Camcorder advice

[Gwylan]

My son has a wedge of birthday money and wants to buy a camcorder. I thought I'd pick NSC's collective brains for the best one.

He's 7 years old so I want something that's robust, not too complex to operate (although judging by the way he whizzes around a PC I don't think he'd be too fazed by this) and costs about £100. He's not going to doing anything to arty with it but I think it will need a decent zoom.

Any recommendations?

 

[SeagullSongs]

GE DV1 Pocket Digital Camcorder - Velvet Red 2.5-inch: Amazon.co.uk: Camera Photo

The zoom isn't brilliant, but I think it'll be difficult to find exactly what you're looking for for less than £100.

 

[Gwylan]

GE DV1 Pocket Digital Camcorder - Velvet Red 2.5-inch: Amazon.co.uk: Camera Photo

The zoom isn't brilliant, but I think it'll be difficult to find exactly what you're looking for for less than £100.

I said about a £100 - it could be a bit over.

 

[SeagullSongs]

This maybe?

Toshiba Camileo BW10 Sportcam 5MP Full HD Waterproof: Amazon.co.uk: Camera Photo

 

[element]

Might pay to get one that uses the format that is compatible with the editing software he is going to use. With so many formats now, he might spend hours changing file formats otherwise

 

[Gwylan]

Might pay to get one that uses the format that is compatible with the editing software he is going to use. With so many formats now, he might spend hours changing file formats otherwise

Good point. We'll be using Movie Maker

 

[element]

Good point. We'll be using Movie Maker

If it's XP you're using, the following formats are supported:-

Supported formats for importing content

Video files: .asf, .avi, .wmv
Movie files: MPEG1, .mpeg, .mpg, .m1v, .mp2
Audio files: .wav, .snd, .au, .aif, .aifc, .aiff
Windows Media files: .asf, .wm, .wma, .wmv
Still images: .bmp, .jpg, .jpeg, .jpe, .jfif, .gif
MP3 format audio: .mp3

If it's a later OS, just check compatability via a Google search

 

[Aadam]

Slightly different but how about an action camera like a GoPro? They're a lot more robust, can be used under water and very simple to use.

 

[BensGrandad]

My niece bought one to take videos of her daughter in the water and under water and only cost about £70 from Argos not sure of the make. I was going to buy one but went and bought one from cash converters and got a much more expensive one very cheap. This maybe an idea to see if he takes to it or it is just a 5 min fancy.

 

[Tony Towner's Fridge]

Does anyone here have access to Which on-line?

If so they have a very recent camcorder review which would be worth sending to Gwylan.

As usual Which tend to analyse electronic items in a way that you will be able to find a suitable unit?

Any helpers?

TNBA

TTF

 

[BensGrandad]

My niece has just phoned the one she bought that she is very pleased with is a Vivitar now on offer at £39.99 reduced from £99.99, mind I have never seen it at that price, the most I have seen it at was £69.99.