Digital video essentials

How to pick the perfect camcorder and shoot like a pro

Photography by Peter Belanger.

Drama, laughter, mortal embarrassment—digital video lets you relive the special, and not so special, moments of your life with the mere press of a rewind button. And sharing digital video with other people is easy: you can burn it to a DVD, post it to your Web site, or turn it into a video podcast that they can download right to their iPods. The world is your screening room.

But before you can tap into your inner Spielberg, you need a video camera. To help you find the right one, I’ll lead you through your list of options and explain which features make a difference and which you can live without. I’ll also share a few surefire tricks for getting great video every time.

Digital video essentials

How to pick the perfect camcorder and shoot like a pro

Picking the perfect camcorder

Although MiniDV remains the most popular choice among Mac users, it's not your only option. Base your decision on how much money you're willing to spend, whether you want to edit your video, and how picky you are about video quality.
The filmmaker's rule book

When it comes to making movies that people will actually want to watch, getting a good video camera is only part of the battle. You also need to know how to use your camera. For video you can be proud of, follow these ten simple rules.
More digital video tips & tricks

Here’s a guide to some technical terms and jargon you’re likely to encounter, as well as some tips to get you started.