| Not too long ago digital camcorders were very | | | | need to know about this is that the optical zoom |
| pricey, and so most bought an analog camcorder | | | | does not result in any video degradation, but because |
| instead, but as always technology marches on and | | | | the digital zoom is just magnifying the image that is |
| what was expensive yesterday can be very | | | | already recorded, you can easily begin to see |
| affordable today. So it is with digital camcorders. | | | | graininess in the video image. So try to rely on the |
| They have a lot of advantages that make them the | | | | optical zoom as much as possible for most shots, and |
| clear choice if you can afford it, and here are some | | | | choosing a camera that has at least a 10z optical |
| tips on how to choose a digital camcorder: | | | | zoom should work fine. |
| * It's a good idea not to buy any camcorder until you | | | | * It good to try to get a digital camcorder that can |
| have had a chance to actually hold and use it | | | | also take still shots too as this makes it so much |
| yourself. This is true because miniDV camcorders are | | | | more convenient to take both video and stills at the |
| the most popular camcorders out there, and they are | | | | same event. Otherwise, you would have to carry |
| so small that they may actually be too tiny for some | | | | along both a digital camera and a digital camcorder at |
| folks with large hands to even use. They typically | | | | the same time and switch back and forth. But getting |
| only weigh about a pound, and they can fit easily into | | | | a camcorder that allows you to take still digital shots |
| the palm of your hand. So just imagine how difficult it | | | | eliminates this hassle. Often the camcorder will even |
| can be for some to fiddle with the tiny controls and | | | | have a built-in flash for low light camera situations |
| dials on these petite camcorders. | | | | too. Most often the digital pictures are saved onto a |
| * Be sure that you understand the zoom feature and | | | | removable media card that you can use to upload |
| how it works so you get what you need when you | | | | them to your computer and print them out later on. |
| buy. There two kinds of zooms used on digital | | | | A digital camcorder opens up lots of possibilities as it |
| camcorders, the optical zoom and the digital zoom. | | | | allows you to even transfer the video to your |
| An optical zoom refers to the lens capability itself and | | | | computer and add text or music if you like. In |
| zooms in on a subject before it is digitally recorded. | | | | essence, you can become your own little movie |
| The digital zoom is done by taking the digital image | | | | director with the high quality miniDV camcorders that |
| that has been recorded and magnifying it. What you | | | | are available today. |