Having a wish is one thing. Finding the right gear to realize it another. Thanks to Google however, I quickly gathered way more suggestions and contradicting opinions than I could process, but eventually also a short list of candidates for the job at hand.
My requirements, as usual, are pretty basic:
Camcorder
• affordable
• compact & lightweight
• robust recording medium, e.g. SSD* or SD|SDHC memory cards
• high resolution video, i.e. good enough for full screen viewing
• decent low-light performance
• easily editable video format
• decent simultaneous photo capabilities (min. 3MB, preferably 5MB)
• wide angle objective with powerful zoom (min. 10x)
• macro setting
• OIS*
• large LCD monitor
• microphone & headset jack
• hot-shoe
• long battery life
Underwater housing
• affordable
• compact, lightweight & robust
• full control of the camcorder's settings
• clear viewing of the camcorder's LCD
• depth rating of -60m
