2004 CamInfo Select: Best Camcorder Under $800by Camcorderinfo.com Editorial StaffPublished on Nov 4, 2004 6:00 PM |
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As with the sub-$600 category, the sub-$800 CamInfo Select category holds a large number of camcorders. Many of these camcorders entered this category late in the year -- they began with prices above $800, but they are now available for less. While prices fluctuate in this category, certain trends in physical traits and performance trends exist among its constituents. Unlike the sub-$600 category, however, our choice for the best camcorder of 2004 was easy and clear.
Performance-wise, many of the camcorders in this category are similar. Video performance scores hover largely between 6.0 and 7.5, with the notably low exception of Samsung's SCD6040. Low light scores range between 3.8 and 5.5 with, again, the SCD6040 scraping the bottom. Manual control options, while mostly standardized, gain critical weight when focus rings, manual gain, and manual audio provisions are considered. Microphone inputs are on every camcorder considered. Accessory shoes are present on all these camcorders, except for the Samsung SCD6040 and the Optura 400. Generally speaking, this category is made up of camcorders that have all the features that we believe a camcorder worth owning should have. This price group is filled with serious contenders. Optical zooms on these camcorders vary widely, as some decreases in upgraded camcorders from the same manufacturer (i.e. Hitachi DZ-MV550 and DZ-MV580, or Panasonic VDR-M50 and VDR-M70) are evident.
However, as similarities exist among the camcorders considered in this category, the sub-$800 category also sees the entrance of the first DVD camcorders to be considered for CamInfo Select awards this year, as well as the first 3-CCD camcorder, the PV-GS120. CCDs vary greatly in this group, from 1/6-inch to 3 x 1/6-inch, with 1/3.4-inch, ¼-inch, 1/3.8-inch, 1/3.6-inch, and 1/5-inch in between. Likewise, gross pixel counts range from 2.2 megapixels on the three Canons to 680K pixels on the Samsung SCD6040 and many DVD camcorders, regardless of their CCD size.
There are a few surprises hiding within the oddities stated above. Usually, when we think of DVD camcorders, we think of overpriced machines with sub-standard performance. Indeed, this is true for some, but Hitachi’s DVD line seems to push the envelope. Also, you'll find no JVC camcorders here. This is the result of a wise move on JVC’s part to keep most of its camcorders affordable while maintaining good quality.
The sub-$800 CamInfo Select award goes to the only 3CCD camcorder in the running. It has excellent low light performance and ties the Optura 40 for the best video performance. It has excellent manual control, and good audio options and port selection. We knew this camcorder would perform well as soon as Panasonic introduced it, based on its history and the camcorder it replaced. The 2004 sub-$800 CamInfo select camcorder is the Panasonic PV-GS120.
Read the Full Review of the Panasonic PV-GS120
The Panasonic PV-GS120, the only 3CCD camcorder in this group, ships with three 1/6-inch CCDs with 460K gross pixels (290K for video, and 280K for stills). It allows for a 10x optical zoom and a 700x digital zoom -- not too impressive in this group, but not bad. An SD/Multimedia card port is present for capturing JPEGs at a resolution of 1280x960. Manual control options are present for focus, white balance, exposure, shutter speed, and gain. Although there is no focus ring on the PV-GS120, the manual gain options, as well as the audio options of wind cut and zoom, make the camcorder attractive, especially as many of the camcorders it is up against include neither full manual shutter speed nor gain control.
There is a 2.5-inch LCD, a microphone input, and a cold accessory shoe. The PV-GS120 includes analog inputs (A/V and S-Video) allowing for analog-to-digital pass-through. It also includes a FireWire port and a USB port.
As far as performance is concerned, Panasonic really went above and beyond the competition in offering a 3CCD camcorder at a cheap price. As it stands, the PV-GS120 is available for around $700, with some places offering it as low as $497. The Panasonic PV-GS120's three CCDs propel the PV-GS120 to the top of the heap. While the camcorder's performance is good, it's not unparalleled. It does tie the Optura 40 in the video performance category and tie the DCR-HC65 in the low light category. However, the PV-GS120 is so good because it combines the quality performance of its competitors into an amazing package. We really could not have said this about the PV-GS70, which the PV-GS120 replaced. Panasonic greatly improved the low-light performance of the PV-GS120, turning it into a killer camcorder. Panasonic should really be applauded for bringing this great technology into such an affordable price bracket.
Read the Quick Review of the Canon Optura 30
Read the Full Review of the Canon Optura 30
The Canon Optura 30 does pretty well, especially up against a 3CCD camcorder like the PV-GS120. The Optura 30 includes a 1/3.4-inch CCD with a big 2.2 Megapixels (1.23 MP effective) for video and 2 MP for stills, which are captured to SD card at a resolution of 1280x960. It allows for a 12x optical and 240x digital zoom, has a hot accessory shoe, and includes a focus ring. On top of these features, it includes all the ports that the PV-GS120 does, and it gives the user options for manual control over Focus, Shutter Speed, Exposure, and White balance. Its video performance score of 7 is only slightly worse than the PV-GS120’s 7.5, but the main deciding factor is low-light performance. Like many of Canon’s machines this year, the Optura 30 performed below par, and the PV-GS120’s mighty three CCDs pulled it out on top, even considering the Optura 30’s focus ring, hot accessory shoe, superior still performance, and slightly better zoom. Currently, the Optura 30 sells for around $600, but is available for as low as $527.77.
Read the Quick Review of the Canon Optura 40
Read the Full Review of the Canon Optura 40
Canon’s Optura 40 burst onto the scene with many of the same features as the Optura 30. In fact, the only differences are the Optura 40’s 14x optical zoom (compared to the Optura 30’s 12x), the Optura 40’s manual control of the audio levels, and some added night modes. The Optura 40 also ships with some editing software. The Optura 40 does improve on the Optura 30’s video performance score, tying the PV-GS120’s score of 7.5, and while this is a good sign for any one-chip camcorder, the Optura 40’s low-light performance, similar to the Optura 30’s, moves it down in the ranks. It's hard to justify the upgrade. Currently, the Optura 40 is available for $670.95, but is available for as low as $594.99.
Read the Full Review of the Canon Optura 400
Canon also has a matchbook camcorder in this category. As with the Optura 500, it was too expensive for this award upon its introduction but its price has since dropped. It houses a 1/3.4-inch CCD with 2.2 MP gross, 1.23 MP for video, and 2 MP for stills; these specs are similar to those of the Optura 30 and 40. Unlike the Optura 30 and 40, the Optura 400 does not have an accessory shoe, even a cold one, but it does have the nice manual audio of the Optura 40. This is accompanied by similar ports, still performance, and manual controls as those on the Optura 40 and Optura 30, though the Optura 400 lacks the focus rings found on these camcorders. The Optura 400’s zoom is a lesser 10x, similar to the PV-GS120. Just like the Optura 30 and 40, the Optura 400 falls short of the PV-GS120 in the areas of low-light performance and video performance. Currently, the Optura 400 sells for around $700, but is available for as low as $648.99.
Read the Full Review of the Sony DCR-PC109
In the sub-$800 category, Sony offers its own matchbook camcorder, the DCR-PC109. The DCR-PC109, like its fellow sub-$800 mate the DCR-HC65, has a 1/5-inch CCD and holds 1.07 MP gross, 690K effective pixels for video, and 1 MP for stills. It also shares a 10x optical zoom with the DCR-HC65 and the PV-GS120. Unfortunately, as with the other Sony in this category, the DCR-HC65, the DCR-PC109 does not have true manual shutter speed, only presets. However, what these Sonys lack in the manual realm, they gain in the ease-of-use category in which they are paramount. Touch screen menu systems are used by all three of these Sonys, making navigation somewhat cumbersome, and manual adjustment inconvenient. On the DCR-PC109, the 2.5-inch LCD might be cramped a bit . The DCR-PC109 includes, unlike the Optura 400 or the PV-GS120, a hot accessory shoe. It features the same performance as the Optura 400. It's decent, but lesser in than the PV-GS120. If you’re looking for a matchbook camcorder below $800, we’d recommend the Optura 400 for its better manual control and handling. The DCR-PC109 does have a cool docking bay that contains most of its ports; however, on a vacation, the docking bay is extra baggage. Currently, the DCR-PC109 sells for around $700, but is available for as low as $594.95.
Read the Full Review of the Sony DCR-HC65
The Sony DCR-HC65 features the same 1/5-inch CCD with 1.07 gross MP that is seen on the DCR-PC109. Like the DCR-PC109 and the PV-GS120, the DCR-HC65 has a 10x optical zoom. While it suffers from the same lack of true shutter speed found on the DCR-PC109, the DCR-HC65 does have a focus ring and 3.5 inch LCD screen, two features the PV-GS120 wishes it had. The DCR-HC65, though, doesn't perform in normal or low light like our lovely PV-GS120. It has a hot accessory shoe, a microphone input, and captures stills at a resolution of 1152 x 768. The touch screen menu, as seen on the DCR-PC109, is present on the DCR-HC65, with perhaps a bit more mobility due to the the 3.5-inch LCD. Currently, the DCR-HC65 sells for around $630, but is available as low as $505.00
Read the Full Review of the Samsung SCD6040
The last MiniDV camcorder to fall into the sub-$800 category, the Samsung 6040 certainly has the worst performance. With a video performance score of 3 and a low-light performance score of 2, the SCD6040 is priced so heavily because of its hybrid nature. It has two lens barrels, one for video and one for stills. The camcorder has a 10x optical zoom similar to that on the PV-GS120. Capturing stills at 2272 x 1704, the SCD6040 has the best still performance of any camcorder in this category but, at 4.3 MP, the built-in digital camera pales in comparison to many non-hybrid digital cameras on the market. The camcorder’s 1/6-inch CCD with 680K effective pixels for video is pretty mediocre, and coupled with the camcorder’s lack of true manual shutter speed, accessory shoe, or analog inputs, this middling feature works to push the SCD6040 into the over-priced and meretricious category of the "gimmick cam," an area we are sure to delve deeper into with the introduction of the DVD camcorder. Currently, the Samsung SCD6040 sells for around $800, but is available for as low as $499.95.
Several DVD camcorders have entered the sub-$800 category, though many of them were well over $800 in price when they were introduced to the market. We will discuss them briefly, as these camcorders, like the hybrid Samsung SCD6040, suffer from overpricing.
Read the Full Review of the Sony DCR-DVD101
Sony’s DVD line this year begins with the DCR-DVD101. This camcorder includes a 1/6-inch, 680K gross pixels CCD with a 10x optical zoom. Like many DVD camcorders, it lacks true manual shutter speed, and what manual controls it does have are cumbersome and not easily accessible. The touch screen found on some of Sony’s HC series has been replaced here by a navigational nub which operates like a compass button. Sony’s DVD camcorders do have good automatic functions compared to other DVD camcorders. Sony’s line is unique in that it records to DVD-R and DVD-RW formats, while Hitachi and Panasonic’s DVD camcorders record to DVD-R and DVD-RAM. (The particulars of what each of these formats entails for the DVD camcorder user will be explored in the "Best DVD Camcorder Award" article.) These camcorders are largely overpriced for their performance, and the DCR-DVD101 is no exception. The PV-GS120 blows it away in every area of video performance. Currently, the DCR-DVD101 sells for $620, but is available for as low as $547.99.
Read the Full Review of the Sony DCR-DVD201
With its increase in CCD size and pixel count (1/5 inch CCD with 1.07 MP gross) over the DCR-DVD101, the DCR-DVD201 performs better in a low-light environment, though still far behind the PV-GS120. Other upgrades from the DCR-DVD101 include an improvement in still performance (1152 x 864 resolution) and some additional still options. Currently, the DCR-DVD201 sells for $700, but is available for as low as $620.74.
Read the Full Review of the Panasonic VDR-M50
Panasonic’s DVD line starts with the VDR-M50. This camcorder records to both DVD-R and DVD-RAM discs, using a 1/6-inch CCD with 680K gross pixels. It has an impressive 18x optical zoom, but suffers from the same lack of manual control seen on the Sony DVD camcorders. It captures stills to SD/Multimedia card at a resolution of 640 x 480. (The Sony DVD camcorders lack card media.) The VDR-M50 includes a cold accessory shoe and a microphone input. While its video performance scores are on par with Sony’s DVD camcorder line, and even the DCR-HC65, its low light scores are substantially better than the Sony DVD line, at 4.9. Currently, the VDR-M50 sells for $700, but is available for as low as $471.99.
Read the Full Review of the Panasonic VDR-M70
The upper-tier DVD camcorder offered by Panasonic is the VDR-M70. Upgrades from the VDR-M50 include a ¼-inch CCD with 680K gross pixels, a still resolution of 1280 x 960, and a hot accessory shoe. On the VDR-M70, the 18x optical zoom of the VDR-M50 has been reduced to a 10x; this downfall occurs in Hitachi’s DVD line as well. The increased CCD size on the VDR-M70 results in an improved low-light performance score, though still not enough to give the PV-GS120 a run for its money. Currently, the VDR-M70 sells for around $800, but is available as low as $561.99.
Read the Full Review of the Hitachi DZ-MV550
Of Hitachi’s two DVD camcorders this year, the DZ-MV550 is the least advanced of the two, though it does ship with a CCD similar to the most advanced Panasonic DVD cam, the VDR-M70. In fact, Hitachi’s camcorders look and feel exactly like Panasonic DVD camcorders, only cheaper. The Hitachi DZ-MV550 performs exactly the same as the VDR-M70. Currently, the DZ-MV550 sells for around $600, but is available for as low as $497.99.
Read the Full Review of the Hitachi DZ-MV580
The Hitachi DZ-MV580 performed better than any DVD camcorder we tested this year. It includes a 1/3.8-inch CCD -- the biggest on any DVD camcorder this year -- records stills at 1280 x 960, and has a hot accessory shoe along with all the features of its younger sibling, the DZ-MV550. Like the VDR-M70, its virtual lookalike, it features a 10x optical zoom. Inside, however, things differ; the DZ-MV580, because of its 1/3.8-inch CCD with 400K effective pixels for video (900K Gross), has a slightly better low-light performance than the VDR-M70 and DZ-MV550, though still not up to the showing of the PV-GS120. (That, and it lacks the panoply manual control options found on the PV-GS120.) Currently, the Hitachi DZ-MV580 sells for around $699.99, but is available for as low as $578.99.
In the end, the Panasonic PV-GS120 wins because it does well in all of the major areas that we look at here at CamcorderInfo.com. This category is full of great camcorders; some are compact, some offer hgih resolution stills, some offer great video performance, some great low light performance, and some offer handling or manual control. However, none offer the excellent combination of ability and performance like the PV-GS120, which we are incredibly happy with.
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