Q. Hi, i want to buy camcorder for my new baby. so we are waiting for thanksgiving day.
i like SONY brand...so both of these HDR-xr200v and HDR-xr500v ,which is the best one and tell me the good deals site for camcorders...
thank you very much.
i like SONY brand...so both of these HDR-xr200v and HDR-xr500v ,which is the best one and tell me the good deals site for camcorders...
thank you very much.
A. Sony HDRXR100 80GB HDD High Definition Camcorder (Silver)
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B001Q7VXM0?tag=amazonbestdeal09-20
Sony HDR-XR200V 120GB HDD High Definition Camcorder w/15x Optical Zoom
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B001QBM9EM?tag=amazonbestdeal09-20
Sony HDR-XR500V 120GB HDD High Definition Camcorder w/12x Optical Zoom
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B001PY420O?tag=amazonbestdeal09-20
review:
1. Still capture at 12 megapixels is probably a waste of disk space (and the extra processing time that it takes to deal with the larger pictures). Unless there is something revolutionary about the way that the camcorder would interpolate the native 6.2-megapixel still capture up to 12 megapixels, I would use the interpolation capabilities of, say, Photoshop back at home and set the camcorder to grab stills at 6.2 megapixels (native). The trailing question is whether that 6.2-megapixel mode at 4:3 is actually native, without any scaling or interpolation; there is a 9-megapixel mode at 16:9 that is probably not native, but Sony does not clarify anywhere.
2. I cannot perceive any degradation in AVCHD image quality between (a) Steadymove ON; and (b) Steadymove Active ON. Is there any good reason to turn off Active mode (or Steadymove altogether)?
3. SonyStyle.com is notorious for sloppily recommending accessories. They do not associate the correct case with this camcorder. You will be very happy with the LCS-DAB model, which has a slot for the hand grip which allows for easy and safe removal. Unlike the almost-identical other versions, the LCS-DAB's slot is offset from center in a way that works with the location of the hand grip on the HDR-XR500V/520V.
4. Another ridiculous error on the SonyStyle.com site is the retail price on its newest compatible 37mm wide-angle lens. The VCL-HGE07A retails for $99 rather than $229, and is inferior to the VCL-HGA07 at $199. The newer model also doesn't come with a lens cap, which is ridiculous.
5. The NAVTEC maps are largely disappointing. Most consumer GPS devices only reserve 1gb or so for map data, thus Sony really cheaped out with the NAVTEC maps. Don't expect any more detail than city names and the very occasional major route number, even when zoomed in to the max.
6. Low-light sensitivity is extraordinarily good. I am anxious to read professional testing on this, but it is poised to beat professional cameras. This backlit CMOS invention might really be a no-brainer for all future camcorders. It is a simple re-shuffling of the layers in the CMOS sensor.
7. The flash works surprisingly well. I know that this comment could elicit grumbles, but I am quite seriously prepared to say that this device is a full-blown replacement for my non-SLR digital camera -- and, with geotagging to boot.
8. I cannot find any time-lapse feature. Not sure if manufacturers generally don't bother anymore, but this is a big disappointment. As for the slow-motion feature, which is locked into 3 seconds of footage slowed down to 12, it works okay but Sony is not forthcoming about the extent to which the signal degrades. It is certainly not equivalent to 1080/60i, though. What actually is it?
9. The camcorder comes with a "demonstration" video. It is stunningly corny -- and if it doesn't make you laugh, God help you! At least by the looks of the video, Sony created this camera for clean-cut, pudgy boomers who want to shoot videos of their children with "Hollywood production values." My favorite moment is when the daddy in the peach-colored cashmere sweater jumps up and down like a schoolgirl. He is one cheesecake slice away from some serious gut-bobbage.
10. As if the camera weren't already overpriced, it has inspired pricey new wish-list items for me: (a) that new Bluetooth microphone set which plugs into the proprietary Active Interface Shoe; (b) a wide-angle lens, maybe not the VCL-HGA07 if there is a better one for 37mm that's easy to use; (c) a Sony tripod with a remote-controlling handle which plugs into the A/V Control port; and (d) a Steadicam Merlin, of course!
11. It's confirmed: The only difference between this model and the HDR-XR520V is $200 less cost and half the hard disk space. However, with 120gb giving you many hours and the additional option of using removable flash memory, I don't see much reason to step up.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B001Q7VXM0?tag=amazonbestdeal09-20
Sony HDR-XR200V 120GB HDD High Definition Camcorder w/15x Optical Zoom
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B001QBM9EM?tag=amazonbestdeal09-20
Sony HDR-XR500V 120GB HDD High Definition Camcorder w/12x Optical Zoom
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B001PY420O?tag=amazonbestdeal09-20
review:
1. Still capture at 12 megapixels is probably a waste of disk space (and the extra processing time that it takes to deal with the larger pictures). Unless there is something revolutionary about the way that the camcorder would interpolate the native 6.2-megapixel still capture up to 12 megapixels, I would use the interpolation capabilities of, say, Photoshop back at home and set the camcorder to grab stills at 6.2 megapixels (native). The trailing question is whether that 6.2-megapixel mode at 4:3 is actually native, without any scaling or interpolation; there is a 9-megapixel mode at 16:9 that is probably not native, but Sony does not clarify anywhere.
2. I cannot perceive any degradation in AVCHD image quality between (a) Steadymove ON; and (b) Steadymove Active ON. Is there any good reason to turn off Active mode (or Steadymove altogether)?
3. SonyStyle.com is notorious for sloppily recommending accessories. They do not associate the correct case with this camcorder. You will be very happy with the LCS-DAB model, which has a slot for the hand grip which allows for easy and safe removal. Unlike the almost-identical other versions, the LCS-DAB's slot is offset from center in a way that works with the location of the hand grip on the HDR-XR500V/520V.
4. Another ridiculous error on the SonyStyle.com site is the retail price on its newest compatible 37mm wide-angle lens. The VCL-HGE07A retails for $99 rather than $229, and is inferior to the VCL-HGA07 at $199. The newer model also doesn't come with a lens cap, which is ridiculous.
5. The NAVTEC maps are largely disappointing. Most consumer GPS devices only reserve 1gb or so for map data, thus Sony really cheaped out with the NAVTEC maps. Don't expect any more detail than city names and the very occasional major route number, even when zoomed in to the max.
6. Low-light sensitivity is extraordinarily good. I am anxious to read professional testing on this, but it is poised to beat professional cameras. This backlit CMOS invention might really be a no-brainer for all future camcorders. It is a simple re-shuffling of the layers in the CMOS sensor.
7. The flash works surprisingly well. I know that this comment could elicit grumbles, but I am quite seriously prepared to say that this device is a full-blown replacement for my non-SLR digital camera -- and, with geotagging to boot.
8. I cannot find any time-lapse feature. Not sure if manufacturers generally don't bother anymore, but this is a big disappointment. As for the slow-motion feature, which is locked into 3 seconds of footage slowed down to 12, it works okay but Sony is not forthcoming about the extent to which the signal degrades. It is certainly not equivalent to 1080/60i, though. What actually is it?
9. The camcorder comes with a "demonstration" video. It is stunningly corny -- and if it doesn't make you laugh, God help you! At least by the looks of the video, Sony created this camera for clean-cut, pudgy boomers who want to shoot videos of their children with "Hollywood production values." My favorite moment is when the daddy in the peach-colored cashmere sweater jumps up and down like a schoolgirl. He is one cheesecake slice away from some serious gut-bobbage.
10. As if the camera weren't already overpriced, it has inspired pricey new wish-list items for me: (a) that new Bluetooth microphone set which plugs into the proprietary Active Interface Shoe; (b) a wide-angle lens, maybe not the VCL-HGA07 if there is a better one for 37mm that's easy to use; (c) a Sony tripod with a remote-controlling handle which plugs into the A/V Control port; and (d) a Steadicam Merlin, of course!
11. It's confirmed: The only difference between this model and the HDR-XR520V is $200 less cost and half the hard disk space. However, with 120gb giving you many hours and the additional option of using removable flash memory, I don't see much reason to step up.
good affordable camcorder?
Q. we have our first baby due in a few months and I of course need a good camcorder to capture all of my little ones first moments. My husband is kind of a nerd and wants to get an HD camcorder and all I want is something reliable. I mean this stuff wasn't available when my parents made our family videos and they were still fun to watch. What's a good solution that isn't going to cost me an arm and a leg? Also my husband wants to get a digital camera with video instead of a camcorder. My worry is video time. what do you all suggest?
A. "Affordable" means different things to different people.
Poor home video happens for 5 main reasons:
1) The camcorder cannot capture good video.
2) The person capturing the video zooms and pans a lot and very fast.
3) The lighting when the video was captured was too low.
4) The person captured the video while holding the camcorder and they did not use a tripod or some other steadying device.
5) The person who edited the video used a poor compression method before uploading or burning to DVD.
What is your budget?
At a high level, regardless of media storage type, the camera $ ranges are:
Toys: less than $250
Entry level consumer: up to $500
Mid range consumer: up to $1,000
None of these will do "Good low light video quality". Their lenses and imaging chips are too small.
Larger lenses and imaging chips are in:
High end consumer or prosumer: up to $2000
Prosumer or pro: $3,000 and up.
The big lenses and big imaging chips used will result in good low-light video capture.
ALL camcorders' video can be edited on a computer - the trick is getting the video into the computer and into a format the video editor can use - this might be by direct connection between the camcorder and computer or additional hardware or software for converting video.
Step 1: Set your budget.
Step 2: Identify the camcorders that fit your budget.
Step 3: Learn what format the camera captures to.
Step 4: Understand how the video will transfer to YOUR computer.
Step 5: Learn how that video will work with YOUR video editor.
Step 6: Buy the camcorder.
Go out of order and you are setting yourself up for frustration and failure.
You did not tell us your budget or what computer you will edit on.
MiniDV tape based camcorders require a firewire port on your computer. MiniDV tape based camcorders provide best available video quality. Microsoft MovieMaker and Apple iMovie are bundled with the operating systems and will import the video. Do not re-use the tapes - they are the back-up/archive. The "DV" in miniDV = digital. It is as digital as the other digital storage mthods out there for consumer camcorders - and because DV and HDV compress the digital video less than the other methods, it continues to provide the best available video quality. Just because it is tape does not mean it is analog. Most professionals continue to use miniDV tape. Tapes come in 60 minute or 80 minute lengths (in SP mode - never use LP mode). At around $3 each, they are cheap.
Flash memory camcorders use USB to transfer video, but you have an extra step to archive or back-up the video (same with hard disc drive camcorders - more on them later). Depending on the editor, you may need to use a conversion program to get the video into a format the video editor can use. Fewer moving parts - in theory - make this more "reliable" for the shrt term, but the archive method relies on optical disc or hard drive - and that is not an acceptable digital archive media - back up, yes, but not archive (longer storage time)... Memory cards are still a bit expensive, but come in various sizes
Hard drive camcorders save to the same format that flash memory uses - but I don't recommend them because of some additional vibration and high altitude issues that cause them to not record video - I presume these will not be issues in your case. They have the same back-up/archive issue, too. When the hard drive is filled and you have not transferred to a computer, what do you do? They can record for hours and hours... You will need to change batteries several times before the hard disc fills.
DVD based camcorders are terrible for editing and uploading. They barely make useful doorstops.
DSC - Digital still cameras - take very highly compressed video that can be a challenge to edit.
Poor home video happens for 5 main reasons:
1) The camcorder cannot capture good video.
2) The person capturing the video zooms and pans a lot and very fast.
3) The lighting when the video was captured was too low.
4) The person captured the video while holding the camcorder and they did not use a tripod or some other steadying device.
5) The person who edited the video used a poor compression method before uploading or burning to DVD.
What is your budget?
At a high level, regardless of media storage type, the camera $ ranges are:
Toys: less than $250
Entry level consumer: up to $500
Mid range consumer: up to $1,000
None of these will do "Good low light video quality". Their lenses and imaging chips are too small.
Larger lenses and imaging chips are in:
High end consumer or prosumer: up to $2000
Prosumer or pro: $3,000 and up.
The big lenses and big imaging chips used will result in good low-light video capture.
ALL camcorders' video can be edited on a computer - the trick is getting the video into the computer and into a format the video editor can use - this might be by direct connection between the camcorder and computer or additional hardware or software for converting video.
Step 1: Set your budget.
Step 2: Identify the camcorders that fit your budget.
Step 3: Learn what format the camera captures to.
Step 4: Understand how the video will transfer to YOUR computer.
Step 5: Learn how that video will work with YOUR video editor.
Step 6: Buy the camcorder.
Go out of order and you are setting yourself up for frustration and failure.
You did not tell us your budget or what computer you will edit on.
MiniDV tape based camcorders require a firewire port on your computer. MiniDV tape based camcorders provide best available video quality. Microsoft MovieMaker and Apple iMovie are bundled with the operating systems and will import the video. Do not re-use the tapes - they are the back-up/archive. The "DV" in miniDV = digital. It is as digital as the other digital storage mthods out there for consumer camcorders - and because DV and HDV compress the digital video less than the other methods, it continues to provide the best available video quality. Just because it is tape does not mean it is analog. Most professionals continue to use miniDV tape. Tapes come in 60 minute or 80 minute lengths (in SP mode - never use LP mode). At around $3 each, they are cheap.
Flash memory camcorders use USB to transfer video, but you have an extra step to archive or back-up the video (same with hard disc drive camcorders - more on them later). Depending on the editor, you may need to use a conversion program to get the video into a format the video editor can use. Fewer moving parts - in theory - make this more "reliable" for the shrt term, but the archive method relies on optical disc or hard drive - and that is not an acceptable digital archive media - back up, yes, but not archive (longer storage time)... Memory cards are still a bit expensive, but come in various sizes
Hard drive camcorders save to the same format that flash memory uses - but I don't recommend them because of some additional vibration and high altitude issues that cause them to not record video - I presume these will not be issues in your case. They have the same back-up/archive issue, too. When the hard drive is filled and you have not transferred to a computer, what do you do? They can record for hours and hours... You will need to change batteries several times before the hard disc fills.
DVD based camcorders are terrible for editing and uploading. They barely make useful doorstops.
DSC - Digital still cameras - take very highly compressed video that can be a challenge to edit.
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