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EZ DV Camcorders

Capture digital video with these palm-sized, reasonably priced camcorders that boast high-end features

Night modes that feature built-in lighting aids or infrared LEDs are helpful in capturing video in low-light or no-light conditions. Noise-reduction technology is another feature that could improve the quality of your videos.

The built-in microphones on digital camcorders often will pick up a lot of background noise that might interfere with the sound you're trying to capture. A microphone jack lets you attach an external microphone that can be used to isolate your subject. An earphone jack is a useful feature when you want to review the footage you just shot without being distracted by the sounds around you.

Standard in all models, A/V outputs let you connect the camcorder to your TV or VCR and view your videos. A/V inputs, which are essential for converting tapes from an older format, are also common.

With some camcorders, it's possible to add special effects while shooting or in playback mode. Several Canon models let you switch on digital effects, such as sepia and mosaic, or add transitions, such as fade, wipe, flip and puzzle. These features can be fun and convenient to use at times, but the real editing process should be done on a computer, where you have more options and can view the results more clearly.

Camcorders Or Cameras?
You're likely to see this feature widely hyped in many digital camcorders: the ability to take still photographs. The truth is that no camcorder can take the place of a dedicated digital camera for true quality photos, although this feature does have its advantages when you're traveling light and don't want to carry an additional camera for casual snapshots. Pictures captured with a camcorder range from low resolution (640x480) to a decent 3 megapixels.

Low-resolution photos, which are stored on the same medium as the video or on a separate memory card, are great for use on a Web page or for e-mailing. Some camcorders allow you to grab still frames while replaying the video and save them as low-resolution digital images, which can be used in many ways. Print them as thumbnails to organize your video into chapters, for example.

High-resolution images generally are saved on a memory card, making them easier to access and print. Some of the more advanced models incorporate technology that processes video and still images separately, taking their different color requirement into account.

 

 

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