Recommend a user friendly Camcorder

[KEW]

I need suggestions on a camcorder. My daughter will be the primary user, so priorities are:
Easy to port to youtube and facebook.
Decent quality without having to fiddle much with settings
Decent at action shots

 

[gmichael]

While not a “camcorder” the Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS7 records video in HD and has many great features that make it simple to operate.

 

[KEW]

Doh! I forgot budget!
$100 is good, about $150 for max - it needs to be something that won't be a crisis if she smashes, drops, or washes it by mistake!
Thanks!

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

Doh! I forgot budget!
$100 is good, about $150 for max - it needs to be something that won't be a crisis if she smashes, drops, or washes it by mistake!
Thanks!

Olympus Stylus Tough 3000 - $142 Comes in several colors, makes 720p videos with sound and 30fps and wont break from small drop, freeze-proof and waterproof up to 10ft

http://www.google.com/search?sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8&q=STYLUS+TOUGH-3000#q=STYLUS+TOUGH-3000&hl=en&prmd=ivs&source=univ&tbs=shop:1&tbo=u&ei=hrP2TP3WJoaKlwe-rJTmBQ&sa=X&oi=product_result_group&ct=title&resnum=1&ved=0CDwQrQQwAA&biw=1280&bih=923&fp=8ac6b4cea9b27ecb

Avoiding crisis by design since 1999

 

[gmichael]

Try this website http://www.imaging-resource.com/

If you go to this part of it you get to put in all the stuff that matters most to you and it will make recomendations. http://www.myproductadvisor.com/mpa/camera/inputSummary.do

 

[KEW]

So, are the handheld video recorders just not very good?
Before I started this thread, I was looking at something like this:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16830251003&cm_re=hd_camcorder-_-30-251-003-_-Product

Do they simply offer no real advantage over a digital camera?

Thanks!

 

[gmichael]

So, are the handheld video recorders just not very good?
Before I started this thread, I was looking at something like this:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16830251003&cm_re=hd_camcorder-_-30-251-003-_-Product

Do they simply offer no real advantage over a digital camera?

Thanks!

I don't know. But I do know that sinse I bought my Canon camera I've had no use for my JVC camcorder.

 

[Warpdrv]

Care to post how much we invested in these high end Camera's that do Video....

I know my Nikon D7000 wasn't $150 last time I checked...

 

[gmichael]

Care to post how much we invested in these high end Camera's that do Video....

I know my Nikon D7000 wasn't $150 last time I checked...

Mine was $289.00 but there are much cheaper ones available. The one BoredSysAdmin posted is the Olympus Stylus Tough 3000 at $142. There are others closer to the $100 mark.

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

So, are the handheld video recorders just not very good?
Before I started this thread, I was looking at something like this:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16830251003&cm_re=hd_camcorder-_-30-251-003-_-Product

Do they simply offer no real advantage over a digital camera?

Thanks!

There some advantages - Better form factor - it's easier to hold for longer periods of time - helps reduce camera shake and articulating display.

From newegg reviewer:
"Records while powered by Charger (w and w/o battery) and Microphone picks up very well."

However lets count cons:
No optical zoom
No auto-focus
No image stabilization (this there form is required to somewhat compensate)
Flimzy and cheap construction plastic.
Not real 1080p - to look right on big tv - you still would need to switch back to 720p
No real environment proofing
Worse than typical P&S still photos quality

Ease of use? I honestly don't know,but there are plenty of video managing software packages with youtube posting

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

If you really want a decent camcoder for cheap, but not p&s :
http://www.amazon.com/Sanyo-VPC-CG20-Definition-Camcorder-Camera/dp/B0036TH7J4
is better choice than Aluratek

 

[KEW]

If you really want a decent camcoder for cheap, but not p&s :
http://www.amazon.com/Sanyo-VPC-CG20-Definition-Camcorder-Camera/dp/B0036TH7J4
is better choice than Aluratek

That is a pretty good option. I know my daughter will be nonplussed if it looks like a standard camera. It will be an Xmas present for her, but we will all use it from time to time.