Hi guys!
I am looking to buy a nice Hard drive camcorder. Where to buy for cheap /safe deals and which make is best value for money? Is the Sony DCRSR45 good? Pls advice whether sony is better than panasonic(SDRH40)!

[Also, Is there one that can take good 4mp pictures too?]

thanks-Kris

Can Anybody suggest ?

Overall for H.disk cams is sony reliable than pana? If so which sony model is best value for $ . My budget max is $500.

Thanks in advance !!
kris:D

Hi Kris:),

If you are looking for a nice hard drive camcoderand that is within your budget, then there is a really good option i.e Sony DCRSR45.

The DCR-SR45 Handycam camcorder is ready when you are, with a built-in 30GB Hard Disk Drive (HDD) for storage and up to 20 hours of recording time (LP). A generous 2.7" Touch Panel LCD Monitor keeps all the controls at your fingertips, while a 40x Optical/2000x Digital Zoom keeps all the action up close and personal. And when it comes time to share your memories, it couldn't be easier than with the One Touch Disc Burn capability and the Memory Stick Duo™ media slot. The DCR-SR45 brings simplicity back to video sharing.

You can check full specification for this and a competitive price at following link:

http://www.electronics-expo.com/make-a-store/item/SONDCRSR45%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%2 0%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%2 0%20%20%20/Sony/DCR-SR45/1.html

Enjoy...

thanks...gud luck

Please remember that the Canon HG20, a 60GB Hard Drive 1080P High Def camcorder can be had for around $550 Shipped (amazon).
I am a Sony guy, have had Sony camcorders for years but after weeks of research and playing with both the Sony and Canon, I decided on the Canon, picture quality is simply amazing.

And when it comes time to share your memories, it couldn't be easier than with <snip> the Memory Stick Duo™ media slot.

Wow I hope you cut and pasted that garbage right from Sonys website. If not, you obviously work for them. Ugh. How about that ol' SDHD standard which EVERYONE else uses. That is asolutely the biggest reason to steer clear of any Sony products.

Anyway. $500 will buy you a lot of camcorder these days. Pansonic, Canon or JVC have products which wil fit you rbudget and provide ample options for taking very good video which blows away what was out five years ago. Sony has a good product also but it's that darn proprietary thing they always do.

Time will tell how my HG20 holds up being mounted to the dash of a plane (vibrations). That's what a warranty's for though.

well honestly speaking i have this SR45 packed at home rite now.

i need an authoritative advice on whether there are better SD camcorders out there or not.

I am fully aware of benefits of HD camcorders but the funding is by dad so i cannot get HD camcorders based on the limited budget.