Prospective camcorder buyers are faced with a choice of four types of camcorder recording media: hard disk, flash memory, MiniDV/HDV tapes, or mini-DVD. We run through the pros and cons of all four formats to make your purchasing journey a little less like a trip through Dante's nine circles of hell.
Back in April 2006 when we first penned this feature, two formats — MiniDV and mini-DVD — were in the ascendency. In the two intervening years we've seen the rise of high definition, as well as a vertiginous fall in the price of storage.
Hybrids
In the case of camcorders, a hybrid is any camera that allows you to record video on two types of media. The first set of hybrids, produced by Hitachi in late 2006, combined both hard-disk and mini-DVD media. Now, however, this term is used almost exclusively with camcorders that use flash memory and either hard disk or mini-DVD. We'll go into more detail as to why flash memory hybrids are a good idea when we examine each recording medium.
Most of the new hard-disk and mini-DVD models released this year are able to record video to removable flash memory, typically either SD or Memory Stick cards. However older models still on sale, as well as many second-hand cameras, are only able to store still images not video on their removable flash memory.
Hard drives provide the best bang for buck
Hard disk
The beauty of hard-disk camcorders, especially in this age of high-definition video is that nothing else offers the same value per gigabyte. Most of the current hard drive models available are hybrid units that allow you to record to removable media — so if you run out of space during a year-long round-the-world trip, you can top up storage capacity by gorging yourself on SD or Memory Stick cards.
Hard disk capacities on standard-definition cameras range between 30 and 60 gigabytes — at maximum quality (about 9Mbps) — is good for around 430 and 860 minutes respectively. Meanwhile high-def hard-disk cameras usually boast between 40 and 120 gigabytes. This should be good for about 290 and 880 minutes respectively at 1920x1080i 16Mbps. Some of JVC's latest high-definition cameras can record at 26Mbps, meaning that you can only cram in 600 minutes of top quality footage onto the GZ-HD6's 120GB disk.
Whether you choose standard-def or high-def, a 30GB or a 120GB model, a hard-disk camcorder will provide more than enough storage space for most situations. Indeed you're far more likely to run out of battery juice at an inopportune time, rather than be caught short of space. The great fear with all portable hard-disk devices is that the disk will get scratched by sudden movements and drops, but all modern camera hard drives have enough protection, buffering and smarts to withstand all but the most severe of falls.
Most high-end camcorders nowadays are hard drive units, so if you want features like a hotshoe, headphone and microphone jacks, and a viewfinder, you'll have to stump up the big bickies.
Standard-def prices: AU$799 to AU$1,399
Standard-def makes and models:
JVC GZ-MG730, GZ-MG530, GZ-MG465, GZ-MG345, GZ-MG330, GZ-MG130
Panasonic SDR-H280, SDR-H60, SDR-H40
Sony DCR-SR220, DCR-SR300, DCR-SR85, DCR-SR65, DCR-SR46, DCR-SR45
High-def prices: AU$1,399 to AU$2,199
High-def makes and models:
Canon HG10
JVC GZ-HD6, GZ-HD5, GZ-HD3
Panasonic HDC-HS9
Sony HDR-SR10, HDR-SR11, HDR-SR12
There are two types of flash media: removeable (SD/SDHC cards and Memory Stick) and built-in
Flash memory
We've spoken at length already about hybrid cameras with supplementary flash memory, both removable and built-in. There is, however, a gaggle of cameras with only flash memory on-board. Mini-DVD, tape and hard drives are all fairly large immoveable objects around which a camera must be designed. Flash memory, on the other hand, is compact and frees the designers' hands somewhat. This means that not only are flash-only cameras smaller than their brethren, but they can be shaped differently too — witness the upright Sony HDR-TG1 and the discontinued Canon HV10.
Some may find the petite dimensions to their advantage — space-deprived travellers, for instance — but there are a few downsides. Generally we've found that these smaller, lighter cameras are harder to hand hold, especially for extended durations. And despite the fact that flash memory prices are falling as fast as oil is rising, flash memory is nowhere near as cost effective as hard-disk. This isn't much of an issue for standard-def cameras, but can be problematic for high-def models — a 4GB SD card or Memory Stick holds a smidgen less than half-an-hour's worth of top quality footage.
Keep in mind too that not all memory cards are created equal. To keep up with data being saved to it, SD/SDHC cards used with camcorders should be rated 40x (6MBps) or above.
Standard-def prices: AU$499 to AU$899
Standard-def makes and models:
Canon FS11, FS100
Panasonic SDR-SW20, SDR-S7
High-def prices: AU$1,599 to AU$1,869
High-def makes and models:
Canon HF10
Panasonic HDC-SD9
Sony HDR-CX7, HDR-TG1
Mini-DVD suffers for lack of capacity
Mini-DVD
As the name suggests, these camcorders record onto a small DVD disc — 8cm versus a regular DVD's 12cm diameter. The great — and some would say, the only — advantage of DVD camcorders is the ability to burn a copy of your masterpiece straight away. However, while the reduced disc size ensures that these cameras aren't built only for giants, it greatly reduces storage capacity. A full-sized single-sided, single-layer DVD holds 4.7GB, whereas a similar mini-DVD only holds 1.4GB. That means you'll only be able to cram in a paltry 20 minutes of standard-def footage, or 10 minutes of high-def, at high quality.
Since the advent of affordable hard-disk camcorders we've been loathe to recommend mini-DVD models. The tide may be turning somewhat though with Sony's new DVD camcorders being hybrid models that can record video to flash memory — some models even have built-in flash memory. Recording to flash memory has the advantage of allowing simple editing functions, like scene deletion, that are usually denied to DVD camcorder users. This means that users can finally choose the scenes to burn to disc and can make multiple copies of Uncle Jack's 90th to hand around.
Standard-def prices: AU$499 to AU$799
Standard-def makes and models:
Canon DC310
Panasonic VDR-D50
Sony DCR-DVD810, DCR-DVD610 (hybrids)
Samsung VP-DC171Wi, VP-DX10
High-def prices: AU$1,099 to AU$1,599
High-def makes and models:
Canon HR10
Sony HDR-UX20 (hybrid)
MiniDV tapes will record the same amount of high-def or standard-def vision
MiniDV/HDV tape
Like dinosaurs, tape-based camcorders once ruled the Earth but unlike those massive lizards they're not extinct. Nowadays they generally form the top and the tail of a manufacturer's camcorder line-up. Standard-def MiniDV camcorders from Canon, JVC and Sony are all AU$399 entry-level models with big zoom lenses and not much else. The high-def HDV models from Sony and Canon boast large image sensors and are fully featured.
Each MiniDV tape holds a fixed amount of footage, say 60 minutes of standard-def footage. Pop that same tape into an HDV camera and, via the magic of more compression technology, you'll be able to record 60 minutes of high-definition video. This is good news for anyone sitting on an Aladdin's cave of MiniDV tapes and wanting to step up to high-def.
A thing to remember about tape is that transferring footage to your computer for editing requires a FireWire connection — something that most PCs lack out of the box — and that video upload happens in real time, that is a 60-minute tape will take 60 minutes to transfer across. Also the linear nature of tape precludes you from deleting a random scene — say scene 10 of 31 — from a tape.
Standard-def prices: AU$399 to AU$989
Standard-def makes and models:
Canon MD225
JVC GR-DA30, GR-D850
Panasonic NV-GS330
Sony DCR-HC52
High-def prices: AU$1,449 to AU$1,799
Anon
24/10/2007 10:50 PM
DVD / HDD / Mini DV Lots of things to consider: I think i read somewhere that HDD or DVD start up times (power on to catch that magic moment on film before you miss it) can be faster than Mini DV, which is a big plus. Ease of use is not really a factor for me. How hard is it for my girlfriend to put in a tape and press the record button? More moving parts in a Mini DV recorder means more that can break or go wrong, and can be quite expensive to repair. Ripped or crinkled tapes are everyone's nightmare. How many scrached DVDs/CDs do people own? I do it all the time (lazy i suppose) unless i'm REALLY careful. If you look after DVDs it's ok, but tapes are tougher and automatically protect the film with that little cover, making it easier to just chuck in your pocket. HDD cameras usually don't have a optical viewfinder, which I would normally use when I need to save battery for long filming sessions. The screen chews up the battery and the brightness can annoy other people (i.e. cant be more subtle). Storage limitation is something to consider. If you run out of room on a holiday you need to lug a laptop around with you to free up hard drive space. Easier, lighter, smaller and more flexible to carry a bunch of DVDs or tapes. Travelling abroad, it can be harder to find little DVDs than it is to find Mini DV tapes, and the tapes are heaps cheaper and record for longer too. For me it's the MPEG-2 format limitations that mean I can't edit my videos afterwards very well. Both DVD and HDD have this limitation. Sure people might just use their camera just for web videos etc, but for the cost of the camera I would like to at least reserve the option of being able to make a high quality video if I want to later on. 2 cameras for the price of 1? End of the day you get what you pay for. No doubt a high end DVD or HDD is going to be better quality than the low end Mini DV, but with tapes being the 'old' technology you can get the same specs for cheaper than the newer HDD or DVD. As much as i like the new technology, I'm sticking to Mini DV for now. My humble opinion - each to their own.
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JOSHUA C. LACUNA
23/03/2008 12:50 AM
That's a good & fair review. It was really hard for me to decide w/c media format I should consider as I am scouting to buy a new handycam. Been using Digital8 & decide to upgrade it. This review has helped me decide for a Mini DV Camcorder for editing simplicity. Thank you.
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canberra_photographer
25/05/2008 01:21 AM
The best... hard disk + flash hybrid. Reliable, expandable, easy and cost effective.
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Brendan
25/05/2008 11:34 PM
What isn't mentioned here with the HDD camera's is the formats used to record the video can be a real pain. Ive got a 60 gig Sony HDR-SR7. Excellent camera, excellent quality. However it records in AVCHD. Of course this format isn't widely supported. I had premiere pro cs 3, which needed the purchase of a third party plug in, and then the program crashed all the time. HD editing especially in compressed formats is resource intensive. There was no decent editing software with the camera. Only the most basic of basics. Which honestly i say would be too basic for all but the simplest of users. I now use Sony Vegas 8 which was a few hundreds dollars, and it works superbly. These format types and lack of software support are issues I was unaware of when i purchased the camera when i made the decision to not get a DV camera. Now that i have the editing software sorted out, which was a really huge annoyance and frustration, I don't regret getting a HDD camera at all. I was however very very annoyed at these, some how my research never came up with this issue of lack of software support for the HD format. Mainly because its a new format and this will improve over time. Got the camera to take overseas, best thing is, when i got back i could just plug it into my computer, press transfer and it copied the many many hours of footage. 50 gigs or so worth. If i was doing that real time with DV tape, well that would not be pleasant. I could just copy and get straight into editing. Issue is what if you run out of space, I tried to switch around the quality recording settings depending on what i was recording, and honestly I can't tell what was best and what wasn't looking at the footage. Also what was great, when i was away, i could easily delete footage that i didnt want to keep.
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The_Snowman
26/05/2008 06:43 PM
I just don't know why cnet will not review SANYO cameras? Most places, if it is not Sony, Canon or Panasonic, they don't mention them. I have a SANYO HD1000 - it is a GREAT camera, records to SDHD cards, I have 8 GB now but hope to grab a 16 GB soon, thanks, John
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Richard
27/05/2008 02:46 AM
Whoa there... you really do need to mention that HDV should use an HDV quality media tape. The compression is so dense you can't afford any bit drops. You kind of imply that an HDV user can use lower quality cheaper tapes designed for regular DV. While it is 'true' that you 'can', it isn't a good idea for maximum quality. Heck, I don't even reuse an HDV tape other than for hobby purposes. Yeah, I do documentaries, so quality is a strong criteria of mine.
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Ethan YD
28/05/2008 12:47 PM
I can not believe HD camcorder can use the regular tapes. How about the quality? I have a old MiniDV Canon ZR200 using tapes and I feel that the quality on the tapes is much better than the movie I transfer to the computer (maybe because the cheap transfer card)
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Chewy
28/05/2008 04:35 PM
I currently have a Sony MiniDV camcorder. I chose it for it's small size (at the time). I hate the fact that it imports on to the computer in real time. (The reason a lot of my footage is still only on tape). I do, however, like the quality and do a fair bit of editing. One thing I don't understand is that, at the moment, 1 hour of footage takes up about 10-12gb of space (DV stream). So for a HDD camcorder to fit hundreds of hours would mean a lot of compression. This may seem like a dumb question but how does this not significantly degrade the quality of the picture? Or does it?
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Brendan
31/05/2008 02:42 PM
Chewy,i don't have a point of comparison but with my HDD camera (HDR-SR7) the picture quality is absolutely excellent. its a 1080/50i camera and thats the same as my 55inch plasma and you can't tell the difference on that between the top couple of quality settings. No visible compression on the top qualities. The Only the lowest setting can you tell. But i can't really think of visible compression just less detail. It depends what you need it for. On highest quality setting you get 8 hours on 60 gig. thats 15mbps on my camera. If you're doing professional film making, i guess stick with tapes, but honestly for my amateur film making, good looking home movies, travel videos, the HDD is perfect for that. The slightly more detail i would get on tape just isn't worth the huge extra hassle. The video's are still the clearest best quality things i play on my plasma and my home cinema. Although i haven't upgraded to blu-ray yet. I use a media centre to play the HD quality footage. I do think the big things are, you can't just buy a HD camera and be ready to go. You need the software to edit and a good computer, you need blu-ray players and burner to make use of the HD, or use a HD media player like I do until i get them.
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