I am going to buy a camcorder but don't know which one. i wanted to spend about $400 or so. So far i have looked at the sony SR47 and the JVC Everio. But my real question is, what's better--- SD memory or a hard drive?

i am going to be using this in the boat etc... so i am little worried about a hard drive. Please help or suggest what you can. i want to purchase something asap...

Just my opinion...

I would rather use flash memory; whether it's a card or built-in flash memory.

A hard drive in a camcorder is like a laptop hard drive - they are delicate and it's not good idea to move them around too much. Flash doesn't have this issue.

A hard drive could just one day die with all your data going with it (although it's probably retrievable through a service technician). I haven't heard too many complaints in this regard on these camcorder forums, but it would be a concern of mine.

With the tiny flash cards (about the size of a postage stamp) - remember to be mindful of where you put them, don't touch the metal contacts on the card with your fingers and keep them safe in their little provided case when not in use..

get High Definition not Standard Definition.

I would recommend a Canon Vixia, but they are above your price range. I can't comment on the Sony's or JVC's.

I have both; a Canon with a hard disk and a Sanyo that uses SDHC cards.

Getting the files from the hard disk into the computer is not as easy as it is with the SDHC card where I just take the card out of the camcorder and stick in my card reader.

The Canon is more complicated. Must have the external power connected with the wires and the brick. Then must connect a USB cable. The computer must then recognize the camcorder (and that doesn't alway happen). Then finally I can transfer the files into the computer.

The Sanyo with SDHC cards is much easier when it comes to transfering files.

I have both; a Canon with a hard disk and a Sanyo that uses SDHC cards.

Slightly off topic but still need advice all the same. I have the Sanyo HD2000 and the main concern is the poor Image Stabilisation (IS). Since you have both a Canon and the Sanyo, how bad is the IS on the Sanyo compared to the Canon from a practical point of view in your opinion?

For that price range, I will always recommend this:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/600626-REG/Sanyo_VPC_FH1_VPC_FH1_Dual_Camera_Xacti.html

Slightly off topic but still need advice all the same. I have the Sanyo HD2000 and the main concern is the poor Image Stabilisation (IS). Since you have both a Canon and the Sanyo, how bad is the IS on the Sanyo compared to the Canon from a practical point of view in your opinion?

Hi Ron,

The IS is not great. I knew that from reading reviews before I ordered the camcorder. The Canon has great optical IS but even with optical IS, it has problems when I hand hold and zoom the telephoto lens to maximum.

I am learning that the Sanyo will produce smooth, steady videos. I've tried to control my urges to pan and zoom. Rather, if I pan, I do it as slow and smoothly as I can. Fortunately the Sanyo has a good zoom feature, better than the Canon. I can control it easily. Zooming while recording should be done in moderation. Rather, I shoot, stop, zoom to a new setting, and then resume shooting. I try not to zoom during recording.

Finally, I have a monopod that I bought a few years ago. I never used it. But now I may try it with the Sanyo and a neck strap. I tried the hand strap that came with it in the box but found it awkward to control the camera while the strap was on my wrist, just too small for me. So I switched to a neck strap. I am paranoid because I once dropped a Sony Mavica on a concret floor and totalled it. So I always use a neck strap on my cameras and camcorders. Always.

Rock

Thanks for the tips on handling the Sanyo HD2000!