Abazoo UK: Consumer Advice
Digital Camcorders: Canon, JVC, Panasonic, Samsung, Sony
ABOUT DIGITAL CAMCORDERS
Digital camcorders are a great advance on analogue camcorders, providing greater reliability, higher resolution, and more compact machines. The most important issue in choosing a digital camcorder is the storage medium. There are three widely accepted storage media: 8mm DVD removable disks; Mini DV removable disks; and permanently installed hard disks. The latest addition to storage media is the solid state memory card, with no moving parts. A few manufacturers are starting to offer High Definition digital camcorders; but these are much more expensive.
Other important factors to consider in choosing a digital camcorder are lens quality, zoom, editing, special effects, and ability to take still digital photos.
CONSUMER ADVICE ON DIGITAL CAMCORDERS
Cameras.co.uk provides an excellent guide to buying camcorders, covering in detail the various storage formats, LCD screens, editing, and taking still photos with a camcorder.
John Lewis publishes a good guide to buying digital camcorders, covering recording formats, the advantages of digital, and other features to consider, such as image quality, zoom, manual focus, and special effects.
Which? publishes an online report on camcorders. This provides a free features guide, and the following subscriber-only content: best buys; frequently asked questions about camcorders; and product comparisons. Which? offers a 30-day online free trial.
LEADING MANUFACTURERS OF DIGITAL CAMCORDERS
Canon. Canon is a leading manufacturer of imaging products. The Canon website has three sections on digital camcorders: DVD Digital camcorders; Mini DV camcorders; and High Definition digital camcorders (HDV). There is a Tips & Hints section on camcorders, and an online Canon Camera Museum.
JVC. JVC is a longstanding manufacturer of camcorders. The JVC website has a section on digital camcorders. These include the Everio range of Hard Disk digital camcorders, Mini DV Digital camcorders, and compact analogue camcorders. There is an E-Shop for buying accessories and recording media.
Panasonic. Panasonic is a leading manufacturer of consumer electronics. Its website is divided into In the Home; On the Move; and At Work. There is a section on digital camcorders, which covers DVD, Mini DV, and SD storage media. The SD technology uses a solid-state memory card to store the video.
Samsung. The Samsung UK website contains a section on digital camcorders. These include the Miniket range, using a 2GB solid state memory card to store the video. The Miniket Sports Cam has a weather-resistant external lens making it suitable for rugged outdoor use.
Sony is a manufacturer of high quality consumer electronics. Its UK website has a section dealing with digital camcorders. The Sony range includes camcorders with Hard Disk Drive, 8mm DVD, and Mini DV storage media. Sony also offers High Definition camcorders.
LEADING ONLINE RETAILERS OF DIGITAL CAMCORDERS
Jessops is a leading specialist supplier of photographic equipment, including digital camcorders. It supplies online, and through more than 300 stores throughout the UK, making it the UK's largest photographic retailer. The Jessops website has a handy online product selector; you select the features you want in your digital camcorder, and the selector lists out appropriate products in price order.
Empire Direct is a leading online supplier of electrical equipment, which aims to offer goods at prices up to 30% lower than those charged by high street stores. Its website has a section on digital camcorders. Orders for digital camcorders are normally processed and delivered within three working days. UK mainland delivery charges start from £1.49 per order.
John Lewis is a reliable firm selling through its department stores and online. Its website has a section on digital camcorders. This covers Canon, JVC, Panasonic, Samsung and Sony brands, and DVD, Hard Drive, and MiniDV technology. In addition to the manufacturer's first year guarantee, John Lewis provides a free second year service guarantee on digital camcorders. John Lewis provides free standard delivery for orders above £100.
PRICE COMPARISONS FOR DIGITAL CAMCORDERS
The following websites supply UK price comparisons for digital camcorders: Dealtime UK; Kelkoo UK; Price Runner UK. Ciao UK provides price comparisons together with user reviews.
OTHER USEFUL LINKS RELEVANT TO DIGITAL CAMCORDERS
Wikipedia article on camcorders.
Simply DV. Reviews of digital camcorders, with price comparisons.
Epinions. User reviews on digital camcorders from the US-based Epinions website.
How Stuff Works. Article at the How Stuff Works website on how camcorders work, including cutaway photographs.
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