When first considering buying a Camcorder it is important that you first establish what area your application and needs fall into. Camcorder users can be divided into 4 main categories:
- Home Movie Maker
- Business User
- The Enthusiast
- The Video-grapher
Consider your needs
Home Movie Maker
- Build Quality - A camcorder should be of a good build quality so that it can withstand the forces put upon it when used in a hectic family environment and when passed from member to member.
- Ease of Use - The Home Movie Maker is only likely to use the camcorder once in a while, to record important family events and holidays. For this very reason the camcorder should be particularly easy to use so that you can be instantly familiar with the controls when you do use it. For ease of use a camcorder with little in terms of Manual Features would be best.
- LCD Size - Home Users tend to favour Large LCD screens over viewfinders as they allow for easier use and steadier shooting as the LCD screen is often used to steady the camcorder. It also enables on the spot reviewing.
- Affordability - One of the most important considerations for the Home Movie Maker is affordability. The user should asses those features on the models available and rate them according to their own needs. Features such as additional stills and manual control may not be needed and may be an unnecessary expense.
- Size - Size is very important to the Home Movie Maker as it needs to be of a decent size so that it can be easily operated by the whole family. It still being small enough to be stored away or carried without being an inconvenience.
Business User
Business Users have different requirements and priorities. Whereas they do not necessarily need a higher end camcorder they may benefit from those features available. Quality of footage and size of camcorder being of most importance, with features such as video conferencing and the ability to take additional stills being next to consider. Models with an in-camera editing facility may be useful for preparing footage on the move.
- Build Quality - Business Users will require a camcorder of such a build quality that can withstand being used regularly and circulated from person to person.
- Ease of Use - Whilst the Business User would favour the high quality output and features available with a higher end camcorder they would also require that the camcorder be easy enough to use that a user can familiarise themselves with the controls very quickly.
- LCD Size - Business User may favour Large LCD screens over viewfinders as they allow for easier use and even steadier shooting as the LCD screen is often used to steady the camcorder. It also enables on the spot reviewing.
Enthusiast
An Enthusiast’s needs are likely to lie between those of the Home Movie Maker and the Video-Grapher. Whilst ease of use may be necessary for more domestic applications a number of more advanced features would be particularly useful for development of technique. High-resolution models may be preferred so that output can be of as high a quality as possible. More control can be had over this output with the presence of more Manual Features.
Video-grapher
A Video-Grapher will require a camcorder is capable of recording footage that is of a particularly high resolution. A 3CCD camcorder may be more appropriate. They are capable of giving extremely high-resolution output and, generally, have better performance in low light conditions. Connectivity is also an important consideration as is additional/interchangeable lenses. Sound becomes a more important factor; therefore the quality of the existing Microphone and those that can be used should be researched.
