Budget Camcorder Recommendations


K

khris

New Member
Hello,

I am looking for a budget camcorder for videoing family outings, kids scholl performance etc
Budget is $500- $800. Will stretch to max to $1k if it is really worth the upgrade.

I am have been looking online and these are the models that I can find..

Canon - HF R36 ($499)
Panasonic - V110, V720 (I think V720 is over my budget)
Sony - C220, C230
I see that Canon had release a R46 overseas but seems that it is not available in Asia..

Will appreciate any recommendations or comments on models or if I should by a better camera and record video...

Thanks,

Khris
 

JVC GZ-EX555 currently has the best feature set for your budget. The most impressive being:
mic-input, headphone port, volume control which are found only on flagship models on other brands.
Additional features: WIFI remote control with your smartphone (Zooming, start stop, and LIVE view); LIVE internet streaming.
Downside is the sensor is only 1/6" (like those in smartphones)
If your video clips don't need to be longer than 15 minutes, and you are not concerned about audio quality,
consider a large sensor pocket camera like the RX100 mk2 (1" CMOS!!!)instead.
36X larger sensor giving much better quality for around $1000.
 

Last edited:
Bamboopictures said:
JVC GZ-EX555 currently has the best feature set for your budget. The most impressive being:
mic-input, headphone port, volume control which are found only on flagship models on other brands.
Additional features: WIFI remote control with your smartphone (Zooming, start stop, and LIVE view); LIVE internet streaming.
Downside is the sensor is only 1/6" (like those in smartphones)
If your video clips don't need to be longer than 15 minutes, and you are not concerned about audio quality,
consider a large sensor pocket camera like the RX100 mk2 (1" CMOS!!!)instead.
36X larger sensor giving much better quality for around $1000.
Click to expand...

Thanks Bamboo pictures for the recommendations.
The online reviews for RX100 Mk2 is very good for photography.
Wondering how well it is for video recording interms of zoom and stability.
Why 15 minutes only? Is it limited by the storage or capped by the camera itself?

My kid was performing on stage couple months back and I was ~10 meters away and was trying to capture the video via my iphone which was an absolute disaster.
Pictures were okish...

I see that from the earlier post that JVC GZ-EX555 is $999 @ Giant?
Is it worth the ~$500 upgrade from the Canon R36
 

RX100 will overheat around 20 minutes and shut down safely. If that does not happen, I believe it will stop recording video at 30minutes. This cut-off qualifies cameras for lower taxes vs videocameras in the EU.
This site has a few examples of how well the RX100 perform as a run and gun camera .http://rungunshoot.com/walk-like-a-steadicam/ The RX100 produces near DSLR quality with its 1" CMOS. This is 36 times larger than 1/6" camcorder sensors.
For shooting my children's concert, my camera of choice is PJ660's cousin the NX30 because tripods/monopods are not allowed in the auditorium. This is a clip I shot about 10 rows from the stage, totally handheld (two hands above head) zoomed in 8X.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wrdJqvF5Dzk. No post production stabilisation whatsoever.
The new PJ660 OIS technology effectively allows you to get almost monopod like stability and almost steadicam fluid motion. I would not attempt to shoot handheld zoom at long distance with any other OIS in the world.
So it's a slippery slope! $500 for a Panasonic, or add $500 for an RX100 and get DSLR-like video, then why not bite the bullet, go for the full featured PJ660 for $1299 and leave the tripod at home!
But if you are strictly sticking to budget and want the best value for money dedicated camcorder EX555 ($700 if you order from Australia) is camera I will go for.
 

Last edited:
Bamboopictures said:
RX100 will overheat around 20 minutes and shut down safely. If that does not happen, I believe it will stop recording video at 30minutes. This cut-off qualifies cameras for lower taxes vs videocameras in the EU.
This site has a few examples of how well the RX100 perform as a run and gun camera .http://rungunshoot.com/walk-like-a-steadicam/ The RX100 produces near DSLR quality with its 1" CMOS. This is 36 times larger than 1/6" camcorder sensors.
For shooting my children's concert, my camera of choice is PJ660's cousin the NX30 because tripods/monopods are not allowed in the auditorium. This is a clip I shot about 10 rows from the stage, totally handheld (two hands above head) zoomed in 8X.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wrdJqvF5Dzk. No post production stabilisation whatsoever.
The new PJ660 OIS technology effectively allows you to get almost monopod like stability and almost steadicam fluid motion. I would not attempt to shoot handheld zoom at long distance with any other OIS in the world.
So it's a slippery slope! $500 for a Panasonic, or add $500 for an RX100 and get DSLR-like video, then why not bite the bullet, go for the full featured PJ660 for $1299 and leave the tripod at home!
But if you are strictly sticking to budget and want the best value for money dedicated camcorder EX555 ($700 if you order from Australia) is camera I will go for.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the videosample and I must say that it is very impressive!
That is what I am afraid of and it is easy to go over the budget.
Guess that I will need to try em out and see..
What is the zoom level for the PJ660? I can't seem to find it on the Sony website or I maybe missing something..
By the way, according to Sony SG we, the PJ660 is selling at $1699. Do you know any place that is selling at $1299? Thanks.
 

Last edited:
I am waiting for Sony promo for the PJ660 as well
 

I have test drove the PJ660 and have purchase it.
I purchase it Thailand and it cost ~1200SGD.
So far, I am very happy and impress with it and as Bamboopictures pointed out the stabilization is superb.
Although the wifey as moaning about the purchase originally, after seeing all the features she is extremely impressed as well!

Thank y all for the recommendations!
 

wah! congrats! I havent buy yet wor!!!
 

That's $500 different! Go by budget, get it, also cheaper than local. Local pricing quite ridiculous then.
 

HK is selling at $1190.

But there is voltage and warranty issue. Haha
 

Sorry for the noob question...... I no into Veedeo....

If the Sony PJ660 is going at $1699 or so.... err.... why not consider a Pana G6 or GH3.... eps for those already have some M43 lenses???
 

Built in stabiliser quite good. No need to have an external rig if its well managed.
 

JacePhoto said:
Built in stabiliser quite good. No need to have an external rig if its well managed.
Click to expand...

okie noted.... too bad out of my budget.... else can get one to shoot video of my kiddo.....
 

I am a video noob also.

But make the optical stabliser make sense leh.

It wld be my first video cam.

Anyway AP quoted $1488. Was hoping previous promo will be back. It was at a lower price. Haha
 

JacePhoto said:
I am a video noob also.

But make the optical stabliser make sense leh.

It wld be my first video cam.

Anyway AP quoted $1488. Was hoping previous promo will be back. It was at a lower price. Haha
Click to expand...

haaaa I believe nearing Christmas, they will have promo again.... :)
 

Was reading at the Balanced Optical SteadyShot that PJ660 have... I wonder would they include it in their next range of NEX VG video cameras.
 

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