Does anyone have any feedback on the Panasonic PV-GS80 MiniDV Camcorder with 32x Optical Image Stabilized Zoom? I was asked for a suggestion for a low to moderately priced camcorder and I'm trying to avoid the mini-dvd or hd models. This one seems to be liked by the Amazon crowd. I was leaning towards the Canon ZR800 but they seem to be bashing it over the noise it produces. I didn't see it on camcorderinfo.com, but they did review the PV-GS85 which is similar except the 80 doesn't do still pics. The camera is for filming of adoption proceedings, import the data and crank out a dvd of the process. Any feedback or other recommendations would be appreciated. Thanks!

Is this going to be an ongoing process or a one time deal? Do you have a proposed budget? If so what have you allocated for it. Remember purchasing the best of the cheapest is not the road to any kind of quality. Canon low end products have always been rated better than Panasonic.

I have a medium to high end Canon unit and it has always performed a fantastic job.

For an ongoing project, you should spend more than $250.00. The more you put into it initially the more you will get out in the end.

1. Define your needs.
2. Define your wants.
3. Find software to accomplish your needs.
4. Lastly, find hardware compatible with the software and camcorder.

Without intending to be critical, you seem to have inverted this thinking process. Use this process for all purchases and projects - no matter what you're doing. It works for just about everything related to computers, and many other disciplines (that may not use software).

Order doesn't come out of chaos without some organizing principle.

Caveat emptor. There are about 1000 ways to make a mistake here.

Chuck,

Criticism accepted, I agree with the process, I didn't flesh it out so as to not be too wordy.

Brian - The budget is $1,500 total (including computer), although if I have to dig up a few $ extra I probably can.

The bottom line is simplicity. The process was a VHS camcorder (the old big monster), and hand the tape to the family at the end of the proceedings. More and more clients now don't even have VHS players, thus the move to DVD (not to mention the camcorder is leaving with a person retiring). I'm looking for a process something along the lines of the demo a year or so ago with iMovie (6?) where you plug it into the computer, iMovie rewinds the tape, records it and burns a copy. The flexibility is there for further refinement if needed, but simplicity and speed is the need. A Macbook is around $1K which leaves about $500, which is the target price for the camcorder. This is an ongoing process so I'd like a decent camera within those budget restrictions. The courtrooms are well lit, but if the unit is poor in an indoor situation, that would be a negative. Sound recording ability is another need, if the unit is noisy then that is a negative. This is a keepsake, not a legal requirement.

With that process and those requirements, any suggestions for a camcorder? I'm assuming you concur on the Macbook and iMovie aspect, if not please let me know.

Thanks,

Eric

If you have a VHS camcorder, I would just continue to use it, if you're happy with the sound and video under your particular "filming" conditions. Many (not all) Sony camcorders tend to be much more sensitive to light (0.5 lux) - their video can look better than other brands, if the indoor lighting is not so bright. To save money, maybe you can buy a used Sony if you need to buy one?

If the camcorder has FireWire out, you can connect it digitally to modern Macs - that's the easiest scenario. If it only has analog out (a situation better avoided), you'd need a video converter box - the best brand is still Canopus. I suspect the new converter box is cheaper than even a used (eBay) Sony camcorder, and less risky. Maybe you can somehow buy a used Canopus box?

If you want nice looking video, image stabilization is useful for handheld shots, but a cheap video tripod is an even better idea if there's not too much panning involved. Viscous heads (for smooth panning) get somewhat pricey, but check out Adrays in Dearborn.

Maybe other people have other recommendations or opinions?

I have used the Canon ZR series for general recording. I did not find them to be "noisy". They provided a good quality picture at a low price point. They have firewire outputs, and if you wanted you can plug in an external mic. With the budget you are describing, perhaps you may want to look at this camera as a choice.

http://www.usa.canon.com/consumer/controller?act=ModelI...id=174&modelid=16202

Add a mini tripod and an external mic and you still would be within the 500.00 budget you are working with. Heck you maybe even able to buy a decent camera bag to store the camera, mic and tapes.

While I would agree that Adray's is good place to see and touch the camera, I would buy it elsewhere because of the price. B & H Photo if you are going to buy online is a source that I have used.

My 2 cents

I'm with Calvin on the Canon ZR series. They are little workhorses with good quality for the price. If you are recording indoors in a very quiet setting, then an external mic would be good. In those circumstances, the internal mic can pick up the sound of the drive system. In normal settings and outdoors, it's not a problem. I've had mine for something like 6 years now. Love it.

There's something to be said for brick and mortar stores, like Adrays. Support your local merchants, and they'll support you. Check out their prices.

I only mention Sony camcorders because of two major advantages:
1) low light recording capability
2) great battery life

Other Sony attributes aren't so great, particularly the fact that you're supporting hegemony in the video industry. They're overpriced, and they have not broken themselves of the habit purveying interim standards (e.g., HDV, Digital8, MicroMV, and Memory
Sticks. You're paying for the privelege of having your pocket picked.

quote:

There's something to be said for brick and mortar stores, like Adrays. Support your local merchants, and they'll support you. Check out their prices.

While I am not adverse to buying from brick and mortar stores, I am very concerned about my limited dollars. While I avoid going as cheap as ABC Warehouse I don't want to pay the highest price. Unfortunately, Adray'a has been more than others for the products I was looking for at the time. Like always, check all your reliable sources before making your purchasing decision. Sometimes there might be a good buy even at a traditionally higher priced retailer.

The Canon ZR800 sounds good. The external Mic option is one big advantage over the Panasonic I was looking at. I will take a look at what the locals offer (my local and yours differ, I'm in NW Ohio), but if they aren't competitive I won't have a choice as there are tax dollars involved.

Thanks again for all the feedback.

Northwest Ohio, Hmmmm ... No where near Toledo so no Tony Packo's pickle pepper relish and no Chicken from "Dick's Last resort" and no "Moon over Parma Tonight".

Calvin,

It is Toledo actually... I have 4 Tony Packos within a 10 - 15 minute drive.

The only Camera place that I can think of nearby, is Ritz Camera in our only Mall (only Mall that is still viable).

Never heard of Dick's last resort.