Looking to buy a Camcorder

[stjames]

With the new addition to our family due to arrive we are looking at getting a video camera for Christmas. I like the idea of the hard drive based cameras like the JVC Everio series, but am willing to consider Mini DV or others as well. I want ease of use, quality picture and good optical zoom. I’d like to keep it in the <$600 range but could go a bit higher if it would make a major difference. Anyone have a favorite camera, make or media to use?

 

[Stormdrane]

Try this link for reviews on camcorders, digital cameras, etc... lots of great info:

http://www.steves-digicams.com/

 

[bladefixation2]

I bought a sony DCR-HC18 last christmas, quite low cost but I was very pleased with it. Size is quite small (about the size of a tobacco tin but twice as thick), smaller than the equivalent canon around at the time. Quality is quite high, it has a firewire out for streaming to your PC. Lens is quite good.

No doubt they have completely changed in the last year however, as is the way with consumer electronics