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Today's camcorders are amazingly presenter-friendly, especially for beginners. We reviewed five of the latest models and rated them according to features, ease-of-use and overall value.
test methods
We tested each unit in various lighting conditions both outdoors and indoors. Close attention was paid to ergonomics, design, ease of use, feature sets and overall performance. To assess download capabilities, we used an Apple iMac computer running OS 10.1 (with Apple's iMovie and iPhoto) and a Dell computer running Windows 2000 (with supplied software).
It's easy to lust after a camcorder. These impressive little machines have evolved greatly in the past 10 years, from large, clunky analog units that you had to hoist on your shoulder to today's Mini-DV and Digital8 camcorders, some of which are no larger than a pack of playing cards. Besides shooting high-quality video, the newest camcorders can also work as digital cameras. And transferring video files into a computer has never been easier; it's now a one-button chore. in addition, you can now capture a series of motion stills, review tape footage via remote control, and even use these cameras to transfer analog footage into digital video.
But not all digital camcorders are created equal. Each has its own feature set and strengths, which prospective buyers should assess according to their needs. In this review, we looked primarily at Mini-DV camcorders at the high end of the consumer scale: the Canon Elura 40MC, Panasonic PV-DC252, Sharp VL-NZ100U and Sony DCR-PC 101. We also tested one of Sony's Digital8 Handycams, the DCR-TRV740 D8. Each camcorder was judged on ease of use, design, variety and quality of features, and overall value for presenters.
All the units we reviewed are capable of shooting quality video and all come loaded with effects. Our advice is to pay attention to the features and analyze your own needs so that, when it comes time to buy, you know what you are getting in a digital camcorder and why.
Canon Elura 40MC
The advantage of the Canon Elura 40MC is its ability to shoot in essentially three different formats. You can record digital video on tape, you can capture still images on MultiMediaCard (MMC) or Secure Digital (SD) flash-memory cards, and you can also store short...