Looking for a cheap replacement for my old DV camcorder

red_ryder · 30th March 2009

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 · 2nd April 2009

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

Kittystar · 25th April 2009

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LumixFZ18 · 25th April 2009

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 · 15th May 2009

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 · 16th May 2009

Originally Posted by Emanuel22

. 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 · 21st May 2009

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/camcord...m10/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 · 21st May 2009

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 · 21st May 2009

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 · 21st May 2009

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..

30th March 2009	#1
red_ryder Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Posts: 298	Looking for a cheap replacement for my old DV camcorder 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.

2nd April 2009	#2
Bamboopictures Member Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 96	Re: Looking for a cheap replacement for my old DV camcorder Panny's SDR-S10 should be perfect for you.

25th April 2009	#3
Kittystar Deregistered Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 6	Re: Looking for a cheap replacement for my old DV camcorder Love your cameras? Having trouble trying to clean those dust filled crevices? Afraid to wash them under water? Here's the answer! Cyberclean $15 - For fuss free cleaning of cameras and other high tech gadgets! No solution involved, no risk of spoiling your expensive equipments! Please visit http://www.kittystar.net/2009/03/cyberclean.html for more information. Thank you

25th April 2009	#4
LumixFZ18 New Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 41	Re: Looking for a cheap replacement for my old DV camcorder 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.

15th May 2009	#5
Emanuel22 New Member Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 1	Re: Looking for a cheap replacement for my old DV camcorder 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.

21st May 2009	#7
TsQ Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: River Valley Posts: 801	Re: Looking for a cheap replacement for my old DV camcorder 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/camcord...m10/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..

21st May 2009	#10
psyk1 Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 231	Re: Looking for a cheap replacement for my old DV camcorder 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..