Baltimore Grassroots Media

The JVC GR-DF430 sells for about $300, records to MiniDV tapes, is very compact, has good low light capability, a microphone input, audio level display, analog input (analog to digital conversion), a built-in light for shooting in the dark, S-Video input and output, top-loading of tapes (with bottom-loaders if you are using a tripod you have to unmount the camera to change tapes), a mode for stop motion animation and an accessory shoe for mounting an external microphone or other device (although, due to the location of the shoe, accessories with large diameter tightening wheels may not fit). The GR-DF430 came out in Spring of 2005, so it may be increasingly hard to find in the future. The JVC GR-DF450 and GR-DF550 are only about $50 more, look basically the same and have the same features plus the ability to record still photos to a memory stick. The GR-DF550 also has a larger imaging chip (1/4.5-inch CCD with 690,000 effective pixels for video and 1.23 megapixels for stills vs. the 1/6-inch CCD with 680,000 pixels on the DF430 and DF450) which may give a slightly better image. BGM was not compensated in any way for the favorable mention of these products.

On the downside, these video cameras do have some trouble with the auto focus drifting in low light situations. This can be dealt with by zooming in or reframing the subject or by using the manual focus feature.

One other note of caution: there have been some problems with JVC camera's CCDs failing and giving a "lens cap" error when the lens cap is already removed, and this model has also had this problem. We are checking with JVC to learn more about this. But from experience, when these cameras work, they work well. If you know of a better low budget video camera, let us know.

Update: We had a JVC GR-DF430 which developed the lens cap error about after about 6 months of use. The warrantee on these is 3 months for parts and labor and 12 months for parts only, so we called JVC (800-858-6442) to complain. They responded by emailing a "Letter of Accommodation" which extended the warranty and covered both parts and labor to fix the lens cap error problem. A local JVC authorized service center agreed to honor this letter, which allowed them to bill JVC for the repair, and fix the camera at no cost to us.

Update 3/8/07: The discontinued JVC GR-DF430, 450 and 550 are difficult to find, and where they previously could be found for around $300, when they are available, they are now selling for too much. The next best choice for an inexpensive MiniDV camera with a mic input, good low light performance and other desirable features is probably the Canon Elura 100, Camcorderinfo.com's 2006 Camcorder of the Year, which can still be found in the $300-$400 range. But this camera has also been discontinued and will be increasingly hard to buy.

Update 2/2/08: The best low cost video camera that yields near professional results, records to tape (still the best low end format for video quality and storage) and has the features highlighted above is now actually a high definition camcorder (that also shoots in standard DV), the Canon HV20. It is selling for under $700 and may drop lower as its replacement model the Canon Vixia HV30 becomes available this month.