Mini DV and Digital 8 Camera's

Hey All on Thursday I am gonna look around for a new camcorder either Mini DV or Digital 8. I would like to know which one of these cams is the best...

Mini DV'S
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Sony DRCPC8 Mini DV Handycam - Super Steady Shot for less camara shake.
Carl Zeiss lens for maximum picture quality and clarity.
Touch panel for quick and easy operation.
i.Link - DV in/out, download high resolution video footage to your PC.
Super Nightshot 0 Lux - film in complete darkness.

JVC DVX507EK - 10x optical/200x digital zoom.
2.5in LCD screen.
520 line resolution.
Built-in auto-flash.
Image stabiliser.
Digital colour night scope.
I-link DV in and out connection.
Digital special effects and scene transitions.
8Mb SD removeable and re-useable memory card supplied.
Higher resolution XGA still image capture - 1024 x 768 pixels, ideal for 6 x 4in prints.
USB terminal for high speed downloading of stills.
Includes software and leads.

JVC DVX400 - EK - Mini DV format for superb digital picture and sound quality.
10x optical/200x digital zoom.
2.5in LCD screen.
520 line resolution.
Image stabiliser.
Digital colour night scope.
I-link DV out connection.
Still image capture from tape with serial connection for easy downloading to PC.
Digital special effects and scene transitions.
Includes software and leads.

Sony DCR-TRV18 Mini DV Digital Handycam - Memory Stick slot - turn your camcorder into a digital camera.
MPEG e-Movie capture - download images/transfer sequences from existing videos to the memory stick for emailing.
Carl Zeiss lens for maximum picture quality and clarity.
120x digital zoom - 10x optical.
2.5in LCD screen.
USB streaming - enabling the high speed transfer of e-movie footage LP record to most computers.
LP recording.
Progressive shutter system.
Super steady shot for shake free filming.
Super nightshot/colour show shutter - film in colour in darkness.
i.LINK - DV out, download high resolution video footage to your PC.
Built-in light.
Manual focus.
Programme AE (6).
Fader, picture effects (7).
Remote.
Supplied with 8Mb memory stick, software, USB cable.
Size (W)7.6, (H)9.3, (D)16.2cm.

Sony DCRTRV16-DV - Carl Zeiss lens for maximum picture quality and clarity.
120x digital zoom/10x optical.
2.5in LCD screen.
USB streaming enabling the high speed transfer of your e-Movie footage LP record to most computers.
Super Steady Shot for shake free filming.
Super Nightshot/Colour Slow Shutter - film in colour in darkness.
i.LINK DV out - download high resolution video footage to your PC.
Built-in light.
Manual focus.
Program AE (6).
Fader, picture effects (7).
Remote.
Supplied with 8Mb memory stick, software, USB cable.

Sharp VL-NZ50H Digital Viewcam -
Mini DV.
10x optical/300x digital zoom.
3ins colour LCD screen.
270° rotating lens enables you to record from any angle.
Digital image stabilisation to cut down on camera shake.
DV output for downloading to PC.
Digital picture effects.
Manual adjustments for effective creative control.
Complete with AC adaptor, lithium-ion battery pack, AV cable, lithium-ion batteries, tripod adaptor, lens hood and cap.

Canon MV500 DV Camcorder -
Mini DV.
18x optical zoom.
360x digital zoom.
2.5ins LCD screen.
Manual focus.
Night mode.
Electronic image stabiliser.
Includes built-in charger and Li-ion battery.

Panasonic NVDS29B - O Lux Night View - for low light photography.
10x optical/500 digital zoom.
Progressive photo shot.
Digital photo shot.
Short/long play recording modes.
DV out.
5 mode pogram AE.
10 digital special effects.
Super image stabiliser.
Smart wind cut.
Battery included.
Video light.

Digital 8
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Sony DCRTRV 340 Digital 8 Camcorder - Memory stick slot - turn your camcorder into a digital camera.
MPEG e-Movie capture - download images/transfer existing sequences from existing videos to the memory stick for e-mailing.
700x digital zoom - 25x optical.
2.5ins LCD screen.
USB s

 

OMG, TEH PAINE OF ALL OF TEH USELELSES RANDOAM SCRIBLBLES!!! UNL337!!!!1

Ow ow ow!

I have a Sony DCR-TRV11. Dandy Mini-DV camcorder. That's really all I can say.

MY AYES, TEH SCRABBALS HURT MY EIYS!!!1 BUTTPOPE!!!

 

My advice is to definitely get the most expensive Sony miniDV you can afford.

 

yes, go with sony miniDV.

-End of Line-

 

I highly reccommend the Sony TRV-18.

Definitely go with miniDV over digital8, to avoid any future compatibility problems. The digital8 format was created to bridge the gap between people changing over to dv from Hi8 and could possibly be phased out since miniDV gained such popularity.

 

Well Im going with almost everyones advice and picking the *drumroll please

Sony DCR-TRV18 Mini DV Camcorder !!!

Can anyone who has used this camera please tell me what the picture and sound quality is like and how long it can stay on?

Is there anything else I will need or you reccomend except for a FireWire

 

of course the battery life depends on how many miliamps your battery is, the one it comes with probably won't last to long. I remember when I got my camera a long time back the first thing i did was pick up an offbrand battery that lasts for 600 minutes.

Also it depends on things like if you have the LCD screen open (that really drains the batt.) and weather you are powering any other equipment off the battery (wireless mic, etc).

~Brent

 

The Sony cameras have remarkable efficiency nowadays when it comes to battery use.

I shot my friend's wedding with a Sony PD150 and an XL-1. By the end of the reception the XL had used all 3 batteries and been plugged into the adapter, but the PD150 had only used 1 and a 1/2 of its batteries. Both were used for same durations. amazing!

 

I getting thr camera, well reserving it tommorow. So does anyone reccomend anything like a other mic and seperate battery?

 

Yes, I would definately recommend a second battery. When we filmed a few weeks ago, (over two full days) I would be filming with one battery, while the other was charging, when one ran out, I swapped batteries, put the full one of the camera, and the dead one on charge, and carried on throughout. The time between battery runnig out, and battery charge was pretty well the same.

Without a second battery I would have been sunk, and would have needed to wait for a recharge every time.

 

Yeah, that's um...a lot of information.
But we'll help you out with extra equipment. Get a tripod! We cannot emphasise that enough. A tripod and second battery are essencials to owning a MiniDV!
Microphones, get a decent boom mic. They'll run you from $120-200. While your at it, grab a pare of headphones with that too. Not those cheap $9 Wal-Mart ones, go for the $20-25 ones that will survive a while.

 

Thanks everyone for helping out, they didn't have the camera in stock in the Sony Centre but one of the workers (caled Andy) said that he will order it for us take £50 off the price and give me a few tapes free.

There is one problem though, I cant find the editing software I want, anywhere (Adobe After Effects). So if anyone in the UK knows where they sell it PLEASE tell me!

Anyway thanks for everyones help and all have a nice day .

 

Go with Sony, in whatever type of camcorder you buy. It's the best brand. Canon is ok.

 

What do you guys think of the canon XL1S ?(picture is on above banner)....i was going to get a job and save up for it (instead of a car eheh).... IS there a better one out thats around the same price? my friend has a canon XL1s and works in hollywood so that influenced me to think it was "the best".

I want to know what you guys think, and is there a better one i should buy instead?

 

Does this help?

Have fun.

 

thanks for the help but i really just want the opinion of people on the boards instead of...well...research

 

Thanks for that link, PadawanNick.

As far as brands, one guy suggested Canon because all the other companies were cutting thier warranty times in half, while Canon was not.

Also, would you reccommend the XL-1 over the Canon GL-2? I was weighing the differences, and I'm not sure which one I like best.