# advice on camcorders **URL:** \ **Category:** NYSpeed Off Topic\ **Created:** [February 23, 2011, 2:08pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/advice-on-camcorders/209459 "2011-02-23T14:08:27Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 14\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Norb\_O](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/norb_o/32/5189_2.png) [@Norb\_O](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Norb_O)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2011, 2:08pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/advice-on-camcorders/209459/1 "2011-02-23T14:08:27Z")
So i’m heading on two big trips this year (florida and europe) and i want to document my trips I also want to mess around with some filmmaking (automotive stuff). Requirements: Small, handheld (obviously) Cheap (under 450 or so) Dont really care if it has HD or not but sure would be nice to have. Problem with this is that it drives up the price. HAS to have external microphone jack. Doesnt matter if it has a hard drive or not, it seems like the ones that require SD cards are cheaper (and i’m okay with that since i have a few SD cards laying around) Thoughts? ---
**Author:** ![Onyx\_Z32](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/onyx_z32/32/7581_2.png) [@Onyx\_Z32](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Onyx_Z32)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2011, 2:10pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/advice-on-camcorders/209459/2 "2011-02-23T14:10:15Z")
I don’t know why you’d prioritize an external mic over HD? :gotme: ---
**Author:** ![Norb\_O](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/norb_o/32/5189_2.png) [@Norb\_O](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Norb_O)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2011, 2:29pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/advice-on-camcorders/209459/3 "2011-02-23T14:29:42Z")
Yeah, i know. Im trying to stay on a budget so i guess im making silly compromises. ---
**Author:** ![travisn](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/travisn/32/5046_2.png) [@travisn](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/travisn)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2011, 2:37pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/advice-on-camcorders/209459/4 "2011-02-23T14:37:26Z")
HD doesnt necessarily mean shit. I got one of those ‘handheld HD’ cameras for christmas and its video looks like a VHS camcorder from the 90s. ---
**Author:** ![ProgRocker](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/progrocker/32/5434_2.png) [@ProgRocker](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/ProgRocker)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2011, 7:56pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/advice-on-camcorders/209459/5 "2011-02-23T19:56:45Z")
We’re buying the Flip UltraHD for work. The quality seems to be pretty good 720p. ---
**Author:** ![Norb\_O](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/norb_o/32/5189_2.png) [@Norb\_O](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Norb_O)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2011, 8:45pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/advice-on-camcorders/209459/6 "2011-02-23T20:45:31Z")
> [@travisn](#): > > HD doesnt necessarily mean shit. I got one of those ‘handheld HD’ cameras for christmas and its video looks like a VHS camcorder from the 90s. i was reading earlier today, came across this… > **[CNET: Product reviews, advice, how-tos and the latest news](https://www.cnet.com/)** > > Get full-length product reviews, the latest news, tech coverage, daily deals, and category deep dives from CNET experts worldwide. **“The bottom line: Its small size and attractive price might draw you to the Sony Handycam HDR-CX150 and CX110, but these bare-bones camcorders just barely delivers on the promise of HD quality.”** ---
**Author:** ![Fry](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/fry/32/7284_2.png) [@Fry](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Fry)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2011, 6:18am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/advice-on-camcorders/209459/7 "2011-02-24T06:18:54Z")
Flip cams are great little things. I’ve got an old one that does VGA at 30 FPS and it looks pretty good. The new ones can do 720p at 60 FPS so I’m probably going to upgrade shortly. Not sure how much more you get for your money if you spend more though. They do max out at 8gb, which is 2 hours of video. ---
**Author:** ![boardjnky4](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/96bed5/32.png) [@boardjnky4](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/boardjnky4)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2011, 6:20am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/advice-on-camcorders/209459/8 "2011-02-24T06:20:04Z")
GoPro videos always look pretty good ! ---
**Author:** ![ProgRocker](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/progrocker/32/5434_2.png) [@ProgRocker](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/ProgRocker)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2011, 6:27am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/advice-on-camcorders/209459/9 "2011-02-24T06:27:56Z")
> [@Fry](#): > > Flip cams are great little things. I’ve got an old one that does VGA at 30 FPS and it looks pretty good. The new ones can do 720p at 60 FPS so I’m probably going to upgrade shortly. Not sure how much more you get for your money if you spend more though. They do max out at 8gb, which is 2 hours of video. Also, to add on that, you can customize them with graphics and such for no extra charge and free shipping. ---
**Author:** ![ZOMGVTEK](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/zomgvtek/32/5063_2.png) [@ZOMGVTEK](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/ZOMGVTEK)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2011, 10:12am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/advice-on-camcorders/209459/10 "2011-02-28T10:12:45Z")
The Kodak Zi8 takes better 720P video than the Flip HD’s… And while the average video quality IS good, and it does have a external mic in, it has no optical zoom, and no auto focus. These things make a quality camcorder drastically better for the average user. Yes, they do record in 1080P as well, but its not really any better quality than the 720P. It really depends on what you want to do, but I wouldn’t use a ‘Flip’ for a camcorder replacement. A $500 HD camcorder will destroy it in video quality, and overall usability. But the Zi8/Flip HD are about $100 and do work great for some applications. I have a Kodak Zi8 in great condition that I never use, if you’re interested. ---
**Author:** ![Norb\_O](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/norb_o/32/5189_2.png) [@Norb\_O](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Norb_O)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2011, 10:21am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/advice-on-camcorders/209459/11 "2011-02-28T10:21:31Z")
i ended up getting this. leaving for Florida on the 11th so I needed to get something. should be here early next week. > **[Amazon.com : Canon VIXIA HF R20 Full HD Camcorder with 8GB Internal Flash Memory (Silver) : Camera & Photo](https://www.amazon.com/Canon-Camcorder-Internal-Memory-Silver/dp/B004HW7E92)** > > The Canon VIXIA HF R20 Flash Memory Camcorder is a perfect choice for those seeking ease of use, high performance function and good value. The VIXIA HF R20 has an 8GB internal flash drive, together wi ... ---
**Author:** ![Tbirdsc1](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/tbirdsc1/32/7487_2.png) [@Tbirdsc1](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Tbirdsc1)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2011, 11:20am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/advice-on-camcorders/209459/12 "2011-02-28T11:20:45Z")
Nice choice, I just bought the Canon Vixia HF R10 Full HD…almost the identical camcorder. The picture and sound quality are awesome compared to other ones I tested in the same price range. ---
**Author:** ![Norb\_O](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/norb_o/32/5189_2.png) [@Norb\_O](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Norb_O)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2011, 11:33am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/advice-on-camcorders/209459/13 "2011-02-28T11:33:01Z")
cool man. i’m glad you like yours. looking forward to giving mine a whirl. are youtube and vimeo the best video hosting websites? i have a flickr account (Pro) but you’re really limited to the length of the videos you can upload. ---
**Author:** ![ZOMGVTEK](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/zomgvtek/32/5063_2.png) [@ZOMGVTEK](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/ZOMGVTEK)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2011, 4:45pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/advice-on-camcorders/209459/14 "2011-02-28T16:45:54Z")
Vimeo and YouTube are fine, so long as you upload at least 720P content. They’re easy to use, and free…