View Full Version : Video Camera Options for <R3000
KSINGH
03-09-2008, 09:53 AM
Hi Guys,
Been shopping around for a while now and I can't decide on one cos I just don't have the experience and don't have the time to keep checking out reviews. I need a camera for home video.
Need something small, digital format, image stabilizer etc. Is R3000 too small a budget?
We having a baby in a few weeks so you can imagine why my budget is limited:D. Running out of time on this one.
Is R3699 a good deal on the Panasonic GS230? What about R2000 for a Sony HC52? I am reading cons about DVD format.
mercurial
03-09-2008, 10:11 AM
www.orms.co.za
R3000 is a small budget for a decent cam. Don't go for the DVD format. Are you willing to spend time transferring tape to pc (mini-dv = best quality) or would you prefer a hard drive based model that transfers the recorded media very quickly to pc?
mercurial
03-09-2008, 10:13 AM
Also check out www.sacamera.co.za
KSINGH
03-09-2008, 10:42 AM
www.orms.co.za
R3000 is a small budget for a decent cam. Don't go for the DVD format. Are you willing to spend time transferring tape to pc (mini-dv = best quality) or would you prefer a hard drive based model that transfers the recorded media very quickly to pc?
I don't have a problem with transfering time. Could always let it run overnight, right?
HDD ones seem to be out of budget so thats out anyway.
My office server is blocking orms. will connect with my phone or at home later. whats your thoughts?
KSINGH
03-09-2008, 10:43 AM
Also check out www.sacamera.co.za
Also blocked. will check it out later.
thx
mercurial
03-09-2008, 10:47 AM
I don't have a problem with transfering time. Could always let it run overnight, right?
HDD ones seem to be out of budget so thats out anyway.
My office server is blocking orms. will connect with my phone or at home later. whats your thoughts?
Yes, you can run it overnight. In that case, go for the mini-dv. The Panasonic looks good, but you may want to google around a bit and check reviews.
Also blocked. will check it out later.
thx
Lol do they even allow you to surf? :D
KSINGH
03-09-2008, 10:57 AM
Yes, you can run it overnight. In that case, go for the mini-dv. The Panasonic looks good, but you may want to google around a bit and check reviews.
Lol do they even allow you to surf? :D
I managed to check those other sites using "quota time", can u believe it?
Anyway, i checked out some reviews. they weren't many. i think the panasonic got some award. it only has 10x zoom but that should be ok i think. the 3ccd is the winner i think.
any opinion on the sony hc52? or the DVD710e?
mercurial
03-09-2008, 11:04 AM
I managed to check those other sites using "quota time", can u believe it?
Anyway, i checked out some reviews. they weren't many. i think the panasonic got some award. it only has 10x zoom but that should be ok i think. the 3ccd is the winner i think.
any opinion on the sony hc52? or the DVD710e?
You can't go wrong with 3CCD. The market is slowly moving away from 1CCD to 3CCD. Definitely go for the mini-dv, in your case, it's the Panasonic. Don't bother with DVD camcorders and the Panasonic in question is better than the Sony HC52.
bwana
03-09-2008, 11:09 AM
I like the idea of mini-DV because its cheap enough that you can keep the raw footage and just buy new tapes.
KSINGH
03-09-2008, 11:14 AM
thanks for the advice guys! i am leaning towards the panasonic.
I have a Sony mini-dv camera that I have been using for two years (not sure about the model number), and it has not given me any problems. The image stabilization works well, and the sound quality is very good. I have dropped it twice, and it survived :p
The 1x transfer speed is not much of an issue for me. Also, having the raw footage is nice, since I can convert to any format i want to without incurring additional quality loss.
KSINGH
03-09-2008, 11:52 AM
I am just waiting for a price from Panasonic and I'll make my decision.
thanks again