To shoot high-quality videos, you should choose a digital video camera with a mini DV format and a 1/3 matrix. The model with ZOOM 25/100 will allow you to enlarge the picture by more than 25 times. As for the LCD screen, the bigger the better.
It should be noted right away that there is no “best” or “worst” camera. Each specific model is designed to cope with specific tasks assigned to it and correspond to its price range. Therefore, when choosing a video camera, you need to proceed from your preferences and material capabilities.
Video recording formats
If we talk about amateur formats, then we distinguish between analog and digital formats. Analog is a relic of the past, while digital, in turn, is represented by various formats that open up great opportunities in terms of editing, improving image quality, and more. For example, the mini DV format offers the best picture clarity, brilliant colors and excellent stereo sound. The user can process the image using modern computer technology.
The DVD format is adapted for a DVD-player, but the quality is worse than the previous analogue. The micro MV format is "understood" only by a special program from Sony. The HDD format has a great future, but so far there are complaints about the quality and speed of growth. The HDTV format is the most modern, but so far such cameras are expensive and shoot worse than mini DV in low light.
What else to pay attention to
As for the optics, it is difficult to determine the quality of this system by formal characteristics. Only in practice can you find out what a camcorder is capable of. But the maximum viewing angle should be checked with the seller. The image quality is directly affected by the matrix installed in the camera. The larger it is, the higher the quality of the shooting. Today, there are video cameras with several matrices on sale, but the price for such a device remains quite high.
If there is no question of purchasing a professional camera, the ideal solution would be an amateur camera with one 1/3 sensor. In this case, a small camera with a 1/3 sensor will produce a better image quality than a large camera with a 1/6 sensor. It is good if the unit has an optical zoom function, because digital zoom can be used even with a simple video editing program. A model with ZOOM 25/100 is recommended for purchase, which allows you to enlarge the picture by more than 25 times.
When it comes to an LCD screen, the bigger the better. Another very important characteristic is the battery capacity. When choosing a device, you need to focus not on the operating time specified in the characteristics, but on the operating time with a new, voluminous battery. So, you should take care of its choice in advance and calculate the operating time of the camcorder.
