Wanting Budget Camcorder for Youtube

Hello everyone. This is my first post here and I'm wondering if you guys could help. Basically i am looking for a budget camera that has nice quality video for under 400$ tops but i would like to keep it around. I am wondering whether i will even get an improvement from the Sony Handycam DCR-HC36 that i am currently using
http://reviews.cnet.com/digital-camc...-31649782.html

I currently use my camera for YouTube so i know the quality doesnt turn out great i would still like the best that i can get.

My camcorder i was looking at is the Panasonic PV-GS80

Thanks for looking
Dark48

The quality is not great in any form? or just looks ugly on youTube?

If it looks good on TV but not on YoutTube, then rethink your method in compressing video to upload to YouTube. It's not easy and software programs has diffeent approaches in compression (but there are common factors). Research a better way to use your video editing software or consider getting a better one.

I'd agree with Eric, check with your software and play around with the compression settings. The Panasonic that you are looking at is about the same quality as your current Sony handycam.

wow thanks for the quick replies.
Im using Adobe Premiere Elements 3.0. I usaully compress it down to 320*240 which is youtube size and about 29.97 frames per second. Most of my around 1-2minute videos turn out to be around 30-40 megabytes.

Thanks.
Also if what would be my best next camera where i would see a lot of improvement for around 500$ or anywhere in that range. If so should i get like hard drive or stick with mini dv. i would just like to keep my options open.

Thanks again
Dark48

Take a look at the Panasonic PV-GS500. It is a 3 chip MiniDV camcorder with a microphone input in case you invest in a stand alone microphone.

Thanks for the reply. That looks like a great choice.

Thanks everyone!

Panasonic PV-GS80 is cool, you can search online, amazon, newegg...
http://www.amazon.com/Panasonic-PV-G...3383232&sr=8-1