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Joe Bonamassa Forum → Off Topics → Camcorder recommendations?
What recommendations do you have for a good camcorder under $500?
User reviews are always the best reports in my opinion. I want to upgrade and there are a ton of options out there. I want HD, of course, and would really like to improve low light video quality, which is where the one I currently have really lacks.
Thank you kindly.
I and others have been using the top of the line Lumix ZS or TZ series cameras with the CMOS sensor. I used the DMC SZ19 for the Baked Potato gigs recently http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FZmnrn7SDwQ . Use those as a benchmark for very low light performance. A snap and shoot size camera with superb performance and relative low cost. Audio performance is also a critical factor on many cameras with most not able to handle the high levels of rock music. The Lumix is incapable of being overloaded with dolby stereo standard. Check out the newest Lumix, the TZ40. Can be found for around $300 or so. Be sure to get a hard case, extra batteries and large 32 gig memory chip for concert use.
Rick
edit: I forgot to add that one cool feature is the ability to shoot stills simultaneously while recording video. I used it and got some pretty cool shots. It has a very good intelligent auto mode that obviates the need to know anything about photography and still get good results. Can you tell I love it? 
Totally concur with Rick. I have the lumix DMC ZS20. Amazing little camera with fantastic lowlight HD video results and stereo mics for excellent sound quality (1Anitrasdance youtube channel). Highly recommend this camera.
Natasha
I can tell you two to not bother with the Olympus LS-20M HD Mine has to be sent back bad mic channel then I got a Zoom Q3 it is much simplar to operate but the inability to set levels manually will either have the recording too loud or too soft not just right as Goldilocks sought out.
I can tell you two to not bother with the Olympus LS-20M HD Mine has to be sent back bad mic channel then I got a Zoom Q3 it is much simpler to operate but the inability to set levels manually will either have the recording too loud or too soft not just right as Goldilocks sought out.
Well, it is a historical problem with all movie and television sound to this day to get the audio, especially field audio, right every time or even easy any time. That is in relation to the actual sound or actual sound desired, where the best intentions can often come up short.
As far as recommending a camcorder, too many good value, good quality ones out there to joust opinions on for me. Use your budget to make the wisest decision. If you want wiz-bang, you can pay for it! But, what are the odds that that much touted "feature" will get ignored 98% of the time and a ho hum when used, or the odds that a "function" could be the thing never talked about, but is a products strong point? For music videos using camcorders with integrated mic(s), level setting is among the most valuable, but as a manual control, just what do you want to be, or what do you think you are, controlling? Auto-leveling is far less risky, but they can vary widely due to whatever other circuit functions are or are not tied to. Integrated mic quality is a huge factor, and an external mic jack can allow a possible upgrade in recordings, but honestly, not necessary. The end use being simplified by easily understanding as few "buttons" as possible is probably your goal. Good Luck!
Rock ON & Keep the Faith,
Rocket
"
Panasonic Lumix TZ-7 (there is a newer model now) is what we use for live videos and it's great!!
Yeah the Panasonic Lumix Range is so good and many on this site have them, and do just what you want and record in High HD Quality. Z10 and Z20 models seem to be the most popular, but look around first
Highly Recommended
............ Michael
Lumix are good because of the glass used.
I've also had luck with JVC.
I'm so lazy now that I just use my iPhone for recording video 
Lumix are good because of the glass used.
I've also had luck with JVC.
I'm so lazy now that I just use my iPhone for recording video
If your close enough to not need zoom dont knock the iPhone5 for video, especially if your at a venue thats tight on security. For audio there isnt a camera out there that satisfies me and I use a separate digital recorder with phantom powered mics in my eyeglass croakies that sounds great.
Thanks for the input y'all.
Without having done a great deal of in depth research yet (like I said, user reviews are the best IMO) do any of your Lumix (or similar) models have a jack for external mics? I have a set of Sonic Studio mics that I used with other equipment for a long time that are really great and would like to use them with a new recorder if I can.
And now that being asked, do any of these models have a manual audio recording level feature? That would be an attractive feature for me.
I thank you.
Without having done a great deal of in depth research yet (like I said, user reviews are the best IMO) do any of your Lumix (or similar) models have a jack for external mics? I have a set of Sonic Studio mics that I used with other equipment for a long time that are really great and would like to use them with a new recorder if I can.
And now that being asked, do any of these models have a manual audio recording level feature? That would be an attractive feature for me.
I thank you.
No to question one. No probably to question two. I don't believe any level adjustment is available on mine. The audio circuit is very good at what it does with a tremendous auto leveling agc that is responsive and incapable of being overloaded. If you want a higher quality audio, get a separate system and use that. You seem to want high end features in a compact sold at a very reasonable price considering the technology in that tiny package.
We used the Lumix TZ20 for video at Hammersmith Apollo this week for the 1st time and i was amazed at how well it turned out, you can check the quality on my YouTube channel Cybertwin68, it was used on both the Richmond and Sloe Gin videos.
Normally I used either a playsport or handheld Panasonic video camera but in gig conditions I would say the Lumix surpassed what I might get from either of them.
Yea, very nice videos! Looks like they know what they're doing with the Lumix models. Thanks for the continued info.
Yea, very nice videos! Looks like they know what they're doing with the Lumix models. Thanks for the continued info.
You're welcome hope it helped 
...the only level of audio adjustment you get on these cameras is 'wind cut'...
...a TZ10 is better than a TZ20 if you can get one 'old stock'... USA product detail differs from those sold in the UK ...so a TZ20 bought in the UK will NOT be the same camera as a TZ20 bought in the USA!
guys this site is brilliant for camera reviews, do have a look: http://www.dpreview.com
The perhaps questionable side of the Lumix range is that they are designed as "jack of all trades" cameras, but the positive of that is that they are discreet so less likely to be asked to put them away in a gig. I am getting fed up with being asked (told) to turn off my Sony DC camcorder (not even widesecreen) because of the wrong perception that is "professional" quality when in truth those a lot closer to the stage can get better clips on their phones, although the microphone pickup on mine is hard to beat.
I would be interested to hear about the autofocus quality on the Lumix models as when I looked at them in a shop was concerned with the "hunting".
I was looking at the reviews of the Sony (minolta) DSC-RX100, - due to the size of its CMOS sensor, - should be better in low light.
guys this site is brilliant for camera reviews, do have a look: http://www.dpreview.com
The perhaps questionable side of the Lumix range is that they are designed as "jack of all trades" cameras, but the positive of that is that they are discreet so less likely to be asked to put them away in a gig. I am getting fed up with being asked (told) to turn off my Sony DC camcorder (not even widesecreen) because of the wrong perception that is "professional" quality when in truth those a lot closer to the stage can get better clips on their phones, although the microphone pickup on mine is hard to beat.
I would be interested to hear about the autofocus quality on the Lumix models as when I looked at them in a shop was concerned with the "hunting".
I was looking at the reviews of the Sony (minolta) DSC-RX100, - due to the size of its CMOS sensor, - should be better in low light.
My Lumix auto focus is driven batty by a few things. If you are in the crowd and someone blocks the camera view it walks off focus for a few seconds. If the high intensity white lights in the show rotate to fully in the view through the fog machine it has a struggle since it works on an ir sensor that is blocked by the fog and light. Otherwise it is usually ok.
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