Reddit reviews Sony - HDRCX405 HD Video Recording Handycam Camcorder (black)

Might want to look at some digital camcorders. The 1080p handycam style ones are fairly cheap now though you might lose the hand controlled zoom. Most of them have flip screens.

Something like this:
https://www.amazon.com/Sony-Recording-HDRCX405-Handycam-Camcorder/dp/B00R5LH9HO

You're not going to get a camcorder that cheap. You'll get a cheap knockoff piece of shit. Not worth it, they take video like a decade old cellphone. Basically just avoid anything that's not brand name at that stage. There's a reason companies like Canon don't sell them that cheap. They can't, even at the scale they mass produce them. To get them cheaper, corners are cut and the quality is awful.

Instead, you'll be looking at a minimum of $178 for a 1080p Sony Camcorder. That'll work off a power supply, but it won't continue to charge while it's on. It sounds more like you need it to just run continuously off power anyways.

Yes, camcorders don't have a recording limit. There are packages where that camera ships with a 64 GB card, so you should be fine there.

If you really need cheaper, you can get an older refurbished Sony handycam, which also does 1080, uses up to 64gb cards. I'm not 100% certain whether it can record with external power, but based on some of the amazon questions/answers I believe it can.

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Camcorders are pretty well priced for what you get out of it. Find somethign that has atleast x10 optical zoom. And be sure to specify optical zoom, not Total or digital zoom.

Sony Handycam is a solid device for a good price. JVC also makes decent ones too.

If you just need video here are a couple decent camcorders"

Sony

Canon R700

If you want a little more versatility you can look around ebay at some cheap dslrs, The T2i is around your price frame and can do video and photo.

This, maybe?

sorry to dig this up but I have one more question: I found this one on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00R5LH9HO/ref=psdc_172421_t1_B01950TCEU

best seller, came out in 2015 (1080p recording), and it only shows the price when added to cart because Amazon is selling it for less than the retailer suggests, so they won't let Amazon blatantly advertise for it. What do you think? It's only $250 so I could even get her some lighting equipment and other things!

The lens on that cam has an 35mm equiv. of 32.5mm at the widest, that's very wide.

Personally i would prefer something more towards the 24mm range instead of 32.5, otherwise your face will fill too much of the frame or isn't fully in frame when you don't fully stretch your arm and that gets tiresome.

You can add and additional wide angle lens but the cheap ones are optically not that great, and the original ones from canon are expensive.

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Just as an example, this Sony has an 26.8mm lens, but does not come with an mic jack.

https://www.amazon.com/Sony-HDRCX405-Recording-Handycam-Camcorder/dp/B00R5LH9HO/

But now you know what to look for :)

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The "cinematic" look usually comes from color grading (I could be wrong). Also, 720p seems like a low resolution. If you could save up and get perhaps a 1080p camcorder, maybe that would work better, perhaps something like [this one] (https://www.amazon.com/Sony-Recording-HDRCX405-Handycam-Camcorder/dp/B00R5LH9HO/ref=sr_1_4?s=photo&ie=UTF8&qid=1466397276&sr=1-4&keywords=sony+camcorder)

Edit: Or you could get something like a refurbished Nikon d3300 (bundled with a 18-55mm lens and a wifi adapter) for $319 with coupon code DXPRO2X65. [Heres the link] (http://www.buydig.com/shop/product/NKD33001855KRB/Nikon-D3300-242MP-1080p-Digital-SLR-Camera-w-18-55mm-VR-II-Lens-Black-Refurbished?sdtid=8841099&omid=200&ref=cj&utm_source=CJ&utm_medium=Affiliate&utm_content=1225267)