| CityLinkPCs » Computers » Tips For Buying A Digital Camcorder |
Tips For Buying A Digital Camcorder
|
View PDF | Print View |
To be able to buy the perfect digital camcorder for you, it is important to arm your self with a few good tips before you your purchase. This will ensure that you do not wind up with a digital camcorder that does not meet your needs or expectations. Outlined below in no particular order are a few tips to help you along the way.
Look at The LCD Screen in Day Light if you can
Because certain LCD screens have the tendency to fade out in bright sunlight, you need to ensure that you can use the screen under those conditions. If this is not possible then just use the view finder as this will also prolong your battery life.
Examine the lens's optical zoom ratio rather than the digital zoom ratio
Optical zoom actually delivers a closer view of the image as opposed to digital zoom which merely makes the image larger through the view finder. It's important to ensure that the camcorder has a minimum of 10X optical zoom.
Buy an additional higher-capacity battery for longer recording times
One of the most frustrating thing is running out of battery power in the middle of recording an important event. As most camcorders come a battery that only last for an hour or so it will be a worthwhile investment to buy an additional longer-lasting battery.
Better audio results can be achieved with front mounted microphones
Buying a front mounted microphone camcorder is is better than a camcorder with the microphone mounted on top. Rather than the camcorder capturing the event being recorded, the top mounted microphone has the tendency to capture the voice of the person using the camcorder.
For best sound buy an external microphone
For the best sound possible, factor in an extra $50 to $100 for an external microphone if the camcorder you're interested in has the ability to connect an external microphone.
Become familiar with the controls and features of the camcorder before you purchase
If you have large hands it will be better to buy a bigger camcorder if it's more comfortable to handle because the smallest camcorders can ocassionally be difficult to use.
Examine exposure controls and Low-light options
All camcorders come with a completely automatic mode, but certain models have manual and semi-manual exposure modes. For eg, some models allow you to record at slower shutter speeds than others, or have aperture settings that permit more light to enter. Quite a few also offer scene modes, which you might be familiar with from digital still cameras. Low-light options also allow you to shoot in dark environments. Numerous camcorders come with an infrared light or a long shutter mode to assist in capturing images in the dark.
Wide-screen shooting capability and your format
Knowing which format the camcorder records in is very important. The most common formats used are Mini-DVD discs and MiniDV tapes but the most widely available format is the MiniDV tape. Also if you have a HDTV, you'll get a full picture with no black bars at top or buttom if you record with a wide-screen model.
About the Author
We help consumers research, choose, and purchase new high-tech products like HDTV and also provide them with free impartial reviews like advice on buying a digital camcorder that fits their individual needs. Visit the Uber Article Directory to get a totally unique version of this article for reprint.
Rating: Pending (63)
