Need ALL CAMCORDER GURUS!

[imported_griffis]

Happy Holidays all,

I am in a bit of a predicament, I have three camcorders that I received for X-Mas, obviously something me and my fiance asked for. We just don't know which one to keep and I am complete retard when it comes to these things. Look at the links below and let me know what you think. Poll is included but I would really like to comments on all three. Thanks for the help!!

Sony DCR - HC26

Hitachi DZ - BX35A

Canon ZR-700

 

[randomlinh]

keep em all and start a movie studio

 

[imported_griffis]

If it was only that easy

 

[thirdeye]

Tossup between Sony and Canon. I'm a little bitter about my Sony biting the dust after ~ 2 years and very little use though. I have a Canon now and like it, but the touchscreen on the Sony was so much nicer.

Plus NightShot > *

 

[Chadder007]

Take all 3 back and get a good expensive one FTW?

 

[bucwylde23]

Originally posted by: Chadder007
Take all 3 back and get a good expensive one FTW?

This is exactly what I would do

Saw some nice Hi-Def camcorders at circuit city for about 1500 that would be pretty sweet.

 

[ForumMaster]

i'd either do what chaffer007 said or keep the sony. camcorders is still one thing sony hasn't screwed up and they have generally high quality camcorders.

 

[imported_griffis]

Originally posted by: Chadder007
Take all 3 back and get a good expensive one FTW?

This was considered, but we are not pros so having an entry-level is ok with us. Just want to see which one is the best. Any other suggestions?

 

[Gooberlx2]

Originally posted by: griffis

Originally posted by: Chadder007
Take all 3 back and get a good expensive one FTW?

This was considered, but we are not pros so having an entry-level is ok with us. Just want to see which one is the best. Any other suggestions?

Take 'em all back, get a panasonic gs300 and pocket the rest. (personally, I'd get an HD camcorder like others have said).

 

[Koing]

I've not had experience with the ones you listed but the Sony ones I have are great in low lightish condition. Sony shines at that. Our PC120 was a great DV camcorder. Still is. Sony repaired it even though it was out of warrenty due to known fault of some sort. Thanks Sony!

Our HDR-HC3 is g reat. The video out of it is stunning. Love it. HDMI output also . The only crappy thing is no manual focus ring and the gimped viewfinder...

You can't go wrong with either Canon or Sony though at all price points in general.

Koing

 

[HgrdGman]

I recently got a panasonic GS300 and it is very nice, the quality of the video is amazing.

 

[imported_griffis]

Originally posted by: Gooberlx2

Originally posted by: griffis

Originally posted by: Chadder007
Take all 3 back and get a good expensive one FTW?

This was considered, but we are not pros so having an entry-level is ok with us. Just want to see which one is the best. Any other suggestions?

Take 'em all back, get a panasonic gs300 and pocket the rest. (personally, I'd get an HD camcorder like others have said).

Let's pretend that I want to keep one and trading is not an option, even though it is. Out of both the Sony and the Canon, which one would you guys pick?

 

[imported_griffis]

bump

 

[Joony]

Panasonic GS300 for 3CCD!

 

[msi1337]

I have personally used all 3 of them.. I used to sell electronics for a living..and I would keep the Canon out of your 3 there..The zoom is by far a lot better than the others and when shooting in sunlight the picture quality remains good.

the sony takes better still pictures..but who cares? its a camcorder, not a digital camera!! none of these are designed to be good at both. and the Hitachi is almost total crap

 

[imported_griffis]

Originally posted by: msi1337
I have personally used all 3 of them.. I used to sell electronics for a living..and I would keep the Canon out of your 3 there..The zoom is by far a lot better than the others and when shooting in sunlight the picture quality remains good.

the sony takes better still pictures..but who cares? its a camcorder, not a digital camera!! none of these are designed to be good at both. and the Hitachi is almost total crap

Maybe I should throw in then that the Canon came with an extra battery and a case as well, valued at about $100 for both

 

[imported_griffis]

any other suggestions?

 

[getbush]

sure I suggest you decide based on previous suggestions

 

[mugs]

Originally posted by: Chadder007
Take all 3 back and get a good expensive one FTW?

This is what I would do.

Rule out the Hitachi from the get-go, it uses mini DVD media.

You could get a better Canon for under $500.

Originally posted by: griffis

Originally posted by: msi1337
I have personally used all 3 of them.. I used to sell electronics for a living..and I would keep the Canon out of your 3 there..The zoom is by far a lot better than the others and when shooting in sunlight the picture quality remains good.

the sony takes better still pictures..but who cares? its a camcorder, not a digital camera!! none of these are designed to be good at both. and the Hitachi is almost total crap

Maybe I should throw in then that the Canon came with an extra battery and a case as well, valued at about $100 for both

I don't know what case you got, but if it's a Canon branded battery it's probably horribly overpriced. Better to get an aftermarket long-life battery.


Edit: If you really want to pick between the Sony and Canon, the main advantage of a Sony is that the night recording mode is much, much better. If recording in the dark is important to you, get the Sony.

 

[blurredvision]

Originally posted by: griffis

Originally posted by: Chadder007
Take all 3 back and get a good expensive one FTW?

This was considered, but we are not pros so having an entry-level is ok with us. Just want to see which one is the best. Any other suggestions?

You don't have to be pros to want a better picture. Remember, you're shooting video that you'll watch for the rest of the life, right?

As a couple of others have said, I also had the Panasonic GS300, and it was an outstanding camcorder. However, it was an impulse buy, and I couldn't justify what I paid for it after a week, so I took it back.

 

[imported_griffis]

Well, thanks everyone for your help, looks like I am going to go with the Canon, has a few more features that I like better. Your help has been appreciated, now to go trade the other two in for a Wii, yeh!!

 

[Koing]

Originally posted by: Joony
Panasonic GS300 for 3CCD!

HDV FTW!

Koing

 

[sdifox]

Return all 3 as suggested above and get a Panasonic GS500. HD home video is highly overrated