Best Digital Camcorder for under $750

[rbmerc]

Hey everyone I am really getting into making movies with my friends and we are looking for a nice digital camcorder that is between $250-$750... Currently I am using a JVC, and it is alright except that it picks up sound really bad and is not good when it is dark lighting... Thanks for the help!

-rbmerc

[slnorth]

I think I'm going to buy the Panasonic PV-GS120.

I just finished makine a similar post.
https://www.videohelp.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=220459

Good luck and let us know what you decide on.

[arcorob]

Not to be a big AND I am pretty mad at them right now BUT

Stick with SONY. They still have the camcorder world pretty sewn up.

If VERY low light is not a problem, try to find a TRV740 (if you can get it cheap ) or at the least a TRV340.
The reason I mention low light (natural indoor light) is because both of these are rated at 4lux yet, the TRV140 which is a cheaper model (less features) is 1 lux and works better in low light.

I use 1 TRV340 and 2 TRV140's for weddings.

TRV740 and TRV340
They both support digital passthru meaning you can hook an analgo signal (VCR, etc) in to teh camera and firewire in to the computer.

They have awesome features, beautiful stable color

Heres the kicker. Stay away from SONY tapes. Stick with TDK (a little hard to find but not really). This is experience. Out of about 400 tapes used, repeatedly , only SONY ever had trouble and those troubles happened several time on several DIFFERENT sony tapes. Time code errors, etc.

[Bstansbury]

I also have a Sony TRV-740. It is a little older camera (I've had mine for almost 2 years) but it is still wonderful. Has just about every feature I need. It will also play older Hi8 analog tapes and pass them through to my PC via Firewire Digital Video. This is one of the best features. I'm not sure that Sony still makes this camera, I'm sure they've come out with a newer version. Search the On-LIne Camera shops and Cnet for lowest prices.

By the way, I use only Maxwell Hi8 MP Digital Video tapes, and have never had a problem.

[arcorob]

Yeah the 740 is awesome as is the 340 and the 940

Sony does not make them anymore choosing to limit the digital 8 line to 2 camera's. You can get BRAND new ones though from EBAY mostly from stock by NY CIty camera stores ....