Camcorder

Camcorders, also known as handy-cams, are electronic devices for recording films with sound in digital format. They also allow users to take pictures and images. This version of a film camera records the data internally on the camera memory, memory stick or on a cassette. Therefore, the device has got a portmanteau name from the camera and the recorder. Some modern instruments have the facility to directly record films on DVD. Most of these instruments have a 2.0" or a 2.5" display screen that immediately shows the picture taken. More advanced versions of the handy-cam have touch screens, making operations much easier and faster. The screen also acts as a guide for navigation and for selecting other menu options.

Imager, lens and recorder are three important parts of a camcorder. The optical/digital zoom, the shutter speed and the aperture size all depend on the type of lens selected. In a camcorder these functions (except zoom) are automatically operated as per the required exposure of the light. The imager or the eye of the camcorder is responsible for capturing clear images, while the recorder writes these on the recording medium. The preñset photography modes help capture clearer images/films. A camcorder can be conveniently connected to a computer for transferring the images and films. Many camcorders have an option of recording the film at different resolutions. Moreover, images or films can often be edited on these instruments.