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Best low budget MiniDV camcorder?

I haven't had a camcorder for like 10 years, old style tapes.
Need to get one, what do you recommend that is low budget? Want to go with MiniDV

I was looking at the Canon ZR800 or ZR830. Also this Samsung SC-372 is only $219 at Bestbuy
 
I'd stay away from canon if you are going the budget realm. they have the worst motor noise out of all of them, the picture is horrible, and they feel so cheap.
 
Originally posted by: Jnetty99
Originally posted by: RossMAN
Canon ZR830 for $215 @ Dell.com after coupon and DPA

I just received mine today :Q

http://www.usa.canon.com/consumer/contr...lInfoAct&fcategoryid=174&modelid=14728

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000M4OANM/
Click to expand...

great deal... i have to think about it. I have $100 worth of Visa gift cards that i got from Cingular Rebates that i want to use. I wonder if i could use them with this.
Click to expand...

Have you even tried purchasing the camcorder yet?

It should work as Dell.com allows you to pay with two credit cards :thumbsup:

http://pics.bbzzdd.com/users/MrsHoneybee/dell2creditcards.jpg
 
Originally posted by: Gibson486
I'd stay away from canon if you are going the budget realm. they have the worst motor noise out of all of them, the picture is horrible, and they feel so cheap.
Click to expand...

When I was looking for a camera a few years ago, Canon's were quite good. The main complaint was the microphone did pick up the motor noise on a few of the models.

The pro series XL2 was, and still could be, a great camera. Many documentaries and indi films shot with that camera. Their HD pro series lineup looks even better.
 
Originally posted by: RossMAN
Originally posted by: Jnetty99
Originally posted by: RossMAN
Canon ZR830 for $215 @ Dell.com after coupon and DPA

I just received mine today :Q

http://www.usa.canon.com/consumer/contr...lInfoAct&fcategoryid=174&modelid=14728

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000M4OANM/
Click to expand...

great deal... i have to think about it. I have $100 worth of Visa gift cards that i got from Cingular Rebates that i want to use. I wonder if i could use them with this.
Click to expand...

Have you even tried purchasing the camcorder yet?

It should work as Dell.com allows you to pay with two credit cards :thumbsup:

http://pics.bbzzdd.com/users/MrsHoneybee/dell2creditcards.jpg
Click to expand...

I didn't try yet (i'm at work, cards at home). It would actually be 2 gift cards, plus a credit card.

oh and I went to circuit city yesterday and was impressed by the Canon and Samsung and JVC demos, including the Canon 830 model...
 
PV-GS300 from Panasonic. Not sure what they go for now however I had the PV-GS500 for the summer for my trip to China and the picture quality is stunning. The GS-300 is almost the same thing minus a few features.
 
Originally posted by: czech09
PV-GS300 from Panasonic. Not sure what they go for now however I had the PV-GS500 for the summer for my trip to China and the picture quality is stunning. The GS-300 is almost the same thing minus a few features.
Click to expand...


I've had my gs300 for a year now and you're right about the quality being quite good for the price.

 
I too am a Panasonic PV-GS owner. They offer some of the best bang for the buck. They use 3 CCD's and the image is one of the best.


Note though: they don't do very well in low light situations. Most CCD consumer cameras don't though.
 
Originally posted by: CorCentral
Originally posted by: czech09
PV-GS300 from Panasonic. Not sure what they go for now however I had the PV-GS500 for the summer for my trip to China and the picture quality is stunning. The GS-300 is almost the same thing minus a few features.
Click to expand...


I've had my gs300 for a year now and you're right about the quality being quite good for the price.
Click to expand...

How does the firewire transfer work in general? is it good and easy? What software do you recommend for editing?
 
Originally posted by: biggestmuff
Originally posted by: Gibson486
I'd stay away from canon if you are going the budget realm. they have the worst motor noise out of all of them, the picture is horrible, and they feel so cheap.
Click to expand...

When I was looking for a camera a few years ago, Canon's were quite good. The main complaint was the microphone did pick up the motor noise on a few of the models.

The pro series XL2 was, and still could be, a great camera. Many documentaries and indi films shot with that camera. Their HD pro series lineup looks even better.
Click to expand...

That's their pro series, and most indie films are shot with the Panasonic HVX200, considered one of the best Prosumer HD cameras. I'd vote for a panasonic camera (Not because of the HVX, but because their low end cameras are also very good.)
 
Originally posted by: Jnetty99
Originally posted by: CorCentral
Originally posted by: czech09
PV-GS300 from Panasonic. Not sure what they go for now however I had the PV-GS500 for the summer for my trip to China and the picture quality is stunning. The GS-300 is almost the same thing minus a few features.
Click to expand...


I've had my gs300 for a year now and you're right about the quality being quite good for the price.
Click to expand...

How does the firewire transfer work in general? is it good and easy? What software do you recommend for editing?
Click to expand...

The transfers are fairly easy and mostly self explanatory. As for software, you can use what comes bundled with the unit, but I instead use Nero.

 
Originally posted by: CorCentral
Originally posted by: Jnetty99
Originally posted by: CorCentral
Originally posted by: czech09
PV-GS300 from Panasonic. Not sure what they go for now however I had the PV-GS500 for the summer for my trip to China and the picture quality is stunning. The GS-300 is almost the same thing minus a few features.
Click to expand...


I've had my gs300 for a year now and you're right about the quality being quite good for the price.
Click to expand...

How does the firewire transfer work in general? is it good and easy? What software do you recommend for editing?
Click to expand...

The transfers are fairly easy and mostly self explanatory. As for software, you can use what comes bundled with the unit, but I instead use Nero.
Click to expand...

Nero lets you capture or extract the video directly from the camera using Firewire? I got Nero so that would be great.
 
I went ahead and bought the Samsung SC-372 for $199. It was on special at Circuit City -$50 off. Used my $100 rebate money and end it up just paying $117. Good deal for me
 
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