Help with new digital? camcorder

[hazmat]

Guys,

A buddy at work's Sony 8mm analog camcorder died (Handycam CCD-TR73). He is shopping for a new one. He is trying to find out if the new digital ones have similar optics - especially concerning low light. He has tried local camera shops & sony technical services, but nobody seems to know.

I know, not too related, but he might make a movie of me on the tractor some day /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

 

[Bob_Skurka]

I don't know, but I just bought a camcorder based on C|Net reviews and a few other reviews I saw scattered around the net. C|Net does give all sorts of data, your friend might want to check their website.

C|Net camcorder reviews

 

[khd]

Lux is the low light number and make sure he compares optical zoom and not "digital" zoom if that's the correct term, i.e. there is no comparrison if you look at 10x optical to 10x digital...optical always wins...at least in camcorder price ranges. Manufacturers tend to tought digital zooms as it is far cheaper to digitally zoom an image that it is to provide qulaity glass.

Regards,
Kevin

 

[hazmat]

Thanks guys. The CNET reviews have some good info.

I think he's going to try to get his old one repaired. Looks like he needs to spend $800-900 to get similar low light performance.