Schools out!
And we got our report cards! And guess who got a 90.5 average??? ME!!!
90 in English
90 in History
90 in Science
92 in Math
And since my parents and I made a deal that if I got a 90 average or above, I get a video camera…….. I’m going to get one!!!!
So I’ve been searching around. I want a camcorder that’s about $400 and is small, with a fairly large optical zoom, good quality video, you can take like 1 megapixel pictures with it…. kind of like my friend Aaron’s, but newer and better. Preferably by Sony. I think that Uncle Bob is the only one that has read this far 
So I have kind of narrowed it down to two cameras: The Sony Handycam DCR-HC32 and the Sony DCR-HC21.
There’s a page that compares them HERE.
I hope that I can choose, but I’m DEFINITELY leaning toward the HC21 mostly because it’s cheaper, and the HC32 produces noise in the pictures. But then again, the reviews for the HC21 say that it’s hard to transfer the video to the computer which is what I want to do. So……..
Uncle Bob, I guess that this is mostly directed at you, but if anyone else wants to help, they are free to.
Austen, I’d definitely go with the Sony DCR-HC21. Its lens sounds excellent, its got manual focus, and optical image stabilization. HOWEVER, the users report lousy USB transfer and crappy Sony software. So only get this if you can also get a firewire (IEEE 1394) connection to your computer. If you don’t already have this port on your laptop, it may be expensive to add, but the firewire video transfer will work just fine.
see some more user opinions here
UB
PS. Congratulations on the Grades!!!
Wonderful news, Austen! I can’t help you (but I DID read it all!), but I’m happy for you. Now — enjoy the summer! Grandma Max