Camcorders: any recommendations? (need help)

I'm looking to purchase a camcorder for a trip that is coming up and want to know if anyone has done any research on them? I'm not looking for a top of the line camcorder - just one that gives excellent results and is considered a good value....it's also DH's 30th birthday so this would be the big part of his gift.....


thank you - if you could post ones in the $300-600 range that would be wonderful....

I know a lot of the girls on these boards probably own one...so I'm hoping to get a lot of feedback! thank you!

Re: Camcorders: any recommendations? (need help)

We have a Sony handycam DCR-DVD108. It came with a bag and a party and was in the $400-$500 range (on sale at best buy). We have only used it a couple of times but it is very easy to use.

Re: Camcorders: any recommendations? (need help)

^^^ Thank you for that!!

Any other suggestions for comparison?

Re: Camcorders: any recommendations? (need help)

I need one too!
Keep the suggestions coming!

Re: Camcorders: any recommendations? (need help)

we got this panasonic camcorder with a built-in harddrive last year. It's very easy to use, and the video is great quality. It's also reasonably small.

While shopping, the most important features are:
long battery life, and can you recharge overseas?
get the highest optical zoom you can afford
ease of use- is it set up in a logical manner?
built-in harddrive with usb cord to download onto your PC. Much easier to transfer / manipulate video when it's not on one of those minidvds....

this one is what we bought

hope this helps..l...

Re: Camcorders: any recommendations? (need help)

^wannabemom thanks for that post! Very very helpful!

I've bookmarked your camera webpage - will definitey help me.

Anyone else want to share what type of camcorder they have and why you chose the one you did?