If you use any camcorder or CCTV with a CCD sensor, it’s sensitive to Infra-red light which opens the door to numerous possibilities. This means one can film in total darkness with an infra-red illuminator like the Sima SL-20IR for-instance. Here is one suitable camcorder of many with a CCD sensor and it films in full HD, see the Samsung SMX-K40. The only real disadvantage of this camcorder and similar CCD camcorders is they don’t have an Infrared illuminator built in, so you must use an extra one and unlike older Sony camcorders with Night Shot Plus, the video will be in greenish monochrome only since Night Shot Plus attempts to colour infra-red video.

Don’t buy a newer Sony camcorders without Night Shot Plus with Exmor technology however if you want full infra-red night vision as the Exmor sensor is NOT sensitive to infra-red light and it therefore won’t see the infra-red light emitted from an infra-red illuminator, instead the technology enhances low visible light making it better than most camcorders in semi dark conditions. It however won’t work in 0 lux conditions (total darkness), since there is no visible light to enhance. These new Sony Camcorders are excellent in many other ways, but they are not suitable for paranormal investigations in darkness.

Since Sony phased out Infra-red night vision (super night shot plus) on all their new camcorders that are designed for the home user (E.g. Costs less than £1000) , the only other solution to get Infra-red on a reasonable budget was to buy a 2nd hand or reconditioned Sony Camcorder that was manufactured before they discontinued the feature. The other alternative was to save up well over £1000 for a professional camcorder as a few models do have infrared, but for a good professional camcorder one could spend many times £1000 which is a lot of money for the average non-profit paranormal group. A workaround is to use CCTV cameras instead as even the cheapest of systems usually have infra-red. CCTV systems are good for some purposes, but unless one spends quite a bit of money, the quality won’t come close to a camcorder and CCTV is very inconvenient to set-up, CCTV cameras are not portable like a camcorder and usually requires a mains power supply. It can be easier to set-up using wireless CCTV cameras, but this can cause all sorts of problems with interference, distortion and loss of quality.

Many people got confused by the new Sony Exmor technology on their latest range of home camcorders, believing that it shoots well in total darkness. Well, this ISN’T the case with Exmor, it shoots better than most camcorders in low light conditions by enhancing the little light there is available, but it won’t work at all in total darkness (0 LUX) as there’s no visible light to enhance. The big difference with infra-red is it illuminates the film area with invisible infra-red light that the camcorder is able to pick-up just like a normal visible light, but to the human eye it films in total darkness and is therefore the only real choice for a serious paranormal group. With infra-red, one also has the option of purchasing extra infra-red emitters (infra-red lights) that will illuminate the film area better, giving a better range.

Here’s details of the cheap HD 1080P Infrared Camcorder

I have now found a cheap camcorder for around £150 that films in Infra-red with full HD 1080p video, but before anyone rushes out to buy it, it’s not a very well known make named, “Bell and Howell” and I therefore am unable to confirm the quality of the camcorder. Obviously if the quality is dire, then it’s not worth it even if it does have the crucial feature for paranormal groups.

I’d be very interested to hear from anyone who’s used or purchased this Infra-red camcorder. Is the quality tacky or is it truly excellent value for money? Well judging from a user comment, it’s actually pretty good, although the range of the infra-red night vision is quite poor and is only really reasonable indoors. The thing is the same is true with Sony Infra-red camcorders unless you purchase a separate infra-red emitter. I don’t think Bell and Howell make extra IR emitters, but it appears there is a standard cold shoe on the top which means there are a couple of options available.

Please click here for more info on this camcorder.

Incidentally, I’ve also heard rumours that there was complaints that Sony IR cameras could see through certain clothing and that’s one reason why they withdraw it too?

Its seems all the fun camcorders are in The States?!!!
In the uk, the main ‘night vision’ cameras that pop up when i do a search are ‘Security cameras’!

Alot of Paranormal sites mention Sony’s night shots, but each lead i followed came up dead, or back to the States… Now i know why! Thanks!

I’m wondering if anyone has found a replacement in the uk market yet, thats affordable to the general public?

If not, I’m toyin with maybe buying a ‘night scope’ to add on to whatever Camcorder i might get, if not too expensive?

The General camera i’m lookin for would also be High Definition. With at least 10 hours hard drive (and an option for memory cards) With a Strong Zoom facility (for ufo spotting!)

If anyone can help it would be much appreciated, as i’m hopin to buy one asap now. (been waitin 20 years! lol)

Thanks a mil! Dee

The new range of Sony HD camcorders use Exmor R™ (a trademark of Sony) which is NOT infra-red night vision. It’s simply a very sensitive CMOS Sensor that makes the most out of low light making it twice as sensitive as other CMOS camcorders, it however WON’T work in zero lux (no light) and isn’t really suitable for paranormal investigations in pitch darkness.

If you have plenty of money (and I mean plenty of money), you can buy the HVR-HD1000E professional HDV camcorder from Sony at the time of writing, but this will put you back thousands and is well beyond most people’s budget.

I will continue looking for a new and suitable reasonable priced camcorder with Infra-red, if anyone knows of such a model, please PLEASE leave a comment either here or on the public shout box, thank you! In the mean time, I recommend looking for new or reconditioned Sony camcorders (older models) with super night shot plus.