Video Camcorder help!?

Question

So I'm searching for a camcorder to buy- and I find to camears made by the same company, they are both like the same price, but one comes with additional tripod so it's a little more in price-

BUT the one that has the tripod has 1200Xdigital zoom ,and the cheaper one has 240Xdigital zoom. I'm jsut asking is 240 really crappy zoom? And which of the two should I get

If you're wondering what the cameras are- they are
cheap one =Hitachi DVD Camcorder w/ 1.3 MP Still Shot, DZMV780MA
More expensive one= Hitachi DZBX35A DVD Camcorder with Bonus Tripod Accessory Kit


AND if you have either one of them ,can you tell me if you like them or hate them, or any other suggestions to which one I should get!

Thanks!

Answer 1

Digital zoom is virtually useless. Even on a tripod. Look for the optical zoom, it's more important. You'll need a tripod anyway. You will also need additional accessories. You will need a bag, DVD's, a memory stick (if the still pictures save on one), you will need a video lamp for indoors, a camera flash for indoors, and you should get a service plan. Those cams are fixed by techs that get paid $70-120 hourly plus the cost of parts. And most service contracts will replace batteries that go bad, too. Hitachi makes a pretty decent camcorder, so it would be a good choice.