HD camcorder recommendations?
 

My mother wants to buy a HD camcorder so she can take videos of her favorite grandchild. Since this has probably been researched to death in other Pelican households, I thought I would ask for your opinions. I think she would probably like to keep it under $1k.

So what do ya'll recommend?

Thanks,
Neil

Hard to beat the Sony Handicam line. We have the 40g hard drive one and paid around $500 for it I think.

I am currently researching this item. I am leaning towards a Cannon the SF100 or the SF10. They are both around $300.00.

I am not sure what more you get from spending over $500.00 until you get to the point where you can afford HD (around $1200.00).

My home theater is somewhat rediculous, but I do not mind watching standard definition TV on it if I cannot find HD programming. I think home movies in standard def is fine.

One more point of interest, the cameras that I noted, record to SD. If you have a panasonic tv, this will plug directly into the tv and you can watch the movies from this memory card (about 1.5" x .75" x 1/16") which I believe is a nice convenience.

I recommend a tripod to hold the camera. Unless she's good with a movie camera she/you will not want to watch much footage. My early stuff almost gave me motion sickness.