How to find the right camcorder
part two

• View Finder If possible, get a black & white viewfinder. B&W viewfinders have the big advantage that they carry about three times as much pixel information than their colour counterparts. Which means that you are safer in crucial focus situations. They also have a wider contrast range than the colour LCD screens. (If you have a b&w viewfinder, a colour LCD screen is also useful for checking the colour temperature.)
  If you are wearing glasses, check that the viewfinder can be adjusted for your eyesight. Especially in cold situations glasses can get fogged up, with an adjusted viewfinder you can still shoot sharp.
  The Sony PD150 has a black and white viewfinder, while the fold out screen is colour. This way you get the best of both worlds.
  
  
• After Sales Support Sony, for example, offers a world wide guarantee. Important if you are planning to travel with the camcorder.
  
  
• The cheapest quote may not be the best. Also, the cheapest dealers (in my experience) can't answer (or even understand) detailed questions, sometimes they give wrong information, that might very well convince you to buy a camera that turns out to be unsuited for your needs. And, as I was warned by a Sony official, buying from a non-authorized dealer a) will void the international part of the guarantee (which is fine if you are not planning on taking the camera abroad in its first 12 months) b) you will not know if the camera you buy was actually made for the local market.
  
  
• Size of the camcorder. Generally, the bigger, the steadier & sturdier but also the more obvious. If you are planning on shooting sensitive documentaries, you might want to opt for a small camcorder.
  
  
• LCD screen - makes framing much easier for high and low angle shots. You can even make little jibs. Most camcorders have a screen, but the VX1000 lacks it. Also compare the screen sizes (most have 2.5 inch, the PD100AP comes in 3.5 inch, the PD150 has unfortunately also only a 2.5 inch screen) and the resolution (important for manual focus. The PD100 has about 50% more pixels than the XM1)