Video Camera Recommendations- going to Africa

[Ray Hammond]

I'm a technology idiot..need somehting that will take great video so I can share my experience with my family, but I do not want to go bankrupt doing it and it needs to be comparatively easy to use.

Can you advise me?

[doctorbrady]

Ray,
Any of the "prosumer" 3CCD video cams do a good job.  You won't go wrong with either a Canon or a Sony.  General rule of thumb is Canon's have better zoom capabilities, but the Sony's are king when it comes to low light conditions.  I use a Sony VX2000 which is no longer in production.  Like most technogadgets, there is a new and "improved" model or two each year.  You can often find a new or almost new discontinued model on Ebay or from one of the big camera shops.  Expect to pay at least 2K for a decent one.
If you want to use it STRICTLY to enjoy at home, the newer, smaller 3CCD cameras are also pretty decent and much less expensive.  Panasonic, Sony, and Canon all have models available.  They are a lot handier to carry, but they won't excel in light extremes like the bigger prosumer models.  Hope this helps. Brady