Advice on buying a economy Camcorder (novice on specs etc.)

Amazon ^ | Thu, 03/08/18 | daniel1212

[daniel1212]

I am at the point where I am somewhat prayerfully looking a getting should have a camcorder (though I am still without a cell phone which some can be controlled by). But while I have narrowed down the candidates to 5 (plus a Action Camera in case that would be viable). I am looking for one with the best sharp resolution (color quality is not that important) which would be used outsides as well as in, but I have little idea what the specs mean.

I see specs such as 720p, or 1920 x 1080P, or 1920x1080 FHD @15fps, 1280x720 HD, as well as Resolution:6000x4500(24M),5120x3840(20M),4608x3472(16M) plus CMOS: 1.3Mega pixels, max 16.0Mega pixels, or 5.1Mega pixels CMOS sensor(16MP Interpolation), and then 3.0 TFT LCD screen.

I am leaning to the SUNLEA or the LINNSE, while I put the action camera in there since i wondered if that could be used.

I do not want to waste money, and this would be a substantial purchase for such a thing, and so I thought I would ask advice from some FReepers. So below is what i see on Amazon, and thanks for any advice.

KINGEAR PL004 Mini DV C8 16MP High Definition Digital Video Camcorder $56.99

DVR 2.7'' TFT LCD 16x Zoom Hd Video Recorder Camera 1280 x 720p Digital Video

High Definition Support: 720P (HD) Memory Capacity: 32GB Sensor Type: 3CMOS¡ê?high-class material and advanced technology, which can record high-quality image, voice and video clips, it's available with 1.3Mega pixels 2.7inch LCD screen(the max 16.0Mega pixels),supports 720p.

External Memory with Card Slot: SD/SDHC card (32GB Max) available for connecting TVs.LCD High Definition Video Camcorder is small, light and can fit right in your pocket.

Sensor CMOS: 1.3Mega pixels,The max 16.0Mega pixels

Monitor screen: 2.7 inch LCD,16:9,available with 270 degree rotation

TV output TVPAL/NTSC

Usb port: USB2.0

Lens: F/3.2,=7.6mm

Focus Normal: 1.2m~infinity

$56.99 & FREE Shipping

KINGEAR $59.99

GordVE KG0017 HD1080P 16MP Digital Video Camcorder 3.0inch Camera TFT LCD 16x Zoom

100% Brand New and High quality from GordVE. GordVE offers 12 months Warranty and 30 days free exchange.

High image 16.0 Megapixel Image Resolution,1920 x 1080P Video resolution,3.0 inch Color TFT LCD; 5.1Mega pixels CMOS sensor(16MP Interpolation). Support SD/DSHC card,Max up 32GB. Compatible with PAL . Package Dimensions 7.2 x 6 x 4.3 inches 12.8 ounces

Does this have a external microphone Jack?

Answer:

Sorry, it doesn't. it has build-in microphone

SUNLEA $53.99

Camcorder Video Camera Full HD 1080p Camcorders 24.0 MP Digital Camera Webcam Pause Function 16X Digital Zoom $53.99 60 to 90 minutes normally when it’s fully charged

Full HD 1080p 24.0 MP Camcorder：This camcorder supports 1080p video resolution and 24.0 MP picture resolutions. It also supports 37mm wide angle macro lens, fisheye lens, and teleconverter lens and so on, which are excluded in the package. You can enjoy different visual effect of pictures according to your needs. It is very nice 1080p camera which is easy to operate and you can take more pictures or videos at home or on trips.

Video Resolution: 1920x1080 FHD @15fps, 1280x720 HD, 640x480

Image Resolution:6000x4500(24M),5120x3840(20M),4608x3472(16M),4000x3000(12M),3264x2448(8M),2592x1944(5M),2048x1536(3M),1280x960(1M)

TV Out: NTSC/PAL

AV output: Support

Built-in microphone: Support

Rechargeable Lithium ion battery x1

Webcam Function: This video camera can be used as webcam. You can have a video call with your families or friends when connected with your computer. You just need to choose PCCAM mode for USB. The USB also can be used to transfer files to your other device by choosing MSDC mode. This camcorder can support the external SD card up to 32GB, and the SD card is excluded in the package one year warranty and customer service will be provided within 24 hours. It also supports anti-shake function,

Package Dimensions 6.9 x 5.6 x 3.7 inches 1.12 pounds

LINNSE $65.99

Camcorder Video Camera Full HD Camcorders 1080P 24.0MP Vlogging Camera Night Vision Pause Function with Remote Controller

This camera camcorder supports 1080p video resolution and 24.0 MP picture resolutions.

The camera supports Night Vision Function. There are two pieces of IR lights at the top of the camera lens and its working distance can reach up to ft 3m which allows you to take black-and-white photos and videos event in the dark night.

One year warranty will be provided by LINNSE and customer service will be available within 24 hours. A 1000 mAh Li-ion battery will come as standard with this package. This camcorder can support up to 32GB SD card,

Sensor: CMOS Image Resolution:File format: JPEG Max 24.0 MP

Movie Resolution： File format: AVIFHD 1080, HD720P，VGA（640×480）

Zoom：18X digital zoom

Face Capture：Yes

Beauty Face：yes

Remote Control：yes

DIS：Yes

White Balance：Auto/Daylight/Cloudy/Tungsten/Fluorescent

Exposure：–3.0EV～+3.0EV

Self-time：close/2sec/10sec

USB Port：USB2.0

Auto power-off: Close/60sec/180sec/300sec/600sec

Monitor Screen：3.0 inch LCD, 16:9, available with 270 degree rotation

Built-in Microphone：Yes

Built-in Speaker：Yes

TV Output：Yes, PAL/NTSC

Night vision：Yes Support Infrared night vision,<3M/inches

External lens: 37mm standard: wide angle lens, teleconverter lens, fisheye lens (need to be purchased separately)

Battery：1000 mAh NP40 li-ion battery

Size：4.37（L）×2.67（H）×1.61（W）inch

Weight：about 260±5g / about 9 oz

Package Dimensions 7.1 x 5.3 x 3.9 inches

4K WIFI Action Camera, $43.99

KKCITE Ultra HD Waterproof Sports Cam DVR Camcorder 17MP Wide Angle Sports Video Camera With 2.4G Remote Control/ 100 Feet Underwater and Tons of Accessories. 4K resolution : 4K25fps/ 2.7K30fps/ 1080p60fps/ 720p120fps. Photo: 12MP max. Versatile Shooting Mode: video mode, photo mode, burst photo, time lapse, and loop recording mode

Does this camera have zoom capability?

Answer:

No, it does not.

You can use 32GB micro sd card.

Charging: 5V/1A (about 2 hours)

a remote control along with an easy to use Free Wifi APP for iOS and Android phones

[Elsie]

I would want a zoom feature.

Digital or analog?

The later takes expensive lens to accomplish.
The former is standard on about everything.

[Elsie]

My first one was a toy that recorded black&white on a audio tape cassette!

[Elsie]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PXL-2000

[daniel1212]

That one doesn’t do video. I actually bought one of these a few years ago for $20. https://www.amazon.com/Canon-PowerShot-A3100IS-Stabilized-2-7-Inch/dp/B0032JRRWU I used it as a dashcam for a while. The video is only 640 x 480, but it’s quite viewable. I also have a Canon SX130 is https://www.amazon.com/Canon-PowerShot-SX130IS-Stabilized-3-0-Inch/dp/B003ZSHNG8 It has 720P video, which displays on HDTV just fine. I only paid $100 for it a few years ago. You can probably get them a lot cheaper now. The Canon quality is excellent. It would be a good starter video camera. You might decide it’s all you need.

Thanks, but why do people then buy camcorders?

[daniel1212]

If you’re just wanting to catch memories, than even basic cameras can do a pretty good job these days. If you want pro-quality, expect to pay at least $1200, even if it’s pro-quality for personal use.

Well, I am not looking for pro-quality then! But thanks for the advice.

[daniel1212]

Last thing: don't buy until you know the terminology.

Yes, that is why i am here.

[daniel1212]

OK. The LINNSE $65.99 has Zoom：18X digital zoom and 1080P 24.0MP Vlogging Camera Night Vision. Movie Resolution： File format: AVIFHD 1080, HD720P，VGA（640×480） Also says Exposure：–3.0EV～+3.0EV, whatever that means. Als the SUNLEA has zoom:

Camcorder Video Camera Full HD 1080p Camcorders 24.0 MP Digital Camera Webcam Pause Function 16X Digital Zoom $53.99. Video Resolution: 1920x1080 FHD @15fps, 1280x720 HD, 640x480. 60 to 90 minutes normally when it’s fully charged

Which is best?

[daniel1212]

What is your ultimate goal? To shoot video to watch, unedited, on your home TV or to make YouTube or presentation videos for groups?

The latter. Thanks for your interest.

[daniel1212]

shock proof and water proof... and can be mounted even on your head! true it a bit costly, but again, its worth it if you take a lot of vids like I do... Boracay Philippines Jan 2018 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xelWeDBqTT8

Amazing. Maybe Putin uses this to direct his hypersonic glide missile and take pics along the way.

[Vermont Lt]

Thanks, but why do people then buy camcorders?

---

The answer is, they don’t. Most people are now shooting video on their new generation cell phones.

Did you realize that a lot of movie quality video is done with SLR Cameras? The cinematic quality of the new breed of SLRs far exceeds what you can get with even a high end video camera.

There is definitely a merger of the three techs—where you would have your cell phone, a video camera, and a digital still camera—now you just need one.

Go to a best buy or similar type big box retail store and look at what is available. And THINK about what you are planning to shoot—and how you are going to watch it.

I was a professional sports photographer for years. I always thought photos on the wall were better than video—because it did not force you to sit and watch it. You could always look up and recall that memory. But to each his own.

Keep an open mind and try a few different things before settling on a particular type of equipment.

[E. Pluribus Unum]

Because they are unaware that point-and-shoot cameras these days do video too.

You could also ask why anybody buys cameras at all considering most cell phones these days take excellent videos.

A while back I bough a couple of older Motorola Moto e cell phones for $15 on eBay and used them as WiFi security cameras.

https://www.cnet.com/how-to/turn-your-old-phone-into-a-home-security-camera/

[daniel1212]

The first camcorder I bought forty years ago cost $900, shot 480x480 resolution and had to have it’s white balance adjusted every time you turned it on - then there was another $900 for the unit which actually held the VHS recorder, which you had to carry around with you on a strap thrown over your shoulder and had a 1 hour battery life - at an average of about $55 per each, your possibilities all sound good to me....

Wow. I forget that I actually have an old Sony CCDTRV318 Hi8 Camcorder with 2.5" LCD video Hi8, 1/6-inch CCD with 320,000 gross pixels 20X optical zoom 560x digital zoom f1.6-f2.4 Focal distance: 2.5-50mm, someone gave me, with no adapter or anything, so I do not know if it even works.

I wonder how this compares with my candidates? The charger and vid cable would be about 20.00, plus Sony Hi8 HMP & Metal P Camcorder 8mm New Blank Cassette Tape 120 Min - Lot of 2 for 19.95. However, I do not even know if it works or if the battery would charge after so long. Don't want to spend money if it may not work.

[daniel1212]

The old adage is STILL true: Ya get what ya pay for.

Don't you have a video on that?

[PAR35]

The reason for my comment is that one set of specs said ‘no zoom’.

[AppyPappy]

“See I knew there were some FReepers who knew this stuff! Thanks. “

Yeah but someone will come along shortly and call him an idiot who knows absolutely nothing about the subject.

[dangerdoc]

I watch some 4k nearly every day now, YouTube and Netflix. I live in the mountains and do not know of this broadcasting you speak about.

Sort of joking, haven’t been able to see broadcast TV for over 3 years now. There are several YouTube channels I like that are 4k and are noticeably better than 1080. The average person will never broadcast their video over the air but I have several friends that put video up on YouTube and 4k is getting relatively common there.

But, however and otherwise, I think 1080 is fine for personal use and is much less resource intensive. I have an inexpensive phone that shoots 4k but I always use 1080p, I don’t think I will regret it even 10 years down the road.

[smokingfrog]

The sunlea has lower resolution and lower frame rates.
Faster frame rates give you smoother video, especially for something like sports.

[smokingfrog]

If you’re only doing YouTube video from a fixed location you might be better off with a good quality webcam.
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/832460-REG/Logitech_960_000764_C920.html

Ask the folks at B&H what they might recommend.

[daniel1212]

If you’re only doing YouTube video from a fixed location you might be better off with a good quality webcam. https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/832460-REG/Logitech_960_000764_C920.html Ask the folks at B&H what they might recommend.

OK, but I do need a portable camera.

[daniel1212]

The sunlea has lower resolution and lower frame rates. Faster frame rates give you smoother video, especially for something like sports.

I see. though the recording time at 1080p30 is 1.5 hours, 4K 25/1080p60 is 50 mins. I need to find out if this records via an external power source, or only on batteries.