[CyberGenX]

I need to buy a new video camera as my wife killed our current one. I want to go digital using MiniDV format. It has to have at least 500 lines of resolution, image stablization, firewire, LCD display and be under $600. I was thinking of the Canon ZR65MC.

Anyone know of what the best camera is around this pricerange for resolution and features?

[sapiens74]

I have the Sony TRV25 and it works great.

Takes 1 MP Pictues and the movies look fantastic.


Not sure about price though. I got mine for 675 about 6 months ago.

[Copernicus]

I think you might also want to look at the Panasonic MiniDV camcorders as well. They do have Firewire as well as USB support.

[sapiens74]

Yeah the panasonic ones are nice.

My sony replaced my old Panasonic VHS-C.

[sapiens74]

http://www.tomshardware.com/video/20030728/index.html

I couldn't find a review on the one you listed but the comparisons here are just the higher end models

Most models in the series have the same features, maybe a little less high end then the ones Tom reviews.

[duhmez]

All DV Cams record at a max of 720x480(NTSC) or 720x576 if you are in pal Land(Europe)

The #1 feature to lok for, is Progressive Scan Dv recording. Without progressive scan you videos turn to crap when you edit them. Some cameras SCAM consumers by touting progressive as an option, but it's only enabled when you take a snapshot PICTURE. Watch out.

progressive means each frame of 720x480 is a complete picture, eqch one is 1/29.97 of a second apart.

Interlaced takes 2, 360x240 pictures every 1/60th of a second, and merges the 2.

Progressive will cost more but IMO totally worth it.