What to Find When Looking for a Digital Camcorder

Camcorders have evolved over time, and digital camcorders are the newest in the world of camcorders to use. A digital camcorder works to produce higher quality images and sounds, and it can send information to digital media like discs instead of tapes like older models. But before looking into buying a digital camcorder it is important to see some of the features of a digital camcorder that should be considered when looking for one.

A digital camcorder should have a good LCD screen. This screen is what is used to display images that are going to be recorded onto the video disc in the digital camcorder. With a larger screen it can be easier to see what is being recorded, and it also helps to make playback previews editable. Larger LCD screens also have menus that can help to make customization of options on the camcorder easier, thus allowing for a greater level of control.

The lens is one of the most important parts of a digital camcorder. Most digital camcorders will have lenses with minimal optical zoom levels of 10x. Some digital camcorders have higher zoom levels, but the higher levels may not be necessary in many cases. In fact, when a camera is recording at a higher zoom level the video quality can be poor at it can be harder to keep still on something that is being recorded.

Image stabilization is another part of a digital camcorder to look for. A digital camcorder will offer either optical or electronic image stabilization. Optical stabilization is where the lens on the digital camcorder moves in accordance with the camera’s movements. Electronic stabilization is where images on the lens are captured onto the CCD, and internal circuits are used to interpret video images after recording is finished.

Sound is recorded on a digital camcorder through a built in microphone. Various digital camcorders feature zoom microphones that can enhance sounds in certain areas where recording is taking place at. Some digital camcorders will also have a socket that allows for an external microphone to be plugged into a digital camcorder.

Night mode is the last part of a digital camcorder to consider. Some cameras have the ability to record images in darker settings with ease, and a camera with a night mode can help. Some camcorders will have an infrared or slow-shutter night mode to help with using ambient lighting in scenes to help improve the lighting levels for the camera. Usually a digital camcorder will have one of these settings, but some have both.

These are important things to look for in a digital camcorder. A digital camcorder can be great for recording memories and events, but be sure to consider these features in one so that it can be used for everything you need out of it.

Sony Handycam HDR-CX200

Editor's Rating: User Rating: Good: Sony's entry-level Handycams, the HDR-CX190, CX200 and CX210 are small, lightweight and cheap. A captive USB cable that enables charging while connected to your computer is one of the few perks. Bad: You can't really call the video HD quality, the camcorder feels flimsy and the lens is prone to fringing. Bottom Line: They're cheap and capture video, but don't ...

Sony Handycam HDR-CX210 (blue)

Editor's Rating: User Rating: Good: Sony's entry-level Handycams, the HDR-CX190, CX200 and CX210 are small, lightweight and cheap. A captive USB cable that enables charging while connected to your computer is one of the few perks. Bad: You can't really call the video HD quality, the camcorder feels flimsy and the lens is prone to fringing. Bottom Line: They're cheap and capture video, but don't ...

Sony Handycam HDR-CX210 (black)

Editor's Rating: User Rating: Good: Sony's entry-level Handycams, the HDR-CX190, CX200 and CX210 are small, lightweight and cheap. A captive USB cable that enables charging while connected to your computer is one of the few perks. Bad: You can't really call the video HD quality, the camcorder feels flimsy and the lens is prone to fringing. Bottom Line: They're cheap and capture video, but don't ...

Sony Handycam HDR-CX210 (silver)

Editor's Rating: User Rating: Good: Sony's entry-level Handycams, the HDR-CX190, CX200 and CX210 are small, lightweight and cheap. A captive USB cable that enables charging while connected to your computer is one of the few perks. Bad: You can't really call the video HD quality, the camcorder feels flimsy and the lens is prone to fringing. Bottom Line: They're cheap and capture video, but don't ...

Sony Handycam HDR-CX210 (red)

Editor's Rating: User Rating: Good: Sony's entry-level Handycams, the HDR-CX190, CX200 and CX210 are small, lightweight and cheap. A captive USB cable that enables charging while connected to your computer is one of the few perks. Bad: You can't really call the video HD quality, the camcorder feels flimsy and the lens is prone to fringing. Bottom Line: They're cheap and capture video, but don't ...