about two weeks ago, i walked in to best buy, not thinking of buying anything. I just wanted to check out some headunits that im thinking to replace my stock HU (getting fed up with my ipod and fm transmitter thingy). by the way, I ordered jvc kd-nx5000. =)
I walk over to camcoder section and played with a few.
i didn't realize now they have high definition camcoders with 30-60gig hard drive at pretty decent price til then.
Now I can't stop thinking about getting one.
I found a Sony HDR-SR5 for about $430 online and thought serious about purchasing one this past weekend which also takes 4mpx pictures.
I just moved to Mississippi, and I thought it would be nice to have a camera mount and go on a road trip to the tale of the dragon this year.
I asked around a bit among friends, and the common answers were that it might be better getting a slim camera with a big memory card for the convenience, but im just not sure of their video quality.
I currently own a canon dslr and I take that thing out in occasion to shoot some quality pictures, and use my cellphone to deal with random daily basis pictures and use its very very low quality video recording to just remember the moments by.
Whenever I go on a trip, snowboarding, parties.. etc, I know it is worth the hassle so I carry my bulky eos-10d, and now if I get a camcorder, I

 

Looking at your circumstances, i would say get a slim digital camera that will be able to take videos at VGA 640x480 at 30 frames per second with STEREO quality sound. There are a lot of digital cameras now with this feature. I have a Canon Powershot S2 IS with this quality of video recording, and it's GREAT. Very detailed, very smooth, just all around satisfying. With a 2GB SD card in my camera, i can get around 20 min of video, so get a 4 gig card (or two 2 gigs). The only disadvantage the digital camera might have is recording in low light conditions (quality might get a little noisy).

 

i have a sony t-9, which is a couple years old now and records pretty decent quality video for a very conveniently sized camera. for me, i wasn't gonna haul around a camcorder anywhere cuz of the size, but with this camera (which is smaller than most people's wallets), i can take anywhere. as a result, i've gotten some pretty cool video/pics because i've had my camera on me.

however, if you're gonna be making movies or need better quality video, an hd camcorder w/huge memory might be a better idea.

i'd pass on the expensive cell phone, unless you have money to burn. i bought a new one (at the time) for $560+. it was out of date w/in a year...and not only that, i lost it over the summer!

 

^^^ i agree with spending any money at all on the cell phones.
which brand can hold the biggest memory card out of all?

I dont understand how they have wide range of megapixels of camera from 5,6~ to 10 megapixel, but they all only do 640x480.
Does having more megapixel mean the better video quality?

 

Be careful when deciding on a camcorder for videotaping from your car. I purchased a Sony DCR-SR100 30GB hard drive camera and everytime I used it the camcorder turned off. It has a built in mechanisim to protect the hard drive if it shakes too much. I was forced to purchase a MiniDV camcorder for in-car video. I purchased a Canon HV10 MiniDV which works very well.

 

No it won't be better quality. My Canon PS S2 IS is a 5 Mp Camera. If you want a slim camera, i would look into the new Sony's that are out right now.

 

i'd also recommend one of the new sony's (T-series)...but i'm a bit biased. i love my T-9...takes great daytime pics and the videos are great w/clear sound (even in a club setting: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xrQpB4aj0ac) .

one bad thing though, as previously mentioned, is the night-time pic quality. it's pretty terrible, unless you're w/in 5 ft of whatever you're taking a pic of and using flash. not sure if the newer cams do better in this regard or not.

here's a good site to check for digital cameras:
http://www.steves-digicams.com/

no idea about camcorders, sorry.

 

EJO, How sensitive was the hard drive protective measure? Was it to the point where it was hard to record anything on the mount or as long as you stay away from zebra zone should be fine type?
I ordered the modifry mount, so as soon as i get it, i'll try it with my friend's jvc.

rustywave, your youtube link doesn't work.

If i go slim, i want sony or canon. which can afford bigger memory? anyone? I think the canon's can only have up to 2g memory card where as sony's can take up to 8g?

 

whoops, sorry. link got formatted with a parenthesis before. works now.

no idea about memory sizes, but i have two 1gb cards...and don't even use the 2nd card. i download all of my pictures when the memory gets pretty full...though lots of memory is definitely useful for traveling.

 

I have the modifry mount and can record when not in protective mode. This is not advisable since it can ruin the hard drive if it gets bumped too hard or too often. I have thought of putting a thin rubber sheet under the mount for extra shock/shake resistance but have not tried it yet.