Camcorder buying guide

All consumer camcorders have built-in microphones, so even videographers on a shoestring budget can shoot talkies. Front-mounted mikes generally do a better job of capturing sound from a source in front of the camera and of rejecting the sound of the camera operator muttering than do small top-mounted units. If you'll be recording very quiet scenes, such as a baby sleeping, look for a camcorder that doesn't pick up too much motor hum through the built-in microphone.

Different types of videographers need different sound-capture capabilities, so look for the features that match your user type.

Recording media: Home and vacation moviemaker | Independent filmmaker | Budget buyer | Trendsetter | Business videographer

Camera features to look for:

• Built-in zoom microphone that "zooms" the audio along with the lens
• Built-in windscreen
• Audio dubbing for adding music or voice-overs
• Microphone jack for plugging in external microphone or other audio source
• Accessory shoe for mounting external microphone

Accessories to consider:

• External microphone for improved sound capture
• Headphones for discreet playback or checking sound-capture quality

Camera features to budget for:

• Accessory shoe for mounting external microphone
• Audio-level controls
• CD-quality 12- and 16-bit PCM (Pulse Code Modulation) sound capture and audio dubbing
• Built-in XLR ports or an optional XLR adapter for attaching pro audio equipment

Accessories to put in your grant application:

• Shotgun microphone for picking up subjects clearly without too much background noise
• Omnidirectional microphone for capturing sound from groups
• Boom poles and microphone stands
• Wired or wireless lavalier (lapel) microphone for documentary or interview subjects
• Headphones for monitoring audio-capture quality
• A good book on capturing sound with video; there's nothing quite as frustrating as getting lots of great footage with unlistenable audio, so make sure to do your homework before you get started.

Camera features to hope for:

• Microphone jack for plugging in external microphone or other audio source
• Audio dubbing for adding music or voice-overs

Accessories to save your pennies for:

• External microphone for improved sound capture
• Headphones for discreet playback or checking sound-capture quality

Camera features to show off:

• Built-in zoom microphone that "zooms" the audio along with the lens
• Built-in windscreen
• Accessory shoe for mounting external microphone
• Audio dubbing for adding music or voice-overs
• Headphone jack

Accessories to splurge on:

• Shotgun microphone for picking up subjects clearly without too much background noise
• Headphones for discreet playback or checking sound-capture quality

Camera features to plan for:

• Built-in zoom microphone that "zooms" the audio along with the lens
• Built-in windscreen
• Accessory shoe for mounting external microphone
• Audio dubbing for adding music or voice-overs
• Headphone jack
• Audio-level controls

Accessories to expense:

• Wired or wireless lavalier (lapel) microphone for interviews
• Shotgun microphone for picking up subjects clearly without too much background noise
• Omnidirectional microphone for capturing sound from groups
• Headphones for discreet playback or monitoring sound-capture quality