These still have a place. Mobile phones heat up and run out of battery fast when you have more than a few minutes of videoing to do and SLR cameras heat up and are quite heavy and difficult to use when moving along.
If you're going to get one though I'd recommend a higher model one than this one, its a bit basic. I have one with really good mechanical image stablization so you don't get the shake, it has optical zoom so you can get in close to the action, you can record easily while walking/running, it straps to your hand and the screen tilts so you can film at odd angles and positions and still see what you're doing and no worry about dropping it, it can record 4k for long periods, has a much better stereo microphone and wirelessly uploads your videos. Definitely worth having one if you want to record events that last more than a couple of minutes etc.

No wifi, no external mic socket, no night vision.
Optical Zoom is good though. Why don't they make a camcorder with all the features people want and at a reasonable
price?

I'm pretty happy with the one I got the other day. Seems to work so much better than a phone, battery lasts much longer (and is replaceable in the field), but more crucially, you can actually zoom in a hell of a long way (optically).

So I for one am glad the market has collapsed :smiley:

The market for these kinds of devices has collapsed now. If people don't use a mobile phone then they will use a camera as most of them especially bridge cameras make fantastic video cameras often in even 4k. Some Youtubers/Vloggers like them though for filming what they do on the channels they have and I guess if you have a need for a dedicated video camera you can't argue with this price. I have not used mine in years though. take note though that this model does not have an external microphone port which might be a deal breaker for would-be film makers.

If only i had some near me

Voted hot - great hd camcorder for the price plus spare battery.

1/4th inch sensor, not exactly massive but a little better than a phone. I think you've hit it on the head there specialoffers, a mobile phone is more likely to be on your person and while it won't record video quite as well as this, it'll then upload it to facebook/youtube/wherever so it's got other benefits.

Would I give up my 4/3rds inch camera for a smartphone on the other hand? Hell no.

Do people still use these? They must be in their 80+. These died with the internet and smart phones. Only being used by peeping Toms now.

I have a mid-range Sony camcorder, I only used it couple of times and then stored in the drawer for years!

get this http://www.hotukdeals.com/deals/canon-legria-r806-119-99-plus-25-cash-back-available-from-canon-amazon-2705377?p=31184578

Those 2 comments aside.

Is this CANON Camcorder from the OP any good though?, or .....

Thanx. :-)

If I had to guess, it looks like it comes with a large BP-727 battery, and the second battery is the smaller BP-718. Tempted to buy it just for the genuine batteries and then sell the camera :smiley:

Any idea what the two batteries are?