How To Buy A Digital Camcorder

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How To Buy A Digital Camcorder

Author: GeorgeKissi | Total views: 46 | Word Count: 569 | Category: Digital | Date: Apr 5th 2008

It is absolutely necessary to arm your self with a few good tips before going out to buy a digital camcorder otherwise you might wind up with some thing completely different from what you want. The few guidelines below will help you make the right choice.

Take a Look at the LCD screen in daylight, if at all possible

Certain screens will fade out in bright sunlight, and you need to ensure your ability to easily see what you're recording under any circumstances. If you're unable to view the images on the screen in bright daylight, resort to using the viewfinder. Not only will using the view finder get the job done but it will do so without using up a lot of your battery power.

Lay emphasis on the lns's optical zoom ratio rather than the digital zoom ratio

Optical zoom actually delivers a closer view of the image as opposed to digital zoom which merely makes the image larger through the view finder. It's important to ensure that the camcorder has a minimum of 10X optical zoom.

Buying an additional high capacity battery will ensure longer recording times

One of the most frustrating thing is running out of battery power in the middle of recording an important event. As most camcorders come a battery that only last for an hour or so it will be a worthwhile investment to buy an additional longer-lasting battery.

Front mounted microphones deliver better results

When the microphone is mounted on the top of the camcorder, it has the tendency to capture the voice of the person using the camcorder rather than the event being recorded. In this regard it's better to buy a camcorder with the microphone mounted in the front.

Buy an external microphone for the best sound

If the camcorder you're interested in buying has the ability to connect an external microphone, then factor in an extra $50 to $100 for an external microphone as this will give you the best sound possible .

Play and familiarize your self with the camcorder's controls and features before you purchase

A bigger camcorder model may work better for you if it's more comfortable to handle, particularly if you have large hands as the smallest camcorders ocassionally can be difficult to use

Examine exposure controls and Low-light options

All camcorders come with a completely automatic mode, but certain models have manual and semi-manual exposure modes. For eg, some models allow you to record at slower shutter speeds than others, or have aperture settings that permit more light to enter. Quite a few also offer scene modes, which you might be familiar with from digital still cameras. Low-light options also allow you to shoot in dark environments. Numerous camcorders come with an infrared light or a long shutter mode to assist in capturing images in the dark.

Look for wide-screen shooting and know your format

If you own a high definition TV, you'll get a full picture with no black bars at the top and bottom if you record with a wide-screen model. Also it is important to know the format the camcorder records in. Majority of camcorders record onto mini-DVD discs or MiniDV tapes. Bear in mind that MiniDV is the most widely available format which is a major boost if you find yourself short on tape while on vacation mainly because Mini-DVD discs are ofttimes difficult to come by.

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It is absolutely necessary to arm your self with a few good tips before going out to buy a digital camcorder otherwise you might wind up with some thing completely different from what you want. The few guidelines below will help you make the right choice. 
Take a Look at the LCD screen in daylight, if at all possible 
Certain screens will fade out in bright sunlight, and you need to ensure your ability to easily see what you're recording under any circumstances. If you're unable to view the images on the screen in bright daylight, resort to using the viewfinder. Not only will using the view finder get the job done but it will do so without using up a lot of your battery power. 
Lay emphasis on the lns's optical zoom ratio rather than the digital zoom ratio 
Optical zoom actually delivers a closer view of the image as opposed to digital zoom which merely makes the image larger through the view finder. It's important to ensure that the camcorder has a minimum of 10X optical zoom. 
Buying an additional high capacity battery will ensure longer recording times 
One of the most frustrating thing is running out of battery power in the middle of recording an important event. As most camcorders come a battery that only last for an hour or so it will be a worthwhile investment to buy an additional longer-lasting battery. 
Front mounted microphones deliver better results 
When the microphone is mounted on the top of the camcorder, it has the tendency to capture the voice of the person using the camcorder rather than the event being recorded. In this regard it's better to buy a camcorder with the microphone mounted in the front. 
Buy an external microphone for the best sound 
If the camcorder you're interested in buying has the ability to connect an external microphone, then factor in an extra $50 to $100 for an external microphone as this will give you the best sound possible . 
Play and familiarize your self with the camcorder's controls and features before you purchase 
A bigger camcorder model may work better for you if it's more comfortable to handle, particularly if you have large hands as the smallest camcorders ocassionally can be difficult to use 
Examine exposure controls and Low-light options 
All camcorders come with a completely automatic mode, but certain models have manual and semi-manual exposure modes. For eg, some models allow you to record at slower shutter speeds than others, or have aperture settings that permit more light to enter. Quite a few also offer scene modes, which you might be familiar with from digital still cameras. Low-light options also allow you to shoot in dark environments. Numerous camcorders come with an infrared light or a long shutter mode to assist in capturing images in the dark. 
Look for wide-screen shooting and know your format 
If you own a high definition TV, you'll get a full picture with no black bars at the top and bottom if you record with a wide-screen model. Also it is important to know the format the camcorder records in. Majority of camcorders record onto mini-DVD discs or MiniDV tapes. Bear in mind that MiniDV is the most widely available format which is a major boost if you find yourself short on tape while on vacation mainly because Mini-DVD discs are ofttimes difficult to come by. Article Source: <a href="http://www.organizingweb.net" target="_blank">OrganizingWeb.net</a> About the Author: We help consumers evaluate, select, and buy new high-tech products like <a href="http://www.newhotgadgets.com">HDTV</a> and also provide them with free unbiased reviews like <a href="http://www.newhotgadgets.com/2008/03/21/digital-camcorder-buying-tips/">advice on buying a digital camcorder</a> that fits their personal needs. Don't reprint this exact article. Instead, reprint a free <a href="http://www.uberarticles.com/?id=215747&p=1065">unique content</a> version of this same article.