Shop for digital camcorders

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.0 stars Good

  Overall score: 6.3 (3.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 3.0 stars out of 13 reviews

The Bottom Line: If this camcorder cost $500, we'd give it a much higher rating. But for its quadruple-digit price, we expect far better performance and video quality from the JVC Everio GZ-HD7. Read review

Specs: 3CCD, 1.5 lbs, 7.3 in, 10 x x Zoom lens - 3.3 mm - 33 mm - F/1.8-1.9, 3.6 in, 3 in, JVC Everio GZ-HD7 - Camcorder - Consumer - Hard disk drive

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.0 stars Good

  Overall score: 6.6 (3.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 2.5 stars out of 5 reviews

The Bottom Line: The Panasonic SDR-H80 has the zoom power of a telescope and a lot of storage in a compact body, but the video results are not nearly as thrilling. Read review

Specs: CCD, 10.6 oz, 70 x x Zoom lens - 1.5 mm - 105 mm - F/1.9-5.7, 4.2 in, 2.6 in, 2.1 in, Panasonic SDR-H80A - Camcorder - Consumer - Hard disk drive, - Flash card

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.0 stars Good

  Overall score: 6.6 (3.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 1.5 stars out of 6 reviews

The Bottom Line: Mediocre video quality and a couple design issues keep the Kodak PlayTouch from being a top-notch minicamcorder. Read review

Specs: CMOS, 0.6 in, 4.3 in, 2.3 in, Lens - 3.9 mm, Kodak PLAYTOUCH - Camcorder - Pocket - Flash card

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.0 stars Good

  Overall score: 6.8 (3.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 4.5 stars out of 2 reviews

The Bottom Line: A functional trio of camcorders, the Panasonic HDC-SD80, TM80, and HS80 are notable for their manual exposure controls (unusual for their price class) and well-designed touch-screen interface, but otherwise you can find better options. Of the three, the SD80 is the best choice simply on price. Read review

Specs: MOS, 9.3 oz, 4.3 in, Panasonic HDC-HS80 - Camcorder - Consumer - Hard disk drive, - Flash card, 37 x x Zoom lens - 2.38 mm - 81 mm - F/1.8-4, 2.4 in, 2.5 in

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.0 stars Good

  Overall score: 6.2 (3.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 3.5 stars out of 17 reviews

The Bottom Line: The Sony Handycam DCR-SR45 has a good design and reasonable feature set for its price, but the video quality doesn't measure up to the rest of the package. Read review

Specs: Advanced HAD CCD, None, 12.3 oz, 3 in, Sony Handycam DCR-SR45 - Camcorder - Consumer - Hard disk drive, - Flash card, 40 x x Zoom lens - 1.9 mm - 76 mm - F/1.8-4.1, 3 in, 4.4 in

• CNET Editor rating:
  0.0 stars

  Overall score: 0.0 (0.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 0 stars No reviews, write one!

Specs: CMOS, Lens - F/3.1, Vivitar DVR 785 HD Pro Action Camcorder - Camcorder - Wearable

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.5 stars Very good

  Overall score: 7.8 (3.5 stars)
• Average user rating: 3.0 stars out of 6 reviews

The Bottom Line: The rugged Kodak PlaySport Zx5 is a very good minicamcorder, but falls just shy of improving on last year's model, despite being more durable. Read review

Specs: CMOS, None, 4.4 oz, 0.7 in, Kodak PLAYSPORT Zx5 - Camcorder - Pocket - Flash card, 2.3 in, 4.4 in, Lens - 5.5 mm - F/2.8

• CNET Editor rating:
  0.0 stars

  Overall score: 0.0 (0.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 0 stars No reviews, write one!

Specs: CMOS, None, 2.2 lbs, 10.6 in, 10 x x Zoom lens - 4.25 mm - 42.5 mm - F/1.8-2.8, 5.5 in, Canon XF100 - Camcorder - Professional - Flash card, 7.5 in

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.5 stars Very good

  Overall score: 7.6 (3.5 stars)
• Average user rating: 3.5 stars out of 8 reviews

The Bottom Line: Though its video isn't perfect, the Canon FS200 is one of the better standard-definition consumer camcorders available. Read review

Specs: CCD, 7.9 oz, 2.2 in, 2.3 in, Canon FS200 - Camcorder - Consumer - Flash card, 4.8 in, 37 x x Zoom lens - 2.6 mm - 96.2 mm - F/2.0-5.2

• CNET Editor rating:
  0.0 stars

  Overall score: 0.0 (0.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 2.5 stars out of 32 reviews

Specs: CCD, 12 oz, 4.6 in, 2.8 in, Panasonic SDR-H40 - Camcorder - Consumer - Hard disk drive, 2.6 in, 42 x x Zoom lens - 1.8 mm - 75.6 mm - F/1.9-4.3

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.0 stars Good

  Overall score: 6.6 (3.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 3.0 stars out of 7 reviews

The Bottom Line: The Sony Handycam DCR-DVD650 offers an all-in-one, on-the-go way to capture standard-def video and burn it to a DVD, but hard-disk-drive and flash-memory models are otherwise a better option. Read review

Specs: Advanced HAD CCD, 13.8 oz, 5.1 in, 3.5 in, 60 x x Zoom lens - 1.8 mm - 108 mm - F/1.8-6.0, 2.2 in, Sony Handycam DCR-DVD650 - Camcorder - Consumer - Flash card, - DVD

• CNET Editor rating:
  4.0 stars Excellent

  Overall score: 8.0 (4.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 0 stars No reviews, write one!

The Bottom Line: Panasonic's trio of prosumer camcorders, the hard-disk-based HDC-HS900 and flash-based TM900 and SD800, deliver generally excellent video quality and provide the full set of manual controls and features advanced users want. But you have to be willing to baby the white balance a bit. The TM900 is my top pick of the three for its EVF, but if you're on a tight budget the SD800 should suit just fine. Read review

Specs: 3MOS, Built-in flash, 16 oz, 2.6 in, 12 x x Zoom lens - 3.45 mm - 41.4 mm - F/1.5-2.8, 2.8 in, Panasonic HDC-HS900 - Camcorder - Consumer - Hard disk drive, - Flash card, 5.7 in

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.0 stars Good

  Overall score: 6.1 (3.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 3.0 stars out of 9 reviews

The Bottom Line: As a scaled-down version of JVC's GZ-HD7, the GZ-HD3 ditches some of the fancier features, but its price is still higher than we'd like for this camcorder. Read review

Specs: 3CCD, 1.3 lbs, 3.2 in, 6.1 in, JVC Everio GZ-HD3 - Camcorder - Consumer - Hard disk drive, 3 in, 10 x x Zoom lens - 3.2 mm - 32 mm - F/1.8-2.4

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.0 stars Good

  Overall score: 6.2 (3.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 0 stars No reviews, write one!

The Bottom Line: Sony's Handycam DCR-SX45, SX65, and SX85 standard-definition camcorders pack a megazoom lens at a reasonable price; one look at the standard-definition video, though, and you might regret not spending a bit more for an HD model. Read review

Specs: Advanced HAD CCD, 8.1 oz, 60 x x Zoom lens - 1.8 mm - 108 mm - F/1.8-6.0, Sony Handycam DCR-SX45 - Camcorder - Consumer - Flash card, 4.9 in, 2.2 in, 2 in

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.0 stars Good

  Overall score: 6.6 (3.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 2.0 stars out of 11 reviews

The Bottom Line: If storage amount, zoom range, and easy operation are on your list of needs before video quality, check out the Sony Handycam DCR-SR47. Read review

Specs: Advanced HAD CCD, 10.6 oz, 2.7 in, 60 x x Zoom lens - 1.8 mm - 108 mm - F/1.8-6.0, 4.4 in, Sony Handycam DCR-SR47 - Camcorder - Consumer - Hard disk drive, - Flash card, 2.4 in

• CNET Editor rating:
  0.0 stars

  Overall score: 0.0 (0.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 0 stars No reviews, write one!

The Bottom Line: Despite a perceived lull in the camcorder market, Sony announces 10 models at CES. Read review

Specs: Exmor R CMOS, Built-in flash, 16.2 oz, 10 x x, Zoom lens - 3.2 mm - 32 mm - F/1.8-3.4 G, 2.8 in, Camcorder, Sony Handycam HDR-TD30V - Consumer - Flash card, 5.2 in, 2.5 in

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.0 stars Good

  Overall score: 6.0 (3.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 2.5 stars out of 26 reviews

The Bottom Line: Given its mediocre video quality, the Sony Handycam DCR-SR42 seems overpriced for what it delivers. Read review

Specs: Advanced HAD CCD, 13.4 oz, 2.9 in, 2.8 in, 4.5 in, Sony Handycam DCR-SR42 - Camcorder - Consumer - Hard disk drive, 40 x x Zoom lens - 1.9 mm - 76 mm - F/1.8-4.1

• CNET Editor rating:
  4.0 stars Excellent

  Overall score: 8.0 (4.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 3.0 stars out of 38 reviews

The Bottom Line: The Sony Handycam HDR-SR1's combination of hard disk capacity, easy adapatability, great design, and a broad feature set make it the consumer HD model to beat for 2006. Read review

Specs: ClearVid CMOS, 1.6 lbs, 3.1 in, 10 x x Zoom lens - 5.1 mm - 51 mm - F/1.8-2.9, 3.3 in, Sony Handycam HDR-SR1 - Camcorder - Consumer - Hard disk drive, 6.5 in

• CNET Editor rating:
  0.0 stars

  Overall score: 0.0 (0.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 3.0 stars out of 12 reviews

Specs: Advanced HAD CCD, 8.8 oz, 4.4 in, 60 x x Zoom lens - 1.8 mm - 108 mm - F/1.8-6.0, Sony Handycam DCR-SX40 - Camcorder - Consumer - Flash card, 2.1 in, 2.3 in

• CNET Editor rating:
  0.0 stars

  Overall score: 0.0 (0.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 3.5 stars out of 8 reviews

Specs: Advanced HAD CCD, None, 13.8 oz, 3.5 in, Sony Handycam DCR-DVD610 - Camcorder - Consumer - DVD, 2.2 in, 40 x x Zoom lens - 1.9 mm - 76 mm - F/1.8-4.1, 5.1 in

• CNET Editor rating:
  4.0 stars Excellent

  Overall score: 8.7 (4.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 3.0 stars out of 8 reviews

The Bottom Line: The Contour+ sports camera is simple to use, with pro-level flexibility and quality; however, Contour's lower-priced options may be more appropriate for casual users. Read review

Specs: 5.3 oz

• CNET Editor rating:
  0.0 stars

  Overall score: 0.0 (0.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 0 stars No reviews, write one!

The Bottom Line: Live stream your day's activities straight to your Facebook wall with the Looxcie HD camera. Read review

Specs: CMOS, Lens, Looxcie HD - Camcorder - Wearable

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.5 stars Very good

  Overall score: 7.2 (3.5 stars)
• Average user rating: 3.5 stars out of 20 reviews

The Bottom Line: Delivering high-quality MiniDV footage and decent still images, the Panasonic PV-GS320 should appeal to advanced amateurs searching for a tape-based camcorder. Read review

Specs: 3CCD, 0.54 megapixels, 15.9 oz, 10 x x Zoom lens - 3 mm - 30 mm - F/1.8-2.8, 3.3 in, Panasonic PV-GS320 - Camcorder - Consumer - Mini DV, 3.1 in, 5.8 in

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.0 stars Good

  Overall score: 6.8 (3.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 0 stars No reviews, write one!

The Bottom Line: A functional trio of camcorders, the Panasonic HDC-SD80, TM80, and HS80 are notable for their manual exposure controls, unusual for their price class, and well designed touch-screen interface but otherwise you can find better options. Of the three, the SD80 is the best choice simply on price. Read review

Specs: MOS, 6.8 oz, Panasonic HDC-SD80 - Camcorder - Consumer - Flash card, 4.3 in, 2.3 in, 34 x x Zoom lens - 2.38 mm - 81 mm - F/1.8-4, 2 in

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.5 stars Very good

  Overall score: 7.1 (3.5 stars)
• Average user rating: 4.0 stars out of 17 reviews

The Bottom Line: Excellent video quality, a broad feature set, and decent photos make the Sony Handycam DCR-HC96 an excellent choice for those seeking a compact MiniDV camcorder. Navigating the small touch screen may encourage you to stick with its automatic features, however. Read review

Specs: Advanced HAD CCD, 2.05 megapixels, Built-in, 1.1 lbs, 10 x x Zoom lens - 5.1 mm - 51 mm - F/1.8-2.9, Sony Handycam DCR-HC96 - Camcorder - Consumer - Mini DV, 3.6 in, 2.8 in, 4.7 in