What To Look For in Inexpensive Video Cameras

When buying a new video camera this holiday season there are certain things to look for in the way of imaging.

The Horrors of Shopping

Buying an inexpensive digital video camcorder can be a tricky affair. When you don’t want to spend too much you really have to itemize your needs and decide what you can live without. Getting a quality image is the key factor to look for in a camera, so when testing your special picks there are certain things you should look for.

Let There Be Light

Lower resolution digital video cameras often have a tough time with varying light levels. Try using the “auto” modes when testing the camera, and shift from the normal light levels to an area of high shadow to see how well it reconfirms. See how it picks up images in the dark, especially objects that have bright colors. If it transitions well and still gives an acceptable image then that is a big plus. Also see how the camera interprets objects that have a varying texture in standard lighting situations. This can be things like how it interprets the details on a piece of clothing or facial features. See how well the camera picks up colors of objects under the automatic settings, because this will be a good indicator as to how well it will handle images in general.

Maintain Focus

Try out the auto focus to see how well it focuses in on both stationary and moving objects. If it takes more than a second to focus in on a new object then you may want to move on. If the auto focus has trouble on objects that have a variable texture or a complex pattern this is also a bad sign. Try calibrating the zoom manually by zooming in as close as you can, focusing, and zooming back out slowly. It should maintain the focus during the entire zoom out process.

The Great White Hype

Test out the white balance, both auto and manual, to make sure that it really does capture the true white of the situation. Some cheaper cameras have trouble registering a real white, so do this in several lighting situations with different white objects. If you have to white balance several times to get it right this may indicate that the camera is just not up to the task.

Eye on the Numbers

Pay special attention to the focal length and resolution numbers. Make sure to get something with a focal length of over twenty, and the lines of resolution always over four hundred. When looking at zoom options always choose optical over digital zoom, but having both is ideal.

Take It Back

The best way to try out a camera’s imaging is just to video tape a bunch of situations and then check them over. This can be hard to do in the store, but always keep the receipt and don’t be afraid to return it if it does not meet your expectations.