Camcorderinfo.com Select

by Camcorderinfo.com Editorial Staff

Published on Jul 9, 2003 12:00 AM
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To help you make a fast decision about what camcorder, video equipment or digital video software to purchase, we offer the Camcorderinfo.com select. The following list are the products which Camcorderinfo.com feels are best overall in their price categories. There are two products in some categories because often we can't decide which is best. We consider all the features on the camcorder or in the product and the overall value. These are general choices, and might not be best for you. We update this list as new products come out and therefore our choices are always changing. Whenever we make a change, we'll submit a mini-article about why we made the change.The camcorders on this list might also not always be the most up to date ones, because often upgrades to camcorders or products are not worth it. In making your decision we recommend figuring out what features you want and which you don't need and choosing a camcorder or product accordingly. Please do research and read reviews so you make the right decision! We've also added the CamcorderInfo.com SuperCam which is awarded to one or two camcorders which we believe provide amazing value and quality for their price point.

Sub $600
Sony DCR-TRV19 (Review, Specs, $372) - Super easy to use camcorder with good low light and video quality at a rock bottomn price.
Panasonic PV-DV203 (Review, Specs, $199.99) - Better manual control and Megapixel stills but poorer video and low light quality than the DCR-TRV19.

$600-$800
Sony DCR-TRV33 - Quality video and low light with Megapixel stills - improved manual control over the DCR-TRV19.

$800-$1000
Sony DCR-TRV38 - Very solid camcorder with quality stills, pretty good control and very good low lighting and normaling lighting video performance.

$1000-$1500
Panasonic PV-DV953 (Review, Specs, Recent News, $899.88) - Only 3CCD camcorder in this price range (with the exception of the untested Panasonic PV-GS70 which would fall in the lower price bracket). Amazing video quality, good low light, amazing still capability and amazing manual control. CamcorderInfo.com SuperCam of 2003.

$1500-$2000
Sony DCR-TRV950 - The 950 is a great camcorder producing high quality images with 3CCDs. It is one the best bargains for a professional level camcorder available.

$2000-$3000
Sony DCR-VX2000 - This camcorder packs amazing professional quality 3CCD video and manual controls into a fairly inexpensive package. If you can afford this camcorder, nothing beats it under $3000.
Canon GL2 - The GL2 is a great camcorder providing excellent manual control. Although it is more likely to be compared to the TRV950, it had to fall in this price range because it is fairly new. I 's a great camcorder.

$3000 and above
Canon XL1 - Although this camcorder is getting old, it still produces top notch video.
JVC GY-DV5000U - The GY-DV5000U is one of the most affordable full size digital camcorders. You get professional quality video, with professional features in a professional form factor and a prosumer price.

Consumer DVD Authoring Software
Sony MyDVD 3.0 Chosen for affordability and more options than other DVD authoring programs.

High End Video Editing Software
Ulead MediaStudio 6.5 We like Ulead Media Studio for it's affordable price and many options.