Can you recommend a camcorder < $400 ?

[deckeda]

My non-technical sister and brother-in-law wants one. Doubt she'll do much, if any editing. It's just not in her to spend the time learning how. She asked about the kind that have a built-in DVD recorder. Maybe for her, that's best?

I let her know that HD camcorders have come way down in price since she last used a camcorder. They don't have an HDTV however, and might not want to pay more today for the future benefit of a better picture later.

I'm also curious about what appears to be the new low-end: camcorders with SD cards, is that right?

They recently bought a new PC, so I guess they're running some flavor of Vista.

[jdc]

do they have a nice digital camera?

the reason i ask is that many of the high end digital cameras have excellent video modes -- and its much easier to carry one thing rather than 2

video is truly outstanding

something like this is $340 http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/specs/Ca...sx10is.asp

my brother has something similar to that, but older, with 10X zoom and video -- think he paid $229 for it? video was crystal clear and you were able to zoom with camera and still shoot video... just a thought

[john-o]

I'll second jdc's advice. The Canon point-and-shoots shoot excellent video...

[deckeda]

Just remembered they have an older version of that, the S3 I think. That might be OK but I don't know if it supports today's larger cards. I've taken video with it and yes, was pleasantly surprised at the quality.

[Dennis S]

How long are the clips and what quality do the PAS cameras produce?

[john-o]

Typically 640 x 480, and length is limited only by the size of the SD card, I believe...

[comaplate]

deckeda wrote:
Just remembered they have an older version of that, the S3 I think. That might be OK but I don't know if it supports today's larger cards. I've taken video with it and yes, was pleasantly surprised at the quality.

We use a Canon S3 to capture video. The original intent was to sell the Canon when we got a Nikon D40, but after trying something inexpensive like the Kodak Zi6, the Canon took better video (Minus the 720p thing), so we kept the Canon.