Video camera advice...

Lord TSC

I know this may be a stupid question but bare with me. I'm looking at getting my bro a video camera for Xmas. He currently has this one...

http://www.argos.ie/static/Product/partNumber/5634000/Trail/searchtext%3EHITACHI+CAMCODER.htm

He uses his camera alot so I want to upgrade. I'm looking at this one currently....

http://www.argos.ie/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Search?storeId=10152&langId=111&searchTerms=5634512&authToken=?tag=ar:ct:p:camcorders:wow:panasonic

Question is, is that a big upgrade? I'm not well verses on cameras, and they both say they do HD recording. I don't want to get him something thats as good as what he has. Is it a significant upgrade? €250 is really my limit and the big reduction in price intriques me.

And before its said, I'm not buying online from Ebay or the likes. I'm worried it won't arrive in time so am happier going to Argos.

EIREHotspur

Well price reductions usually indicate a newer model is on the way and they want to clear stock.

That is a good upgrade and here are the main differences v cheaper hitachi.

He gets
Auto AND Manual focus v just manual
16 v 4 Optical Zoom which is a big difference
Stereo v Mono sound which is a huge difference
to take images with it
image stabilisation which will reduce unsteady images while shooting
a better picture than the Hitachi

Well worth the extra believe me.