Many consumer camcorders automatically adjust these controls. If you are serious about your video quality then choose a camcorder that allow you to override the automatic mode so you can manually set them. Less proficient people will likely cause bodily harm to themselves or an innocent bystander if they have to move while looking through the viewfinder. In this case, you will need to preview your project video project by playing it back to the camcorders LCD screen. Smaller camcorders are great for 'stealth' shots where you don't want people to be aware you are recording.
Smaller cameras are less intrusive.
DV Filmmakers recording on location without permits have discovered the advantage smaller DV camcorders offer over their larger film cousins. A camera's size and weight can determine how well you can manage the camera for long stretches at a time. You don't want to lose your concentration on shooting because you had to fumble with the zoom, focus and other controls. Not all digital camcorders have an IEEE 1394 interface. To make matters more complicated, the IEEE 1394 interface on different camcorders are not all the same.