The first place to start when choosing a digital camcorder is with your budget. How much money you have to spend will determine what features you should consider. It doesn't make sense to compare models based on things you can't afford in the first place. After you have determined you budget, then it is time to consider the following points so you can buy the perfect camera for your situation.
Once your budget is set, take a look at the lens. Here's a handy rule of thumb-the larger the lens, the more light it can collect, and the better quality the images will be. So try to consider digital camcorders with larger lenses.
What about pixels? Video images are composed of little dots, and these dots are called pixels. The more pixels you can pack into a picture, the greater the resolution will be. Higher resolution is associated with sharper, clearer images. So when you are comparing camcorders, opt for the one with more pixels per CCD.
What is a CCD, you ask? These three letters are an abbreviation for "charged couple device." This is the eye of your camera, the little gizmo that actually turns what comes through the lens into digital information. Most high-quality digital camcorders have three CCDs working together. When trying to make a choice, opt for more CCDs or larger CCDs.
Don't forget that videos need sound too. If the included microphone on your chosen model doesn't look as good as you would like, see if the camcorder has XLR inputs for higher quality microphones. Sound quality can make or break a video. If you want to add music later on, check to see if the camera can add time code to the video. It's not essential, but will make your life easier if it can.
Finally, take a look at how the camera downloads video information to a computer or other device. Also, does it shoot in 16:9 aspect ratio? Optical image stabilization is a real plus if you can get it.
With so many digital camcorders on the market, choosing the right one can be a challenge. But the basics above should be enough to get you started on the right track.
