Why Aren’t Camcorders More Popular?

Camcorders have been around for decades, but have been largely overshadowed by mirrorless and DSLR options. But I think high end camcorders might actually be kind of amazing.

They’ve got similar prices and many similar features to their mirrorless counterparts, but camcorders are designed specifically for video, so why aren’t choices like this more popular for applications like YouTube? Maybe it’s time to take a look through modern eyes at how camcorders have been modernized.

•Sony 4K Camcorder:

•Elgato Video Capture (for converting VHS to digital)

•HDMI Converter (to use an old camcorder with an HDMI capture card):

📼 How to Convert VHS Tapes to Digital:

📼 How to Stream with Retro Camcorders:

💡Learn Something Awesome:

⏱ Chapter Markers:
0:00 - Part One: Modernized with Modern Eyes
0:32 - A Quick History of Analog & Early Digital Camcorders
2:53 - Why I Stopped Using Camcorders
3:20 - What’s Interesting About Modern Camcorders?
5:54 - How Do Camcorders Compare to Mirrorless Cameras?
9:11 - The Camcorder’s Biggest Strength
11:59 - Part Two: Is It Any Good?
13:43 - Camcorder Low Light Performance
16:22 - Depth of Field (or lack thereof…)
17:31 - So What Are The Advantages of a Camcorder?
18:20 - Part Three: But Seriously, Is It Good?

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– Who Am I? –

Hi! My name is Tom Buck, a lifelong A/V nerd and former high school Digital Media teacher. I started this channel in 2017 as a project to share my enthusiasm for everything related to audio and video production.

•My channel is open and welcoming to people of all races, ages, genders, and orientations. I’m glad you’re here.

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Episode 333: Are camcorders good now?

[tombuck]

Thanks to several people for pointing out that I was totally wrong and the Sony XD Cam DOES have a built-in ND filter. I have absolutely no idea how I missed this over the course of two months, but I did. The switch can clearly be seen at 15:36 next to the battery on the back of the camera. The good news is that this makes the camcorder even better!

As I said in the video, this isn't a review of this specific camcorder, but rather a look at modern camcorders in general. I wish I would've done a better job in being aware of the ND option, but I also don't want to get too bogged down in the specifics of any one camcorder model for this video.

[Brian-Hansen]

The camcorder form factor is the most versatile setup for many workflows. Especially multicam and live situations and sports. The integrated lense and XLR inputs make it very useful in those situations. And for b-roll it can be extremely useful. There is definitely a benefit to having everything integrated and running from a single battery. So much to like about it. It is definitely not “cool” - but who really cares about that.

[MidoriMonorail]

It’s funny to see this video. I live in Japan and the Japanese tend to use camcorders a lot, especially at school events. I questioned why they still are using them until I looked the specs and decided to order one. It’s been one of my best purchases.

[markc]

Tom, I used to repair camcorders in the 80's and 90's. You mentioned "parfocal" lenses on camcorders. There are actually 2 different meaning to that term. A traditional camcorder lens was parfocal in that the lens elements for focus and zoom were separate, so that when you moved the zoom lenses it stayed in focus. In the early 90's, a lot of manufacturers switched to a new system that used fewer and lighter lens elements so that the zoom lenses affected the focus, and had to move the focus lens during zoom to keep it in focus which was determined electronically on a predetermined curve. So technically, they no longer used parfocal lenses. They could only stay in focus due to being motor driven. If your lens has a focal distance scale on it, it's a traditional parfocal lens. If it's buried, and only motor driven, it's probably the later version.

[TimotheosEnterprisesMedia]

Dude... in 1985 I was a US Army Combat Photographer stationed in South Korea, documenting the Peace talks between SK and NK on the DMZ. Then I went into portrait work and from there, which you here have brought back memories...

[colvinscorner]

Ive never understood the obsession with blurry backgrounds on youtube. I want to see all the cool posters and knivk knacks and shit in your room! It adds character and ambience to a youtubers usual recording space.

[willcarter]

I went through this a couple years ago trying to figure out why every YouTuber was recommending photography cameras. I had always used camcorders growing up. And I came to the same conclusion that you did; image quality is so much better at an affordable price point.

[lindybeige]

I have a Sony camcorder very very similar to the one you show, and it DOES have infrared night vision and it has a built-in ND (3 levels), so I'd be very surprised to find that yours does not. The way I can ease in and out of zooms is much appreciated. It is also much easier to hold when shooting video than a stills camera.

[Bladeclaw]

Ever since DSLRs started recording videos, more focus was put on making them achieve the function of camcorders. First it was about achieving 30, 24, and 60 fps. Then they had to include autofocus on their lenses that worked with video modes and create new motors of smoother fluid autofocus control. They needed to add on additional ports for connecting to monitors, audio jacks, and power. They needed to start including image stabilization which worked actively in video mode. And later they had to add on different monitoring features like waveform monitors, RGB parades, and other interfaces. Also, they needed to add in video color profiles such as LOG and REC 709, REC 2020 for better color and contrast control. More lenes had to be created specifically designed to work with video features such as power zooming and quiet smooth aperture adjustments. The handle grip is still a rangefinder style handle rather than an underhand rest and ND filters are usually placed in front of most lenses. And now, after all these years the 2 types are very similar.

Cameras have their advantage for having customizability of lenses, attachments, and hybrid capability of taking great photos as well. Their low light performance due to larger sensor sizes as well and shallower depth of field attracts more attention. And versatility can be achieved through purchasing of more versatile lenses for those specific situations. But probably the largest factor in my opinion that drives people towards these is the community of users and designers. There are more tutorials, recommendations, articles, and guides about using a camera (typically of these styles rather than a camcorder.) And when more new creators get their first camera, they pick the one that they feel they will get more support and recommendation from.

However, camcorders (not cinema cameras) do still have their place still. They are a one size integrated solution. That's because of their unique body design. It's all about the body. Mirrorless cameras can outperform these camcorders now for picture quality, low light performance, and weight. But camcorders have everything built to work together with minimal need to setup or put a rig together. The microphone setup, handles, shoulder straps, XLR inputs, cooling functions, and power managements are designed to work seamlessly together for long recording sessions. Access to your controls is usually present with buttons located right on the camera for instant access and can be changed during recording. You can achieve a similar workflow with a camera, but you may need to buy all the necessary parts to make it work similarly as well as rig it all together. Though you still may be missing a few features like waveform monitors, ND filters, broadcast delivery functions, timecode generators, depending on the camera. When you buy a camcorder, you are buying a bundle of devices that work together for a well-rounded video focused system. Rather than a single piece.

Cinema cameras are like mirrorless cameras, but more expensive and focused on customizable video capabilities.

Camcorders are best for their simplicity and reliability for capturing videos. You have decent functionality for more use cases and some changes can still be made with easy integration. The form factor is also designed for long constant recordings, making quick changes while recording. Which means they are better built for continuous recoding while swapping batteries, media, microphones, preventing overheating, and on the fly changes (usually without digging deep into the menu settings. That's their biggest strength over mirrorless cameras. You may not have as much creative control, but for run and gun situations, where time and speed is crucial, they are a great tool to have, since the setup is kept to a minimal.

[AuthenTech]

I’m really quite sad camcorders haven’t continued to evolve. I built my channel in the early years on a Sony camcorder and miss it dearly. The freedom and flexibility of insane zoom, crazy good stabilization, etc. The lack of shallow DOF and a few other issues, I ventured to a7s3. If Casey Neistat switched to a camcorder, I bet these companies would start developing them again.

[Crlarl]

Something else to mention: Batteries are much easier to change. The battery is mounted externally at the back whereas photo cameras will use a battery in the grip. This means that on camcorders, you can use larger batteries and swap them more easily.
You also get the anti-rotation pin so the camcorder doesn't spin on a tripod.

[firstandlastproductionsllc]

I still use 2 camcorders to this day for my wedding capture. They are the last backup resort when filming ceremonies and entire reception events. They are absolute workhorses and have been extremely reliable when capturing moments in a wedding. They are placed high-up on very high light stands and act like "security cameras" in my opinion. I only cut to my camcorders when there are shaky shots/transition shots/failed shots from my A, B, or C cameras, but I at least know they are recording reliably every time. It gives me peace of mind that my camcorders are recording the wide angle of a space or venue and I make sure to hit record on those cameras first before I turn on my A, B, or C cameras. Thanks for the nostalgia on all those old school cameras. That is what I grew up on - VHS, Super 8mm, Mini-DV - and now I have the FX3 and FX30. I appreciate your vids and now I just subscribed!

[BrooksSeanRobinson]

I remember my friends and I desperately wanting a GL2, it’s amazing how much video cameras have improved over time.

[moorememoriesvideo]

Great stuff! I am a wedding videographer and I have a Canon XA50. While it mostly serves as a fourth angle camera, it still blows my mind how many people do not have this in their workflow. Incredibly clutch for ceremonies, as it will run & run. It stays in my camera bag after most ceremonies and doesn’t get much use in low light conditions but it’s an amazing camera for all of the features that come along with it. Again, great video, I enjoyed this very much! New sub!

[TimBeauBennett]

I've been using the exact Sony camcorder for the last couple of months and it's been really nice to not have to worry about getting the perfect combination of mirrorless camera and lens, and having to mess around with accessories. Really surprised how much I like it

[jordan_bondurant]

As an MMJ, I'm absolutely with you. Camcorders have their prime uses much like mirrorless cams do. I think people's abilities to create content has generated such a gray area, that you routinely have people like me who window shop online or find themselves with the budget to buy a new or used camera and suddenly become that meme of the sweaty guy trying to figure out which button to press.

[HelloFromHawaii]

Great video topic. When I first started on YouTube, I went down the same path as most people with a DSLR. After a while, though, I got tired of the recording issues, like time limit and overheating. Decided to sell all of my lenses and camera bodies for a Canon G60. It's been great as an indoor camera. Never have to worry about recording limits again. I miss the blurry background look, but it's a compromise I can live with. It also gives me the option to film my kids in the future. The ultimate dad camera for school events and sports.

I also found that because they update camcorders less frequently, I don't feel tempted to buy new gear as much. So I'd say the camcorder was the best purchase I made for my channel in years. 🤙

[johnheiser]

Hi Tom, the thing about camcorders at a base level is that they were designed for family use. So you go from Australia with the kids when they were little to Disneyland, Universal Studios, San Diago Zoo etc... you want the background in full focus, not blurred. Adjusting settings was secondary. So if you understand the design for purpose limitations and work within them then you should expect the results you get and be happy with that. I think camcorders no matter how sophisticated still maintain this premise.

Having said that. Mirrorless cameras...wow.

I guess I am saying use each to their best advantage that is fit for purpose and you can't go wrong.

A thoroughly enjoyable vid, mate.

[sblphotography]

Hi Tom
A few months back I sort of downsized and started doing stuff on my own. As I was scouring the net prior to ordering some stuff, I came across your channel, and some of your videos did help me immensely – thank you for doing this!

As for camcorders, here’s another point of view:
The biggest strength of the camcorder platform for us, has always been its ability to output a finished product at the end of recording, or even during; as you yourself said, this is what makes them ideal for live productions.

What makes this possible is the audio inputs, isn’t it?

We too used mirrorless and DSLRs for our productions, but after a while we got sick of the workflow and tried out camcorders, and we never went back!

And here’s something else we noticed; every time the audio was sent via the Rodecaster (Version 01) there was a little lag which disappeared when the mics were directly connected or when mixing was done via an analogue mixer.
It was not perceptible to the ‘uninitiated’ and wasn’t something that couldn’t be fixed in post with a few clicks.

Your studio is well lit, (and, very pleasing to look at as well) and the environment seems to be well controlled. So, don’t you think a modern camcorder might cut down your production time at least by 10 -20%?

Either way please keep on making these videos – and thanks again for producing useful content is a very palatable way – your stuff really cut through the clutter!

[okmedialive]

As a videojournalist for a newspaper I use the Sony XD Z-150 for video, it's an amazing piece of tool and I was shocked myself. 2x XLR outputs, 3 different ND filters and adjust for sound and manual settings on top of that. And that is just top of the iceberg. I would have to spend 2000 dollar to get the same on my A7III