Shop for digital camcorders

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.0 stars Good

  Overall score: 6.8 (3.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 3.0 stars out of 6 reviews

The Bottom Line: Typical for their price class, the no-frills Sony Handycam HDR-CX130, CX160, and XR160 produce generally subpar HD video, but if you're not picky you'll probably be fine. The CX130 is the best buy of the three, as long as you go cheap on the memory card. Read review

Specs: Exmor R CMOS, 8.8 oz, Sony Handycam HDR-CX160 - Camcorder - Consumer - Flash card, 4.5 in, 30 x x Zoom lens - 2.1 mm - 63 mm - F/1.8-3.4, 2.2 in, 2.1 in

• CNET Editor rating:
  4.0 stars Excellent

  Overall score: 8.0 (4.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 3.5 stars out of 29 reviews

The Bottom Line: While it's more expensive than its sub-$600 competitors, the Canon Vixia HF20 and Vixia HF200 deliver a more extensive feature set for the extra money. The HF200, which lacks internal memory, is probably a better buy than the HF20, though the HF20's all-black body is a bit classier looking. Read review

Specs: CMOS, 2.99 megapixels, Built-in flash, 12 oz, 15 x x Zoom lens - 4.1 mm - 61.5 mm - F/1.8-3.2, 2.4 in, Canon VIXIA HF200 - Camcorder - Consumer - Flash card, 4.9 in, 2.8 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, 12.2 oz, 30 x x, Zoom lens - 1.9 mm - 57 mm - F/1.8-4.0 G, 2.4 in, Camcorder, Sony Handycam HDR-PJ430V - Consumer - Flash card, 4.8 in, 2.6 in

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.5 stars Very good

  Overall score: 7.9 (3.5 stars)
• Average user rating: 4.0 stars out of 12 reviews

The Bottom Line: The flash-based Panasonic HDC-TM700 and its hard-disk sibling, the HDC-HS700, stand out for their low-light video quality and broad set of manual controls. However, while the TM700 is very attractively priced for its class, the HS700 is not, and not worth the price premium unless you absolutely need the hard disk. Read review

Specs: 3MOS, Built-in, 13.4 oz, 2.6 in, 5.4 in, Panasonic HDC-TM700K - Camcorder - Consumer - Flash card, 2.7 in, 12 x x Zoom lens - 3.45 mm - 41.4 mm - F/1.5-2.8

• CNET Editor rating:
  0.0 stars

  Overall score: 0.0 (0.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 3.5 stars out of 2 reviews

Specs: Exmor R CMOS, Camcorder flash light, 12.2 oz, 6 in, 12 x x Zoom lens - 2.9 mm - 34.8 mm - F/1.8-3.4, 3.5 in, Sony Handycam HDR-CX580V - Camcorder - Consumer - Flash card, 3.2 in

• CNET Editor rating:
  4.0 stars Excellent

  Overall score: 8.0 (4.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 3.5 stars out of 52 reviews

The Bottom Line: Sony's Handycam HDR-SR11 and SR12 60GB hard-drive-based AVCHD camcorders deliver top notch performance and image quality. Read review

Specs: ClearVid CMOS, Built-in flash, 1.2 lbs, 12 x x Zoom lens - 4.9 mm - 58.8 mm - F/1.8-3.1, 3 in, Sony Handycam HDR-SR11 - Camcorder - Consumer - Hard disk drive, 5.4 in, 3.3 in

• CNET Editor rating:
  0.0 stars

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

Specs: HD CMOS Pro, 10.9 oz, Canon VIXIA HF M52 - Camcorder - Consumer - Flash card, 10 x x Zoom lens - 6.1 mm - 61 mm - F/1.8-3.0, 2.7 in, 2.5 in, 4.8 in

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.0 stars Good

  Overall score: 6.8 (3.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 4.0 stars out of 1 review

The Bottom Line: Panasonic's HDC-TM40, TM41 and SD40 are some of the cheapest camcorders you can buy with a zoom lens and manual controls. If you care about video quality, spend a little more money on another model; if you don't, buy the cheapest one of these you can find, adjusting for the cost of memory for the SD40. Read review

Specs: MOS, 6 oz, 2.3 in, zoom, 16.8 x x 2.9 mm - 48.7 mm - F/1.8-2.6, 4.3 in, Panasonic HDC-SD40 - Camcorder - Consumer - Flash card, 2 in

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.5 stars Very good

  Overall score: 7.9 (3.5 stars)
• Average user rating: 3.5 stars out of 55 reviews

The Bottom Line: This outstanding performer raises the bar for prosumer MiniDV camcorders. Read review

Specs: 3CCD with Pixel Shift, None, 2.6 lbs, 12 in, Canon GL2 - Camcorder - Consumer - Mini DV, 5.4 in, 4.6 in, 20 x x Zoom lens - 4.2 mm - 84 mm - F/1.6-2.9

• CNET Editor rating:
  4.0 stars Excellent

  Overall score: 8.0 (4.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 3.5 stars out of 32 reviews

The Bottom Line: Canon's first flash-based camcorder, the Canon Vixia HF10, delivers excellent HD video quality and performance in a tiny package. Read review

Specs: CMOS, 13.4 oz, 5.1 in, 12 x x Zoom lens - 4.8 mm - 57 mm - F/1.8-3.0, 2.9 in, Canon VIXIA HF10 - Camcorder - Consumer - Flash card, 2.5 in

• CNET Editor rating:
  0.0 stars

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

Specs: MOS, 6.5 oz, 34 x x Zoom lens - 2.38 mm - 81 mm - F/1.8-4.0, 2.4 in, 4.4 in, 2 in, Panasonic HC-V100M - Camcorder - Consumer - Flash card

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.5 stars Very good

  Overall score: 7.3 (3.5 stars)
• Average user rating: 3.0 stars out of 4 reviews

The Bottom Line: A solid first effort in a nascent category, the Sony Handycam NEX-VG10 nevertheless needs some conceptual refinement. Read review

Specs: Exmor APS HD CMOS, External, 2.9 lbs, Sony Handycam NEX-VG10 - Camcorder - Consumer - Flash card, 11.6 in, 3.8 in, 5.2 in, 11 x x Zoom lens - 18 mm - 200 mm - F/3.5-6.3

• CNET Editor rating:
  4.0 stars Excellent

  Overall score: 8.4 (4.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 4.0 stars out of 7 reviews

The Bottom Line: Panasonic has listened. The third incarnation of the AG-DVX100 offers unrivalled bang for the buck in a prosumer standard-definition MiniDV camera. Read review

Specs: 3CCD, 3.8 megapixels, None, 3.7 lbs, 5.5 in, 6.3 in, 14.3 in, Panasonic AG-DVX100B - Camcorder - Professional - Mini DV, 10 x x Zoom lens - 4.5 mm - 45 mm - F/1.6

• CNET Editor rating:
  0.0 stars

  Overall score: 0.0 (0.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 5.0 stars out of 1 review

Specs: Exmor R CMOS, Camcorder flash light, 19.6 oz, Sony Handycam HDR-CX760V - Camcorder - Consumer - Flash card, 6.5 in, 3.5 in, 4.3 in, 10 x x Zoom lens - 3.8 mm - 38 mm - F/1.8-3.4

• CNET Editor rating:
  4.0 stars Excellent

  Overall score: 8.0 (4.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 4.0 stars out of 3 reviews

The Bottom Line: Though they're an excellent trio of camcorders, the Vixia HF S21, HF S20, and HF S200 are significantly more expensive than their respective competitors, especially since the S20 and S200 lack electronic viewfinders. If you can forgo some of the subtleties of the manual controls, you can probably get what you need with a cheaper camcorder. Read review

Specs: CMOS, Built-in flash, 16.6 oz, 3 in, 10 x x Zoom lens - 6.4 mm - 64 mm - F/1.8-3.0, Canon VIXIA HF S21 - Camcorder - Consumer - Flash card, 2.9 in, 5.8 in

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.5 stars Very good

  Overall score: 7.8 (3.5 stars)
• Average user rating: 3.5 stars out of 1 review

The Bottom Line: While it's a fine model, the Sony Handycam HDR-CX360V seems too expensive for the video quality and features it delivers. Read review

Specs: Exmor R CMOS, Built-in flash, 11.3 oz, 5 in, 2.6 in, 2.2 in, 12 x x Zoom lens - 2.9 mm - 34.8 mm - F/1.8-3.4, Sony Handycam HDR-CX360V - Camcorder - Consumer - Flash card

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.5 stars Very good

  Overall score: 7.8 (3.5 stars)
• Average user rating: 3.5 stars out of 4 reviews

The Bottom Line: A fine follow-up to last year's M3xx series, the Canon Vixia M4xx series should please most home-movie-oriented videographers despite its relatively high price. If you don't need the EVF, the M400 is your best buy, but if you'll be shooting a lot in sunlight, it's worth it to step up to the M41. Read review

Specs: CMOS, 12.7 oz, Canon VIXIA HF M41 - Camcorder - Consumer - Flash card, 2.9 in, 5.4 in, 10 x x Zoom lens - 6.1 mm - 61 mm - F/1.8-3.0, 2.8 in

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.0 stars Good

  Overall score: 6.8 (3.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 3.5 stars out of 5 reviews

The Bottom Line: Typical for their price class, the no-frills Sony Handycam HDR-CX130, CX160, and XR160 produce generally subpar HD video, but if you're not picky you'll probably be fine. The CX130 is the best buy of the three, as long as you go cheap on the memory card. Read review

Specs: Exmor R CMOS, Built-in, 12.3 oz, 2.6 in, 2.4 in, 5 in, Sony Handycam HDR-XR160 - Camcorder - Consumer - Hard disk drive, - Flash card, 30 x x Zoom lens - 2.1 mm - 63 mm - F/1.8-3.4

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.5 stars Very good

  Overall score: 7.9 (3.5 stars)
• Average user rating: 3.5 stars out of 26 reviews

The Bottom Line: Canon returns to the state of the art in DV but doesn't set a new standard. Read review

Specs: 3CCD, None, 7.7 lbs, Canon XL2 - Camcorder - Consumer - Mini DV, 20 x x Zoom lens - 5.4 mm - 108 mm - F/1.6-3.5, 8.7 in, 19.5 in, 8.9 in

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.5 stars Very good

  Overall score: 7.9 (3.5 stars)
• Average user rating: 3.5 stars out of 10 reviews

The Bottom Line: The Sony Handycam HDR-CX550V fares well compared with the competition, though its video could be a bit sharper and the interface less cumbersome. Unless you absolutely need to store a lot of video on the camcorder--which I don't suggest--or if have large hands that could benefit from the extra grip that the hard drive provides, the CX550V is a better deal than its hard-disk-based sibling. Read review

Specs: Exmor R CMOS, Built-in flash, 15.5 oz, 10 x x Zoom lens - 3.8 mm - 38 mm - F/1.8-3.4, 5.6 in, 2.6 in, Sony Handycam HDR-CX550V - Camcorder - Consumer - Flash card, 2.9 in

• CNET Editor rating:
  0.0 stars

  Overall score: 0.0 (0.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 4.0 stars out of 1 review

Specs: Exmor R CMOS, 7.2 oz, 30 x x Zoom lens - 2.1 mm - 63 mm - F/1.8-3.4, 2.6 in, Sony Handycam HDR-XR260V - Camcorder - Consumer - Hard disk drive, - Flash card, 2.4 in, 5 in

• CNET Editor rating:
  4.0 stars Excellent

  Overall score: 8.0 (4.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 3.5 stars out of 6 reviews

The Bottom Line: The Sony Handycam HDR-FX7 is an excellent high-definition camcorder from a video perspective, but it's less satisfying if you're an audio control freak. Read review

Specs: 3 ClearVid CMOS, 1.04 megapixels, None, 3.1 lbs, 5.7 in, 12.7 in, 20 x x Zoom lens - 3.9 mm - 78 mm - F/1.6-2.8, Sony Handycam HDR-FX7 - Camcorder - Consumer - Mini DV (HDV), 6.1 in

• CNET Editor rating:
  4.0 stars Excellent

  Overall score: 8.0 (4.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 4.0 stars out of 29 reviews

The Bottom Line: One of a pair of Canon's first flash-based camcorders, the Canon Vixia HF100, delivers excellent HD video quality and performance in a tiny package. Read review

Specs: CMOS, 13.4 oz, 12 x x Zoom lens - 4.8 mm - 57 mm - F/1.8-3.0, 2.9 in, 5.1 in, Canon VIXIA HF100 - Camcorder - Consumer - Flash card, 2.5 in

• CNET Editor rating:
  0.0 stars

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

Specs: BSI MOS, 6.5 oz, 38 x x Zoom lens - 2.35 mm - 89.3 mm - F/1.8-4.2, Panasonic HC-V201 - Camcorder - Consumer - Flash card, 4.5 in, 2.4 in, 2.1 in

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.0 stars Good

  Overall score: 6.8 (3.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 4.0 stars out of 1 review

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, 2 in, 34 x x Zoom lens - 2.38 mm - 81 mm - F/1.8-4, 4.3 in, Panasonic HDC-TM80 - Camcorder - Consumer - Flash card, 2.3 in