Camcorder Buying Guides

There are several things to consider at the time of choosing which camcorder to buy and which one best suits your needs. Many of these things or factors depend on each person's preferences and requirements, although some of them, due to their importance, should be considered by every buyer.

•One of the most important aspects of camcorders is the video quality they provide and the facility by which its users can handle the main features related to it. Among the features related to the video which the camcorder user would receive through the device, it is important to pay special attention to the lens quality and the zoom range since there are several different types.

•The most popular media is MiniDV, little cassettes that are the media of choice. MiniDV records the highest quality video in the consumer market because there is virtually no compression – the squeezing that can occur to data between captured and conversion into a readable file.

•Camcorders run out of juice sooner than you expect, and included batteries don’t last much longer than an hour, generally. We always recommend carrying a backup battery, but another solution is to purchase an additional battery that’s designed to provide longer life.

•Another important factor to check at the time of looking for the right camcorder is which audio functions it has. It is important that the camcorder audio is not only of good quality but also you should make sure you are able to easily adjust the audio level manually as well as switch it to auto adjust mode.

•Some camcorders offers a setting for complete manual control, meaning you have authority over all the typical settings: white balance, aperture (exposure), shutter speed, focus, and gain. Other camcorders have “priority” modes, which hand over the reigns on one control at a time and automatically correct the rest according to your adjustments.

•Another feature to consider is the camcorder’s ports. These are where it connects to a VCR, TV or computer. Digital cameras usually have Universal Serial Bus (USB) ports to digitally transfer footage to a computer. Most camcorders have Audio/Visual (A/V) ports to transfer via analog to a television. An S-Video port is much like an A/V port, but separates data into separate audio and video plugs, providing a clearer picture. In general, the more ports, the better.

•The list of accessories shouldn’t affect your decision to purchase a particular camcorder. You’ll probably need to buy media for it, like MiniDV tapes or DVD discs; you might want a camera bag, a tripod for steadier shots, a white balance card, accessory lenses.

•One very relevant aspect to consider before buying a camcorder is the after sales support it offers. Often overlooked, this aspect might be the difference between easily solving a problem or not. In case your camcorder got broken or if you just needed to ask for advice, you would wish to be able to count on a reliable and good quality after sales support and service.

•If you intend to travel with the camcorder, you should make sure that it offers world wide support, or, in case it brakes while you are traveling you could find yourself unable to use it when you need it the most.

Once you’ve decided on the features and accessories you want in a camcorder, it’s also important to consider where you’re buying it. Since it is a big investment, investigate the store’s return policy, shipping rates and reputation before you make your purchase.