which camcorder

[Roofer]

I want a camcorder in the price range of about 400-500. I am thinking one with still imaging also. Is 1.0 megapixel enough? Is it easier to buy a 5 megapixel still camera and then a camcorder? Does 1.0 give a decent video? Any info appreciated.

Thanks

[SoCalChris]

The still cameras that come in most camcorders are next to worthless. Finda camcorder that records video well, and ignore the still amaging features it has.

 

A 1 megapixel picture from a dedicated camera will look good on a computer screen, but won't print good at all. It just doesn't have a high enough resolution.

 

A 1 megapixel picture from a camcorder's "still image" function will look poor on both the computer screen, and even worse if printed.

 

You can buy a pretty good quality digital camera cheap now, if you really want to be able to take still pictures, I'd buy one of them seperate from the camcorder.

[Roofer]

Thanks. That is the info I wanted to hear. I picked up a camcorder and am going to try it out. I plan on a 5-7 megapixel camera soon also. They are very affordable now.

 

I paid like $450 for my old camera and it's a 1.3 megapixel. You can buy a 5.0 for less than half that now with a better zoom.

[SoCalChris]

I bought a Sony digitl camera in early 2001. It was 1.3 megapixels, and also cost around $500. It only had a 3X digital zoom. A few months ago, I bought a 5.1 megapixel Fuji with 10X optical zoom and 1GB memory card for under $300. In a few years, once the price comes down some more, I'd like to buy a full on DSLR Canon. You can even get those for just a few hundred more than a nice regular digital camera now.

[mmmikkke]

Test the movie mode on these still cameras. Some are only so-so; some are as good as a camcorder. But since the main purpose is the still shots, the movie modes are tough to find out about until you already have spent the money. Find a friend who has one and take a few demo movies on his still camera.

[Roofer]

Thanks guys.

I have video now and it's on a jvc camcorder. I'm having trouble making my computer recognize the camera using a dv cable firewire. Where can I find info to help me out? It works fine for the pictures through the usb, but the firewire flows the video to the pc, but it doesn't connect to the pc.