which Mini-DV Camcorder to buy? - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

kulrblind · 01-21-2004, 06:07 AM

Anyone have any information about mini-dv (or possibly just digital) camcorders? I'm thinking of making a purchase in the next couple of weeks, and just looking for some advice/reviews.

I've read a little about the Sony and Panasonic models, and they seem to be leaders of the pack. I'm also looking to spend less than $1,000 CAD, or probably about $800 USD (just ballparking the comparitive prices in USD).

So... anyone? anyone?

brandon11983 · 01-21-2004, 10:34 AM

Check out the Canon Optura Xi. It has Canon optics behind it, so the picture quality should be awesome. It also has either a 2.5" or 3.5" LCD window. It's an awesome Mini DV cam at around $1299 retail, you can probably find it for less online, but you will lose all warranty support.

iamii · 01-22-2004, 09:58 PM

I would recomment the Sony DCR - TRV 70, it does both digital photos (2.0 megapixels) and video well. I got mine online for about 900 USD. so check it out... There is a TRV 80 as well, but that just adds a bigger screen and bluetooth support. You should be fine with the DCR TRV70.

RogueHunter65 · 02-04-2004, 05:48 PM

I have a lot of experience with mini dv cameras and digital video cameras. I am a big fan of the Canon XL1. This camera comes with many features and is great for both profesional use and non profesional use. The camera is a little expensive so if money is an aspect to consider I would go with the Canon GL1 which is a smaller and less expensive version of it. The camera is very durable too. I have droped mine many times and it still works great. The audio on the GL1 is great too. I'm not sure how much one costs now but when i got mine it was about 1k so it might be cheaper now or check on ebay. Good luck

kulrblind · 02-05-2004, 09:46 AM

Thanks so far, everyone... i'm looking at a few models right now:
- various sony models, including the TRV 19 and 22 (or their 2004 replacements, due out soon)

- various canon models: ZR65MC - $699 Cdn; Optura 20 - $899 Cdn

- various JVC models : GR-DVU801U - $799 Cdn and the GR-D91US - $650 Cdn

Questions I have are:
Are Sony camcorders generally overpriced? If so, by how much? It seems to me you can get equally good lenses through JVC and Canon (especially Canon), with equivalent functionality, for less money. The Sony seems to pride itself on the touch-screen technology, which I personally don't value for the $150 difference in price.

Now, admittedly I'm on a bit of a budget here, so I can't go shelling out $1,500 - $2,000 for a Mini-DV Camcorder, so I'm trying to do the best I can on less than $900 Cdn.

Anyway... making the purchase in the coming days, so if anyone has last minute comments, fire away!

Much appreciated,
kulrblind

Jephree · 02-05-2004, 06:41 PM

are you gonna be using the camera for any specific type of shooting?

BTW: the Canon XL1 is f'in nice. so is the GL1.

kulrblind · 02-09-2004, 05:25 AM

Funny turn of events through the last week:

I went out to see a few of them first-hand, and figure out if I really wanted to pay for the Sony name, or whether the JVC and the Canon models stacked up just as well. Anyway, I went to my local cutthroat-electronics-dealer (the name "Wacky" is right in the name), and saw some Canon models that looked pretty nice, and were comparably priced with the Sony.

Then, on to JVC, and I thought I had settled on a JVC model without a few of the features I wanted (like an electronic stabilizer), but couldn't close the deal because I was late for an appointment at the time.

Anyway, I went home and checked out the JVC model and one of the Canon models ( I can post the ones I was considering, if anyone's curious ) "reviews" online, both user reviews and professional reviews, and for the most part, the Canons failed in low light, and the JVCs weren't very durable. I don't know how true this is, but most of the recommendations were for the Sony TRV-19 and 22 (same model, one extra feature on the 22). So, I called my brother-in-law to see if he could find one in Alberta (less tax than here), and send it to me. Anyway, not only does he find one there, it's $200 less than I could buy it here. Crazy.

So.. it's on its way to me as we speak. Thanks for all the tips, folks, and i'll let you know how it works once i've had a chance to play with it a little.

Oh, and Jephree, I'm just using it as a general use camcorder, but wanted digital for better quality movies. You know...walking around town, taking pics of the baby (three weeks away!), etc.

Thanks again, folks.

01-21-2004, 06:07 AM	#1 (permalink)
kulrblind plays well with others Location: Canada	which Mini-DV Camcorder to buy? Anyone have any information about mini-dv (or possibly just digital) camcorders? I'm thinking of making a purchase in the next couple of weeks, and just looking for some advice/reviews. I've read a little about the Sony and Panasonic models, and they seem to be leaders of the pack. I'm also looking to spend less than $1,000 CAD, or probably about $800 USD (just ballparking the comparitive prices in USD). So... anyone? anyone?

01-21-2004, 10:34 AM	#2 (permalink)
brandon11983 Stereophonic Location: Chitown!!	Check out the Canon Optura Xi. It has Canon optics behind it, so the picture quality should be awesome. It also has either a 2.5" or 3.5" LCD window. It's an awesome Mini DV cam at around $1299 retail, you can probably find it for less online, but you will lose all warranty support. __________________ Well behaved women rarely make history.

02-04-2004, 05:48 PM	#4 (permalink)
RogueHunter65 Insane Location: Boston, MA	I have a lot of experience with mini dv cameras and digital video cameras. I am a big fan of the Canon XL1. This camera comes with many features and is great for both profesional use and non profesional use. The camera is a little expensive so if money is an aspect to consider I would go with the Canon GL1 which is a smaller and less expensive version of it. The camera is very durable too. I have droped mine many times and it still works great. The audio on the GL1 is great too. I'm not sure how much one costs now but when i got mine it was about 1k so it might be cheaper now or check on ebay. Good luck __________________ I suffer from amnesia and deja vu at the same time... I think I have forgotten this before

02-05-2004, 06:41 PM	#6 (permalink)
Jephree AKA: Boner Stabone Location: The one and only, SoCaLi	are you gonna be using the camera for any specific type of shooting? BTW: the Canon XL1 is f'in nice. so is the GL1. __________________ When's the next good swell in SoCal? Last edited by Jephree; 02-05-2004 at 06:45 PM..

01-22-2004, 09:58 PM	#3 (permalink)
iamii Crazy	I would recomment the Sony DCR - TRV 70, it does both digital photos (2.0 megapixels) and video well. I got mine online for about 900 USD. so check it out... There is a TRV 80 as well, but that just adds a bigger screen and bluetooth support. You should be fine with the DCR TRV70.

02-05-2004, 09:46 AM	#5 (permalink)
kulrblind plays well with others Location: Canada	Thanks so far, everyone... i'm looking at a few models right now: - various sony models, including the TRV 19 and 22 (or their 2004 replacements, due out soon) - various canon models: ZR65MC - $699 Cdn; Optura 20 - $899 Cdn - various JVC models : GR-DVU801U - $799 Cdn and the GR-D91US - $650 Cdn Questions I have are: Are Sony camcorders generally overpriced? If so, by how much? It seems to me you can get equally good lenses through JVC and Canon (especially Canon), with equivalent functionality, for less money. The Sony seems to pride itself on the touch-screen technology, which I personally don't value for the $150 difference in price. Now, admittedly I'm on a bit of a budget here, so I can't go shelling out $1,500 - $2,000 for a Mini-DV Camcorder, so I'm trying to do the best I can on less than $900 Cdn. Anyway... making the purchase in the coming days, so if anyone has last minute comments, fire away! Much appreciated, kulrblind

02-09-2004, 05:25 AM	#7 (permalink)
kulrblind plays well with others Location: Canada	Funny turn of events through the last week: I went out to see a few of them first-hand, and figure out if I really wanted to pay for the Sony name, or whether the JVC and the Canon models stacked up just as well. Anyway, I went to my local cutthroat-electronics-dealer (the name "Wacky" is right in the name), and saw some Canon models that looked pretty nice, and were comparably priced with the Sony. Then, on to JVC, and I thought I had settled on a JVC model without a few of the features I wanted (like an electronic stabilizer), but couldn't close the deal because I was late for an appointment at the time. Anyway, I went home and checked out the JVC model and one of the Canon models ( I can post the ones I was considering, if anyone's curious ) "reviews" online, both user reviews and professional reviews, and for the most part, the Canons failed in low light, and the JVCs weren't very durable. I don't know how true this is, but most of the recommendations were for the Sony TRV-19 and 22 (same model, one extra feature on the 22). So, I called my brother-in-law to see if he could find one in Alberta (less tax than here), and send it to me. Anyway, not only does he find one there, it's $200 less than I could buy it here. Crazy. So.. it's on its way to me as we speak. Thanks for all the tips, folks, and i'll let you know how it works once i've had a chance to play with it a little. Oh, and Jephree, I'm just using it as a general use camcorder, but wanted digital for better quality movies. You know...walking around town, taking pics of the baby (three weeks away!), etc. Thanks again, folks.