Choosing a Digital Video Camera

So which digital camcorder is right for you? There are several things to take into consideration.

Picture and Sound Quality

First and foremost, you want to get the most bang for your buck. No matter what you decide to go with in the way of features and benefits, make sure the digital video camera you purchase delivers a satisfying picture and good sound. Find some reviews to see what others are saying.

Size

The popular thinking with DV cameras is that smaller is better. And it might be. But consider how you'll use your digital video camera. If you'll be traveling frequently, a more compact camcorder is a good thing. If you're mostly going to be around the house shooting the kids, something a little bigger might be better. Often, very small cameras can be awkward to hold and hard to keep steady (even with image stabilization). Hold a few at a store to see how they feel. This is also a good way to determine . . .

Comfort

Again, try to go to a store (even if you plan to buy your digital video camera online) and hold a few of your top choices. Does it fit over your hand nicely? Are the controls — zoom rocker/slider, record/pause button, menu controls — comfortable to reach with your fingers while holding the camcorder?

Format

Consider how you will use your digital camcorder. If you will primarily share your videos online, perhaps a flash memory card model is the best option. If you never intend to suck your footage into a computer for editing, maybe a DVD camcorder is better. And if you want to get a start with some amateur filmmaking, maybe go with a MiniDV with HD. Only you can decide which format will best meet your needs. The important thing to remember is that all of the current digital formats deliver great pictures.

Low-Light Capabilities

Video cameras love light. Unfortunately, the light in our homes is rarely enough to satisfy most digital camcorders. (Even turning on every light in your living room probably still means a low-light situation.) For those times when light isn't as abundant as you or the camera would like, a camcorder that performs well in low-light conditions is a must. Read reviews to see how others rate the performance of video cameras in low-light situations.

LCD Size

The bigger the LCD screen on your camera the better. Note, however, that bigger LCD screens often mean slightly larger camcorders.

Optical vs. Digital Zoom

Many digital video cameras have both optical and digital zoom. The thing you need to know is that optical zoom is a higher-quality zoom technology that will give you clearer video when you are zoomed in on a subject.

Number of CCDs

If you can get 3 CCDs, do it. You'll get a fantastic picture with just 1 CCD, but you'll get a more fantastic picture with three.

Manual vs. Auto Focus Only

Many great consumer video cameras lack the ability to manual focus. Not a biggie. If you can find one you like with manual focus (a focus ring preferably), consider it.

Still Picture Quality

Digital video cameras normally don't take very good still photographs, so this really shouldn't be a big selling point for you. But if you think it's important to have a camera that does both video and stills, try to find one that has at least 4.0 megapixels for stills.

These are just the biggies. There are, of course, tons of other features and functions that you may find important. Research and shop around.