| As I sat at my computer, I anxiously awaited for the | | | | I also learned through my research that although |
| ebay auction to end so I could snap up a fabulous | | | | DVD format and hard drive format are the way |
| deal for a brand new Samsung Mini DV camcorder. | | | | camcorders are heading, the price range for a good |
| Seconds left and I placed my bid and sure enough I | | | | camcorder in these categories did not fit my budget. |
| was the winner. A brand new camcorder for only | | | | Sure I could get a DVD camcorder within my price |
| $180 US! I couldn't be happier, well that was until my | | | | range, but was it going to perform as well as a lower |
| wonderful little bargain arrived. You see my last | | | | priced Mini DV? The answer I came up with is no. I |
| camcorder was a hi-fi Hitachi camera, which was | | | | will get better picture quality (which is very important |
| great for all intents and purposes. But as it slowly | | | | to me) from a lower priced Mini DV than from a |
| began to fall apart, it became apparent that it was | | | | higher priced DVD camcorder. This has to do with |
| time to upgrade to a digital based camcorder. I just | | | | what happens when images are compressed in the |
| assumed a new Mini DV camera would naturally be | | | | DVD format. Although I really liked the idea of |
| better than my old tape based format. Needless to | | | | popping the DVD right out of my camera right into |
| say I was very wrong. The camera produced really | | | | the player, I constantly was coming up with people |
| poor, grainy images, particularly in low light. The still | | | | complaining that the disks only held a minimal amount |
| images were good for nothing and most of our | | | | of footage when set to high quality! This was seen |
| footage was a series of burrs. Thanks to this | | | | to be both a costly and inconvenient downfall to the |
| amazing "deal" I have no good footage of the birth | | | | convenient DVD format. |
| of my son, and many special memories, like school | | | | Another common complaint with a variety of |
| concerts and holidays are barely visible through the | | | | camcorders is that some did not connect to the |
| dark pictures. Well, lesson learned. Apparently it is | | | | computer, therefore eliminating the ability to edit |
| vital that a person researches camcorders thoroughly | | | | home movies. Although I have never really explored |
| before making a purchase. | | | | this option before, I did think that this was an |
| So recently I decided I was going to put in the | | | | important option to have. So I eventually eliminated |
| effort and do some investigation on cameras | | | | the cameras without a USB port. As for the technical |
| available in my price range (which is definitely on the | | | | stuff I did examine the specifications including the |
| low end) for no more than $400. This time I was | | | | gross and effective sensor resolution, the amount of |
| going into it with a bit more knowledge in terms of | | | | optical and digital zoom and of course the lux rating. |
| what I need. Because I do alot of shooting indoors, I | | | | The lux rating was of particular interest because it is |
| needed a camera that was good in low light. This | | | | this rating that determines how well a camera will |
| proved to be a challenge, because when I searched | | | | perform in low light. The lower the lux rating the |
| out individual camcorders on the Internet in my price | | | | better. However, all these features don't amount to |
| range it appeared that problems with low light was a | | | | a hill of beans if those who have used the camera |
| very common problem. Moreover, no matter what | | | | still deem it to be an inferior product. In the end it |
| camera I would seem to select, there was always a | | | | was the user and professional reviews that swayed |
| negative review to go along with it. It was a long | | | | me to decide on the Canon Elura 100. It didn't have |
| process of narrowing down through reading both | | | | the most optical zoom, and it was a bit more pricey |
| professional and user reviews. One of my favorite | | | | than a couple other cameras that had a few more |
| search sources was the CNET website which outlined | | | | features, but those who used it loved it. That is not |
| very clearly the strengths and weaknesses of many | | | | to say that it was all good reviews. One common |
| camcorders and provided full specifications on each. I | | | | complaint was a motor noise that many people said |
| came back to this site frequently to compare and | | | | occurred with this particular model. However, if I |
| read reviews on possible camcorders. After days of | | | | learned anything from this process is that there will |
| reading reviews, researching and checking prices, I | | | | always be something that someone doesn't like |
| knew that there was three brands to choose from. | | | | about a particular camera or really anything else for |
| These were Panasonic, Sony and Canon. All of these | | | | that matter. You just can't please everyone all of the |
| brands seemed to come up consistently as the top | | | | time, but as for me, I am finally pleased with my |
| runners for image quality and were considered to be | | | | purchase, that I once again bought off ebay, but this |
| the best value for the money. | | | | time a little bit wiser. |