Lights - Camera - Action - Shoot !!!
So you want to take your own home video or you're ready for your close up? Camcorders aren't something you go out and buy everyday. They are a significant purchase and so you would want to make sure that you get it right and buy the camera that is just perfect for you. Some find camcorders disturbing, but you don't need to be Steven Spielberg to pick it up. Read on for more top tips on what to look out for when selecting a camcorder.
Points to note (not necessarily in the same order)
- Dimensions, weight and portability - Ideally it should be lightweight and preferably fit in the palm of your hand.
- Accessories - Does it come with a tripod stand, remote control, cable/s, software, flash /memory card,
- User friendly (should even be simple for old school people) - Menus should be easy enough to navigate even for first time users.
- Recording formats and Transfer of data (includes connectivity) - High definition & Image Stabilising, DVD formats would allow immediate sharing of footage, flash memory would be lighter weight to carry and easily upload via USB cable, HDD would mean many hours worth of shooting, most should come with AV cable connectivity. Night mode / Back-light LED features would help in a setting where there's no proper lights enough to shoot any footage.
- Lens, digital, zoom and picture resolution - The more zoom capability, the more you will be able to capture events from a distance , especially in situations where you can't afford to be too close. For eg. Safari outings. The lens should preferably be a known brand. for eg. Carl Zeiss.
- Audio ability (usually sensitivity of the in built microphone) - Most of the cams nowadays come with excellent in built microphones, however, a stand alone mic is still useful in a lot of other situations.
- Battery Life - Almost all cameras should have the feature to let you know how much battery time you have left. Sometimes, prior to initial use, most camera batteries require a charging time of 4-6 hours.
- And the all important one - yes, its the budget - This is by far the most critical factor to consider when making the purchase - Since you do get what you pay for, you have to make sure that you have had a wide selection to choose from, thus allowing you to comparatively make the final choice. Definitely, something to fit your budget and your personality.
All in all, your final decision should be one where you find the right product and you walk away smiling - Great Value for a Handy product.
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