Specifications for a good handycam/camcorder?

Question

I want to purchase a good handycam between range $350-$400. I need some specifications which I should look for it while purchasing. I want to use it for vedio recording as well as still pictures and should perform well in low lights. I want it to support the media type which can make it easier to tansfer videos and pictures on PC and share it. Please help.

Answer 1

Best choice would be to buy a MiniDV camcorder, it is very high quality as it records in MiniDV tape in an uncompressed or lossless compressed format.

Make in ascending order according to my preference:
1. Sony
2. Canon
3. Panasonic
4. JVC
all other makes are no good in quality.

Features:
1. at least 20X optical zoom, doesn't matter how much digital zoom it has. using digital zoom, you loose quality.
2. Night shot
3. Image Stabiliser
4. Don't worry about pixels for still photos, you can't get a good quality still photo from a camcorder as yet compared to any cheap digital camera.
5. Sony has a touch screen panel, so much easier to use.
6. Sony HC series also have built in digital effect, so while filming u can add digital effects instead of doing so in computer.

Hope this helps.