Advice On Camcorder For Shooting Soccer Games?

[Ostinoh]

Hello -

I'm new to this forum and was looking for advice on a camcorder that I could use to start shooting my daughters soccer's games with out breaking the bank or putting me in the dog house by my wife.

My daughter is a goalie so most of the shots would be from side in-line with her. I'm looking at this for making a highlight reel for high school and college but at the same time we want to be able to go back and look at what she may need to either improve on or what was done right. Things happen so fast on the soccer fields we miss what either happened good or bad. Also most of the shooting would be done from stands or as close as I can get since she now plays on football size fields.

My budget would be around $350 - $400 give or take. If I could even come in under that it would be great.

Thank you in advance,
Dave

 

[bjornl]

Have you tried this site:
http/www.toptenreviews.com it has a camcorder q/a which leads to specific recommendations.
One good option to look at would be the JVC Everio GZ-R320 since it is weather proof and when my kids played soccer they had plenty of games in the rain. Most cam-corders and digital cameras are not weather sealed, particularly at your price point. This one is. It can be had used for 280 and new for under 400. It has stabilization, but use it with a mono-pod (or tripod) or the video will look bad.
https/www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_2?url=search-alias%3Dphoto&field-keywords=JVC+Everio+GZ-R320

 

[Ostinoh]

Holy cow how could I forget about rain. Even playing in the cold windy weather. Thank you for that suggestion.

Did you use the JVC Everio GZ-R320?

 

[bjornl]

Holy cow how could I forget about rain. Even playing in the cold windy weather. Thank you for that suggestion.

Did you use the JVC Everio GZ-R320?

No, I used a DSLR with a weather sealed lens and took stills when they played soccer and a smaller digital camera for occasional videos. Once they switched to Football I switched out the smaller camera for a Sony RX10 because it is also weather sealed, has a larger sensor and a better lens, the video is captured by one of the boys not playing that day (or my wife). And I still use DSLRs for stills as they are easier hang on the wall.

I recommended the JVC by searching for a weather sealed camera in your price range until I found one with good reviews. But, I have never personally used it. Just trying to be helpful.

 

[Ostinoh]

Thank you for help. I will be defiantly looking into this one some more.