Hi

Is there a mini camcorder that anyone would recommend which is very small, but will still do everything that you would need in a camcorder. I'm fairly technically challenged, so any information/recommendation in non technical language would be appreciated.

Though being technically adept, I am quite (for the lack of a better word) a-camcorder, not to be misconstrued as anti-camcorder.

Of the people on this forum that use a camcorder, the majority of them spend a lot of time "editing" their videos. You may want to evaluate your "technical prowess at editing" before you take the plunge. Of course, editing is purely an optional step.

You may want to stay away from the newer HDD (hard disk) based camcorders since they will always incorporate an editing/downloading step.

Your best bet is the mini-DVD ones that are more easily available and sharable.

It depends a little by what you mean by “mini”. When I first started taking videos the case was too big to fit in an overhead locker! The one I use today is a Sony it is about 150 mm long and weighs around 1.6kg with a three hour battery attached. Sony produces many models, at many prices, so you can pick the bits and pieces you want.

There are smaller cameras available, but having rather large hands I find them difficult to use.

What I'm about to suggest may border on lame, but today's digital cameras have excellent video recording capabilities.

Have you considered using a camera as a camcorder and do away with a dedicated camcorder? Of course, there are both pros and cons on using a dedicated camcorder versus the video function of the digicam.

I don't really know what I want - have never used one before. I just thought it would be handy to have one occasionally when you want to capture a moment where a photo doesn't quite do it. We already have a digital camera with video capability and have used it occasionally, but limit its use as we like to take lots of photos and videos take up quite a bit of the capacity. I thought that my hubby could use the camcorder and I could use the camera and we would get different memories that way. It would also allow us to make verbal notes along the way to help remember things and places. It would need to be compact, but easy to use. Just a thought at this stage.

What Xponent says is correct, but it is also true that most camcorders take still photos. I use mine for both and get excellent still shots. Storage capacity is not an issue as it is sized to take video -- approximately 30 minutes on a single disc.

I will never produce a video longer than 30 minutes, after that people fall asleep. However to get 30 minutes of acceptable video I will have taken around two hours of video. I estimate that for every minute of finished product I spend at least an hour editing.

Have a look at http://www.creativepro.com/story/feature/9314.html
http://www.sungeiway.com/choose.htm and http://www.assortedstuff.com/stuff/?p=15 you may get some idea there of what features you need and then you can ask the right questions.

Thanks, I will look into them and decide whether to buy one sometime before our next trip. I had thought about getting one for my husband on our wedding anniversary this month, but since there is so much choice and technology is changing constantly, it would be best to wait until closer to the trip.

I just returned from Europe ( 6 days in Paris...first time and 6 days in Venice for Carnevale ...3rd time. I used a Canon SD870IS ultra compact....with video capacity. As I take stills almost exclusively, I almost forgot about the video until watching the on-the-hour light show at the Eiffel Tower, I heard someone behind me mention video, then I immediately switched and captured 3 small videos of the action ( later deleting 2 of them...20 seconds was enough ) Also,in Venice , I was able to capture snippets of the show and music on the main stage in St. Mark's Sq. as well as scenes of the crowd dancing in the Square. Those were real highlights but still 90 percent of my shooting was stills.
If you plan to use the video on a digital camera, I would just advise you to practice a bit beforehand....zooming in and out, especially. Those video clips , though a minor
portion of my photo-memories are invaluable ...
presenting sound (music) and sights ( movement)
stills are not able to capture.

good luck,
bruce

Thanks Bruce, Real World feedback is always invaluable.