Digicam's

[a4gom]

I know its been discussed before but electronics are constantly improving and prices changing is there a basic acceptable spec. I am looking into replacing my camcorder for family holidays etc but may also use it for incar footage.

Is this any good? I can't see any mention of a mic in or av in but I have emailed them to find out.

Or is there an better product available for similar money at the moment?

TIA

[Molydood]

I have just bought myself a canon mv500i from ebay at £100. It has AV in and is very good quality. Once I get the bullet cam I can provide some samples of the footage achievable with the combo.

Martin

[JeffC]

Im a believer in all things electrical that you gets what you pays for.. I looked at cheaper and ended up with  a Sony dcr hc42e when I was after changing the old size 20 bbc camera      

cracking for in car footage, has plug for bullet cam although I dont bother just bolt it to roll bar    

[Molydood]

what brackets do you use Jeff?

not worried about lens cracking from debris?

no vibration?

I have seen a few guys running with camcorder bolted stright on, but think i favour the bullet for the adaptability... I could use it as a helmet cam for biking or boarding, and can also experiment with a lot of different positions inside, or outside the car, including unusual places like on the wings etc)

[ChrisG]

If you're used to a half decent DV camera before, I wouldnt get one like that. It doesnt have an actual optical zoom (just digital which just zooms by reducing the quality) and if its anything like the one I bought, the picture quality won't be comparable to a proper DV camera, especially in low / artifical light. I bought a similar one on Ebay just after Christmas (an Aiptek) for £50 that did 640x480 recording etc (better than some), and I was so disapointed with it that I flogged it again within a few weeks. In comparison the £100 MV500i would be much better even though its comparatively old tech in the camcorder world.

Have a look on the Official Canon Outlet on Ebay, they offload loads of refurb kit at very good prices.

Chris

[pistonbroke]

That's a kids toy IMO I think you would be dissapointed with the results it gave

Digital zoom aint worth a light its apure gimmick added in for salesmen to help push the goods onto the customers  

having said that many good quality cams have digi zoom , but its an accesory and nothing to do with a quality optical zoom .

better cam has lower lux (low light value ) for recording dull / dark scenes ( ie in the rain )

other good features

image stabilising , av in / out , dv out (digital video )

Have a look at the cannon 850i shown below yours in the link is good kit at £299 , there the kind of features you should be looking for .

[a4gom]

thanks for your help chaps, i'll have a look around  

[Mark19800_0]

O.k whilst we are on this topic, the outlaws have offered to buy us one as a wedding presant upto £500, can anyone recomend one?

We looked at

JVC Everio GZ-MG20 = £377

[kevip6]

I'm looking to order a Canon 850i this afternoon for use as a general camcorder and also to plug a bullet cam into.

Anyone current using this camcorder and have a view on it?

Thanks

[Morbius]

I have just bought a relatively cheap Hitachi DVD cam from Vomet.  Turns out from checking the Hitachi website that it is has been superseded, but the new model still uses the same high capacity battery.

Up to now, I have not done much more than prove that it and the various connections work.

If I can work out a secure mounting, I might take it to Mallory next week for some in-car shots.  If I am not allowed to take it on the track, I might record part of the trip there or the run home.

[pistonbroke]

I'm looking to order a Canon 850i this afternoon for use as a general camcorder and also to plug a bullet cam into.

Anyone current using this camcorder and have a view on it?

Thanks

Can only say mine has been great all round

It comes with a screw on wide angle lens which is ideal for roll bar mount as it gives a better view and also protects the lens from the elements

Has " stills "  camera feature with on board smartcard

Loads of other features but I use mine mostly in Auto mode.

Has image stabalizing and a good optical zoom

The only things I found wanting was the battery life a bit small ( cured by purchase of LP battery from 3rd party supplier )

In low light conditions the colour is a bit dull but is still very acceptable , I think this is a feature of mini cams due to the lens aperture size .

can be used with bullet cam ( not tried it yet )

hth

[scott beeland]

I got a JVC GRD 290 EK  which has loads of handy stuff and was £230from Argos of all places. Massive optical zoom. Stills pics. image stabiliser.av and dv in and out. slo mo recoprd and play back

[Chris Elworthy]

Slightly off topic, but it is to do with a CamCorder.

Is the (electrical plug) adaptor for Jamiaca the same as the one for US?

Thanks

CE