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 Sony Handycam DCR-HC40
MiniDV Camcorder
As low as 
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For video fiends, the ultimate gift this holiday season is a digital
camcorder. In addition to recording video, you can plug them directly into
your PC or Mac, for editing and creating your own DVDs. Here's what to buy
for those on your gift list.
There are dozens of camcorders to choose from, in different sizes, with
different capabilities, and with different prices. So I'll tell you about
the best in each of several different categories.
If you're looking for a budget camcorder, a great bet is the Sony Handycam
DCR-HC40 MiniDV Camcorder for as low
as . You won't pay big bucks for this camera, but you won't be giving up any
features, either. It's a compact camcorder that records video on MiniDV
cassettes, and can also capture 1-megapixel stills. It comes with a 10X Carl
Zeiss zoom lens, and features low-light modes that are particularly good for
recording natural video color in dark environments. It weighs only 14
ounces, and is 2 inches by 3.5 inches by 4.5 inches, so it's easy to carry
anywhere. It's the best-selling budget digital camcorder on PriceGrabber.
Says one customer: " Very compact, light and stylish. Good video quality in
normal lighting condition." It comes with a $30 rebate.
Another budget bet is the Panasonic PV-GS120 3-CCD for as low
as . It features a 1.2 megapixel resolution, has a 2.5 inch LCD, and comes
with a 10X optical zoom. It weighs in a just under a pound, and uses three
separate processing chips, for richer colors. Says one PriceGrabber
customer: It has fabulous color reproduction and the brightest color yet.
Easy to hand hold with great manual controls."
If size matters, and you're looking for high quality in as compact a digital
camcorder as possible, consider another Sony, the Sony Handycam DCR-PC109
for as low as . You want small? You got small. It's a
svelte 2 inches by 3.875 inches by 3.875 inches, and weighs in at 13 ounces.
But you won't sacrifice quality, because it has 1 megapixel resolution, a
10X Carl Zeiss zoom lens, and a 2.5 inch LCD screen. Says one PriceGrabber
customer: "Very small, very light. Amazing nightshot mode."
If you're looking for the winner of a popularity contest — the favorite
digital camcorder among PriceGrabber customers — get the Panasonic MultiCam
PV-GS200 for
as low as . There's good reason this camera is such a hot seller. It
features 2.3 megapixel resolution, and yet carries a relatively reasonable
price tag, comes with 10X optical and 700X digital zoom, and comes with
three CCD chips for as high image quality as possible. Yet it weighs in at
only just over a pound, and is a mere 3 by 3 by 6 inches. It's also the
winner of the 2004 World Class Award for one of the best products of 2004.
If you're willing to spend the money, and are looking for a "prosumer"
camera with near-professional level quality, but designed for consumers, the
Panasonic Palmcorder PV-GS400
for as low
as is a great bet. It comes with an eye-popping 4 megapixel resolution, uses
three large 1/4.7-inch CCDs, for outstanding video capture. It offers great
tools for controlling the focus, zoom, and shutter and also includes manual
and audio controls. PriceGrabber customers rave about this one. Says one
customer: "Great color and clarity. Lightweight and easy to use out of the
box." Says another: "The quality of the movie is amazing."
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