Need recommendations for a good (video quality) miniDV camcorder.
 

Dear friends:

Please recommend a good (in terms of video quality) miniDV camcorder for less than $500.

Thanks a lot.

Eric

Canon has been highly regarded for their optics and reliability. I got a canon Optura which was a refurbished unit from Family Photo and Video and it was indistinguishable from new and has been working fine for three years, I saved 40% off the discounted price of the new camera! Do not buy a spare battery from them, though, get a good quality battery. their nickel metal hydride battery was rated the same as the Canon one but it never performed as well and has since bit the dust.

HTH,
-Tom

Canon all the way. Their optical image stabilization beats the heck out of anybody else's digital stabilization. BuyDig has the Elura 50 for $487. I've had the "original" Elura for 3 years or so and it is fantastic.