I know this is not an DSLR question so forgive me, but what is a good entry level (cheap) video camera to get into? I was considering the Canon ZR900 - $250 at my local camera shop. Any thoughts?

Cheap? Get an SD1000 or SD870IS, it will be a perfect carry anywhere digi-cam/corder. Otherwise, solid state memory HD is the only way to go!

http://www.usa.canon.com/consumer/controller?act=ModelInfoAct&fcategoryid=177&modelid=16186#ModelTechSpecsAct

sav0320 wrote:
Cheap? Get an SD1000 or SD870IS, it will be a perfect carry anywhere digi-cam/corder. Otherwise, solid state memory HD is the only way to go!

http://www.usa.canon.com/consumer/controller?act=ModelInfoAct&fcategoryid=177&modelid=16186#ModelTechSpecsAct


Yikes!! That unit is $1K!! Hehe... I was looking at maybe $500 at the most. Solid State HD format sounds really good though.

The Canon G9 P&S does video really good. You're limited to the size of your SD card.

I agree with sav0320... solid state memory HD is the way to go. I own the Canon HF100 and also purchased one for my parents. It's $650 on Amazon now and is an excellent camcorder. It does 1080p, the size is tiny and even the still images are acceptable for the point-and-shoot crowd.

I am seeing the Canon HF100 to be a fairly reasonable choice! Its twice what I want to spend but it seems to offer more than average run of the mill camcorders. Thanks everyone!

I picked up a FS-100, I think it is a nice little video-camera without going to HD

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/539224-REG/Canon_2699B001AA_FS_100_Flash_Memory_Camcorder.html

amazon has that new flash memory based HD canon video cam for 600 something

Thanks everyone! I simply can't decide exactly how bad do I want HD and the corresponding $700 price tag of something like the HF-100, as opposed to something in the $250 price like the FS-100.

The tape based HD camcorders (e.g. Canon HV30) have considerably better image quality to the hard drive or SD card based ones.

The CODEC used has way less compression on the tape cameras.