Camcorder Device Help please

[jon]

Hi,

The zellers near me is moving soon and because of that all the merchandise is being sold off. Some people might remember that I asked for minidv advice before and was looking at a sony model:
http://www.sonystyle.ca/commerce/servle ... 2080n32081

which runs about $650. I eventually decided to hold off on the purchase.
So when I was checking Zellers yesterday I saw that they had their cameras at 20 % off.

They have two models left (1 of each model)

JVC gr d30u
http://www.epinions.com/pr-Camcorders_J ... vc+gr+d30u

for $475 (including the 20 % off)

and

Samsung scd303
http://www.bytesector.com/data/bs-article.asp?ID=279
for $455 (including the 20 % off)


now the guy at zellers said he would give me 10 % off either because the boxs are open, and if I came back on saturday it would most likely be another 10 % off

so I am looking at 30 - 40 % the two models above

I need advice on what to do! Would I be wasting my money getting a cheap mindv camera. Should I be getting the sony or one of these?? and if I go for one of these camera, which one should I get?

Hope someone out there can help.

Thanks !!!!

[Senor Grommet]

Good questions! Go to a site that reviews camcorders and see how many stars each of these cameras gets, what features they have, and what problems people have had. Personally, for 500 bucks, I dont think that you can go wrong with any of these cameras.


EDIT:
Read more reviews of these cameras before you buy any of them! i just checked out reviews of the JVC and the Samsung and neither were "glowing," as Im sure you already know.

[jon]

Ya neither seems like a great camera. I have been reading reviews and a lot are not so favourable. This is what makes my choice hard. The sony is very expensive but good quality. The others might simply be a waste of money. This is what I need help deciding. The online reviewers are difficult to consider because who knows about the people that reviewed them. What I read often is that neither of these cameras are good for indoor use (which is something I would most likely be using it for).

But maybe for the price I shouldnt worry?? I am really undecided at the moment

any help is appreciated modified

EDIT: after reading more reviews the jvc model is no longer a consideration, there are sooooo many unhappy jvc customers, that camera is a waste of money

[Senor Grommet]

Consider:

1) What/(where) you will be using it for
2) How much money are you willing to part with
3) Can it be returned if unsatisfied?!
4) Will the dealer you're working with tell it to you straight (which would HE buy in your pos'n)?
5) What will you be satisfied with (perfect quality only? graininess out of the question, or can you live with it?)
6) Choose what your heart knows is the right decision. You always know what to do, you simply have a tough time recignizing what you know.

[Muffinman]

I haven't looked at reviews, or even the cameras themselves yet, but I can tell you that you want to be careful. Sure $500 is cheap for a miniDV camcorder, but then you have to consider that $500 is a lot of money and if your decision is based on the cost, even though it is super cheap, you could lose in the long run with an inferior product.

My impression is that Sony is the best make for this kind of camcorder. I would consider the 'make' foremost -- are JVC and Samsung reliable camcorder manufacturers? I would go with Jeremy's advice and check out reviews of the camcorders -- maybe none of them are worth the discount price @_________@

The thing I am most wary about is how easily the camcorder will "break" -- repairs are EXPENSIVE and TAKE A LONG TIME!!!!!!!

[Shaun]

Go with sony,probbably the best camcorder brand for consumer brands. Once you get up into the pro sumer stuff, then I would go with Panasonic or Canon, Sony doesnt have to many pro sumers. But yah go with the sony,they are very good and reliable, Jvc's suck, I hated mine.