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Camcorder recommendations?

Discussion in 'Photography' started by mattspencer, Apr 20, 2010.

  1. mattspencer

    mattspencer Well-Known Member

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    I am looking to buy a new camcorder. The two main factors I am looking for is good image video quality plus the ability to have an external microphone. I have been looking at some of the canon ones such as the HG10. Does anyone have any recommendations. My budget is flexible at the moment but £800 is probably the upper limit.
     
    mattspencer, Apr 20, 2010
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  2. RalphW

    RalphW Nat Pres stalwart Staff Member Administrator Friend

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    Juat had a look at the reviews on Amazon and it gets a good write up there. Have you already got an external mic, if not remember that a good one can cost you £100.
     
    RalphW, Apr 20, 2010
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  3. Orion

    Orion Well-Known Member

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    I have an HG10 and it can be recommended. The only problem is that it is no longer in production having been superceded by a later model.

    If you can, get an HG20 or 21, they offer even better image quality as they offer full 1920x1080 HD and therefore the lens is even better.

    Be careful about an external mic however, although I do agree that one is essential. Some external mics will give a muffled sound on Canon cameras. I now use a Rode SVM mic, but the AST25, which gave brilliant results on a previous Panasonic camera, was next to useless on the Canon. The Rode is an excellent match to the HG10, but you will have to give the 'deadcat' windgag a haircut otherwise the hairs will appear in the image!

    Best of luck!
     
    Orion, Apr 20, 2010
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  4. RalphW

    RalphW Nat Pres stalwart Staff Member Administrator Friend

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    Or you can use one of these brackets and mount the mic to the side of the camera.

    http://www.cameragrip.co.uk/acatalog/info_573.html
     
    RalphW, Apr 21, 2010
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  5. BillR

    BillR Well-Known Member

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    Yes I'd advise not giving the cat a cut, mount it some other way if you possibly can ... and what Ralph recommends looks darn good as you can still mount it on a tripod.
     
    BillR, Apr 21, 2010
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