What camcorder features do I need to shoot concerts and plays?

What camcorder features do I need to shoot concerts and plays?

Tim Smith (Camcorder Training Specialist) gives expert video advice on: What camcorder features do I need for making video blogs?; What camcorder features do I need for sports?; What camcorder features do I need for family events? and more...

You're going to have to step up. The entry-level camcorders really don't offer the feature set that you need or the kind of control that you need, to shoot those types of events. For example, the unique lighting situations or the distance between you and what you're shooting in a sporting event, the zooms that you need aren't available on entry level camcorders. I would even recommend that you look for an optical stabilization system, especially when you tie it into the longer zooms. So really, what you're looking for, in order to tape concerts and plays is manual control. You want exposure control, shutter speed control, as much image control, a simple focusing system so that you don't have to rely on the audio as much as possible. You can find those in the mid-level camcorders.