Camcorder advice

[spleenboy]

I'm looking to get a digital camcorder over the next few weeks, and was hoping to find one that doubles as a good digital camera. Can anyone recommend a good model? Price range would be quite flexible - I was hoping to only spend around £300, but would stretch to £600 if necessary.

Thanks in advance :)

[Corrado]

Try this:
http://www.johnlewis.com/stores/multiproduct.asp?shelfid=20357&str=402&Configurator=0&trsid=2815&m=-1
A mate bought it and is very pleased.

Any other ideas?

[Prav]

Sony HC40e is pretty good - about £470.

[Way_2_FAT]

For your budget I don't think you can get a better DV camcorder than the Panasonic GS120B (3 CCD and pretty good in low light conditions), you can get it for around £500 online...

[deanos]

Camcorders dont take good still pictures

[spleenboy]

Do they not? That's a shame. I'd much rather go for a seperate digital camera if that's the case.

Both the recommended Sony HC40e and Panasonic GS120B look pretty good though - are the still picture features on these quite poor then?

[Coolio]

I second they dont take good still picture, and u would have to buy a memory card anyway for them. We have a camcorder (Sony TRV19 £250) and the Canon A70, but u can get a canon A60 I believe for about £100. The still ones also take videos but best to go seperate on both fronts.

Get something like 'What camcorder' magazine and they often have a beginners guide in there and reviews of all the top ones at the back, good reference guide.

[wen]

we brought the sony DCR-IP1E while in blackpool this weekend only £719 from dixons.

palm sized, micro dv tapes, memory stick duo for stills.

a right 'ickle beauty.

[Quey]

IP1s are good for size but not picture quality, stick with Mini-dv, Micro-dv is now a discontinued format akaik.

[Prav]

Still photo's on the Sony HC40 aren't amazing - but I wouldn't bother using a camcorder as a still camera.

The best thing about the HC40 is the size - its so wee! Plus it has DV in/out and widescreen mode.