Camcorder....advice please...

[Lynton]

ok - the better half has decided that with the little ones arriving we should record some of their antics (I know both my DSLR's record full HD though would be too heavy awkward and cumbersome for her, esp as she doesn't really know too much about how they work in camera mode)

So looking for a camcorder and it is a minefield.

Not really after specific recommendations as buy x or y though feel free to offer.

Mainly looking at what are essential things, what are nice to have functions and what are gimmicks.

Budget is a strict £200 (In the past have set a budget, then looked at something £20 more, then something £10 more, and before you know it you are 50% over it....

Thinking essentials (bearing in mind main user is not a photographer)

Good optical zoom
Face recognition
SD card... (I have lots)
Image stability.
Decent brand (not Beko or Tesco's finest!)


Anything to avoid specifically?

 

[RobertP]

We abandoned camcorders years ago. Yes a DSLR is a bit clumsy for short off the cuff clips but its still possible. Mix that with my wife panasonic TZ10 (or similar number!) and the camcorder is redundant.

I just edit the clips together and end up with much higher quality HD video than we used to get from a SD camcorder.

So I'd suggest a good quality compact camera.

 

[gman]

I was also looking for one a while back but ended up getting a digital camera that could do decent video; there's also too many occasions where the dslr is too bulky etc, so the compact is perfect. I ended up with the Canon IXUS 220 HS, it's just over £100 and can also do slow motion at 120fps or 240fps (at smaller dimensions) which is pretty cool sometimes.