best camcorder reviews 2012 image
Mari
Hello!
I'm looking to purchase my first camcorder. I want to be a film maker, and as I prepare this summer to go to university I want to work on mini projects, youtube videos, etc.
I've narrowed it down I think to two cameras,
The Sony HDR-CX260V High Definition Handycam 8.9 MP Camcorder with 30x Optical Zoom and 16 GB Embedded Memory (Black) (2012 Model) (quite expensive)
Or the Sony HDR-CX220/B High Definition Handycam Camcorder with 2.7-Inch LCD (Black)
good reviews for both, but there's a 200 price difference. Is the 2012 model really worth the extra bucks?
all help is appreciated!
Thanks,
Mari
(if you disagree and have a different recommendation please let me know:)
Answer
I suggest you look for the largest lens diameter and imaging chip you can afford. A mic jack is useful - especially for video low audio where you need to connect an external mic.
But BEFORE you buy, be sure your budget includes a video light, tripod or other steadying device, at least one external mic (you'll want more, later) and perhaps a high capacity rechargeable battery from the camcorder manufacturer.
Lens diameter:
HDR-CX260: unknown.
HDR-CX220: unknown.
This tells me that the lens diameter is likely around 30mm. This is quite small. Low light behavior will not be so good - the lens is not large enough to let much light in to the imaging chip. That there is no lens diameter measurement also tell me that there are no mounting threads, so adding lenses to either of these is impossible.
Imaging chip:
HDR-CX260: 1/3.91 inch
HDR-CX220: unknown
The HDR-CX260's nearly 1/4 inch imaging chip is OK - but not great. With such little light coming in through the small lens and small imaging chip, the low light behavior will not be so good - it is not large enough to make up for the small lens diameter.
In either case, you will need to add more light - so whatever money you saved will be spent on lighting.
Mic jack:
HDR-CX260: yes
HDR-CX220: no
Winner: CX260.
The $250 CX220 is basically an entry level camcorder with few features and capabilities. The CX260 is marginally better - especially with the mic jack - that's huge. If what you're saying is the CX260 is $450, take a look at the Canon HF M500. It is a little more than the CX260, but in addition to the mic jack, you get a 43mm lens diameter (and the ability to add screw-mount lenses), a much larger 1/3 inch imaging chip and manual audio gain control (download and read through the manuals from each of the camcorders - they are available form the manufacturer's web site).
The very compressed AVCHD video capture is the same for all three (though the Canon has more options)...
The Canon HF M300 is worth a look if you can find it. Older model, but 37mm lens filter diameter and 1/4 inch imaging chip + mic jack + manual audio control. Less than the HF M500 (for obvious reasons) but still better low light capabilities than the Sonys you listed.
I am not a Canon bigot - I use Sony prosumer and pro grade camcorders, but at the low end consumer level, Sony is just not doing "it"...
I suggest you look for the largest lens diameter and imaging chip you can afford. A mic jack is useful - especially for video low audio where you need to connect an external mic.
But BEFORE you buy, be sure your budget includes a video light, tripod or other steadying device, at least one external mic (you'll want more, later) and perhaps a high capacity rechargeable battery from the camcorder manufacturer.
Lens diameter:
HDR-CX260: unknown.
HDR-CX220: unknown.
This tells me that the lens diameter is likely around 30mm. This is quite small. Low light behavior will not be so good - the lens is not large enough to let much light in to the imaging chip. That there is no lens diameter measurement also tell me that there are no mounting threads, so adding lenses to either of these is impossible.
Imaging chip:
HDR-CX260: 1/3.91 inch
HDR-CX220: unknown
The HDR-CX260's nearly 1/4 inch imaging chip is OK - but not great. With such little light coming in through the small lens and small imaging chip, the low light behavior will not be so good - it is not large enough to make up for the small lens diameter.
In either case, you will need to add more light - so whatever money you saved will be spent on lighting.
Mic jack:
HDR-CX260: yes
HDR-CX220: no
Winner: CX260.
The $250 CX220 is basically an entry level camcorder with few features and capabilities. The CX260 is marginally better - especially with the mic jack - that's huge. If what you're saying is the CX260 is $450, take a look at the Canon HF M500. It is a little more than the CX260, but in addition to the mic jack, you get a 43mm lens diameter (and the ability to add screw-mount lenses), a much larger 1/3 inch imaging chip and manual audio gain control (download and read through the manuals from each of the camcorders - they are available form the manufacturer's web site).
The very compressed AVCHD video capture is the same for all three (though the Canon has more options)...
The Canon HF M300 is worth a look if you can find it. Older model, but 37mm lens filter diameter and 1/4 inch imaging chip + mic jack + manual audio control. Less than the HF M500 (for obvious reasons) but still better low light capabilities than the Sonys you listed.
I am not a Canon bigot - I use Sony prosumer and pro grade camcorders, but at the low end consumer level, Sony is just not doing "it"...
Which camcorder is better canon or Sony?
KB
I want to buy a HD camcorder for home use. I found canon HF R20 in a store near me on sale for 282$, online price is around 400$, but it's an older model which is discontinued by canon and some stores still have it. I also found Sony HDRCX 190 which is around 270-300$. When I read their description they look the same to me. Is the difference in price because canon is a better brand? Is canon for 282$ a steal or is better to go with a newer Sony?
Answer
Hi Ms.Z:
I don't know where online you've been looking, but almost everywhere I've looked, the Canon HF-R20 is selling around that same $280 price (Canon USA currently sells it on its website for $349).
[They also sell the HF20 factory-refurbished in either Silver, Black, or Red for $249 at Canon Direct: http://shop.usa.canon.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_10051_10051_302514_-1 ].
Walmart & Target currently sell the Sony CX190 for $269.
I own both Sony & Canon camcorders, and both are very good brands. (Sony makes more models that are used by TV stations & networks than Canon, but Canon makes more pro-TV lenses.)
Personally, I don't think either one is that great, although you get 8Gb of internal memory with the Canon model (none in the Sony) and the Canon will hold 2 SD cards at the same time (just one with the Sony). The Sony has a longer optical zoom-factor (25x compared to Canon's 20x). But you should read a couple of reviews for each model and make your own decision:
CNet Review (May 2012) for the Sony CX190: http://reviews.cnet.com/digital-camcorders/sony-handycam-hdr-cx190/4505-6500_7-35128679.html (They didn't like the image quality, for the money. And they thought it felt "flimsy".)
CNet review {January 2011) for the Canon HF20: http://reviews.cnet.com/digital-camcorders/canon-vixia-hf-r20/4505-6500_7-34468433.html
hope this helps,
--Dennis C.
Â
Hi Ms.Z:
I don't know where online you've been looking, but almost everywhere I've looked, the Canon HF-R20 is selling around that same $280 price (Canon USA currently sells it on its website for $349).
[They also sell the HF20 factory-refurbished in either Silver, Black, or Red for $249 at Canon Direct: http://shop.usa.canon.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_10051_10051_302514_-1 ].
Walmart & Target currently sell the Sony CX190 for $269.
I own both Sony & Canon camcorders, and both are very good brands. (Sony makes more models that are used by TV stations & networks than Canon, but Canon makes more pro-TV lenses.)
Personally, I don't think either one is that great, although you get 8Gb of internal memory with the Canon model (none in the Sony) and the Canon will hold 2 SD cards at the same time (just one with the Sony). The Sony has a longer optical zoom-factor (25x compared to Canon's 20x). But you should read a couple of reviews for each model and make your own decision:
CNet Review (May 2012) for the Sony CX190: http://reviews.cnet.com/digital-camcorders/sony-handycam-hdr-cx190/4505-6500_7-35128679.html (They didn't like the image quality, for the money. And they thought it felt "flimsy".)
CNet review {January 2011) for the Canon HF20: http://reviews.cnet.com/digital-camcorders/canon-vixia-hf-r20/4505-6500_7-34468433.html
hope this helps,
--Dennis C.
Â
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