Reccomendation for a Digital Video Camera?

[Superwormy]

Need a reccomendation for a reasonably priced ( ~ $500? ) digital video camera.

Is Mini-DV tape the way to go? Record directly to DVD-R discs?

Thanks, Keith

 

[huberm]

i am going to wait until some type of HD camera comes out that is small, and at a fairly affordable price.

 

[gsellis]

What is your goal? MiniDV implies you might want to edit the results as editing DVDs can be harder and potentially lose image quality.

Also, MiniDV tapes can be cheaper from places like BHPhotoVideo < $3.50 each so if you are comparing media costs, don't use WalMart prices.

 

[calyco]

http://www.camcorderinfo.com/

I was helping my uncle look for a MiniDV camcorder.. no editing on PC, basically he needed a good quality point and shoot with a few fader options.

Around $500-$700 range the Pansonics are supposedly really nice because of the 3CCD lens. These two are older models but has more digital effects, hard to find now but I found a few selling on Ebay for $400.
Panasonic PV-GS120
Panasonic PV-GS200

These two are the newer replacements for the GS120 and GS200 and IIRC only has fader effects:
Panasonic PV-GS150
Panasonic PV-GS250

After reading a few reviews and checking it out in store my uncle ended up with the Canon Optura 60, right around your budget after rebate. So far so good, only complaint is mediocre low light performance. Other than that color, quality etc. is very nice.