Before you simply log on to Amazon and search for ‘Camcorder’, there are a couple of key features which you should bear in mind before you jump in and splash your hard earned cash.
And so it's a good time of the year to consider upgrading your aging camcorder to one of the newer models, and just as quality is on the rise, new features are continually introduced. Here's a look at some of the new features and the cameras that include them.
Then like us to learn what is the new features of holiday camcorders.
Zoom- Always opt for an optical zoom, as this will get you further to your subject without degrading image quality
Recording Format – Any format should do you just fine. However, if you want a smaller Pocket Cam, look at Memory Card or Hard Disc Drive. You can still get a tape based machine, but as you would expect, this would generally be a larger build than the Memory Card Cams.
Manual Options – If you want to have complete control over your Camcorders image quality, ensure you get a cam which has manual overrides. This will include things like white balance, exposure and focus.
Follow me – Autofocus can be invaluable but your camera doesn't know what to focus on when there are multiple subjects captured at the same time. The Canon VIXIA HF M40 ($699.99; canon.ca), however, employs "touch and track" technology that lets you tap on the subject of your choice on the three-inch swivel LCD screen to ensure it's always in focus. This Flash memory-based camcorder (16 GB internal, but with two expansion slots) is powered by Canon's HD CMOS Pro Image sensor and includes a fun ``story creator'' mode that lets you add different themes to your captured video: Party, Ceremony, Travel, Kids/Pets and Blog.
Eye-popping 3D – As more people invest in 3-D TVs, they're not just watching movies, TV shows and games in stereoscopic 3-D - they're likely wanting to capture and play back memories with incredible depth, too. The JVC GZ-HM960BU camcorder ($999.99; jvc. ca) has everything you'd expect from a high-end consumer camera - 1080p HD video recording, 10.62-megapixel back-illuminated CMOS sensor, 29.5mm wide- angle lens and internal and external Flash memory options. You can switch between 2-D and 3-D video capture, watch glasses-free 3-D on 3.5-inch LCD screen and even upconvert 2-D content to 3-D when played back on a compatible television. It also has built-in Bluetooth technology to wirelessly sync with nearby devices.
