Sony Analog Camcorders
Is there really a huge difference in video quality between analog and digital camcorders?
How much better is the video quality of a new digital camcorder compared to the older analog or Hi8 tape camcorders such as the Sony HandyCam. I am particularly curious about the zoom. Many of the newer camcorders have 60X or lower zoom levels, my Sony HandyCam has a 64X zoom and still has reasonably good quality at that level.
The intended use of the video will also determine your apparent quality differences. If you have a small CRT television that you play back on and do no further editing, then there may not be much apparent advantage to a new digital camcorder, MiniDv or HD (H.264). If you edit and show your videos to a wider audience, or have a 720i or better TV, especially one of the larger ones, then yes, you will see a huge improvement in quality, even with the inferior HD format (Which is a marketing gimmick that is a step back from MiniDv).
One area in which analog MAY be superior, is in poorly lighted scenes. With advanced editing software such as Avid, more detail can be obtained from apparent darkness on analog than on digital. But if you have a $20,000 editing station, your not likely using a HandyCam!
Sony CCD-TR940 analog Hi8 camcorder low light comparison
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