Which video camcorder under $1200?

[mhbaseball]

Recommend me a video camcorder for under $1100. Here are the top things I am looking for:

- Great low light video capability

- Great optical zoom for videos....I will be filming bowhunts and rifle hunts up to 200 yards MAX

- Good still picture ability

- HD

- I prefer a smaller camera versus the big Professional bulky ones


I have started to look and the Panasonic HDC-TM700 or 900 look to be rated really well for what I am looking for.

I know there are alot of threads on it and I have already looked at most of them

Thanks ahead of time for all the help guys, I feel completely lost in my NEW video camera search and I know there are some video pro's on here.

Thanks guys,


Matt

[mhbaseball]

ttt

[coachwhip]

Canon Vixia HFS series, I have have the HFS 100 and love it been used hard for the last 2.5 years and no problems so far.

[Leftridge]

you might can find an fx7 for that price.. but, I love my tm700.. I mean I love it.. shoots awesome video and is compact enough you will use it which is huge for me..

[Burntorange Bowhunter]

Why not get one for 300.00...it is under 1100 and 1200.

[HeyMikey]

I'm in the market too, but wasn't looking to pay quite that much. I'm not trying to hijack the thread, but does anyone have experience with the Sony Handycam?

[mhbaseball]

Canon Vixia HFS series, I have have the HFS 100 and love it been used hard for the last 2.5 years and no problems so far.

How much does these run?

you might can find an fx7 for that price.. but, I love my tm700.. I mean I love it.. shoots awesome video and is compact enough you will use it which is huge for me..

Can you tell me your pro's/con's of the TM700 from your experience? It looks to be pretty good. I am mainly worried about clear video out to 200 yards and low light ability?

I'm in the market too, but wasn't looking to pay quite that much. I'm not trying to hijack the thread, but does anyone have experience with the Sony Handycam?

No problem, its not biggie. I am just trying to learn some things about cameras and find one that fits me good.

[Bonesplitter]

Ive used the sony mini dv camera and it served well to start o[U]t with, Im looking for a new model as well so Im gonna keep this up for all of us! Good thread MHB

[iamntxhunter]

I use a Sony HDR-XR 500 and so does Hogdude. I paid around 1299.00 I think and there are some other models that are below it but are still pretty good they just had less bells and whistles. It is a great camera and unless things have changed within the last 2 years I think 10-12 zoom is the norm for most HD cam-corders unless you go high end and that means more money. Mine is a 12X zoom and I would say 100 yds maybe a 120 would be max.
Here is a link to campbells and you might also check out C-Net.

http://www.campbellcameras.com/

http://reviews.cnet.com/camcorders/?tag=contentBody;revCatWrap

[griffbowhunter]

I have to look in to it wend i can get my MONEY right.

[mhbaseball]

I use a Sony HDR-XR 500 and so does Hogdude. I paid around 1299.00 I think and there are some other models that are below it but are still pretty good they just had less bells and whistles. It is a great camera and unless things have changed within the last 2 years I think 10-12 zoom is the norm for most HD cam-corders unless you go high end and that means more money. Mine is a 12X zoom and I would say 100 yds maybe a 120 would be max.
Here is a link to campbells and you might also check out C-Net.

http://www.campbellcameras.com/

http://reviews.cnet.com/camcorders/?...ody;revCatWrap

So are you saying the video is bad outside of 120 yards? or does the HD quality lessen? Please explain. I am a rookie

[rocky]

Mesquitecountry has a Canon GL2 for sale in the classifieds,
around $1000 I think.

[Axis FMJ]

Mesquitecountry has a Canon GL2 for sale in the classifieds,
around $1000 I think.

there you go!

[rnrgetreal]

I have the Panasonic HDC TM-700 and it is a great video camera. It also has the vesatility of external mics. I used a splitter and now have a shotgun and wireless mic setup. Awesome camera for the price. Plus a 14.2 megapixel still camera.

[Leftridge]

Video out to 200yards will depend more on your mounting system.. not even the top end prosumer cameras have over a 20x zoom. most have twelve. The tm700 has a standard 12 and enhanced to 18 before you get into digital zoom which you never want to use.

The best thing about the camera is the size. You also need to be thinking about your edit software. Not all programs will edit 1080p.

As far as low light.. Your losing the last 10 minutes with any camera that doesnt have three chips. So, you will notice it maybe.. But even the big cameras have light issues..

I sold my FX1 to buy a smaller camera after I quit taking the bigger camera out.. I have no doubt I wont miss the stories again cause this tm700 is a little power house that is small enough to carry!