I dont know nothing about them and i want to try to get one for spring break.Are the camcroders that are hi 8 digital and can u upload it to pc and all.I want to get a good camcorder but not over 499

Hello,
I work a camera shop. I'm able to help you here.
A good downloadable format is miniDV especially the newer ones.
I own a Canon ZR10 camcorder.
When your going to Spring Break, get the smallest, most compact camcorder you can find.

Recommendations:
the Canon ZR line (the ZR45 and ZR50 lines are able to take digital pictures on a SD card.)
JVC: these camcorders are small and compact.

Make sure that you get batteries with long hourly power. The Canon have batteries a 9 hour time frame at the maximum.

is the panasonic better than a canon?

I'm no expert, but a cannon is hard to beat!
just my $0.02

doh! cannon = canon
thank you

This is the one i was looking at ?? altho the cano has a better optical zoom HERE

note: edited by admin to shorten the URL

It sounds like you are already aware of this, but one important thing to keep in mind is the optical zoom vs. digital zoom. You want the highest power optical zoom you can afford (digital zoom is worthless, for the most part, because all it really does is enlarge the center of the image and you lose image quality). This is true for digital still cameras, as well as, video cameras.

I'd have to agre with WWWill about Canon being a good video camera. And if anyone is interested, I can't say enough about Fuji digital still cameras. I use one personally and for work and continue to be impressed every time I take photos with a Fuji.

On a side note... we are discussing contests that will involve Spring Breakers submitting video and photos from SB2K3 for cool prizes, so keep an eye on our forums and contest page (Spring Break section) for more info!

Here is my advice from experience. I run what is kind of the Tripsmarter of Las Vegas and was behind the camera for all of this:

http://photos.accessvegas.com/cgi-bi...=New_Years_Eve

While I am relating Las Vegas experiences, you might find it helpful on a more broad level.

Women love attention and the younger they are (legal age and up), the more attention they love. However, since the explosion of "Girls Gone Wild" we've found that some are getting more wary of guys toting cameras.

Going with the small camera is great ... they are less likely to notice it. And yes ... get the best zoom possible without digital zoom. Digital zoom is a joke. I agree with all said previous.

Lack of light at night might be an issue, though. We had a short in our big camera light on New Year's Eve and some of the best flashing was lost due to lack of lighting. We got others, but hated to lose good footage.

We have it on tape, but it wasn't usable. For the amateur, your buddies aren't going to be impressed by a blurry dark flashing shot and you trying to tell them how incredible her rack was.

Even guys who look like Ricki Martin have trouble coaxing women into flashing. If you have to beg and beg, move on. You'll find the wild women sooner if you don't waste time with the lame ones! They either are wild, or they aren't.

Beads help. Have a nice variety, BUT ... don't give them out for something lame. If the women know a bra shot will get them beads, they will be trained not to show any more.

As for the Girls Gone Wild ... I don't know about how they film in PCB, but here in Las Vegas, they literally hand out $100 bills to get girls to do stuff on film.

So ... If you can afford to hand out piles of Ben Franklins ... forget everything I said. You are set! Otherwise, it doesn't hurt to have (or rent) a decent ride. Cruising down Front Beach Road with the camera rolling and saying "hi" to the laidies should prove fun.

Tripsmarter is doing a video contest now, and I wouldn't be surprised if they did another one after Spring Break. (No clue ... but they do regular contests). The present one is at http://www.tripsmarter.com/panamacit...k/contests.htm

Shoot away ... helps preserve the memories and you never know what you will catch. Freeze framing it on that one cutie when you got home can be priceless. Sending it to Tripsmarter can get you VIP. Take it from somene who knows ... VIP status at hot party times rocks.

I know here in Vegas, I'll be watching what ya'll come up with. Roll tape!

does it matter between HI 8 and mini d ?

Not for what you are doing. It will look great on your TV and the important this is digital imports into a computer for editing, DVD burning, etc.

In fact, compact is good as less obvious when just shooting on the beach and easy to cover or protect when people start spilling beer all over. That is my experience.

I think i want that canon but it doesnt have a light. witch one u think i should get.

It's hard to beat a Canon camera, digital or not...

I saw on some site that the picture wasnt that good

tedinvegas what kind of camcorder do u use

We've been using a Sony DCR-TRV530 with the extended batteries, biggest lighting setup they sell for it, etc. This model is a couple years old and uses standard Hi8/Digital tape.

Not having to shoot for broadcast TV has made it great because of the quality of picture, reasonable compact size, and ability to import to computer for editing via firewire.

Even if we pursue plans to shoot for broadcast, we will stay in the digital realm (athough with a $4000 camera). I know the beta guys will fight me tooth and nail on this, but digital has come of age. Editing on a computer is childs play. All the software is getting dirt cheap and you can burn straight to DVD.

Digital is getting so good and so small that you probably can't go wrong for personal use. In fact, I'd consider this: Don't spend any more than you will cry over if you drop it, it gets crushed, you break part of it, or someone spills beer all over it. While news crews can get roped off areas or security to protect their stuff, you will be in the middle of chaos and partiers. You might even be the one who breaks it or drops it in the gulf.