Ergonomics

Perhaps the single most important characteristic of a camcorder is how it looks and feels when you pick it up. Hopefully, you've tried out the camera before buying or renting, but even if you haven't, give yourself some time to get used to it.

Physical Size, Weight, Balance

Camcorders are lighter than ever, but there's a catch: Although it's easier to hold lightweight camcorders for extended periods of time, you may find it difficult to keep them steady during a take. Heavier camcorders have more inertia, which promotes smoother movement.

Keeping the camcorder steady is also a matter of balance, and the biggest factors in camcorder balance are the size and weight of the lens and the counterbalancing weight of the camera body itself. ...

Get Real World Digital Video, Second Edition now with the O’Reilly learning platform.

O’Reilly members experience books, live events, courses curated by job role, and more from O’Reilly and nearly 200 top publishers.