MeadsMan,
I am actually trying to save you money
whats the point in me telling you yup that standard consumer camera will be great for filming wildlife with it's digital zoom or 10 x standard magnification.
When the 10x zoom will get you no where near the wildlife and the digital zoom image will be a pile of xexexexe. You will able to get the wide shots and
maybe the medium shots with any camcorder but you will struggle on the close ups.
And to be honest the reason I recommend the cameras above is the fact you can add adapters so you can add cheap Digital camera lenses so you can get very tight in on wildlife for those close ups.
I'm just being realistic don't get me wrong you could stick a consumer camera in the garden (or other outdoor location) and if you have done your research you may get some cracking UK wildlife shots. Maybe this is the way forward if that is what you can afford shoot your wide and medium with you manning the camera then the close ups via a camera unmanned but it will limit you to what walks in front of the camera.
I tell you why I'm saving you money, if you really want a crack at wild life film making you may and go and buy a consumer model first for £300.00 to £400.00 but them within 6 months if your really enjoying it you will then want the bigger better kit anyway and the go out and buy a second hand XL1 etc for £800.00 -£900.00. So trading from consumer to a camera that will do the job better is going to cost you more why not save up that little bit more save yourself some money and go for the XL1 etc..straight away.
