After a few years of using Canon still camera Motion JPEG video clips, I finally purchased a mini-DV camera yesterday. I decided to stay with SD for now. At a camera store, I purchased an older model closeout (a Canon Elura 100) that was reviewed well by camcorderinfo. That review is at http://www.camcorderinfo.com/content/Ca ... atings.htm
My immediate objective is to purchase an external microphone. Normally I would learn more before buying accessories. However, I have read multiple owner posts that say the in camera mic picks up noise from the tape mechanism.
The camera has a MIC terminal and the instruction book says
-- "use commercially available condenser microphones with their own power supply"
-- "you can connect almost any stereo microphone equipped with a 3.5 mm plug but the audio volume will be different than with the built in microphone"
The mic jack/terminal is on the top of the camcorder. There is no shoe to mount the microphone. Camera will be used for recording family events both inside house and a gym as well as outside. Not sure about price. Would wireless be a good solution? Please make suggestions.