Camcorder recommendations

TheNaitsyrk · October 23, 2019

Looking to get myself a cheap but decent camcorder.

Just so I can see myself recording at an angle etc.

1080p 60 is a minimum.

Good zoom would be nice.

I'm not sure what I could pay price-wise but I'd rather get some recommendations 1st.

mariushm · October 23, 2019

What's your budget?

TheNaitsyrk · October 23, 2019

10 minutes ago, mariushm said:

What's your budget?

"I'm not sure what I could pay price-wise but I'd rather get some recommendations 1st."

mariushm · October 23, 2019

Well, I have a Sony camcorder, I think it's HDR-CX410VE... too lazy to look for the box or through Amazon invoices

You can get Sony HDR-CX405 for around 200$ ... here's the Amazon listing and you can also see it on BHPhoto

I spent more on my camera because it had hardware image stabilization (the whole mechanism floats inside and moves to keep image steady) besides the standard optical stabilization. Also, my camera has stereo microphone input, besides the standard shoe thing... it's useful as I can use a cheap 30$ lapel microphone instead of having to buy expensive shoe adapters.

It depends on your budget and if you need those features, for me the extra microphone input was very important, you may not care.

See also Canon HF R800 at around 220-250$, here's Amazon listing and BHPhoto

You'll have to do research, see Youtube reviews, to find out which is better.

At a super brief look, the sensor on the Canon is a bit bigger which in theory should be better, but the sensor on the Sony has few actual elements so it may actually be better quality.

Also, Sony offers XAVC-S up to 50mbps bitrate to compress the recordings, while the Canon stops at regular h264 35 mbps so if the sensor is good, the Sony should give you better quality.

I'm sticking to these two suggestions... wouldn't buy cheaper, but I'd buy more expensive ones depending on budget.

mariushm · October 23, 2019

Also, check eBay, sometimes you get good deals

ex

150$ new, Sony Handycam HDR-CX440 : https://www.ebay.com/itm/Sony-Handycam-HDR-CX440-1080p-Full-HD-8GB-Camcorder-Black-Free-Memory-Card/254397030560?epid=219422941&hash=item3b3b3ea0a0:g:6RcAAOSw9-ZdrzEC

another seller at 155$ : https://www.ebay.com/itm/Brand-New-Sony-Handycam-HDR-CX440-1080p-Full-HD-8GB-Camcorder-Black/123948929474?epid=219422941&hash=item1cdbee91c2%3Ag%3AKxYAAOSwSxtdrz4P&LH_BIN=1&LH_ItemCondition=1000

if you want action camera , splash proof, 120fps, see hdr-az1 at 172$ + shipping : https://www.ebay.com/itm/Sony-HDR-AZ1-WC-Splash-proof-POV-HD-Camcorder-NEW-SEALED-PACKAGE/392315109518?epid=1633823917&hash=item5b57cd808e%3Ag%3AoJ0AAOSwtd5dBq8d&LH_BIN=1&LH_ItemCondition=1000

TheNaitsyrk · October 23, 2019

1 hour ago, mariushm said:

Also, check eBay, sometimes you get good deals

ex

150$ new, Sony Handycam HDR-CX440 : https://www.ebay.com/itm/Sony-Handycam-HDR-CX440-1080p-Full-HD-8GB-Camcorder-Black-Free-Memory-Card/254397030560?epid=219422941&hash=item3b3b3ea0a0:g:6RcAAOSw9-ZdrzEC

another seller at 155$ : https://www.ebay.com/itm/Brand-New-Sony-Handycam-HDR-CX440-1080p-Full-HD-8GB-Camcorder-Black/123948929474?epid=219422941&hash=item1cdbee91c2%3Ag%3AKxYAAOSwSxtdrz4P&LH_BIN=1&LH_ItemCondition=1000

if you want action camera , splash proof, 120fps, see hdr-az1 at 172$ + shipping : https://www.ebay.com/itm/Sony-HDR-AZ1-WC-Splash-proof-POV-HD-Camcorder-NEW-SEALED-PACKAGE/392315109518?epid=1633823917&hash=item5b57cd808e%3Ag%3AoJ0AAOSwtd5dBq8d&LH_BIN=1&LH_ItemCondition=1000

Amazing, thank you a lot!

TheNaitsyrk · October 23, 2019

1 hour ago, mariushm said:

Also, check eBay, sometimes you get good deals

ex

150$ new, Sony Handycam HDR-CX440 : https://www.ebay.com/itm/Sony-Handycam-HDR-CX440-1080p-Full-HD-8GB-Camcorder-Black-Free-Memory-Card/254397030560?epid=219422941&hash=item3b3b3ea0a0:g:6RcAAOSw9-ZdrzEC

another seller at 155$ : https://www.ebay.com/itm/Brand-New-Sony-Handycam-HDR-CX440-1080p-Full-HD-8GB-Camcorder-Black/123948929474?epid=219422941&hash=item1cdbee91c2%3Ag%3AKxYAAOSwSxtdrz4P&LH_BIN=1&LH_ItemCondition=1000

if you want action camera , splash proof, 120fps, see hdr-az1 at 172$ + shipping : https://www.ebay.com/itm/Sony-HDR-AZ1-WC-Splash-proof-POV-HD-Camcorder-NEW-SEALED-PACKAGE/392315109518?epid=1633823917&hash=item5b57cd808e%3Ag%3AoJ0AAOSwtd5dBq8d&LH_BIN=1&LH_ItemCondition=1000

None are available in the UK, but at least I know what to look for.

mariushm · October 23, 2019

17 minutes ago, TheNaitsyrk said:

None are available in the UK, but at least I know what to look for.

Change ebay.com to ebay.co.uk , go to same category (Camcorders) and play with the filters...

Filter further if you want (for example to show only "New" if you don't want cameras that were previously used, though you can get some very good deals on older high end cameras like that)

mariushm · October 23, 2019

@TheNaitsyrk

Here's an example :

Canon HF R306 for 40 UK pounds : https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Canon-Legria-HR-306-High-Definition-Camcorder-8185/113893446462

It's cheap because he doesn't have the AC adapter to charge the battery and probably because he typed the model number incorrectly and couldn't find any other prices for "HR 306" so he put some low number

You can buy AC adapters separately for 13 uk pounds: https://www.digi-quick.co.uk/canon-hf-r306-battery-charger

Another for 19$ : http://www.betterbatt.com.au/s/battery-charger/canon/legria/hf-r306/

and a usb powered one for 7$: https://www.amazon.com/Micro-Battery-Charger-LEGRIA-Camcorder/dp/B0792LDQBJ

If you're not picky this may also be a good option :

50 UK pounds Panasonic HDC-HS9 with charger and cables and everything : https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Panasonic-High-Definition-Video-Camera/193105948743

It does full hd at 17mbps , has built in 60 GB HDD or works with SD/SDHC up to 16 GB

If the specs are good enough for you, I'd make an offer for 40 uk pounds, guy would probably accept it.