Topic: ISO inexpensive ($300-400) HD videocam with good battery life...

[hoppedup]

...and decent low-light performance. 3.5mm mic input and headphone out as well. Or 19YO brunette triplets with natural 38DDs and an oral fixation if that's easier.

Will mostly be using for shows. I would like to video all the house concerts I put on. For those I can run AC power, but would like to tape out in the clubs as well, so battery life is important. I've been looking at the Canon Vixia HF R20 ($289 at B&H), but the battery life seems to be about an hour. I understand the low-light performance is probably gonna suck in that price range.

ETA: also needs to be flash memory.  I will be mounting on mic stand for now for one static shot. Will tackle tripod and panning later.

[yousef]

I think the Sanyo Xacti HD2000 seems to fit the bill and may well be within your price range:

http://www.trustedreviews.com/Sanyo-Xacti-VPC-HD2000_Camcorder_review

Ignore the UK price on that review - we always pay more...

I've got a few videos on Youtube that have been filmed with one of these but can't get you the links as work is blocking the site...

If you try searching for Laura J Martin Dulcimer 2012 you might find the most recent one - the Sanyo is the camera shooting from *her* left side. If you find that vid, you should be able to see my three Richmond Fontaine ones - for those the two cameras were basically next to each other but the Sanyo is the one furthest to the left as you face the stage. I'll edit to give proper links when I get home.

Not sure what the battery life is like - picked up a spare but haven't needed to use it yet. Fully charged, the display claims 1hr20 (I think) possibly a bit more.

EDIT:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AtNUwIQw9z0
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qebObpHuqjA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TlvzzxyPzGo
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9YOWEm-TgwU

[TimeBandit]

i owned that recently and ran one charge about 130 minutes with display light set to lowest and moderate zooming + no Servo AF.

[hoppedup]

Thanks for the info. It appears to be available on Amazon for $1200+ and one store in the UK for $287.47. That seems a bit odd.  I don't know that I care for the design, but I have never used a camera shaped like that. Without  a brick and mortar store nearby with one to try, I'd be hesitant to purchase one.

[fsulloway]

I've been looking around quite a bit too want the mic input as well. Battery...well I just always plan on upgrading to a bigger one. A friend just recommended the Sony HX9V which is a camera that also does HD video. The reviews seem really good and it's around$300 but no mic input. If I got one I'd use it for the still dfc shot and another cam to follow the action on stage.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sYqbnBs_uAY&feature=related

[yousef]

Thanks for the info. It appears to be available on Amazon for $1200+ and one store in the UK for $287.47. That seems a bit odd.  I don't know that I care for the design, but I have never used a camera shaped like that. Without  a brick and mortar store nearby with one to try, I'd be hesitant to purchase one.

Weird pricing... I'd appreciate the link to the UK one - I was monitoring Ebay for months (and months) before I got one within my budget.

You're right about the design. I thought it would make for a more comfortable shooting experience but find that hand fatigue sets in sooner than I would expect.

If I can find that $287 one, I'm having it though

EDIT:

found the cheap one - a bit of digging suggests that the site is a scam.

[doodee]

Looks like battery life may be a tad short but an extended capacity battery might fix that. Also i can't speak first hand to this cam's oral capabilities or cup size.

http://www.amazon.com/Canon-VIXIA-Camcorder-Internal-Memory/dp/B004HW7E7E/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1330153642&sr=1-1

[fsulloway]

I looked at the Canon posted above. The battery is enclosed so no option to go with a bigger battery.

[tupper]

I've got a Sanyo HD2000A, and the stock battery is rated at 135 minutes, and that's close to what I am seeing in terms of charge life.  I also have a third-party battery that is supposed to have a higher capacity, but it doesn't seem to last as long as the Sanyo battery.

The HD2000A has a tiny stereo mic input.  It comes with an adapter cable that allows connection a mini, 3.5mm stereo plug.

In regards to hand fatigue, I hadn't noticed any problem, but I never hand-held it for very long.  The camera is very light-weight, so it really needs some weight attached to stabilize it.  I usually just hand-hold the camera attached to the tripod (with the legs collapsed and folded).  The camera's built-in digital image stabilization is not that great.

By the way, I am selling my HD2000A along with some accessories.

[shoestringconcerts]

I own an HX9v and love it and it produces decent sound at concerts.

here is what i would recommend that has a mic input:
http://panasonic.net/avc/lumix/compact/fz150/index.html

dont worry about battery life, thats what spare batteries are for

[hoppedup]

Battery life is not a deal breaker, as it seems there are no options in my price range that will run the 3+ hours that some single set Yarn shows go.

I am buying mostly to capture the house concerts I put on and AC power will not be an issue there. I will not be doing any multi-cam in the foreseeable future, so it looks like battery swapping between songs will be the only option when there is no AC power. 

I already have a still camera that takes okay video, but only 28 minute clips at 720p with no zoom during recording: 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jWrxcfGaRUo&context=C3fce01eADOEgsToPDskJ7WYWX4KbpUd1B0-eA7yIC

[hoppedup]

After a little more research, I'm probably going with a factory direct refurb. HF R10 or HF R100. I can get the camera for under $200. These take higher capacity aftermarket batteries as well. I can get a Rayovac four-hour battery from a reputable local shop and a class 10 32gb card and be out less than $260.

[shoestringconcerts]

After a little more research, I'm probably going with a factory direct refurb. HF R10 or HF R100. I can get the camera for under $200. These take higher capacity aftermarket batteries as well. I can get a Rayovac four-hour battery from a reputable local shop and a class 10 32gb card and be out less than $260.

i hope you plan on lighting the things you shoot cuz that camera is going to look horrible in low light

you get what you pay for

[hoppedup]

After a little more research, I'm probably going with a factory direct refurb. HF R10 or HF R100. I can get the camera for under $200. These take higher capacity aftermarket batteries as well. I can get a Rayovac four-hour battery from a reputable local shop and a class 10 32gb card and be out less than $260.

i hope you plan on lighting the things you shoot cuz that camera is going to look horrible in low light

you get what you pay for

I'm not looking to be Cecil B. Demille. Just wanting to do some video on the cheap with the ability to patch in my audio source on the fly. I have some control over the lighting for the house shows, so for my main purpose low light performance won't be a big issue.

[Low Spark]

Look at the Canon HF 200. My experience with cams is buy a good one to start with and you want be disappointed. I have a Canon HV30 now and Im going to buy the 200 on friday. Costco has the best price on new ones. I have mixed emotions with refurbs. If you buy a refurb get a extended warranty. It will be worth it in the future just in case.