The Specs Explained
While a digital camcorder's specifications don't tell the whole story, they can help you narrow your choices. You can use the camcorder's price, along with specs like LCD screen size, weight, and type of microphone, to weed out the ones that won't work for you.
Keep in mind that while a big LCD screen and lots of extra features justify a higher price, ease of use and overall size are also important considerations. Even the lightest camcorder won't do you much good if the controls are too small for your hands; always try the camcorder out before you buy. Remember that the lightest cameras may sacrifice other features, and will often have a top-mounted microphone simply because there's nowhere else to put it. But weight may be an important enough consideration to justify these trade-offs.
Digital and optical zoom specs don't tend to vary much across categories, and thus aren't represented here. Most modern camcorders come with at least a 10X optical zoom. Don't pay too much attention to the digital zoom, which simply enlarges the image the lens captures. The optical zoom is far more important. In the semi-pro range, you can expect to get a lens with higher-quality optics.
Important: Weight
A camcorder's weight is a key factor in how easy it is to use; it affects whether you decide to carry it along on your outings. Weight is also one of the most important issues affecting camcorder price: Tiny camcorders often mean higher cost, at least in consumer models. And often those tiny camcorders will have less-capable lenses, fewer features, and harder-to-use controls.
Important: Recording Media
DVD and hard-drive models are fast becoming the most commonly available types; MiniDV models are growing more scarce, even though they still capture the best video quality and allow the easiest editing. Avoid the few analog models that are still hanging around. The difference in price between analog models and digital models now isn't great enough to justify buying the older technology.
Somewhat Important: Microphone Placement
Look for a front-mounted microphone, if possible. But if you have to settle for a top-mounted mic, look for one with an audio-zoom function. Also look for the ability to connect an external microphone, especially if you anticipate shooting stationary subjects.
Somewhat Important: Low-Light Modes
Special infrared or long shutter modes allow you to shoot in very little light. Higher-end models include battery-thrifty LED illumination built into the camera (but this method doesn't work nearly as well as a dedicated, external video light).
Somewhat Important: Screen Size
A larger screen makes it easier to see what you're recording and facilitates playback. But these days, most camcorder screens fall into a pretty narrow size range: 2.5 to 2.7 inches (and the latter simply indicates a wide-screen display). A small number of models have screens as large as 3.5 inches (though that will make the camcorder larger, too).
Minor: Ports
Most MiniDV camcorders have FireWire ports for transferring video to your computer; some models will also let you transfer video by using a USB 2.0 port (and if the camcorder captures still images, it will almost always let you transfer them via USB). Almost all models have S-Video-out and/or composite-out ports so you can view footage on a television, but some models also have S-Video-in and composite-in ports, which allow you to record from other sources such as older analog camcorders.
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