What is the best home use video camera of 2018?
We have looked at several best home use video camera under $1200 and have rated them all at the end of this article.
Video recorders are great for family moments, live-action footage and at the professional level documentaries and even movies. YouTube armature movies and documentaries, as well as video blogs and diaries, have never been so popular. A mid-level / prosumer camcorder is a great investment and even low professional level models may be useful in the future for multimedia productions.
Camcorder/Video Camera Features To Look For:
These are the popular features available in most camcorders, they vary in levels and models compete for the best combination. Editing options are widely available but again range from single push button options to edit suites.
Lithium Battery Supply
Lithium battery technology has reduced battery size and increased run time. These days because of fast charge they take about 1 hour to charge and last about 3.5 hours of record time. Li-on 4200 MAH (Milli Ampere hours).
Resolution And Frames Per Second
Like cameras, 4K is the standard, also called Ultra HD is has a higher resolution, usually about 3500 x 2000, with a frame rate of 30 / 60 fps.
Auto Stability / Image Stabilization
Auto stability/image stabilization is a feature which is popular with beginner to veteran users. When people first start to use both camera and camcorders they usually have wobbly hands and poor stability. This feature uses either a gyroscope or a clever mathematical algorithm to compensate for this shaky hand movement. As people get used to handling recording equipment, this feature is less important.
Zoom
Zoom function is the camcorders ability zoom into the subject ie x20 optical zoom.
Light Level Sensitivity
How well the camcorder performs in low light levels.
LCD
The rear display which shows a preview of the framed shot. Ranging from 3 – 5 inches, this preview window is useful for tricky shots and Instant shot feedback.
Sensor
Usually a CMOS, the sensor is responsible for the measuring ability of different points of light which determine the quality of the image captured by the camcorder.
Wi-Fi / USB Auxiliary
Additional features for connectivity, to send images to your laptop or email to share footage for work or play.
Lets look at some of the current popular best home use video cameras available, how they compare and which ones are recommended.
Sony FDR-AX53 Review
Price $899
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The Sony has an advanced Exor R CMOS Sensor for great image recording and clarity of capture. This is a lightweight camera which is both portable and has an image pixel resolution 8.29 megapixels.
Features:
- An Xtra Fine 3.5” LCD is hinged on the side of the camcorder.
- The Sony recording is called XAVC S format, which is unique to Sony devices but offers good quality recording and images. A useful feature is ‘Ustream’ where you can live stream your own video footage live over the internet to friends and family.
- This model has an Optical Zoom of x20 (Digital x120) and takes microSD as a storage device.
- Compact design is, easily transportable, with the lens not protruding from the main body of the camera.
- Battery life is 90 mins in standard resolution, 60 minutes in super and just 35 mins in 4K recording,
- The video recording resolution is an amazing 3840 x 2160!
- This model also has a built-in USB cable for convenience, which is a nice design. No forgotten cables or problems hooking up the camcorder whenever you need to.
- The design is compact and lightweight, weighing just 635 grams.
The advantages of this model are its compact design, good memory, and the high-resolution capabilities. A great travel camcorder, with 4K Ultra HD recording capability.
Canon XA10 HD Video Camera Review
Price $1200
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Canon is a staple maker of cameras, video cameras, and camcorders. The first thing you notice about this camcorder is the futuristic design, with side mounted light bracket and shutter shield.
Features:
- This camcorder is mini but stacked with features and usability. This professional video camera again is very portable and is able to remove the handle and touch LCD viewer is side mounted and foldable.
- This model has two phantom powered XLR ports, great zoom options and very detailed Mic and port controls. Frame rates for this camcorder are 60i, 30p, and 24p for a good variety of flexibility to your videos.
- This camcorder records with a CMOS sensor and has an x10 optical zoom and weights about 1 kg.
- You can adjust shutter speed, exposure and iris features whilst shooting footage. Face detention is included, with a focus assist which offers x2 automatic magnification for medium focus and resolutions adjustments. This is all computer controlled for point and shoot capabilities.
- Colour bars help adjust pic colour quality and sound tones have a dB setting for mic sensitivity, all via touch push on the LCD.
- The camera has an internal flash RAM of 64GB and 2 SD/HC/XC media slots for expansion.
I really like the compact design of this pro end mini camcorder and I think It will be popular with consumers.
A solid built professional level mini video camera, highly recommended.
Sony MC2500E Camcorder Review
Price $1199
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The Sony MC2500E is a great Pro range wide-angle camcorder. This model has an extended mic and Ultra HD specs.
Features:
- A retractable 3” LCD display, which seems standard on most models, Active SteadyShot, Wi-Fi and AVCHD format.
- This model also features an OLED Viewfinder. The image quality of this camcorder is top notch, people online really rave about the image quality, so this is worth bearing in mind pre-purchase.
- Zoom and memory aren’t so great with the model, but considering the price this wide screen shot pro model is a bargain. It isn’t as portable as the Canon camcorder, but as previously mentioned, it’s a professional workhorse of a video camera, built for solid constant high-quality recording performance.
- This model has an internal memory of 32 GB and a Sony interface hot shoe. The file output is AVI.
- This model has a BNC Connector on composite output.
- The MC2500E has a sensor resolution of 6.59MP and an HD resolution of 1920 x 1080.
- Additional batteries cost about $60, but a larger battery option exists which offers a longer charge time.
- The product also comes with a 1 year manufacturers warranty.
- This model is usually bundled with an accessories package, including spare lens, a carry case, and a tripod.
Making it exceptional value for the money. This is a solid mid-range best home use video camera.
JVC GY-HM70E Video Recorder
Price $1199
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This JVC GY-HM70E is a mid-range size with a fun fluffy mini microphone for reducing background and wind noise.
Features:
- x16 optical zoom, fixed eye viewer, HD shooting capabilities, excellent imagine stabilization and excellent battery life.
- This is a popular professional 4K SDI video camera. This model records at a 4K resolution of 3840 x 2160. The image fps is 24-60p and offers a great sound recording quality, two channel inputs with fine adjustments.
- The lens on this camcorder works well in low light levels, with gain controls and LoLux options for extreme conditions, The SDXC is directly compatible with Final Cut Pro, just swap the SD card and start editing.
- Output in USB and HDMI allows for good connectivity. The limitations of this level of a prosumer camcorder are that the lens aren’t changeable and at times the CMOS sensor can be a little slow for fast moving objects. Unless you plan to film a blockbuster, this really isn’t that much of major problem.
- This is a great camera, well built with a solid mic and good input / file output compatibility formats.
- It even has customisable presets for the fast setup, which is a great function missing from the other models I reviewed here. The JVC is obviously capable of producing great results for cheaper than a high-end professional video camera setup.
- Ustream, Wi-Fi and 4K HD output options are all covered here and the mic has built in stereo, which is what you would expect for a camera this price level.
This JVC model is both high quality and easy to use. A good Pro level camera which ticks all the boxes. If this is on offer and with the accessories pack, I’d seriously consider the JVC for your video recorder needs.
Conclusion:
The standard of the above video camera is very good. The build quality is high and the mini pro camera from Canon is extremely well designed. Sony certainly knows how to make a quality video camera and the overall appeal of the JVC model is high quality and offers very good recording and output results.
All of these models are very similar and it is difficult to choose an overall winner. I liked the compact design of the first Sony camcorder and think this will make an excellent explorer companion for travel videos and Vlogs. The design is excellent and it has a good price point and excellent 4k image resolution. This comes a close second.
The winner here for innovative design, combined with good overall performance and a great lens is the Canon AX10 video camera. It’s portable, stylish and offers all the features the others do with the added bonus that it is mini and for a professional quality video camera, that truly is excellent!
Winner of the best home use camera for 2018!
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Check out all these best home use video cameras either online or at your local electronics stores.