How to find the perfect digital video camera

Once you have decided on the right camera for you, call around to get a good quote. I would also always ask some technical questions to see if the dealer knows what s/he is selling. Some also offer finance deals. Others offer a price match. If they ask you for the best quote you have received so far, try giving one that is lower than your best one. That way I got a quote for the XM1 for 1250 GBP plus VAT. You might also want to look abroad, especially if you are planning on travelling anyway. You might also want to consider buying second hand, if you know how to test a camera properly or are willing to pay a technician to check it.

When you go to pick up your new camera, I would run a couple of tests before signing the cheque:

Check that everything is in the box that should be there.
Have a good look at the camera, no dents on the housing or scratches/air bubbles on the lens should be visible. You might also give the camera a gentle shake to check that nothing has become loose during transport.
Hook up the camera to the mains and test the lens: put it somewhere steady and zoom all the way in. Frame an object in the exact centre of the screen. Now zoom out (without moving the camera), this object should stay in the centre (if it drifts a little bit (say 10%) do not worry, in this price class you cannot expect better). Next, put the camera on manual focus, make sure that the aperture is wide open and again zoom all the way in. Focus on an object not too far from the camera. After zooming out, this object should still be sharp. Especially if the last test fails, I would ask for a different camera, as the lens needs readjustment.
Put the lens cap on, turn on the gain of the camera and look through the viewfinder/onto the monitor. There should be no dead pixels, i.e. the screen should be black (with some noise, due to the gain), but no single white or light grey pixels should stand out.
Check that all the buttons work.
Check that all plugs are tight; if they are already a bit loose when you buy the camera, they are likely to become disconnected once you put your camcorder through some usage.
Put in a tape and make a short recording. Play it back to confirm that everything works fine.
Make sure to get a proper receipt, otherwise you might have problems claiming the warranty if anything should go wrong in the first 12 months.

Good luck with your camera,

Martin Weiss

Annotation 11/00: I have just shot a TV documentary on the new Sony PD150, which in all but the screen-size is superior to its predecessor, the PD100. Greater ease of reaching vital functions, bigger focus ring, "manual" zoom function, ability to record in DVcam as well as DV, built in XLR connections, a handle bar; are just few of the improvements. If you can afford it, I can recommend this camera.

And a tip from Tom Hickmore for UK based readers:
Find the best deal for your required model of camera in a magazine. Then go to the Jessops nearest to the shop advertising the best deal. Jessops have a policy of matching the price of any shop within a certain radius. They also offer excellent service AND you may get your camera with a proper UK guarantee at the price of a "grey import" that may be what is advertised in the mag (as I did).