The best digital videocamera...
 

For 3-500 bucks? Any suggestions?

edit to add:
It also needs to be able to take digital photos.

edit again to add:
I was looking at this model: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg...TVPDKIK X0DER

You can get this Mini DV JVC for $449.00 at www.bhphotovideo.com

click on "consumer video" then "camcorder specials"




The GR-DVL520 DualCam Mini DV camcorder provides high quality picture and PCM digital stereo sound. In combination with JVC's super hi-band processor, Mini DV allows this camcorder to deliver a high performance of 520 lines horizontal resolution. Incorporates a 680,000 pixel CCD that assures superior high-resolution picture performance. Other features include IEEE-1394 (input and output) terminal, a USB port for high speed transfer of still images into a PC.

Key Features


? Versatile Multimedia Interface DV in/out terminal i.link: IEEE-1394
Provides fast loss-less Digital transfer to a computer or dubbing from or to another DV unit.
? PCM Digital Stereo Sound
12/16-bit audio: 16-bit offers one set of stereo tracks and achieves the same quality as CD, while the 12-bit mode creates two sets of stereo tracks. Audio dub is possible when recorded in 12-bit mode.
? USB Terminal
Enables high-speed transfer of digital still images to a USB compatible computer. And once you transfer the still images to a PC, you can apply a variety of post production effects using the supplied software.
? Built-In Digital Still Camera
The still mode is capable of capturing crystal-clear still images of XGA (1024 x 768) or VGA (640 x 480) resolution. The images are stored on a removable multimedia or SD (Secure Digital) memory card that is independent of the video recording.
8MB Multimedia Card: XGA Fine Mode 24 Images, Standard Mode 75 Images, VGA Fine Mode 55 Images, Standard Mode 190 Images.
? Zoom
Equipped with a 10x optical zoom that lets you close in on your subject with a pure optical quality, and the 700x digital zoom that allows you go all the way out with incredible close-ups. Spline Interpolation technology smoothes out image contours to minimize jagged edges. You can also zoom in on any part of an image during playback with the 70x pinpoint zoom.
? Picture Stabilizer
The stabilizer system corrects camera shake instantly, giving you smooth and stable pictures.
? LCD Monitor
This camcorder is equipped with a 2.5" tiltable LCD screen for high angle overhead shooting, low angle shots, or even self portraits.
? Night Alive
JVC's Night Alive feature boosts light sensitivity for a bright picture, even in situations with minimal illumination. Gives you full color images, whether your subject is close by or far away. This feature supercedes the infrared based system which turns the image black and white, and you have distance limitations.
? Built-In Auto Light
Functions according to brightness conditions. The main benefit is improved picture quality in facial color when shooting in low light levels.
? Special Effects
A combination of built-in Digital Special Effects and Wipes/Fades will give your videos a polished and professional look.
? Snapshot Mode
Records a photo-like still image onto the video cassette with a shutter sound effect in full frame or pin-up mode.

Thats the camcorder I use, I love it.

When you try to take still pictures though it sorta sucks unless you have ALOT of light, thats the only downside.

The stiils suck, huh? It's primarily going to be used for product shots, so that might not be a good idea.

Depending on what resolution you want to display these "product shots"

Your best bet would be to just grab the frames you want after dumping to your drive via firewire. They will be 740 x 480 and if you have enough light you will get some decent grabs. If you reduce down from there they will even look better.

There are no camcorders that take what I call good pics. Even the vx2000 and the Gl2 leave a bit to be desired and those are hi end cameras.

If pics are your main purpose forget the video camera and buy a decent still camera in that price range, and you can even capture short mpegs with the still if you want.

But I can asure you that if you are looking for decent pics from a cheap video camera it aint gonna happen.

Cheers,
BV

So basically film the "product" (it's clothing) and grab from frames, because stills suck ass on videocamera's?

Ok, thanks.

Basicly yes if your dead set on a camcorder. With some real good lighting and a steady hand or tripod you will be able to get some decent caps 740 x 480 from the video. If you resize them down to like 500 wide they will look even better.

But like I tryed to say earlier, you can get a real nice digital still camera for your same price range that will take pics way way better than any vid cap or reg pic stored on removable memory from a camcorder.

But if these clothing pictures are going to be real small like 200 - 300 pixels like in an online catalogue the vid caps should do fine for you. If you are going to try and have full screen pics I'd go with a still camera.