What lower end HD camcorder to buy

[avz10]

For the past 3 years, I have used my Panasonic NV GS 250 and was very happy with it, the DV tapes, the quality, etc- it is for home use, but I like good quality. The camera is now irreparable. (I live in South Africa)

I have started looking around, but DV tapes are now only used by professionals and built-in memory seems to be popular. All the dealers that I went to yesterday discouraged me from buying Panasonic (poor after sales service in South Africa).

I have been recommended the Sony HDR XR100 or the JVC Everio MG20. These are in my price class.

I am really unsure- used a camera with a mini DVD a year ago (Panasonic), with a very poor image.

Or should I look at another class of camera??

[edDV]

HDV is another option that will offer a familiar work flow and work with MiniDV tape.

Good models are made by Canon and Sony.
http://www.hv20.com/

AVCHD flash ram models require expensive flash memory cards and a cutting edge computer for editing.
http://forum.videohelp.com/topic370625.html

I suggest you read the information and choose carefully.

[greymalkin]

You can find a refurbished Canon hv30 (uses hdv tapes) for about $450 and I've even seem some refurbished hv20's from Canon's site for about $400 but they aren't always in stock.

You haven't said what your price range is, however.

[avz10]

While I'm looking around, my price range is max ZAR 8000-9000; that is USD 1000-1100. Obviously cheaper will be better, but as long as I do not loose quality.

With my camcorder, I basically point and shoot, no use of many of the extras. I have a Canon SLR EOS 450 and use most of the features like ISO, f-stop, etc; but with my Panasonic camcorder, I basically put it on auto and did lots of editing afterwards, which I like.

So, basically, crystal clear images is my goal at this stage

Thanks for the info so far

Albie

[avz10]

Really difficult, but I will visit shops tomorrow and download reviews from the internet.

The following are possibilities in South Africa:
Canon HV (called HG) 20
Sony HDR XR 100 ( saw an average review on Cnet)
JVC Everio MG 20

Any opinions, or should I go cheaper for what I want to do??

[edDV]

Really difficult, but I will visit shops tomorrow and download reviews from the internet.

The following are possibilities in South Africa:
Canon HV (called HG) 20
Sony HDR XR 100 ( saw an average review on Cnet)
JVC Everio MG 20

Any opinions, or should I go cheaper for what I want to do??

Depends how you want to use the video. AVCHD is more difficvult to edit or process.

The Canon HG20 is an AVCHD hard disk model. The HV-30 is HDV and uses tape.

The JVC Everio MG 20 is standard def MPeg2.

The Sony HDR XR 100 is AVCHD.

Sony HDV models usually start with HC.

[alegator]

Sony HDV models usually start with HC.

Has Sony discontinued consumer miniDV tape based HD camcorders? All I see in their website is high end miniDV HD cams.

[edDV]

I don't know. Canon seems to dominate consumer HDV now.

Sony is planning downward extension of the similar broadcast XDCAM-EX MPeg2 format to at least pro-sumer levels. These will be flash ram not tape. The big issue for consumers is cost of flash ram. Until flash ram prices drop 50-70%, tape remains a great deal.