12 Best Camcorder Under $500

The recording quality is one of the most important aspects of the camcorder because you don‘t want to purchase a camera that doesn‘t meet your standards. Make sure that you get the camera resolution that you need since better quality costs more money. 4K is the best a camera can record nowadays, which provides a lot of detail in the video. Even if you don‘t have a 4K monitor don‘t worry because you can downsize the 4K footage to 1080p. It‘s beneficial because the 1080p footage will look much better compared to other 1080p videos.

Furthermore, make sure to look at the frame rate since this can change the way the video looks. 24 FPS is great for short-films and making cinematic videos. 60 FPS looks smoother, which is ideal for making home-made vlogs or filming your traveling experience. However, 60 FPS is not ideal for cinematic videos as there is no movie-like feeling. Also, 120 FPS or 240 FPS and higher is the slow-motion setting.

Camcorders can come with a bunch of accessories, which help you use the camera. It‘s better to purchase the camera with accessories so that you won‘t have to buy them separately. Here are a few camera accessories that will help you record:

• Flash: having a flash is a huge benefit because this can make your photos look professional. Low-light conditions can make a photo look terrible, but with a flash the whole scene will light up.
• Memory card: the memory card is one of the most important accessories that you can get since storage can go fast. Make sure that the card has the right amount of GB depending on your needs. If you‘re recording in 4K quality above 64GB is a good amount to start as the storage will go quickly.
• Tripod: the tripod is a great accessory because you can take steady shots with no camera shake. Some tripods have built-in balance bubbles so that you can make the shot look as level as possible. Also, you can adjust the height of the legs to get the best image.
• Remote control: remote controls are a great bonus as you can control the camcorder from a distance. Therefore, when taking group photos, you don‘t have to play around with the timer and quickly take pictures with a push of a button. Also, with the remote you can customize the settings to match the scene.
• Filters: if you like filming or taking photos in the day time then make sure to get a filter. The filter doesn‘t let all the light go in, which results in no sun glare. Also, with some filters they remove UV light completely that makes certain images look a lot better.
• Cleaning kit: having a cleaning kit is essential since particles can go on the lens. Make sure that it comes with a cleaning cloth and an air pump to blow away dust.
• Extra batteries: even if the camera doesn‘t come with extra batteries make sure you get some because one battery usually doesn‘t get you through the day. Around three batteries is the ideal amount.

The camcorder brand is super important because some brands are a lot better than others. Going with popular brands is the best choice since they have a track record of delivering premium products. Larger brands give out free warranties, which means you won‘t need to purchase one separately. However, bigger brands increase their prices due to their reputation.

On the other hand, you can go with a smaller brand but make sure to do the research beforehand. You can do this by reading online reviews and seeing what experiences other customers had. Also, you can watch unboxing videos to gain insight into the product.

The camcorder should be super easy to use as you don‘t want to waste hours spending your time figuring out how it works. Most cameras have an auto-mode that adjust to the scene automatically. Depending on the camera there are multiple settings that can give you time-lapse, fisheye, and other effects. Also, make sure you learn the manual mode since this is the best setting to get the best image.

Furthermore, some larger brands have their application, which you can download to gain access to multiple features. The app lets you transfer videos and photos directly to your smartphone. Also, you can adjust the camera setting and snap pictures from a distance.

The camcorder should use durable materials to ensure a long-lasting product. Some camcorders have waterproof cases that you can take under-water to capture your adventures. Some even have shockproof and dustproof cases to ensure a durable camera that you can take anywhere. Also, make sure that the camera you purchase comes with a warranty since you never know when the camera can break. However, if it doesn‘t come with a warranty make sure to purchase one separately because this can save you money in the long run.