Effective megapixels
The number of light sensitive pixels directly involved in the construction of the image. These are the dots on which the “image” projected by the lens onto the matrix falls. In addition to them, there are also service pixels that are not illuminated during camera operation — they provide auxiliary information necessary for processing the resulting image. Also, when calculating effective megapixels, the reserve area required for electronic stabilization is usually not taken into account (see "Image Stabilization").
The value of the number of effective pixels for different modes of operation of the camcorder will also be different. For example, when recording video, many cameras use multiple pixels to build a single dot on the image; this is due to the fact that the sensor resolutions significantly exceed those required for video shooting (for example, the Full HD standard technically corresponds to only 2.07 megapixels). As a result, the image quality depends more on the sensor size (see above) than on the resolution. And among sensors of the same size, high resolution allows user to get better colour rendering and higher clarity (however, not always — a lot also depends on the peculiarities of image processing). If we are talking about photography, then more megapixels means a higher resolution of the resulting image, but the quality of such a picture can be relatively low due to the increased noise level and low sensitivity of each individual pixel.
Video resolution
The maximum video resolution that the camera can capture. Resolution is the size of an image in points (pixels); usually it is written in two numbers, which correspond to the number of pixels horizontally and vertically.
The more pixels in the image — the clearer it is, the better you can see small details on it, however, the size of the video files increases accordingly. In addition, it is worth considering that in order to fully view the footage, you will need a screen of the appropriate resolution — otherwise all the advantages of the image will be negated. And this parameter also significantly affects the price of the device.
The smallest maximum resolution found in modern camcorders is about 720x480; the quality of such a "picture" can be compared with analogue television broadcasting. Resolution 1280x720 corresponds to the HD standard, it can be found among inexpensive TVs and monitors, and
1920x1080 (Full HD) is the most popular option among mid-range and top-class video devices. The maximum resolution used in modern consumer electronics (including camcorders) is
4K, 4096x2160; it is typical for the most advanced devices.
The vast majority of cameras are able to work not only with the maximum resolution, but also with several “more modest” options — for those cases where small file volumes are more important than high resolution.
Frame frequency
The highest frame rate provided by the camera when shooting video. The minimum frequency for normal viewing is the classic 24 fps used in cinema. At the same time, most modern video cameras are capable of providing up to 50 – 60 fps, and even higher frequencies can be used for the slow motion effect.
In fact, this indicator is important primarily when shooting dynamic scenes. The higher the frame rate, the smoother the fast motion will look in the frame, the less jerky it will be and the more pleasant the overall impression of the image will be. The reverse side of this is an increase in the size of recorded files (all other things being equal). Therefore, the frame rate can be made adjustable so that the operator can choose the best option for a particular situation.
Recording formats
Video file formats that the camera can use to store recorded footage. If you want to view these materials using a separate device (player, media centre, etc.), you should make sure that this player supports the appropriate formats, otherwise conversion may be necessary.
Video recording speed
The data transfer speed provided by the camera when recording video. This parameter is also called bitrate (i.e., the number of bits per unit of time). For any file format used for recording, the general rule is that the higher the bitrate, the better the image quality (especially for formats that use lossy compression). On the other hand, high speed have appropriate requirements for the capabilities of the memory cards used — for more details, see "Memory card support"; and it increases the size of the file accordingly. Therefore, many modern camcorders are able to work with different bitrates; this allows you to choose the best option depending on what is more important for you at the moment — maximum quality or the ability to work with a slow card.
At the same time, we note that in terms of quality, this parameter is important mainly for professional video shooting. If you need a camera for amateur purposes, there is no need to look for the maximum bitrate: after all, such models (and memory cards for them) cost accordingly.
Picture while shooting
Possibility of
taking photos during video recording. Usually it is implemented by a separate button, when pressed, the camera captures the visible image as a photo without interrupting video recording.
Of course, modern technologies allow you to save individual frames from an already finished video, but simultaneous photography compares favorably in two ways. Firstly, the resolution of the “picture” in photo mode is often higher than in video recording, and secondly, the procedure of processing a photo differs from the method for processing video frames and allows you to get a better image. So if you need the ability to highlight individual moments in the filmed events, it makes sense to choose a model with this function.
Screen size
Diagonal size of the camcorder's own display in inches. The larger the display, the larger the image on it will be, the easier it will be to work with the screen both during the shooting process and when viewing the footage. On the other hand, a large screen has an effect on the size of the camera itself, you don’t need large sizes to work with a frame, and it’s more convenient to view the footage on a full-sized device like a TV. With this in mind, most modern models are equipped with displays with a diagonal of about 2 – 3.5";
larger screens are extremely rare — even in professional cameras (see "Features"), for which compactness is not a priority.
Touch screen
The video camera has a
touch screen — a display that responds to the user's touch. Such a screen greatly expands the possibilities for controlling the camera and can significantly simplify it. For example, working with the menu is much easier by pressing your finger directly on the lines on the screen; in addition, many models with this equipment allow you to select an object for focus by touching the image on the screen.
Battery type
Battery model name that is installed in the camera. This information will come in handy if you need to replace a failed battery, or buy a spare one. Note that some models can work not only with standart, but also with other batteries — for example, batteries with increased capacity; these moments and models of compatible batteries need to be specified according to the official documentation.
