Looking for a cheap replacement for my old DV camcorder

[red_ryder]

I bought a low-end DV camcorder about 5 years ago, but really getting sick of transferring the movies to my computer via firewire. Also, the quality coming out from Windows Movie maker is rather bad, looks worse than dvd quality.

Is it possible to get a camcorder less than $500 that can shoot onto SD cards? Don't need Highdef, as long as 480p good enough.

 

[Bamboopictures]

Panny's SDR-S10 should be perfect for you.

 

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[LumixFZ18]

I'll recommend the Sanyo VPC-CG10 which can take HD videos. This video camera is super compact and it stored the videos in SD card.

 

[Emanuel22]

Well I’ve had the Canon FS100 for nearly a week now. As camcorders are all identical in quality and set up however they differ in memory storage. They all accept SD cards: the FS100 has no in-built memory, the FS10 has 8 GB internal and the FS11 has 16gb internal.
while researching I came across this http://www.checkcost.co.uk/camcorders/c/4354/ Have a look, this may help u out.
Now I opted for the FS100 as it was the cheapest compared to the latter FS11 model and with this saving it was cheaper to buy a big SD card. My plan is to get a 32 GB SD card soon and I’ll update you soon on that.

 

[jaegersing]

. As camcorders are all identical in quality and set up however they differ in memory storage.

I think you shouldn't be offering advice on video cameras if you believe that.

 

[TsQ]

For $500 u dont get much choice beside the Sanyo Xacti.. but as a user of that camera, i want to advise u to avoid it if possible.. the electrinic stabilizer is almost useless.. making moving very jerky when u handheld it. (while the "gun" style holding will make things worst!!)

However their video quality is average to good.. .. xacti AF is slow if light is low...

up your budget to $700 and get a Panasonic standard definition cam with their excellent OIS.. (SDR-15 or SDR-26)

if you can go to $1000, get the Panasonic SD10 / TM10 (see http://www.panasonic.net/avc/camcorder/hd/global/products/hdc-sd10_hdc-tm10/index.html )

Panasonic gives u better value compared to Sony.. another one u can consider it Canon

but if i am on budget, i get the panasonic SD10 ... 1080P High Def under $1000 with OPTICAL stabilizer..

 

[red_ryder]

Thanks for the recommendations. I've bought the new Panasonic TZ7 digital camera instead, which can shoot 720p video in AVCHD format. Since I needed a new compact digicam anyway, this was the best of both worlds. 10X zoom, and can zoom and autofocus while taking video. $580

 

[TsQ]

ya these the the PnS cam are really handling video well... sommore HD .. and with zoome and AF .. woah! .. if not mistaken the TZ7 also records in Stereo rite?? superb la..

 

[psyk1]

Can I continue this thread? I'm in the same situation as the TS was in, have been using my old mini dv Pana camcorder for awhile now.. But it's a bit troublesome to transfer the videos..

I'm not sure how the problem of editing the files is with the newer camcorders, not even sure which format to go for, i.e. SD, HDD, DVR.. Is HD even important?

Appreciate if anyone else can contribute their inputs.. My budget is not too high and I don't mind buying 2nd hand..

Btw, I just went around and saw there's a Panasonic promotion now, and the abovementioned SDR-S15 is listed as $499, whilst the SDR-S26 is $599.. Seems within an affordable range for me..