Shop for digital camcorders

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.5 stars Very good

  Overall score: 7.5 (3.5 stars)
• Average user rating: 3.5 stars out of 48 reviews

The Bottom Line: The Sony Handycam DCR-DVD403 is the first DVD camcorder we've seen that doesn't force you to compromise on features or quality--much. Read review

Specs: Advanced HAD CCD, Built-in flash, 1.4 lbs, 10 x x Zoom lens - 5 mm - 51 mm - F/1.8-2.9, 2.4 in, 3.7 in, 5.2 in, Sony Handycam DCR-DVD403 - Camcorder - Consumer - DVD

• CNET Editor rating:
  0.0 stars

  Overall score: 0.0 (0.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 4.0 stars out of 4 reviews

Specs: 3CCD, Built-in flash, 1.5 lbs, 3.6 in, 12 x x Zoom lens - 4 mm - 48 mm - F/1.8-2.8, Panasonic HDC-DX1 - Camcorder - Consumer - DVD, 6.4 in, 3.5 in

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.5 stars Very good

  Overall score: 7.6 (3.5 stars)
• Average user rating: 2.5 stars out of 1 review

The Bottom Line: Though significantly cheaper than Sony's previous consumer HD camcorder, the Sony Handycam HDR-HC3 still offers superb HD video quality. Read review

Specs: ClearVid CMOS, Built-in flash, 19.8 oz, Sony Handycam HDR-HC3 - Camcorder - Consumer - Mini DV (HDV), 10 x x Zoom lens - 5.1 mm - 51 mm - F/1.8-2.9, 3.2 in, 5.5 in, 3.1 in

• CNET Editor rating:
  4.0 stars Excellent

  Overall score: 8.0 (4.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 4.5 stars out of 6 reviews

The Bottom Line: Like its cousin, the flash-based HF11, Canon's Vixia HG21 delivers excellent HD video quality and performance albeit in a slightly larger, heavier package. However, you do get more storage space and a lower price. Read review

Specs: CMOS, Built-in flash, 17.3 oz, 3 in, 5.4 in, 3.1 in, 12 x x Zoom lens - 4.8 mm - 57 mm - F/1.8-3.0, Canon VIXIA HG21 - Camcorder - Consumer - Hard disk drive, - Flash card

• CNET Editor rating:
  0.0 stars

  Overall score: 0.0 (0.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 3.0 stars out of 5 reviews

Specs: 3CCD, Built-in, 4.4 lbs, 10 x x Zoom lens, Panasonic DV PROLINE AG-DVC20 - Camcorder - Consumer - Mini DV

• CNET Editor rating:
  0.0 stars

  Overall score: 0.0 (0.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 3.5 stars out of 10 reviews

Specs: ClearVid CMOS, Built-in flash, 1.2 lbs, 3.2 in, 15 x x Zoom lens - 3.1 mm - 46.5 mm - F/1.8-2.6, 3 in, 5.1 in, Sony Handycam HDR-SR10 - Camcorder - Consumer - Hard disk drive, - Flash card

• CNET Editor rating:
  0.0 stars

  Overall score: 0.0 (0.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 4.0 stars out of 2 reviews

Specs: Advanced HAD 3CCD, None, 2.2 lbs, 3.9 in, 3.7 in, Sony DSR-PDX10 - Camcorder - Professional - Mini DV, - Mini DVCAM, 8 in, 12 x x Zoom lens - 3.6 mm - 43.2 mm - F/1.6-2.8

• CNET Editor rating:
  0.0 stars

  Overall score: 0.0 (0.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 3.5 stars out of 6 reviews

Specs: Advanced HAD CCD, 16.4 oz, 25 x x Zoom lens - 2.5 mm - 62.5 mm - F/1.8-3.2, Sony Handycam DCR-HC48 - Camcorder - Consumer - Mini DV, 4.5 in, 3.3 in, 2.5 in

• CNET Editor rating:
  0.0 stars

  Overall score: 0.0 (0.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 4.0 stars out of 6 reviews

Specs: ClearVid CMOS, Built-in flash, 1.3 lbs, 10 x x Zoom lens - 5.1 mm - 51 mm - F/1.8-2.9, 3.2 in, Sony Handycam HDR-HC5 - Camcorder - Consumer - Mini DV (HDV), 5.3 in, 3.2 in

• CNET Editor rating:
  0.0 stars

  Overall score: 0.0 (0.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 3.0 stars out of 3 reviews

Specs: 3 ClearVid CMOS, 1.04 megapixels, 3.3 lbs, Sony HVR-V1U - Camcorder - Professional - Mini DV (HDV), 7.2 in, 17 in, 20 x x Zoom lens - 3.9 mm - 78 mm - F/1.6-2.8, 5.7 in

• CNET Editor rating:
  0.0 stars

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

Specs: Exmor R CMOS, 6.14 megapixels, Built-in flash, 20.5 oz, 10 x x, Zoom lens - 3.8 mm - 38 mm - F/1.8-3.4, 3.5 in, 6.5 in, 4.3 in, Camcorder - Memory Stick PRO Duo, Sony Handycam HDR-PJ760V - Consumer

• CNET Editor rating:
  0.0 stars

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

Specs: Dual CMOS, 2.2 lbs, JVC GY-HMZ1U - Camcorder - Professional - Flash card, 9.2 in, 6 in, 5.3 in, 10 x x Zoom lens - 3.76 mm - 37.6 mm - F/1.2-2.8

• 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, Sony Handycam DCR-HC96 - Camcorder - Consumer - Mini DV, 3.6 in, 4.7 in, 10 x x Zoom lens - 5.1 mm - 51 mm - F/1.8-2.9, 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!

Specs: 3 Exmor CMOS, 4.9 lbs, 20 x x Zoom lens - 4.1 mm - 82 mm - F/1.6, 7.4 in, 13.5 in, 6.8 in, Sony NXCAM HXR-NX5U - Camcorder - Professional - Flash card

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.0 stars Good

  Overall score: 6.6 (3.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 2.0 stars out of 4 reviews

The Bottom Line: As a relatively inexpensive DVD camcorder with solid, though not remarkable, performance, the Panasonic VDR-D210 is a decent choice for video snapshooters. Read review

Specs: CCD, 0.46 megapixels, None, 1.1 lbs, 2.6 in, 5.6 in, Panasonic VDR-D210 - Camcorder - Consumer - DVD, 32 x x Zoom lens - 2.3 mm - 73.6 mm - F/1.8-3.7, 3.6 in

• CNET Editor rating:
  0.0 stars

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

Specs: 3CCD, 3.1 lbs, 7 in, 10 x x Zoom lens - 3.7 mm - 37 mm - F/1.8-2.8, 5.4 in, JVC GY-HM150U - Camcorder - Professional - Flash card, 14.4 in

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.0 stars Good

  Overall score: 6.2 (3.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 2.5 stars out of 13 reviews

The Bottom Line: For a moderate price, you get the convenience of recording your video directly to DVD media, but the entry-level Hitachi DZ-BX35A offers only basic features and can't deliver the image quality of Hitachi's step-up DVD camcorders. Read review

Specs: CCD, 1.1 lbs, Hitachi DZ-BX35A - Camcorder - Consumer - DVD, 4.8 in, 3.7 in, 25 x x Zoom lens - F/1.8-3.3, 2 in

• CNET Editor rating:
  0.0 stars

  Overall score: 0.0 (0.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 3.0 stars out of 2 reviews

Specs: 3 ClearVid CMOS, None, 4.9 lbs, 20 x x Zoom lens - 4.1 mm - 82 mm - F/1.6-3.4, 7 in, 17.8 in, Sony HVR-Z5U - Camcorder - Consumer - Mini DV (HDV), 6.7 in

• CNET Editor rating:
  0.0 stars

  Overall score: 0.0 (0.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 2.5 stars out of 26 reviews

Specs: CCD, None, 1.1 lbs, Sony Handycam DCR-DVD201 - Camcorder - Consumer - DVD, 2 in, 3.5 in, 5.4 in, 10 x x Zoom lens - 3.2 mm - 32 mm - F/1.8-2.3

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.0 stars Good

  Overall score: 6.4 (3.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 3.0 stars out of 24 reviews

The Bottom Line: The Handycam DCR-TRV460 offers an excellent upgrade from an 8mm or Hi8 camcorder, with digital video recording and the ability to view and transfer your old tapes. But if you don't need 8mm or Hi8 compatibility, competing MiniDV cameras offer superior quality in smaller packages. Read review

Specs: CCD, None, 2 lbs, 3.3 in, Sony Handycam DCR-TRV460 - Camcorder - Consumer - Digital8, 5.9 in, 3.9 in, 20 x x Zoom lens - 2.5 mm - 50 mm - F/1.6-2.4

• CNET Editor rating:
  0.0 stars

  Overall score: 0.0 (0.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 3.5 stars out of 5 reviews

Specs: ClearVid CMOS, Built-in flash, 18.7 oz, 3.2 in, 5.3 in, 10 x x Zoom lens - 5.1 mm - 51 mm - F/1.8-2.9, Sony Handycam HDR-UX5 - Camcorder - Consumer - DVD, 3.2 in

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.0 stars Good

  Overall score: 6.0 (3.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 3.0 stars out of 24 reviews

The Bottom Line: Unless you're so wedded to the Sony brand and the idea of DVD recording that you're willing to pay a premium--but not enough to jump to the DVD201--avoid this model. Read review

Specs: CCD, None, 1.1 lbs, 2 in, Sony Handycam DCR-DVD101 - Camcorder - Consumer - DVD, 3.5 in, 5.4 in, 10 x x Zoom lens - 2.3 mm - 23 mm - F/1.7-2.3

• CNET Editor rating:
  0.0 stars

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

Specs: 3CCD, None, 5.7 lbs, 13 x x Zoom lens - 4.2 mm - 55 mm - F/1.6-2.8, 7.1 in, 15.4 in, 6.6 in, Panasonic AG-HVX200A - Camcorder - Professional - Flash card, - Mini DV (HDV)

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.5 stars Very good

  Overall score: 7.9 (3.5 stars)
• Average user rating: 2.5 stars out of 2 reviews

The Bottom Line: Though their geotagging capabilities are mostly novelty and their interfaces could use a complete overhaul, the top-notch video quality, performance, and consumer-friendly feature sets of the Sony Handycam HDR-XR500V and HDR-XR520V make them worthy camcorder options. Both are overpriced, but since 14 hours of recording time is plenty--especially if supplemented with flash media--the HDR-XR500V is the better deal of the two. Read review

Specs: Exmor R CMOS, Built-in flash, 18 oz, 12 x x Zoom lens - 5.5 mm - 66 mm - F/1.8-3.4, Sony Handycam HDR-XR520V - Camcorder - Consumer - Hard disk drive, - Flash card, 5.4 in, 2.8 in, 3 in

• CNET Editor rating:
  0.0 stars

  Overall score: 0.0 (0.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 3.5 stars out of 3 reviews

Specs: ClearVid CMOS, 6.1 megapixels, Pop-up flash, 1.2 lbs, 10 x x Zoom lens - 5.4 mm - 54 mm - F/1.8-2.9, 3.2 in, Sony Handycam HDR-HC9 - Camcorder - Consumer - Mini DV (HDV), 5.4 in, 3.2 in