Best birding trip camcorder?

[Dave Hawkins]

Can anybody recommend the best current model digital camcorder for birding trip use? I would like it to be reasonably compact, with decent quality optical zoom, image stabilised with a good battery life. If it digiscopes (to a Kowa 883) all well and good but not essential. Maximum price £500.

Thanks for the help:smile:

Dave

[AndyB]

Hi Dave, I've tried the Sony DV (which is in that price range or under). Small, compact and has 40x optical zoom and 2000x digital. It took discs and I have a mac computer so was a real pain to get video off. Warning to all mac users, research thoroughly before buying and avoid Sony. It's a PC world so the rest of you don't have to worry. Not sure they still make this camera, but this seems to be closest (http://www.amazon.co.uk/Sony-DCR-HC45-Handycam-Camcorder-screen/dp/B000MK3XVQ/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&s=gateway&qid=1201537192&sr=8-6). Here's some video I took with that camera (http://surfbirds.com/video2/view_video.php?viewkey=90ce0268229151c9bde1&page=1&viewtype=&category=mr)

I have since upgraded to HD - and the Canon HV20 is superb. It has 10x optical zoom and I bought the TLH43 1.7 teleconverter to take it to 17x. Results are good and if you have HD video editing capability eg imovie HD, you can get some very nice footage. Some of my videos here (http://surfbirds.com/video2/uvideos.php?UID=4&type=public) are shot with this camera - (see Malibu Banding, Great Egrets, Ring-billed Gull, Royal Terns) to give you an idea. Also see this thread for some videograbs (http://www.surfbirds.com/forum/showthread.php?t=2160) from this camera. This camera has come down in price over past few months and is now for sale on amazon for £500 (http://www.amazon.co.uk/Definition-Camcorder-Optical-Widescreen-Colour/dp/B000P4SZ80/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=gateway&qid=1201537788&sr=8-1) - if you throw in the teleconvertor for £100 and you're a little over budget. Anyway, it's small and compact but I wish I got more with the teleconvertor.

I have not tried videoscoping so would like to hear what others are using and what sort of results they're getting. :smile:

[KenM]

Can anybody recommend the best current model digital camcorder for birding trip use? I would like it to be reasonably compact, with decent quality optical zoom, image stabilised with a good battery life. If it digiscopes (to a Kowa 883) all well and good but not essential. Maximum price £500.

Thanks for the help:smile:

Dave

Dave Hi,
I can second Andy Birches recommendation of the Canon HV20. I took mine to Toronto in May '07 where I filmed an Ovenbird from about 15 feet in perfect light, and the ensuing grabs ( value 2 million pixels)... blew me away!
Basically if your subject matter is not too fast ie firecrest/Yellow Browed speed, then your in with a good chance light and distance permitting of getting a good result.

Cheers
KenM

[birdboybowley]

Hi Dave

Where are you gonna be taking it? One thing to remember is if it's anywhere hot 'n' humid be ready for it all to go horribly wrong if your using discs/tapes....that's why I've opted for HDD...pricey but no 'moving' parts as such so isn't as affected by stuffy weather

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[Dave Hawkins]

The camcorder will be going where ever the mood takes us. Our next trip is 3 weeks in Ecuador, other likely venues on the wish list are Eagles Nest, Chile or Argentina and I mustn't forget my local Norfolk coast.
We don't want anything too heavy or large (my wife's likely to be carrying it!) and it must be simple to operate (for both our sakes!)
Dave