Whenever I go traveling or do sports, I prefer to
use a small digital camcorder. Who wants to lug around a huge camcorder when
they are on the move?
Digital camcorders these days have reached a size
where they can fit into the palm of your hand easily.
You may have to pay slightly more for some of
these models due to the small size, but it's worth it if you shoot video
outdoors very often.
In this page I focus on the top 5 super compact
camcorders sold by various manufacturers. If you're in the market for a small
digital camcorder, you may wish to consider these models.
The Sony
DCR-DVD403 is the
first compact consumer camcorder which allows you to record movies in 5.1
channel digital surround sound. Add that to an optical zoom
of 10x, a large 2.7 inch LCD screen, image stabilization and night shot
features - and we have a winner.
The
Panasonic PV-GS250 is an extremely compact little camcorder. It is packed
with great features - including a 3-CCD system, a Leica Dicomar lens, Macro
Zoom, as well as image stabilization.
Together with a 10x optical zoom and an ample
2.5 inch LCD display, this unit is selling like hotcakes in the market.
The small size of the
Canon Optura 400 can be deceiving. This model is really a full-featured MiniDV camcorder
that shoots quality videos using Canon's optics. With a 10x optical zoom,
2.5 inch LCD, built-in flash, a continuous shooting mode and a photo review
feature, the Optura 400 is a top choice among many consumers.
The JVC GR-D93 is a small, fun and
enjoyable MiniDV camcorder. It boasts a 10x
optical zoom and a 2.5 inch LCD display, along with still shot and image
stabilization features. A good choice for beginners who like to tote their
video camera around a lot.
The Samsung SC-D6040 DuoCam is a hybrid
digital camera and video recorder. With separate CCDs and lenses for video and stills,
this unit has
good still-image capture
capabilities (with flash) and produces good-quality video. The SC-D6040
comes with 10x optical zoom and a 2.5 inch LCD panel, and is highly
recommended for those looking for a combo imaging device.
Conclusion
If you're buying a camcorder,
I'd personally recommend getting the
Sony DCR-DVD403. I'm not a die-hard Sony fan or anything, but when it comes
to video quality - Sony is ahead of the pack. I've owned many Sony camcorders
before and they have given me all their money's worth. The
Canon Optura 400
comes pretty close, but I feel that models are still lacking
in low light video quality. That said, the other models from JVC, Panasonic and
Samsung can be worth your while as well. Don't pass them up - research your
options so that you make an educated purchase.
Create
Great-Looking Digital Videos
Roxio VideoWave Professional is a video editing
program that could be the answer to your video editing headaches. If you have
trouble creating good-looking home videos, VideoWave makes
it easy for you. You can edit and produce Hollywood-style videos with a few
mouse clicks. You can also add music, transitions, special effects and text
credits to achieve professional results.
Related Articles
You may also wish to read the following related
articles:
Create
Great-Looking Digital Videos