You should know all about mini dv camcorders before buying them. If you wish to capture those special moments and events of your life quickly and easily and know that they will always be as vibrant and clear as the day that you recorded them, a digital camcorder is what you require. These days the most popular format of digital camcorder is the mini dv.

Ever since audio/video recording has switched from analog to digital data storage, the final products have become clearer and crisper. They can even be copied multiple times or stored for long periods of time without loss of quality. If you know all about mini dv camcorders, you can even create videos to post on the Internet. If you're in the market for a mini dv camcorder, here are some of the main criteria that should factor into your decision.

Do your very best to find a great LCD screen! Knowing all about the technical features of mini dv camcorders and shopping around for them is great, but consider this: wandering around (practically blind) because your eye is glued to tiny bits of rubber and glass (the eyepieces of many cameras) is not only impractical because you can't see where you're going, but will inhibit your ability to get that perfect, unique shot you've dreamed of. Your neck can't bend so that you can view every scene from every angle without dancing around. Which would you rather have do the craning and bending: your neck, or a large, bright, high resolution LCD screen that swivels and tilts to match your need?

It should also have a still picture capability. Many do these days, but just make sure that the one you select does as well. This can be an exceptionally handy feature as it lets you take both moving video and still shots so you don't have to carry a camcorder and a digital camera at the same. They are both right there with you in your mini dv recorder. If you are interested you can also do video marketing on the internet.

Make sure that your new digital camcorder has an image stabilization feature when you buy it. This feature will eliminate the shaking movements that are common in home videos, and it will help viewers to feel more comfortable and less dizzy as they watch your production.

Always go for a mini dv camcorder that conserves power as much as possible. You will come across a wide range of power consumption when it comes to camcorders. If you plan on using your camcorder a lot, then it will be good to look for one that can go around 1-2 hours on a set of batteries before needing to be recharged.

Autofocus can be an extremely important feature if you are likely to record fast action video scenes or need to film while moving. Focusing is just one more thing that you have to worry about in such cases, and removing that burden can be an immense relief, allowing you to focus on the action itself.