OT! Digital Video Camera suggestions?

I've personally always been a fan of Sony camcorders.

 

In that price range you're not going to get much. Mostly just a single chip camera. If you want great quality video and audio, you're going to want a 3 chip (3 CCD) camera, and XLR audio inputs would be a bonus. You're looking at about $2500 minimum.

Get a camera that has a "hot shoe" on top (even single chip cameras have them) where you can mount external mics and what not. Then get a Rode Video Mic ($125). Your audio will be a LOT better than the built in camera mic. Built in camera mics are garbage.

$500 is entry level. I have a Canon XL2 with a Rode NTG-2 shotgun mic. Retail price on that is about $4,000. But the video and audio quality eats $500 camcorders for breakfast.

With video cameras, you get what you pay for.

 

+1...The sony camcorders were awesome

 

I used a friend's Sony, so I'm not sure about model/price but it was very good quality. Even on the highway with an open top not much extra noise from wind. captured the exhausts very well. Stores video on a Mini DV, which gives you about an hour at a decent resolution.

 

I´m talking about this one...

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=8210447&type=product&productCategoryId=pcmcat102800050040&id=1166234894238


But this one with hard-drive is nice too
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=8211534&type=product&productCategoryId=pcmcat102800050040&id=1166235552112

 

Like i said yesterday on AIM:
Sony DCR-SR40

$500 for the camera, and $60 for a wide angle lens.

Works great.