Digital Camcorder

[Mannie]

Is there anyone out there that can give me advice on which digital camcorder to buy.
I want something small as I am going backpacking in Australia, and want to be able to take digital still pictures.
Was considering the JVC GR-DVP3.
Any suggestions?????????
Steve

[RichardM]

Don't be swayed by the megazoom numbers, they are unusable at extreme zooms.

Don't go for features you are unlikely to use.

If you are not going to do any on PC editing, don't worry about a firewire port.

Get the biggest capacity battery (or a number of lower capacity batteries) as part of the deal. They cost a lot on their own.

If you are treavelling to Oz through Singapore, HK or even Middle East stopovers , buy there if warranties don't worry you, you'll save a fortune. Even Oz is cheaper.

Size does matter (ooh err missus), if it feels usable in your hand and you aren't worried about using useless functions buy the smallest you can find Panasonic DV 35 - 55 series , Canon and JVC make similar small cameras.

I bought a Panasonic DV35 a couple of years ago and it doesn't have a huge range of facilities but produces a brilliant picture, which is after all what you really want.

[Mannie]

Nice one, thanks Richard.

I was starting to be swayed by features that I was having to think up a use for such as DV in (I just like gadgets!)

Will have look at the Panasonic ones.