Cheap family camcorder advice (Panasonic) ?

[gingertom]

Have been recommended the Panasonic SDR-S7EB-K Camcorder (http://www.thedvdforums.com/affiliatelink.php?localaffiliateid=8&url=http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/B0013XRSH6/thedvdforums-21) as an easy to use cam which everyone (including the kids) will be able to use.

Anyone here have a alternative?

[steford]

Nice camera. Only options I can think of are if you want to archive to tape (this is SD card) or want to record in HD (this is standard def). Apart from that it's an excellent little camera which will be easy for all. Also worth downloading the tool that sets the 16:9 flag correctly (can't remember the name) if you intend to record in that mode. Getting these files onto DVD is doddle (with correct settings) as they are pretty much ready to go so no re-encoding. My only minor issue with the cam is its performance in low light/indoors which isn't brilliant. It also suffers slightly in backlit scenes although it has a manual mode to compensate.

EDIT: SDCopy is the tool metioned and can be found here (http://72.3.248.187/bbs/showthread.php?t=132937&page=5&pp=15). Copies and renames the camera's .MOD files to timestamped MPG files with the 16:9 flag set.

[charlie angel]

I was just coming in here to post a similar thread; I'm looking for something cheapish & cheerful to record my boy growing up - that camera looks pretty decent to me (although I know nothing about them)

With regards to Hi-def camcorders; is there any compensation for having wobbly hands? I'm not much of a photographer I'm afraid :(

[stephen]

Asda have got this one, I've got no idea what it's like though:

Asda (http://www.thedvdforums.com/affiliatelink.php?localaffiliateid=27&url=http://direct.asda.com/Sony-Digital-Camcorder/000619894,default,pd.html)

[Tintop]

I bought the SDR-S7 and love it. Small and light so easy to take out and about. Decent quality and battery life.

I'm not planning on making movies with it so don't need HD :)

[charlie angel]

Just got my S7 today - now that's a small camcorder :)

I need to find a small carry case for it now, as I'm sure I'll drop it.

[d.boyd1uk]

I have this one and think its very good for the price paid, it uses SDHC cards, the camera is HD. easy to use too.
Amazon.co.uk (http://www.thedvdforums.com/affiliatelink.php?localaffiliateid=8&url=http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/B001B3HLXO/thedvdforums-21)

[Alan b]

Can you affiliate these links please d.boyd1uk, ta.

[d.boyd1uk]

ok, keep forgetting about affiliates :)