Seeking "User Friendly" Video Camera Recommendations

We have a Sony Handycam which I think is very user friendly (I'm hardly a techy and can use it :) It takes still pictures as well. You can transfer the videos to DVD on the computer, which I think is pretty easy, but my hubby's in charge of that! Hope that helps!

H. -

When I saw this request, I almost cracked a smile. Check this website out, I think it can help you on your search: http://www.myproductadvisor.com/mpa/camera_/inputSummary.do

The more questions you answer, the more accurate it is in giving you suitable suggestions! And it's free! I love this site because when I was shopping around for a camera, I was leaning toward buying a particular one; then I found this site, answered the questions, and lo and behold it suggested the EXACT same camera I was considering! What a coinkydink! :D

Anyway, the camera I chose is a Kodak camera (check it out here: http://www.kodak.com/eknec/PageQuerier.jhtml?pq-locale=en.... I absolutely *love* this camera! It takes pictures, records video, and connects to my computer so I can upload everything and burn DVD's of the movies I filmed, or send the pictures to my online gallery, or email them, create crafts, or whatever! Even the software is easy to use! Plus, you can sign up for webspace on Kodak's server (KodakGallery.com) and keep pics and videos there with no limit on the space you use (you just have to buy one thing each year, that could be a 15 cent print). The camera also comes with A/V cables so I can connect it to any TV and replay the stuff I have in the camera's memory. I could go on and on about this camera - PM me if you want more info. Good luck!

You should ask your self what you want to do with the movies once you have them. If you want a super easy way to share with family and friends, then I recommend a FLICKER camera. I think they are quite cheap, way easy, but the quality is only so so. The great thing about them is that you can download directly onto youtube. Which makes sharing with family a cinch. The other cameras require software and you have to transfer it here and there to be able to watch it. Just an idea.

H.,

We picked up an Olympus FE-340 this summer for our large family vacation and love it! The camera is easy to use, has a ton of settings for still pictures. It even has a firework setting, candle light, night on the town, action, ect.

The best part is the video camera option. The memory card holds 35 minutes of video (plus a large number of stills). It is not professional quality video, but if you are just looking for something to record memories, this might be an option for you.

Everything is digital and easily down-loadable to your computer. Be aware of the batter, the camera comes with a square battery and recharger that is provided by the company. It is supposed to last at least a year before needing replacement. I don't know, we haven't used ours that long yet, but I have found the battery lasts a lot longer per use than the electronic AA's from the store, even the rechargeable ones.

You will have to purchase a memory card separately, this does not come standard any longer, but be sure to buy the upgraded (+) version. I was told by a salesman at Circuit City that the quality of the card determines how quickly the camera cycles through the save process and prepares itself for another picture. The standard and "+" versions of the memory card were the same price, so the salesman was not looking for a larger commission, just trying to be helpful.

Once you find a few camera and/or video models you are interested in, check out www.amazon.com and look at the customer reviews. Then go into a store and handle the models you are interested in. I discovered the Kodak cameras were uncomfortable to hold and just were not user-friendly for me, though the reviews were great.

Then I priced out the models both on-line and in the store and figured out where I could get the best deal.

I hope you are able to find something you really like. Good luck in your search!

-C..

we have a sony mini dvd camera. it's great because it's really easy to use, takes still photos, and since it's on a a dvd you can play it in a regular dvd player and you can also burn it on your pc if you want to make copies.

Hi H., my husband surprised me with a new video camera a couple of years ago (nothing wrong with the one we had)!

This camera is the worst Canon DC100 - very technical, just a pain to use. Just wanted to point out that we needed to by a new DVD player - because the video camera records on writable/rewritable disks some DVD players will not play them. So I got a new camera, and had to get a new DVD player. I wanted to give you this tip when you are looking, hopefully this will save you from an added expense!!

I am not complaining. My husband loves his new video camera and he takes all the movies now!! ;o)

Good luck!
LJ

H.,

The Sony Handycam does video and still pictures. It doesn't record right to a DVD though, it records to a little cassette tape but it is easy to hook it up to your tv and record onto a DVD. It also has the flip out screen that swivels and push buttons on the screen.

M. M.

Sorry I responded to the wrong post--the only thing I can tell you about video cameras is to get one that records straight to DVD or one that records to a hard drive. I have a Sony that records to DVD and I love it!

The doc I work for bought us one for Christmas last year. Its a Sony and records right to DVD. I love it...and I am no techie!! LOL

The flip out screen is also a touch screen with easy to follow directions right on the screen. It also flips around so my kids can see themselves in it while taping (they love that)! We started using it right away so it's user friendly. It also has a camera feature but I haven't read up on using that yet! :)

~L.

Hey, I see you have gotten many ideas, but I didn't notice the brand we have and just wanted to tell you about it. It was only around $90 dollars and it is by APTEK. It takes a memory card and we just download everything to the computer! It is also a camera. We love it and it has fufilled our needs so far.

R. L.

We got a JVC Everio with a 30GB internal hard drive, so you don't need cards/tapes/etc. You can take stills with it as well, but if you'll be taking a lot you would probably need a memory card for the photos. You can either get a dock and burn directly to DVD, or transfer them to your computer and burn them that way. I'm computer literate, but far from a techie and find it very easy to use. It's also very small, so it fits easily in my purse. I would look on Consumer Reports as well to see how people rate different cameras. The reviews from actual customers are often more helpful than the 'official' magazine reviews. Good luck!

I did see one at Best Buy that you can dock right on to a DVD burner. I am not sure the price or anything else only that that is the one my hubby wants. He is very techie and knkows what is best. Not sure the name or it, but your best bet is to go to best buy or another place and talk to a salesguy to ask all your questions. Or go to Ritz Camera to find the one you want and then price shop. They are really helpful there just a little more expensive. Costco has good prices.