Video Camcorders for amateur

Video camcorders/ handy cam are friendly instruments which are made in such a way that even a 4 year old kid can operate it. But then what are the aspects that we should consider while going to buy one?I have tried to put it down below

1)When we talk about handy cams/ amateur video cameras we should be careful regarding the the effective resolution/pixel output of the camera

2) We should check the recording formats i.e the medium in which the video is going to be recorded .For example MPEG1,MPEG2,MP3 etc.

3) The recording medium i.e. a DVD, memory card, DV cassette, VHS cassette, HD cassette or etc etc .

4)Then comes the lenses. The optical and digital zoom should be checked.The optical zoom is the zoom effect due to the nature of the lenses.Digital zoom is the zoom effect due to the software inside the camera.

5)Battery consumption.

6) And at the end the most important thing is the after sales service since any electronic goods can go dead at any moment even without even opening the company seal.

So good luck into buying one!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Some of the latest instruments

Canon FS100 features

Camcorder Type SD Flash Memory Camcorder , Recording FORMAT XP SP LP, LCD monitor 2.7-inch widescreen color, approx. 123,000pixels ,Image Sensor 1/6-inch CCD, approx. 1.07megapixels, Microphone Stereo Condenser Microphone , Lens 37x optical zoom, Digital Zoom 2000x (Movie Mode only) , Advanced Zoom 45x (16:9) 46x (4:3), Lens Configuration 10 Elements in 8 groups, 1 High-Refraction glass & 1 Double-Sided Aspherical Lens used, f2.0–5.2 Filter Diameter Not supported ,Image Stabilizer Electronic type,AF System TTL-video signal sensing system AF , Video Recording Specifications ,Video Recording Standards MPEG 2 , Effective Pixels 16:9, Advanced Zoom on: 1120 x 630, approx.710,000pixels (wide) 853 x 480, approx. 410,000pixels (tele), 4:3, Advanced Zoom on: 960 x 720, approx.x690,000 (wide) 640 x 480, approx. 310,000 (tele),Advanced Zoom off:992 x 558, approx. 550,000pixels 960 x 720, approx. 690,000pixels , Audio Compression Dolby Digital 2ch (AC-3 2ch), Shooting Modes Easy, P, Tv, Portrait, Sports, Night, Snow, Beach, Sunset, Spotlight, Fireworks , Shutter Speed Range 1/6 – 1/2000 (Tv mode), 1/25 – 1/500 (Easy mode), 1/8 – 1/500 (night mode) ,Minimum Illumination Approx. 7 lx (P mode), Approx. 1.7 lx (night mode) , Still Image Recording Specifications , Still Image Recording SD/SDHC memory card , Still Image Compression Exif Ver. 2.2 specifications satisfied, compression method: JPEG, Recording Pixels LW 1152 x 648 L 1152 x 864 S 640 x 480, Shooting Modes Easy, Program, Portrait, Sports, Night, Snow, Beach, Sunset, Spotlight, Fireworks Easy Operations Features ,Zoom Zoom lever Navigation Joystick , Extended Control Remote Control, Battery Rechargeable Intelligent lithium battery BP808, Input/Output Terminals Video Out AV Cable , microphone Terminal Yes, Physical Dimensions & Power , Power Supply (rated) 7.4 V DC (battery pack), 8.4 V DC (DC in), Operating Temperature 0 - 40°C 85% (relative humidity), -5 – 40°C 85% (relative humidity) , Dimensions Approx. 58 x 60 x 124mm (2.3 x 2.4 x 4.9 inch), Weight (Main Unit) Approx. 260g (9.2oz)

Canon FS10 Flash Memory

Image Sensor 1/6" CCD Sensor , Total Pixels Approx. 1,070,000 pixels , Effective Pixels Movies: 16:9 - approx. 550,000 pixels (ADV.Z off), 16:9 - approx. 710,000 pixels (ADV.Z on, wide), 16:9 - approx. 410,000 pixels (ADV.Z on tele),Photos: approx. 800,000 pixels. Recording format : 8GB Internal Flash Drive: LP SP XP, Greater capacity is possible by adding an SDHC Memory Card. Lens Zoom Ratio 48 Advanced Zoom (16:9 mode), 37x Optical/2000x Digital , Focal Length f=2.6-96.2mm , Zoom Speed Variable/3 Fixed Zoom Speeds, Max. F/Stop f/2.0-5.2 , Programmed AE, Auto, Program, Tv, Portrait, Sports, Night, Snow, Beach, Sunset, Spotlight, Fireworks, Max Shutter Speed . 1/2000, 1/500 (card) Minimum Focusing Distance, 10 mm (wide)/1m (tele) , White Balance , Daylight, Tungsten, Auto, Manual, Image Stabilization Electronic, LCD Screen 2.7" Widescreen LCD (Approx. 123,000 pixels), Recording Media Internal Flash Memory (8GB) or SD/SDHC Memory Card, Audio Dolby Digital 2ch (AC-3 2 ch), Microphone Terminal 3.5 mm Stereo Mini-jack Dimensions (WxHxD) 2.3 x 2.4 x 4.9 in/58 x 60 x 124mm, Weight (not including lens and battery pack) 9.2 oz. (260g) SONY DCR 650 DVD Handycam
Imaging Device: 1/8" Advanced HAD™ CCD sensor ,Pixel Gross: 680K, Recording Media: 3" (8cm) DVD (DVD-R/DVD-RW/DVD+RW/DVD+R DL) Memory Stick PRO Duo™ Media (Sold Separately), Recording and Playback Times 3" DVD media: Single Layer - HQ: 20 min., SP: 30 min., LP 60 min. Dual Layer - HQ: 35 min., SP: 55 min., LP: 109 min. When using 16GB Memory Stick PRO Duo™ Media (sold separately): HQ = up to 230 min., SP = up to 340 min., LP = up to 655 min. Video Resolution 720 x 480, Video Actual 410K pixels (16:9), 340K pixels (4:3), Still Actual 250K pixels (16:9), 340K pixels (4:3), Still Picture Resolution 680K, Lens Type Carl Zeiss® Vario-Tessar®, LCD Screen 2.7” wide touch panel LCD display (123k pixels) Viewfinder Yes (color 123k), Manual / Auto Lens Cover Manual, Memory Stick slot Memory Stick PRO Duo™ Media , Still Image Mode(s) JPEG, Minimum Illumination 6 lux (Auto Slow Shutter On, 1/30 Shutter Speed ), Video Signal System NTSC color, EIA standards, Format(s) Supported SD (MPEG2) Audio Recording Format, Dolby® Digital 2ch stereo, Microphone Built-in Zoom Microphone, S/S & Zoom button on LCD, Yes S-Video Output(s) Sold separately (via A/V Remote jack), Audio/Video Remote Terminal , Video / S Video / Audio, SteadyShot® Image Stabilization, SteadyShot™ image stabilization, Memory Stick PRO™ Media Compatibility, Memory Stick PRO Duo™ Media (Sold Separately),Hybrid, YesQuick On Yes Scene Mode(s), Auto, Twilight, Candle, Sunrise & Sunset, Fireworks, Landscape, Portrait, Spotlight, Sports, Beach, Snow, Fader Effect(s) ,Black, White, Face Index Yes ,Easy Operation Yes, Film Roll Index Yes, Slide Show Mode Yes, Multiple Language Display Yes, 35mm Equivalent 39-2340mm (16:9), 44-2640mm (4:3) , Aperture F1.8-6.0, Exposure Yes (Touch Panel) Filter Diameter 30mm, Focal Distance 1.8 - 108mm, Focus Full range Auto / Manual (Touch Panel), Shutter Speed Auto, 1/4 - 1/4000, Optical Zoom 60x, Digital Zoom 2000x, USB Port(s) Hi-speed (2.0 compliant) , Power Consumption 2.2W / 2.4W (VF/LCD) Battery Type InfoLITHIUM® with AccuPower™ Meter System (NP-FH30),Power Requirements 7.2V (battery pack); 8.4V (AC Adaptor), Weight w/o battery: 13oz (390g) w battery: 15oz (440g), Measurements 2 1/4 x 3 5/8 x 5 1/8 inch (55 x 89 x 130mm)

Sony DCR SR 47 HDD Handycam

Imaging Device 1/8" Advanced HAD™ CCD sensor, Pixel Gross 680K, Recording Media 60GB Non-Removable Hard Disk Drive Memory Stick PRO Duo Media (Sold Separately), Recording and Playback Times Standard Definition: HQ = up to 910 min., SP = up to 1310 min., LP = up to 2750 min. When using 16GB Memory Stick PRO Duo® Media (sold separately): Standard Definition: HQ = up to 230 min., SP = up to 340 min., LP = up to 655 min., Video Actual 410K pixels (16:9), 340K pixels (4:3), Still Actual 250K pixels (16:9), 340K pixels (4:3), Video Resolution 720 x 480, Still Picture Resolution 640 x 480 (VGA) 35mm Equivalent 39-2340mm (16:9), 44-2640mm (4:3), Aperture F1.8-6.0, Exposure Yes (Touch Panel) Filter Diameter 30mm, Focal Distance 1.8 - 108mm, Focus Full range Auto / Manual (Touch Panel) Shutter Speed Auto, 1/4 - 1/4000, Optical Zoom 60x, Digital Zoom 2000X, Lens Type Carl Zeiss® Vario-Tessar®, Video Signal System NTSC color, EIA standards, Format Supported SD (MPEG2), Audio Format Dolby® Digital 2ch stereo, LCD 2.7” wide touch panel LCD display (123k pixels), Microphone Built-in Zoom Microphone, Memory Stick slot Memory Stick PRO Duo™ Media, Manual / Auto Lens Cover Manual, USB Port(s) Hi-speed (2.0 compliant), S-Video Output(s) Sold separately (via A/V Remote jack) Audio/Video Remote Terminal Video / S Video / Audio, SteadyShot® Image Stabilization Yes, Still Image Mode(s) JPEG, Minimum Illumination 6 lux (Auto Slow Shutter On, 1/30 Shutter Speed ), Hybrid Yes, Easy Operation Yes, Multiple Language Display Yes, Photo Capture from Movie Yes, Slide Show Mode Yes, Scene Mode(s) Auto, Twilight, Candle, Sunrise & Sunset, Fireworks, Landscape, Portrait, Spotlight, Sports, Beach, Snow, Fader Effect(s) Black, White, Face Index Yes,Film Roll Index Yes, Photo Capture from Movie Yes, Power Consumption 2.2W, Battery Type InfoLITHIUM® with AccuPower™ Meter System (NP-FH30), Power Requirements 7.2V (battery pack); 8.4V (AC Adaptor), Operating System Compatibility Microsoft Windows XP SP3* / Windows Vista SP1** * 64-bit editions and Starter (Edition) are not supported. ** Starter (Edition) is not supported. • Standard installation is required. • Operation is not assured if the above OS has been upgraded or in a multi-boot environment., Supplied Software PMB Ver.4.2.00 Supports Windows 2000 Professional Service Pack4 (SP4), Windows XP Service Pack3 (SP3)(32bit) Windows Vista Service Pack1 (SP1)(32bit/64bit). Not supported by Mac OS, Dimensions (WxHxD) 2 3/8 x 2 3/4 x 4 1/2 inch (60 x 68 x 112mm), Weight w/o battery: 10oz (300g) w battery: 11oz (340g)

Sony HDR XR 100 HDD Handycam

Imaging Device 1/5" Exmor™ CMOS sensor with ClearVid array, Pixel Gross 2360K, Recording Media 80GB Non-Removeable Hard Disk Drive Memory Stick PRO Duo™ Media (Sold Separately), Recording and Playback Times 80GB HDD: High Definition: FH = up to 580 min., HQ = up to 1180 min. SP = up to 1440 min., LP = up to 1830 min. Standard Definition: HQ = up to 1180 min., SP = up to 1750 min., LP = up to 3360 min , Video Actual 1430K Pixels (16:9), 1080K Pixels (4:3), Still Actual 1490K Pixels (16:9), 1990K Pixels (4:3), Processor BIONZ™ image processor , Video Resolution 1920 x 1080, Still Picture Resolution 4 megapixel , 35mm Equivalent 42 - 497mm (16:9), 52 - 608mm (4:3), Aperture F1.8-2.2, Exposure Yes (Touch Panel), Filter Diameter 30mm, Focal Distance 3.2 - 32mm, Focus Full range Auto / Manual, Shutter Speed Auto (Slow Shutter ON), 1/30 - 1/1000; Auto (Slow Shutter OFF) 1/60 - 1/1000; Scene Selection, 1/2 - 1/1000,m Minimum Illumination 5 lux (Auto Slow Shutter ON, 1/30 Shutter Speed ), Optical Zoom 10x, Digital Zoom 120x, Lens Type Carl Zeiss® Vario-Tessar, Resolution 4 megapixel still, Video Signal HD: 1920 x 1080/60i; SD: NTSC color, EIA standards, Format HD: MPEG4 AVC/H.264; SD: MPEG2, Audio Recording Format Dolby® Digital 5.1, Microphone Built-in Zoom Microphone, LCD 2.7" wide touch panel3 Clear Photo LCD Plus™ display (211k pixels), Memory Stick slot Memory Stick PRO Duo™ Media, Manual / Auto Lens Cover Manual, S/S & Zoom button on LCD Yes, PhotoTV HD Yes , Face Detection Yes, Smile Shutter Yes , Quick On Yes, Memory Stick PRO™ Media Compatibility Memory Stick PRO Duo™ Media (Sold Separately),Dual Record 2.3 megapixel, Still Image Mode(s) JPEG, Hybrid Yes, SteadyShot® Image Stabilization SteadyShot™ image stabilization, Dynamic Range Optimizer Yes, x.v.Color™ Yes, Face Index Yes, Film Roll Index Yes, Fader Effect(s) Black, White, Scene Mode(s) Auto, Twilight, Candle, Sunrise & Sunset, Fireworks, Landscape, Portrait, Spotlight, Beach, Snow, Photo Capture from Movie Yes, Easy Operation Yes, Multiple Language Display Yes, Slide Show Mode Yes BRAVIA® Sync™ Yes, Audio/Video Remote Terminal Video / S Video / Audio / Component Out / Remote , Analog Audio/Video Output(s) Included (via A/V Remote Terminal), Digital Audio/Video Output(s) HDMI, USB Port(s) Hi-speed (2.0 compliant), Component Video (Y/Pb/Pr) Output(s) Supplied (via A/V Remote jack), HDMI™ Connection Output(s) Yes (mini), S-Video Output(s) Sold separately (via A/V Remote jack, Battery Type InfoLITHIUM® with AccuPower™ Meter System (NP-FH60), Power Requirements 7.2V (battery pack); 8.4V (AC Adaptor), Power Consumption 3.9W, Supplied Software PMB Ver.4.2.00 Supports Windows 2000 Professional Service Pack4?SP4?, Windows XP Service Pack3?SP3??32bit? Windows Vista Service Pack1?SP1??32bit/64bit?. Not supported by Mac OS. Dimensions (W x H x D) 2 3/4 x 2 3/4 x 5 1/8 inch (69 x 68 x 129mm),Weight w/o battery: 11oz (330g), w battery: 14.5oz (410g)