Hey, I need help picking out a camera

[Vladdd]

Well it turns out that im in need of the best camera for a budget. I need a camera that I could transfer files onto my computer with, usb or something easier prefered so I can edit it. The video footage thats on my computer must not lag at all because it will have running, and quick action going on and I want really good quality that I could then burn and watch on my TV in a couple of years from now. So basically, needs to be able to capture fast movements, to be able to view on computer and camera, good zoom, nice effect modes to make videos a bit cooler, and easy onto-computer transfer methods.


I was wondering what the best camera was over here:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/cont...rch&Q=&ci=1871

Budget: 0-300$ at the moment.

[rsimmons]

I think you need to move this question to the video thread, but what do you mean by "my computer must not lag at all because it will have running, and quick action going on"?

If the computer is capable of capturing the footage at full frame and your editing software can handle it, I'm not sure what the problem is here.

As far as the video camera. I would go down to the store and hold them in my hand. For $300, I doubt you could find a 3CCD camera, but you can find quality in Canon, Panasonic and JVC. I personally have a Samsung that I've been very happy with and when the on switch broke they didn't just fix it, they sent me an upgraded camera.

On the other hand, I know a guy who bought a DVD cam and he's not crazy about how the footage comes out. I don't have extensive experience with these, so I expect other people to chime in on the quality you can expect. The advantage of these is that you have a prepared dvd when you finish shooting. But if you want to edit, I'd go with tape.

[Vladdd]

I just want a camera that will capture perfect speed videos without them lagging..and yes my computer could handle it cause i just put it together.

Any recomendations for a good camera? with easy onto-computer transfer?

[Rocket_Scientist]

I have an older Canon digital video camera which uses the MiniDV digital tapes. The quality is amply adequate for me, but the tapes can be a bulky bit of a pain. I cannot speak to the quality of the newer cameras, but, personally, I don't think I would want a DVD camera. It reminds me a little of the old Sony "write-to-floppy" digital camera. They were a great convenience--I cannot believe how many businesses I saw employ them--but you sacrificed much quality for it. I think the up-and-coming digital video storage technology to watch is the internal Hard Drive cameras, or, perhaps, some (very large) internal flash drives.

[Vladdd]

I just want a camera that will record with good quality, have an easy way to transfer the videos onto my computer so i can edit them and burn them onto dvd and have fun watching them in like 5 years.

I have picked out a few camcorders..which one should I go with?
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/cont...goryNavigation
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/cont...goryNavigation
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/cont...goryNavigation
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/cont...goryNavigation
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/cont...goryNavigation

[Rocket_Scientist]

The Canon ZR-700 gets my vote... only because I have the ZR-70, and love it! The Panasonic G580 is the only other one of your selections I would consider, though your tastes may tell you otherwise. But between the Canon and Panasonic, consider that the ZR-700 also allows you to take still photos on an SD card. These are almost never as good as a dedicated digital camera--just as the "movie" mode of most digital cameras cannot hold a candle to the video quality of a camcorder--but the photos are definitely far better than, say, a camera phone. Anyway, it can be a handy option. As far as transferring to the computer, the Canon has both USB and Firewire (1394), which is usually much faster.

[Vladdd]

Excuse all the talking but im just trying to make the right choice here.

Well it turns out that im in need of the best camera for a budget. I need a camera that I could transfer files onto my computer with, usb or something easier prefered so I can edit it. The video footage thats on my computer must not lag at all because it will have running, and quick action going on and I want really good quality that I could then burn and watch on my TV in a couple of years from now. So basically, needs to be able to capture fast movements, to be able to view on computer and camera, good zoom, nice effect modes to make videos a bit cooler, and easy onto-computer transfer methods.

I just want a camera that will record with good quality, have an easy way to transfer the videos onto my computer so i can edit them and burn them onto dvd and have fun watching them in like 5 years.

I have picked out a few camcorders..which one should I go with?
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/cont...goryNavigation
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/cont...goryNavigation
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/cont...goryNavigation
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/cont...goryNavigation
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/cont...goryNavigation

If there are different ones that arent up there, go ahead and post em.
Thanks alot to whoever helps out.

[Vladdd]

Which one should I buy from this list? : http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/cont...ar&A=search&Q=

Budget is up to 350 dollars. Just trying to get the best for the buck.

[dumpy]

I'm not going to get into the specifics much here because I haven't researched consumer camcorders in a while and I don't have much time to check these out, but I will give my
$.02 on format choice.
First off digital 8. I had a digital 8 camcorder. I loved it, great quality video, but then it died (these things happen) however I didn't want a new digital 8 camera, so all of my old tapes are useless now. MiniDV is ubiquitous, its also supported by DVC PRO and DVCAM equipment. You will never have a problem getting MiniDV dumped off to another format, Digital8 you will. Great format, but not common enough. Its the mini disc/consumer level beta/laser disc/8 track ect.. of the current tape formats.
DVD is well supported, but if you ask me its a dumb choice. The small DVDs needed by these cameras are expensive and I believe one time use. If your going to be editing the video before going to DVD it negates the whole purpose of shooting to DVD. However DVDs have a better shelf life than tapes, but if your stuff is eventually going there anyway..
To summarize go MiniDV. You'll be much happier in the long run.