“Did you see that?!?!?!” Now that you’re a mom, chances are you’ll be saying that line a million times over the course of the day. And chances are not everyone will be able to answer, “I sure did!”. So what do you do? Capture precious moments with a camera? Sure. But while some situations work well with still photographs, we all know there are simply instances when a real, hardcore camcorder is called for.
“But my camera’s got video function.” While it is true that the video function of your camera can capture those moments well, they won’t do as good a job as a real camcorder. Why?
- Camcorders generally have higher optical zoom capacity …which is a lifesaver during those times you find yourself seated at the very last row of a very large auditorium. The higher the optical zoom the closer you can get to your subject without having to physically move closer, and without having to sacrifice the quality of the shot.
- Camcorders give you more storage options. Depending on your preference and intended use, you can choose to store your footage on MiniDV, DVD or Flash media.
- Camcorders have superior audio recording. Not to mention the option to use an external mic for even better recording.
“So which camcorder should I buy?” Here are a few tips to help you make the best choice:
- Decide how you plan to use your camcorder. Is it for documenting important family events? In which case you will need a sturdier camcorder that you can mount on a tripod. Or are you planning to use it more for short, candid video clips? Which means you should go for the more lightweight and portable camcorder.
- Know your priorities when it comes to video output. Do you want really vibrant colors and really sharp details? Then you would want to look at high-definition (HD) camcorders. Which of course are generally priced higher than standard-definition (SD) camcorders. But if you just want a reliable camcorder that can capture important moments then you’ll do just fine with an SD camcorder. And before you get tempted to consider low-end HD camcorders, do know that these models often lack key features found even on SD camcorders such as optical zoom, image stabilization, still-photo capability, manual controls and high storage capacity.
- Figure out which type of storage media meets your needs.
For more footage control and ease of editing, choose the miniDV.
For shoot-play-share functions, the dvd would be ideal.
For compressed footages best suited for online use then the dual-flash is your best bet.
Now that you have a better idea as to what camcorder to look for, it might be a good idea to go get one soon. That way, you won’t miss another did-you-see-that moment.
