Digital Video camera recommendations? (1 Viewer)

I'm looking for our first DV camera. It will be mostly used for our kids sporting events and the like, so I'd like it to be good for outdoor video. Price range of $500 or so. What should I be looking for?

Thanks!
Mike

Several family members own some of the small Sony camcorders. I've been very impressed with the videos from these. If you can find something in your price range that has 3 CCDs that would be ideal, but I think those start around $700-$800.

Personally, I'm not a big fan of the camcorders that record directly onto small DVD's, but that's more of a personal preference than anything.

Last I looked, those that record direct to DVD are not quite at the same quality as those that record on tape - and cost quite a bit more. Mabye this has changed in the past year. I currently have one that records to tape and I am happy with it. However, I do dread when I have to transfer to PC to edit etc. I hate this time consuming process. I am currently waiting to upgrade to one that records to a microdrive at an affordable price.

Just know that tape takes a while if you are planning on editing on the PC and burning to DVD.

You might want to ask this question in the Photography area, and check existing threads there as well.

www.camcorderinfo.com is the dpreview.com for camcorders. If you plan to do any editing of the material do not get the type that record to DVD.

Thanks! I definately want to be able to edit the video on my PC, at the very least with Windows Movie Maker. I have Premier Pro at work as well.

Well, I have someplace to start at least, thanks!