As a professional I concur, but for proffesional application or if it was in his price range. These cameras generally run much more than regular consumer cameras. Look for a camera with the largest ccd you can get in your range. The larger the ccd the more information it can absorb (in a sense). CCD size can be compared to film- smaller (8mm), largest (70mm/imax). It follows that the small sizes have show more grain (in video this translates what looks like static) when viewed in larger formats (tv vs. the small viewfinder). Also look for a camera with a low lux (1 or 6db).
Optics, like lens is important but don't let it spoil your search. Cannon makes excellent lenses as does Sony (many of which are Zeiss). Someone else mentioned optical vs. digital zoom in another post and are correct. The longer the optical zoom the better becasue this relys exclusivly on the optics of the camera verses the CCD capacity of camera. Digital zoom enlarges sections of the image using information from the whole image on the ccd, resulting in pixilation.
Viewfinder. Best is flipout of largest size. Many of the small eyelevel viewfinders are B&W so a camera with a flip-out screen will allow you to see the image in color, as well as interact more with your subject because your nose won't be pressed up to the camera. Be aware that in bright light and at different angels, the flip-out may not be viewable. Also of note is that the flip-out brightness level can fool you into thinking that the exposure level of the image is higher than it actually is.
Audio is always a problem on camcorders, specificly because the microphones generally just take in all sound from every direction. If there is one, try to get a camera who's mic is directional towards the front of the camera. That way you will hear what is infront of the lens more than behind or to the sides.
Format should also be of consideration. mini DV is better than digital 8 and microDV. Do not consider camera that use digital 8 or micro as media. MiniDV stores the highest res video of the three and if you get another camera years down the line you will not be stuck with a camera that only uses digital 8 (which has become the equvalent- already- as 8 and hi-8 video) or micro (of which selection is small, as well as having tapes which are difficult to find). The ubiquity of miniDV tapes should sell you alone.
Finally, Connectivity should be considered. Make sure the camcorder you get has both rca connections (this can come in the format of 1/8in mini plug to rca or rca to rca) and IEEE1394 (aka dv interface for computers, in case you ever want to back up your video and make a dvd or just edit birthday parties or even let you kids shoot/edit their own movies).
IMHO canon elura is a very good consumer camera, but this is a year ago or so. There may even be better by now.
I hope that some of what I've said is helpful, and that you enjoy whatever camera you buy.
If you like FPS you could give the MOH series a shot. They've got Allied Assault and it's add on Spearhead.
And if you loved it then you can love it again- go DL The Adventures Of HappyWeed and play in os9.
http://www.happyweed.com/
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As a professional I concur, but for proffesional application or if it was in his price range. These cameras generally run much more than regular consumer cameras. Look for a camera with the largest ccd you can get in your range. The larger the ccd the more information it can absorb (in a sense). CCD size can be compared to film- smaller (8mm), largest (70mm/imax). It follows that the small sizes have show more grain (in video this translates what looks like static) when viewed in larger formats (tv vs. the small viewfinder). Also look for a camera with a low lux (1 or 6db). Optics, like lens is important but don't let it spoil your search. Cannon makes excellent lenses as does Sony (many of which are Zeiss). Someone else mentioned optical vs. digital zoom in another post and are correct. The longer the optical zoom the better becasue this relys exclusivly on the optics of the camera verses the CCD capacity of camera. Digital zoom enlarges sections of the image using information from the whole image on the ccd, resulting in pixilation. Viewfinder. Best is flipout of largest size. Many of the small eyelevel viewfinders are B&W so a camera with a flip-out screen will allow you to see the image in color, as well as interact more with your subject because your nose won't be pressed up to the camera. Be aware that in bright light and at different angels, the flip-out may not be viewable. Also of note is that the flip-out brightness level can fool you into thinking that the exposure level of the image is higher than it actually is. Audio is always a problem on camcorders, specificly because the microphones generally just take in all sound from every direction. If there is one, try to get a camera who's mic is directional towards the front of the camera. That way you will hear what is infront of the lens more than behind or to the sides. Format should also be of consideration. mini DV is better than digital 8 and microDV. Do not consider camera that use digital 8 or micro as media. MiniDV stores the highest res video of the three and if you get another camera years down the line you will not be stuck with a camera that only uses digital 8 (which has become the equvalent- already- as 8 and hi-8 video) or micro (of which selection is small, as well as having tapes which are difficult to find). The ubiquity of miniDV tapes should sell you alone. Finally, Connectivity should be considered. Make sure the camcorder you get has both rca connections (this can come in the format of 1/8in mini plug to rca or rca to rca) and IEEE1394 (aka dv interface for computers, in case you ever want to back up your video and make a dvd or just edit birthday parties or even let you kids shoot/edit their own movies). IMHO canon elura is a very good consumer camera, but this is a year ago or so. There may even be better by now. I hope that some of what I've said is helpful, and that you enjoy whatever camera you buy.
If you like FPS you could give the MOH series a shot. They've got Allied Assault and it's add on Spearhead. And if you loved it then you can love it again- go DL The Adventures Of HappyWeed and play in os9. http://www.happyweed.com/
Average A-M-R-I-C-A-N..cough...cough. but just for the record: 1.2.3.4.5.6.7.8.9.10