Best Camcorders for Hobbyist
Picking the right camcorder for the hobbyist naturally depends on the hobby at hand. There are hundreds of camcorders on the market, but focusing on your needs will allow you to narrow the field.
No matter your hobby, you will want a good-quality 3 mega-pixel or higher MiniDV camcorder. MiniDV camcorders are small, sharp and allow you to remove your “tapes” to set aside for later editing. If you decide against a MiniDV player, you’ll want a model with a hard drive and memory cards. All good cameras should have easy-to-use playback features for on-site review and a good zoom for far-off shots or tight close-ups.
Outdoor hobbies require a light but rugged camcorder with a fast shutter speed and automatic stabilization. You might also want to look for a long zoom, playback features for review in the field, excellent audio features, long battery life with back up batteries, and a light tripod.
If you are an indoor hobbyist, look for a detachable external light for off-angle lighting situations as well as a quality external microphone, extra batteries, manual controls for fine-tuning and a sturdy tripod.
Choose wisely and you’ll be documenting your passions and interests in no time!
