If you’re in the market for a Digital Camcorder, it’s prudent that you’re arm yourself with a few tips before you buy otherwise you might end up with some thing that does not suit your needs. Below are a few guide lines that will help you along the way.

Take a Look at the LCD screen in daylight, if at all possible

Certain screens will fade out in bright sunlight, and you need to ensure your ability to easily see what you’re recording under any circumstances. If you’re unable to view the images on the screen in bright daylight, resort to using the viewfinder. Not only will using the view finder get the job done but it will do so without using up a lot of your battery power.

Examine the lens’s optical zoom ratio rather than the digital zoom ratio

With a digital zoom, the camcorder is merely making the image larger through the viewfinder as opposed to actually delivering a closer look. The optical zoom spec is more expedient in that respect and  you’ll want at least 10X optical zoom.

Buy an additional higher-capacity battery for longer recording times

The normal battery that comes with majority of camcorders usually only last an hour or so. For $50 to $100, you can purchase a longer-lasting battery, so consider that into your cost if you think you’ll need it. There’s nothing more frustrating than running out of power in the middle of recording an important event!

Microphones that are mounted in the front get better results

When the microphone is mounted on the top of the camcorder, it has the tendency to capture the voice of the person using the camcorder rather than the event being recorded. In this regard it’s better to buy a camcorder with the microphone mounted in the front.

Buy an external microphone for the best sound

If the camcorder you’re interested in buying has the ability to connect an external microphone, then factor in an extra $50 to $100 for an external microphone as this will give you the best sound possible .

Play and familiarize your self with the camcorder’s controls and features before you purchase

Ocassionally the smallest camcorders can be difficult to use, particularly if you have large hands. A bigger model may work better for you if it is more comfortable to handle.

Examine exposure controls and Low-light options

All camcorders come with a completely automatic mode, but certain models have manual and semi-manual exposure modes. For eg, some models allow you to record at slower shutter speeds than others, or have aperture settings that permit more light to enter. Quite a few also offer scene modes, which you might be familiar with from digital still Cameras. Low-light options also allow you to shoot in dark environments. Numerous camcorders come with an infrared light or a long shutter mode to assist in capturing images in the dark.

Look for wide-screen shooting and know your format
If you own a high definition TV, you’ll get a full picture with no black bars at the top and bottom if you record with a wide-screen model.  Also it is important to know the format the camcorder records in. Majority of  camcorders record onto mini-DVD discs or MiniDV tapes. Bear in mind that MiniDV is the most widely available format which is a major boost if you find yourself short on tape while on vacation mainly because Mini-DVD discs are ofttimes difficult to come by.

George Kissi

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