Recommend a camcorder...

[happydog]

Looking to get a video camera and looking for any advice. In the little research I have done so far, it seems that I am interested in getting a standard definition one with built in hard drive. Looking in the not too much over $500 range if possible. This would be used for armature/family stuff only.

First one I came across Sony DCR-SR200 60GB Amazon.

[deadzone]

I recently purchased a Panasonic SDR-H200 hard drive based camcorder and I couldn't be happier with it.  It's a fantastic buy and the quality of the video is great considering it's SD and not HD.  The 3 CCD's really seem to make a difference in the quality of the video in a good way.  It's small, easy to use, and it has enough advanced features to keep you happy if you want more than just point and shoot.  For the price, it's a pretty significant contender as a good all-around use camcorder.   

Couple of little quibbles just to let you know:

-I don't like the way they have the USB/Power connections behind the battery, it's kind of a pain IMHO. 
-The low-light performance is not great.  It does have a pretty good built-in light source that provides adequate lighting to help with low-light situations. 

Here's a link:

http://www.amazon.com/Panasonic-SDR-H200-Palmcorder-Optical-Stabilized/dp/B000M4KJV4/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1208182764&sr=1-1

Looks like they have a 60 gig version of this camera now if you were so inclined. 

http://www.amazon.com/Panasonic-SDR-H60-Camcorder-Optical-Stabilized/dp/B0011G0NM2/ref=dp_ob_title?ie=UTF8&qid=1208182764&sr=1-1

Regardless - it's a great little camcorder - highly recommend. 

[happydog]

Thanks deadzone.

One more thing that I would add to my "like to have" list. I really like the NiteShot feature of Sony cameras. I don't know if other cameras have this feature at all or not, but I would like to have it (i.e. Not a deal breaker).

[deadzone]

Looking closer at the Sony camcorder you linked, I have to say, it looks like a solid buy on paper.  The Amazon review seems to be pretty positive about the camera.  Good lowlight performance wasn't high on my list of needs for me but in your case, if it's important, I would definitely consider something other than what I recommended.    Further, it looks like that Sony camcorder has low-light performance in spades!  Can't find much feedback on the Sony cam - I guess because it's relatively new?

[Rumpy]

Yeah, from what I hear, Panasonic cameras are getting great reviews lately.

About a year ago, we bought a Panasonic Mini-DV camera and I couldn't be happier. While it only has one CCD and is SD only, people keep coming up to me and wonder what kind of camera I've used to get such a good picture quality. Honestly, I don't see how HD would really make a difference at this point, as it's so close to looking like HD. The detail it captures is quite impressive.

[happydog]

Can't find much feedback on the Sony cam - I guess because it's relatively new?

Yes it is the newer version of this.

[Purge]

The Sony HD ones are SO beautiful though. I'd save up and buy one of those instead.

Go try one out at BB. Amazing stuff.

[happydog]

The Sony HD ones are SO beautiful though. I'd save up and buy one of those instead.

Go try one out at BB. Amazing stuff.

The problem with HD is:
Cost of camera: $1200
New Blu-Ray player: +$600 (wild guess)
New Blu-Ray burner: +?? (no idea)
Blu-Ray media: $50 a pop (again, wild guess, but you get the point)

[ChaoZ]

[Derail]
The RED Scarlet

Two problems:
1. It's $3000
2. It's not out until 2009

That said, it's 3K resolution (3072x1728) at up to 120fps.

If you're looking to go pro/semi-pro, this is a damn attractive proposition.
[/Derail]

[deadzone]

Here's some low-light footage from the Panasonic camcorder we have that I was telling you about happydog.  Not too, too, bad, just remember that Youtube compresses the video so video quality looks much worse than the original video itself.  Just some cute baby footage stuff.   

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pZkBlMYjtzU

[QP]

Why would you wake up a sleeping baby why?? 

[deadzone]

Why would you wake up a sleeping baby why?? 

Because we had to go to work and get her ready for daycare?