Wiz, those lightweight cameras will give you a sloppy shot no matter how hard you try to stabilize them. You might consider a monopod or a tripod, it makes a HUGE difference in your image quality.

Now, if you had a Mac, you'd have iMovie and would be able to pull stills right off of any frame in your footage.

A 40X OPTICAL ZOOM???? Ruh roh....

Ya'll are making my head spin. I started out looking for a camcorder about two years ago and gave up. I still have my old 8mm. I don't use one enough to buy.

So I go spend on digital cameras instead!

Good luck Wiz!

I am with AMN when it comes to Sony (for now)

they have gone down hill cause I think they got cocky. But I think once they are down in the dumps, they'll go back up again. It happens in cycles especially when it comes to electronics.

Of course, since I was told that I go on and on and on and on and on...LMAO...

I was just going to say that firewires are safe, fast, transfers bits more accurately. But USB 2.0 compatible are just as good (although folks on both side will argue)

mac prefers fire ports anyways...but this isn't about Mac...LOL

what software you choose to edit after you've download the vids will probably matter more and that's what happens to most people. So do spare youself those "extras" up sales whenever you go buy them

I would go to a brick and motar store, hold one in your hand play with it. Try to play with it without the sales person being there to give you pressure. But then come back on the internet and do a search on line. If they have it at amazon or buy.com I am almost willing to bet that it will be cheaper for the same exact model...

anyways, just my 4000.00 bucks thoughts. LOL

great thread.

before lil'monkey's next performance i need a dependable camcorder. i have a sharp, which is worthless. her last 2 performances it messed up. i got no recordings.

i still have a big ole rca camcorder that uses full size vhs tapes. works like a charm, just weighs like 40lbs. hehehe..i've had it since the 80's.

Hi Curious,

That sounds like our dinosaur. Although it wasn't advanced enough to record on vhs, they had to be transfered over somehow.

I'll post here when I choose a model.

AMN,

I plan to get a tripod and carrying case. I'm going to be prepared.

i have a tape of our wedding. a friend took it. i have never seen it. we could never find a way to convert it. our sharp uses a different size. those i just plug the camcorder into the tv and play them.

now i just need to figure out a way for our busienss to pay most or part. i know i will be using it to add a virtual tour of the club. plus new members have asked for dvd's of our new member oriantation...hmmmm

I can convert it for you...LOL I do a lot of useless junk...

there are ways to do the hook ups and I still have them. But just whenever you are ready

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ewizabeth, good luck! Just try them all out, you might be surprised!

Thanks WM,

I'm going over to Wally World to try the models I'm considering. I don't want a lot of bells and whistles cause I know I won't use it constantly. Also, they have a 30 day return policy for any reason without a restocking fee.

I really want one for tonight. Our son's band is performing and I want to be there with a working camcorder, lol.

I'm leaning toward the Sony model though. I really like the Carl Zeiss lens, and this one comes standard with it.

I'm going to try out the Canons in the same price range too and compare the picture quality of what I record.