I'm in the market for a relatively inexpensive digital video camera (under
$500 US). I've heard quite a bit about Canon, and am trying to figure out
the difference between their ZR line (200, 300 & 400) and their Elura line
(85, 80). The Eluras use a combo of miniDV Tape and SD Memory Card (the ZRs
use only mini DV tape), and the Eluras use Secure Digital and Multimedia
cards while the ZRs only have the SD SEcure digital card. I have absolutely
NO idea if these things are important.

In terms of use, I'm a rank amateur looking to use this for outdoor nature
videos and to take video of my new Chinese adopted girl, who we are
traveling to pick up in a few months. I'd like to be able to store these
videos on my PC, and to make video DVDs of the results.

Any and all help would be greatly appreciated! Are there certain minimum
specs I should be looking for? If Canon isn't my best bet,
I'd like to hear that too.

Many thanks,
Christopher

In message , inquisitor
writes
I'm in the market for a relatively inexpensive digital video camera (under
$500 US). I've heard quite a bit about Canon, and am trying to figure out
the difference between their ZR line (200, 300 & 400) and their Elura line
(85, 80). The Eluras use a combo of miniDV Tape and SD Memory Card (the ZRs
use only mini DV tape), and the Eluras use Secure Digital and Multimedia
cards while the ZRs only have the SD SEcure digital card. I have absolutely
NO idea if these things are important.

In terms of use, I'm a rank amateur looking to use this for outdoor nature
videos and to take video of my new Chinese adopted girl, who we are
traveling to pick up in a few months. I'd like to be able to store these
videos on my PC, and to make video DVDs of the results.

Any and all help would be greatly appreciated! Are there certain minimum
specs I should be looking for? If Canon isn't my best bet,
I'd like to hear that too.

For general advice I'd suggest that you have a look at:
http://www.camcord.info/buying

--
Tony Morgan

Thanks for the link, Tony.

Christopher

"Tony Morgan" wrote in message
...
In message , inquisitor
writes
I'm in the market for a relatively inexpensive digital video camera (under
$500 US). I've heard quite a bit about Canon, and am trying to figure out
the difference between their ZR line (200, 300 & 400) and their Elura line
(85, 80). The Eluras use a combo of miniDV Tape and SD Memory Card (the
ZRs
use only mini DV tape), and the Eluras use Secure Digital and Multimedia
cards while the ZRs only have the SD SEcure digital card. I have
absolutely
NO idea if these things are important.

In terms of use, I'm a rank amateur looking to use this for outdoor nature
videos and to take video of my new Chinese adopted girl, who we are
traveling to pick up in a few months. I'd like to be able to store these
videos on my PC, and to make video DVDs of the results.

Any and all help would be greatly appreciated! Are there certain minimum
specs I should be looking for? If Canon isn't my best bet,
I'd like to hear that too.

For general advice I'd suggest that you have a look at:
http://www.camcord.info/buying

--
Tony Morgan