached USB arm lets you plug the camera directly into your computer for easy upload into your hard drive, or straight to internet video-sharing sites like AOL Video or YouTube.
$200 to $600
The Sanyo Xacti, which is available with either flash memory or an internal hard drive, costs around $350 and is simple to use. Some models are even waterproof. Also available for around $350 is the Sony Handycam DVR DVD-610; it records to DVD or Sony’s own memory card, which it calls a "memory stick." This camera also has a built-in zoom microphone, which works in conjunction with the zoom lens to focus the audio on the people in your shot, even if they're not right in front of you. The Panasonic PV-GS320, which has a high-quality Leica-brand lens and records to miniDV tape, retails for about $325. You can also connect it to your computer to use it as a Webcam.
$600 to $800
Canon makes a series of high-quality video cameras in this price range: the VIXIA HF100, which works with flash memory; the VIXIA HV30, which works with miniDV tape; and the VIXIA HG10 AVCHD, which records to an internal hard drive. These cameras all have instant auto focus, and shoot-and-print capability that allows you to print photos directly from the camera.
High-end
At the upper end of the consumer market, you’ll find the $1,400 Sony HDR-SR12. This camcorder can record to a hard drive and memory card simultaneously, giving you instant backup of irreplaceable family footage, or enabling you to simultaneously create one version of a scene for high-definition DVD and another for the Web.
When You're in the Store
Online research is a great way to narrow your options and compare prices, but before you purchase a camera on the Web, go to a store to handle it in person. You need to know what a camera feels like in your hand, if the buttons are easy to access, and how well you can see the screen. Also, read a camera's specifications online, and make sure it's compatible with your computer, TV, or DVD player before you buy it. And always check the store’s return policy whether you buy online or in person. Some major retail outlets will allow you to return any video camera that isn’t right for you, while others only allow you to make an exchange if your product is defective. Once you get the camera home, look over its manual while you give its battery an initial charge, trying things out as you read. In no time, you’ll be ready to make your grandchildren the stars of some high-tech home movies.
Also in this series:
Part One: Producing Your Family’s Memories
Part Two: 10 Great Videos Starring Your Grandchildren
Part Four: How to Edit Your Videos Like a Pro
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