Today's camcorders are so much better then just a few years ago. If you have an old VHS model that you usually lug over your shoulder to video the family memories, now is the time to pick a model which will be lighter with better quality video and will probably cost less then you paid years ago.

Camera Lenses

Lenses are normally the single most expensive component in a quality camcorder. The quality of a camcorder's optics are the first factor in determining the quality of the recorded video image.

Lens Quality

Most DV camcorders employ permanent zoom lenses and are not as high quality as the more expensive high quality lenses used in photography and professional video equipment. There are a few DV camcorders that have a detachable lens adapter.

Optical and Digital Zoom Range

A zoom lens is what makes an image smaller or larger within the frame without moving the camcorder. A zoom lens varies the focal length, which is normally measured in millimeters in the camcorders specifications. The zoom range is the distance between the widest angle and furthest shot. This range is measured in millimeters in the camcorders specifications. 

Optical Zoom

As a general rule, the larger the number the more flexibility you have while shooting. Remember optical is the "TRUE" zoom produced by the optics of that model and you can expect "crystal clear" results when only using optical zoom functions.

Digital Zoom

Digital Zoom uses a computer processor inside the camera to expand the image beyond the Optical Zoom. Digital Zoom nearly always, as you zoom closer and closer, the zoom degrades the picture quality. This can and will create blocky, pixilated results. This is the nature of DIGITAL ZOOM. When you see a camcorder model, featuring a 300x Digital Zoom DO NOT expect a crystal clear image at full zoom. If you are serious about your video quality turn the Digital Zoom feature off. 

When comparing Optical/Digital Zooms, always remember that the higher the Optical Zoom the more effective the digital zoom power. This is why you may notice that high end Digital Camcorders do not have 100x's Zooms. They are equipped with excellent Optical zoom which will produce professional and practically clear Digital Zoom performance.

Image Stabilization

There are three kinds of Image Stabilization Optical, Digital and Electronic. Optical Stabilization, being the BEST, uses a system of motion detectors and lenses to reduce the effects of vibration and camera movement on an image. This feature is very important when shooting with handheld camcorders or while moving. Some camcorders also offer Electronic or Digital Image Stabilization, but as with Digital Zoom, this manipulates the digital image and can degrade the video quality.

CCD Specifications

CCDs (Charged Coupled Devices) can be though of as the "EYE of the camcorder." Just like the human eye, images which pass through the lens are then processed in the human brain. In your camcorder the computer chips are the brain that scans light and converts it into electrical signals. The effectiveness of CCDs are determined by the size of the CCD chip, the number of Active Pixel Elements, the number of CCDs and to at least some extent the technology imbedded in the CCD circuitry. 

The camcorder specifications will list the measurements for the CCDs. For example, Canon XL1 is: 3 CCD 1/3" Pixel Shift (charge coupled device) 270,000 pixels (250,000 effective pixels)

One Chip vs Three Chip Camcorders

These are the choices you will see featured with different models. A few consumer models and many higher-end camcorders use three separate CCDs, each CCD dedicated to a primary color. Most consumer model camcorders use a single CCD to scan and transmit the entire color range information.

Basically, a three CCD camcorder is capturing more information than a single chip camcorder therefore, in theory, three CCD camcorders will be able to record colors better and more accurately than single CCD camcorders. The importance of this advantage depends on what type and quality of the video you are producing. If you are a recreational videographer, you know; chasing the kids around Disney World and sending eMail videos to your relatives in Budapest then a single small CCD will do just fine. Remember, even the lowest end Digital Camcorder is still better resolution the the Highest end Tape type model. 

If you are professional and you make black and white documentaries then accurate color reproduction may not be that important. But, if you are a serious pro who wants to do non-linear editing of a "Hollywood Style" production, then you must go for the best you can afford with 3 Large Chips for superior results.

Low Light Responsiveness

A CCDs responsiveness to low light situations also impact video quality. Camcorder specification include the minimum and recommended illumination (light) called Lux to record an image. The higher the lux, the more light required. 0 lux is complete darkness. Some camcorders have Infrared (IR) Night Shot capabilities in 0 LUX situations. This will actually shoot video and luminate the image with a Green/B&W or Red/B&W tint. Some camcorders may also include specifications for the signal-to-noise ratio. Higher quality camcorders have a higher signal-to-noise ratio that produce better quality images in low light. Cameras that have a noisy signal will record images that appear grainy and smeared.

Progressive Scan

This is a very important, sometimes overlooked technology. It has been around for several years but only a few of the DV camcorder models hitting the market today can record in Progressive Scan mode. Most consumer models record interlaced video with odd and even fields but with progressive scan each frame is recorded with a high band width single scan pass. 

The result is that there is no gap between the odd and even lines; all lines are recorded in one pass. This is important if you want to capture and use photo images. Progressive scan video is also vastly superior for desktop editing and delivery because it contains no interlacing artifacts. You should look for this feature when buying a DV camera, and use it when filming for desktop delivery or if you want to capture higher quality still images from your video.

Analog Video Input

Your old camcorder and VHS tape decks do not output IEEE 1394 DV video. If you want to edit existing VHS/SVHS and other non-DV formats then you need to be able to capture this video. Some of the newer camcorder models, such as the Sony TRV900 can input analog video (usually with an S-video connector), which can be an important consideration if you want to work with existing video footage. Several Sony Digital8 camcorders also allow you to use existing Hi8 and Digital8 tapes. This year several other manufacturers are adding the Analog In feature to their models also.

Audio Recording Specifications

The DV specification allow for up to four channels of 32 kHz, 12 bit audio, or two channels of 48 kHz 16 bit audio. Most camcorders support both formats.

32 kHz 12 bit audio can be four mono tracks or two stereo tracks. Many DV cameras only allow you to record 2 12-bit channels of audio at a time. If you are recording additional audio while shooting then you will have to later dub in this audio later. You can typically play back all four tracks at the same time. 48 kHz 16 bit audio is better quality than music CDs and may be preferable when using complex music for your audio tracks.

Also consider the type of microphone connectors on the camcorder. Consumer camcorders accept a mini-plug. This connector is like the ones used for headphones of portable radios. This type of connector uses cables that are not shielded from outside line noise. Cables over 10 feet are very prone to interference. Professional camcorders use Balanced-line inputs that use a three pronged connector, called XLR, and shielded cables. Many excellent quality DV camcorders use the mini-plug connector. Likely, the camcorder manufacturers want to keep selling the more expensive models to the professionals. Fortunately, there are after-market XLR to mini-plug adapters that allow professional quality microphones to be used.

Camera Features

Recording Modes

If you own a wide-screen digital television, want to create 'letterbox' video for a regular TV, or you are a DV filmmaker that will transfer your project to film then you will want a camcorder that can record in 16x9 mode. The quality of 16x9 recording can vary significantly from camcorder to camcorder.

Camera Control

There are many control features that can affect the flexibility you have when you set up your scenes and the quality of the images and audio you record for given conditions. These include Zoom Control, Focus, Audio Gain, White Balance, Exposure and Shutter Speed.

Many consumer camcorders automatically adjust these controls. If you are serious about your video quality then choose a camcorder that allow you to override the automatic mode so you can manually set them.

LCD Screen

Professionals operate a camcorder through the viewfinder. Less proficient people will likely cause bodily harm to themselves or an innocent bystander if they have to move while looking through the viewfinder. Also, you may need the LCD screen if you do not have a separate monitor (TV, not computer) to preview your video at your editing station (where you have your computer). In this case, you will need to preview your video project by playing it back to the camcorders LCD screen.

Ergonomic Design

Size does matter

• If you are going to record and edit video primarily for fun then remember this important fact: video you record with an inexpensive camera is always better than the video you did not record because you did not carry the 15 pound shoulder mounted camera with you!

• If you are starting an event videographer business (wedding and corporate events) then your clients may look at you funny if you use a palm sized camcorder. If you are worried about managing the perception of the father-of-the-bride, then you may prefer a larger sized camcorder.

• Smaller camcorders are great for 'stealth' shots where you don't want people to be aware you are recording. Smaller cameras are less intrusive. DV Filmmakers recording on location without permits have discovered the advantage smaller DV camcorders offer over their larger film cousins.

• A camera's size and weight can determine how well you can manage the camera for long stretches at a time.

Design and Camera Controls

Easy access to the camera controls is important. You don't want to lose your concentration on shooting because you had to fumble with the zoom, focus and other controls.

IEEE 1394 Compatibility

Not every digital camcorder supports IEEE 1394 (aka Firewire, or i.Link) input and output interfaces. Not all digital camcorders have an IEEE 1394 interface. Many European models do not support IEEE 1394 input (see explanation below). To make matters more complicated, the IEEE 1394 interface on different camcorders are not all the same. It can even vary between models from the same manufacturer. Specific camcorder models IEEE 1394 interface may not be compatible with the IEEE 1394 interface that goes in the computer. Furthermore, the digital video software on the computer may not be compatible with specific camcorder models. This sounds terrible, but it is really very typical of a new technologies.

Don't worry though - IEEE 1394 is being adopted very rapidly and there are many camcorders, computer interfaces and computer software that all work together quite well. Don't rely on the camera or computer manufacturers to tell you what works. Find a digital video software publisher that maintains a good compatibility database, because it is the digital video software that tells the camcorder to do things like "play", "stop" and "record".  

(European camcorder models in particular have not supported IEEE 1394 input. European Union taxation laws specify that a DV camcorder that has a DV record-back function carries the same tax as a VHS recorder, which is higher than a camera tax. In the past, most of the major DV camcorder manufacturers have chosen to sell DV camcorders in Europe with DV-out only enabled. We are pleased to report now that a number of companies have changed this stance and new models are appearing with both DV input and DV output enabled. DV input enables edited DV projects to be saved back to the MiniDV tape on the camcorder, or connected VHS deck using the Digital Origin "Print to Video" feature. In addition, users can interface a PAL monitor to the S-Video out port on the camcorder to see "LiveDV").

Price

Price should be the simplest decision. Only you know what you can afford. Be sure you consider not just the price for the camera itself, but how you intend to use the device and what additional equipment and accessories you will require. At a minimum, you will need tapes and an extra battery or maybe a tripod and carrying case.