Advice Needed Anyone know where I can buy a good HD camera for under £50?

[Jumpstart]

So I want a good camera. HD.

So to test the water, I bought a new camera off Ebay for £25. I wasn't expecting much for that price but I thought I'd get something half decent.

It was supposed to be 16mp HD camera, but the picture was awful. Barely 1mp. I sent it back and got a refund.

So I decided to up my game. I then bought a HD camera for £70. This boasted of 20mp, and 'superb' quality. Was it heck. The picture on this one was really bad as well. Not 20mp, and NOT HD.

So, does anyone know where I can buy a good quality HD camer for under £50?

Cheers.

 

[Jumpstart]

Oops, I forgot to say it's VIDEO camera I'm looking for. Cheers.

 

[A nonymous]

To be honest if you can put up with the slightly bigger bulk, some of the older HD cameras from Sony that use Tape rather than memory sticks give excellent crisp and crystal clear recordings.

You can pick them up for next to nothing. I'm still using my Sony i purchased back in 2006, it still works and gives excellent quality recordings that are better than the recordings from the replacement JVC one my wife purchased to replace it last year.

Its easy to transfer the recoding to the PC using the software that can be found on the Sony website.

 

[Jumpstart]

Thanks. I still have an old tape camcorder in my attic somewhere. This one is about 18 years old.

I did have a good digital camcorder my late mum bought for me in 2009. Unfortunately I left it on a train and it wasn't handed in to lost property. That one was only £28 but it was a good picture. The one off Ebay I paid £70 for was a disgrace. I wouldn't pay £7 for it.

 

[A nonymous]

Mine uses the old Digital8 tape so you can tell how old it is

 

[mariust5]

That is not HD then ... decent HD video camera starts at about £150 .. half decent .. always go for big brands on these .

 

[2cvbloke]

My old Sony camcorder (not the BetaMovie one!!) is a MiniDV digital tape camcorder, though it's seen so little use that the heads have gone sour so refuses to play anything it recorded back....

As for modern camcorders, Panasonic or Canon, or if you turn off the autofocus that likes to focus on everything bar what you're aiming at, Sony too, but unless you're a canny bidder, they're not going to be cheap...

 

[Jumpstart]

Thanks for your advice. I'm still waiting to get my £70 refund. I'm not after broadcast quality, but a picture without snow or dancing dots would be helpful!

 

[A nonymous]

That is not HD then ... decent HD video camera starts at about £150 .. half decent .. always go for big brands on these .

I think you will find its 1080p which last time i looked was HD. Sony chose to use the Digital8 format on a lot of its high end Camcorders upto 2005 or so.

Sure your not getting confused with the Video8 analogue format?

 

[mariust5]

Can you please prove me wrong and put a link or some photos of the camera where it says Digital 8 is 1080p as i have never seen one .

I had many camcorders but never heard of a HD Digital 8 .

I'm not saying there isn't one but i would like to be proved wrong .

Regards .

 

[Channel Hopper]

Our local Cash converter shop has a 12.1 mega pixel vivitar in the window for £14.

 

[A nonymous]

Apart from the fact that this has nothing to do with the original posters question, i will stand corrected.

After getting it out and wiping off the dust i find my trusty Sony Handycam is 720p and the size of a small house

Technically its still HD and its still a better picture qulity than the JVC 1080p recorder that was purchased to replace it.

Vivitar cameras are crap, they are cheap for a reason.

 

[Channel Hopper]

Vivitar cameras are crap, they are cheap for a reason.

It's still HD.
It's still -well- under £50

 

[PaulR]

Ah, but JS DOES say "good" in the request.

 

[Jumpstart]

Channel Hopper, Vivitar cameras aren't bad. I've had one before. Good picture and it was only £24. However, I dropped it off a ladder.

 

[Channel Hopper]

Ah, but JS DOES say "good" in the request.

True, but he/she hasn't seen 'good' as yet.

 

[A nonymous]

I chucked my old Vivtar camera in the river Severn

 

[mariust5]

I take it you took back the statement where you said for me not give any advice if i don't know what i'm talking about .

Even stating that Digital8 is 720p is wrong in my books but i think i got the picture and will stop there .

Apart from the fact that this has nothing to do with the original posters question, i will stand corrected.

After getting it out and wiping off the dust i find my trusty Sony Handycam is 720p and the size of a small house

Technically its still HD and its still a better picture qulity than the JVC 1080p recorder that was purchased to replace it.

Vivitar cameras are crap, they are cheap for a reason.

I usually apologise when i'm wrong .

All the best .