Crazy Eights: 8mm Camcorder Buyer's Guide

When the 8mm video format first hit the market, it was tiny compared full-size VHS, and paved the way for a whole new era of camcorders. It was easy to use and compact enough in size to fit in a backpack. Then came Hi8, which took the 8mm format to another level. With its high-quality image resolution, it quickly became a favorite for advanced hobbyists. And just when we thought the 8mm format couldn't be improved upon, Sony introduced Digital8, the analog/digital hybrid that bridged the digital divide by recording a digital signal onto analog 8mm or Hi8 tape.
The 8mm family of formats has come a long way, and as prices drop each year, consumers are reaping the benefits of a buyer's market. As we put together our annual 8mm-format camcorder buyer's guide, some new trends have quickly shaped the 8mm category.
Given their compact size and affordable price tag, 8mm-family camcorders are an excellent introductory video format. But, in recent years, 8mm manufacturers have all but abandoned advanced shooters by excluding manual controls like exposure and shutter speed and other important features like headphone plugs and external microphone jacks that were once the hallmark of the Hi8 format. Only a handful of Digital8 models now on the market offer some of these advanced features.
Each of the three 8mm formats (8mm, Hi8 and Digital8) offers something unique. If you're considering investing in a new camcorder, read on as we give you the low down on the 8mm, Hi8 and Digital8 categories. Also, check out the accompanying buyer's guides, which let you compare some of the essential features of the models currently available from the top manufacturers.

8mm

It looks like the end is near for the standard 8mm camcorder as Sharp is the only manufacturer that offers one this year (compared to eight models from four manufacturers last year). Competition from the higher quality Hi8 format, whose price has dropped dramatically, and a dwindling 8mm market may have had something to do with the shrinking number of standard 8mm offerings.
Sharp is the last holdout in the standard 8 category with its new VL-A110U ($350). Although the VL-A110U is a decent entry-level camcorder with a 3-inch color LCD viewscreen, manual focus and white balance. It may be hard to justify this purchase, though, when Hi8 camcorders, with similar features and better image quality, cost about the same amount.

Hi8

Prices of Hi8 models have dropped significantly in the last year. Just one year ago, Hi8 prices ranged from $450 to $700. This year prices have dropped to between $250 and $450. Unfortunately, their advanced features have been cut back as well. Nearly all have dropped the headphone jacks and external microphone plugs that were included last model year, and manual exposure and shutter-speed controls are scarce.
The most affordable Hi8 camcorder is the Samsung SCW62 ($250), a fully-automatic, an entry-level, point-and-shoot model. Though it lacks a flip-out viewscreen and a speaker, it does sport a color viewfinder, a 22:1 optical zoom, a built-in light and a number of digital effects, all at an great price. Sony offers its own entry-level model, the CCD-TR818 ($300). The TR818 features a color viewfinder, 20:1 optical zoom, headphone jack and external mike plug, but lacks a flip-out viewscreen and speaker.
Canon has its own introductory model, the ES60 ($329). It is a slim-line model, lacking flip-out viewscreen, speaker, image stabilizer, external microphone plug and headphone jack. It does offer, however, a 22:1 optical zoom lens, a color viewfinder and Canon's patented FlexiZone automatic focus and exposure setting. Other Canon models include color flip-out viewscreens and speakers. Not only does this make shooting video more comfortable, but it also makes it easy to review scenes and footage that you just shot.
Samsung also offers the SCL650 ($350). Not only does it have a 2.5-inch flip-out screen and speaker, but it also comes equipped with an on-camera light. Sony's CCD-TRV58 ($350), in addition to a 2.5-inch color viewscreen, also features a built-in light and Sony's patented NightShot, which allows shooting in virtual darkness. For $399, Sharp weighs in with the VL-AH160U. It sports a large 3.5-inch color viewscreen, the ability to record still images to tape and a picture-in-picture mode. Canon offers the ES420V ($399), which has a black and white viewfinder, a 2.5-inch flip-out viewscreen and an on-camera video light. Not to be left out, Hitachi offers the VMH675LA Hi8 camcorder ($400). It sports a fast 1/4000 maximum shutter speed, an external microphone plug and a built-in light. It also boasts PAL60 conversion and the ability to record Hi8 quality onto standard 8mm tapes.
Models that seemingly have it all: price, ease of use and performance, reside at the top of the Hi8 ladder. Canon offers its top-of-the-line model, the ES8200V, for $449. It sports a 22:1 optical zoom, stereo audio, a 2.5-inch color viewscreen and an on-camera light. The SCL550 is Samsung's finest Hi8 model, with 410,000 pixel on its ?-inch CCD, a lightning-fast 1/10,000-second shutter speed, the ability to record a still image to tape and a 2.5-inch color flip-out viewscreen. The Sharp VL-AH130U ($499) has a 16:1 optical zoom, a 3-inch viewscreen, the ability to record stills to tape and picture-in-picture mode. Finally, Sony's CCD-TRV98 ($500). The TRV98 offers 320,000 pixels, manual iris setting, external mike plug and headphone jack, NightShot and a large 3.5-inch color viewscreen.

Digital8

If you want to edit on your FireWire equipped computer using its digital transfer, consider the Digital8 format. Looking to help ease the transition between analog and digital formats, Sony invented the Digital8 format a few years ago. Digital8 is akin to Mini DV, with high-quality image capture capability and FireWire transfer, but instead of recording a digital signal on expensive Mini DV tape, it records its digital signal onto either 8mm or Hi8 tapes. You can even play your old 8mm or Hi8 tapes on the Digital8 and use the camcorder as a digitizer if you want to get your analog footage to your computer.
For a mere $600, you can take your pick between entry-level models from either Sony (DCR-TRV130) or Hitachi (VMD875LA). Hitachi, now in its sophomore year in the Digital8 category, offers its second round of camcorders and they cost less than last year. The Hitachi VMD875LA sports a 22:1 optical zoom, 2.5-inch color viewscreen, 470,000 pixels, time code, on-camera light and a host of digital effects. Other than manual focus, the VME875LA has no manual controls and it lacks both external mike plug and headphone jack. Similar in many respects to the Hitachi model, Sony's entry-level model, the DCR-TRV130 has the added bonus of an external mike plug, a headphone jack, manual iris control, NightShot and an ability to record stills to tape.
Step up to the $700 to $900 price range and there are a number of models to choose from. Hitachi offers its only other Digital8 camcorder, the VMD975LA ($700). Besides the standard features that all of the Digital8 models share, the VMD975LA sports 22:1 optical zoom, manual focus, an on-camera light, a color viewfinder and an external mike plug. The Sony DCR-TRV230 ($700) has a black and white viewfinder, mike plug and headphone jack, 25:1 optical zoom and manual iris.
The rest of the models in this range are all Sony products and include the basic features of the previously mentioned models. The difference in price rests with the size of the flip-out viewscreen. The Sony DCR-TRV330 ($800) has a 2.5-inch color viewscreen while the DCR-TRV530 ($900) sports a 3.5-inch screen.
Finally, Sony offers two high-end models, the DCR-TRV730 ($1,000) and the DCR-TRV830 ($1,300). Both offer color viewfinders, 18:1 optical zooms and flip-out viewscreens. The TRV730 can capture 60 seconds of MPEG video that you can load to your computer and e-mail. It also features a mega-pixel still-image capture device that stores high-quality still images on Sony's Memory Stick. The TRV830 has a large 3.5-inch viewscreen, and also boasts the mega-pixel digital still-image capability that records stores them on Memory Stick. But that's not all, because inside this compact body is a color printer. With it, users can print out frames of video or stored still images.
Whichever 8mm format interests you, chances are there's a model for you. Compare the various makes and models in the accompanying 8mm camcorder buyer's guide. With its high-quality image capture, affordable price and unique analog-to-digital bridge, the family of 8mm formats has something for everyone. And though we may be saying goodbye to the standard 8mm format, the newer Hi8 and Digital8 models flourish. Only time will tell what future 8mm incarnations will bring video enthusiasts, in terms of higher quality and lower prices.