How to Buy a Camcorder

Using these guidelines will help you select exactly the right camcorder for the kind of videos you want to shoot.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Camcorders

1. Decide if you want your camera for family events or for quick-action events such as sports.

2. Borrow as many styles of camcorders from your friends as possible.

3. Be sure you have a chance to use both the standard viewfinder camera (where you put the camera up to your eye) and the small-screen display viewfinder (where you hold the camera at arm's length).

4. Shoot tape on each camera in your particular area of interest.

5. Look at all the tape from all the cameras when you are through, and take notes as you go.

6. Decide which kind of camera suits your needs best.

7. Go to the store and look at a few more. Become thoroughly informed about what styles are available.

8. Consider the available features for the cameras you're considering. For example, decide whether you want to add a date-time stamp or insert text into your videos. Be ready to pay more for these options.

Tips & Warnings

• Taking notes as you look over camcorders will help you remember what you liked about each one.
• Don't take your checkbook or credit card along when you visit the store the first time, and make sure you think about your purchase carefully.

on 11/22/2005 Buy a used one off auction first to see if you're even ever going to use it. Then if you like the videoing, sell the old one and buy new. Either way you aren't paying too much for the education.

on 11/22/2005 I bought a Sony camera two years ago for $1,500 and got "conned" into a 5-year extended warrenty for $400! I have so far saved $300 dollars. Yes, that's right - $700 in repair costs in the past two years - not to mention free cleanings.

on 11/22/2005 Check several major retailers and Web sites. Sony's CCDTRV-43 price varied from $540 - 700 recently.
One Web site offered $699 including a lot of accessories and 5-yr extended warranty.

on 11/22/2005 With so many acceptable choices determine what you budget is before you start looking. Determine what the maximum you are willing to pay is and what you would like to pay. Then look around. Only reassess your budget at home (away from the store).