There are getting to be more posts about needing information about the lens on a camera. The following applies to any good photographic camera: basic information that is engraved on the front of the lens:

focal length (how wide an angle or powerful a telephoto or strong a zoom): shown by an f= followed by the number(s). For a zoom, divide the larger number by the smaller to determine zoom ratio (e.g.: 43.2mm divided by 2.7=16X).

widest aperture: shown by an F followed by a number

filter size (if there is a thread for filters: not all lenses have threads): shown by a 0 with a slash through it followed by a number

the manufacturer of the lens (or who did the licensing if not designed by the camera body manufacturer)

optionally:
the power of the zoom followed by an X;

if the lens uses AutoFocus (AF is shown);

etc., etc.

MORE facts about zoom ratios:

One thing we all neglect about the "X" power of a zoom: The number before the X is how many times from the Wide angle setting. So the wider the wide angle is, the less strong the tele end is.
Let me convert this to 35mm terms, as every camcorder has too many variables (CCD size, effective pixels, max wide angle).
if you have a 28-168mm zoom, that is 6X.
if you have a 50-300mm zoom, that is 6X
(168mm is 3.3 power and 300mm is 6 power compared to numbers used for binoculars: 50mm= 1X.)
The second one would be considered by many "newbies" to be a more powerful zoom, but it isn't: it's still 6X. It's just the range that changed from more wide angle oriented to mor tele oriented.

For instance, my JVC GR-D32 is 16X or 52-829mm in 35mm (tele oriented). These numbers are related to the fact it has a 1/6 inch CCD. If it had a different sized CCD, the 35mm conversion would change.

MentorRon,
Thanks for the good info. I have been researching back and forth between the Canon Optura 30 and Panasonic GS120. I just went to BestBuy today and tested the Optura 30. We liked it, except for the not-so-wide feeling angle lens. On the lens it said f=4.8-57.6 mm. I am guessing the GS120's lens is f=2.45-24.5 mm because that is the specs for the GS200. Since the GS120's lens starts at f=2.45 it will have a wider angle than the Optura 30's lens of f=4.8?

I would like to know if I understand your information correct. We record a lot of stuff in the living room and kitchen table and would prefer a wide angle lens camcorder without having to purchase an adapter.

Thanks for your help in advance (or anyone else who knows)

Eric

PS: Any suggestions on a good wide angle camcorder?

Sorry, it only applies if the CCDs are of the SAME diameter. If you are familiar with 35mm cameras and lenses, it would be like comparing a 35mm lens with a Hasselblad 2 1/4" lens. The requirements are different for the different image sizes.
The Canon has a 3/4" sensor (more than 3x the Panasonic's)
The Panasonic has a 1/6" sensor so the mm's should be less.
There is no precise formula for converting from one to the other, as each manufacturer uses a different number of pixels as the actual capture size (even when the same size sensor is used): i.e. not all pixels are used, and some use more than others. It's just a general principle.
The sensor size does NOT tell you which is better in low light, contrary to popular opinion. They could be similar: you'd have to check them out side-by-side.

Yup. www.raynox.com - buy yourself a high quality teleconverter, and you are set. Downside is extra weight, and reduced image quality (the higher quality the teleconverter is, the less image quality you lose.). Raynox converters won't take much quality away from your camera.

For filters & lens accessories info you should click here:
http://www.tiffen.com/Header_page_tiffen_filters.htm
the following link will take you straight to the point:
http://www.tiffen.com/Filter_&_Lens...re/BFILT_O2.htm
Regards

You forgot about aperture ranges. If it is a range, then the lower number is the maximum aperture at the wide angle, and the higher one is the maximum aperture at the telephoto end. For example, an 18-55MM F/3.5-5.6 lens has a maximum aperture of F/3.5 at 18MM, while at 55MM it has a maximum aperture of F/5.6.