Shop for digital camcorders

• CNET Editor rating:
  4.0 stars Excellent

  Overall score: 8.0 (4.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 4.0 stars out of 13 reviews

The Bottom Line: An excellent flash-based prosumer HD camcorder, you may nevertheless pass on the Canon Vixia HF S100 because it lacks an eye-level viewfinder. It's probably a better buy than the identical--but more expensive, because it has 32GB built-in memory--Vixia HF S10. Read review

Specs: CMOS, Pop-up flash, 15.9 oz, Canon VIXIA HF S100 - Camcorder - Consumer - Flash card, 10 x x Zoom lens - 6.4 mm - 64 mm - F/1.8-3.0, 2.8 in, 2.7 in, 5.4 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, Sony Handycam HDR-CX550V - Camcorder - Consumer - Flash card, 2.9 in, 5.6 in, 2.6 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, 4.3 in, 34 x x Zoom lens - 2.38 mm - 81 mm - F/1.8-4, 2.3 in, Panasonic HDC-TM80 - Camcorder - Consumer - Flash card, 2 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, Built-in flash, 8 oz, 38 x x Zoom lens - 2.35 mm - 89.3 mm - F/1.8-4.2, 2.1 in, Panasonic HC-V500 - Camcorder - Consumer - Flash card, 4.7 in, 2.6 in

• CNET Editor rating:
  0.0 stars

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

Specs: Exmor R CMOS, Camcorder flash light, 12.2 oz, Sony Handycam HDR-PJ580V - Camcorder - Consumer - Flash card, 3.5 in, 6 in, 12 x x Zoom lens - 2.9 mm - 34.8 mm - F/1.8-3.4 G, 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 31 reviews

The Bottom Line: A bargain for a three-chip camera, the Panasonic PV-GS250 is a great choice for an amateur with serious aspirations or just a discerning eye. Read review

Specs: 3CCD, Built-in flash, 1.1 lbs, 2.9 in, 10 x x Zoom lens - 2.85 mm - 28.5 mm - F/1.6-2.8, Panasonic Palmcorder Multicam PV-GS250 - Camcorder - Consumer - Mini DV, 5.7 in, 3.2 in

• 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, 3.5 in, Sony Handycam DCR-DVD650 - Camcorder - Consumer - Flash card, - DVD, 5.1 in, 2.2 in, 60 x x Zoom lens - 1.8 mm - 108 mm - F/1.8-6.0

• CNET Editor rating:
  0.0 stars

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

Specs: CMOS, 8.8 oz, 2.2 in, 2.1 in, 32 x x Zoom lens - 2.8 mm - 89.6 mm - F/1.8-4.5, Canon VIXIA HF R30 - Camcorder - Consumer - Flash card, 4.5 in

• CNET Editor rating:
  0.0 stars

  Overall score: 0.0 (0.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 4.5 stars out of 1 review

Specs: Exmor R CMOS, Camcorder flash light, 1.2 lbs, Sony Handycam HDR-PJ710V - Camcorder - Consumer - Flash card, 3.4 in, 6.4 in, 10 x x Zoom lens - 3.8 mm - 38 mm - F/1.8-3.4, 4.2 in

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

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.5 stars Very good

  Overall score: 7.7 (3.5 stars)
• Average user rating: 4.0 stars out of 45 reviews

The Bottom Line: Canon's HV20 camcorder is a great choice for HD-happy amateurs, but its low-light performance could have been better. Read review

Specs: CMOS, Built-in flash, 1.2 lbs, Canon HV20 - Camcorder - Consumer - Mini DV (HDV), 5.4 in, 10 x x Zoom lens - 6.1 mm - 61 mm - F/1.8-3.0, 3.5 in, 3.2 in

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.5 stars Very good

  Overall score: 7.5 (3.5 stars)
• Average user rating: 3.5 stars out of 29 reviews

The Bottom Line: A solid hard-drive based HD camcorder, the Canon HG10 nevertheless has its share of annoying quirks. Read review

Specs: CMOS, 2.07 megapixels, Built-in flash, 1.1 lbs, 5.1 in, Canon HG10 - Camcorder - Consumer - Hard disk drive, 10 x x Zoom lens - 6.1 mm - 61 mm - F/1.8-3.0, 3 in, 3.2 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, Camcorder, Sony Handycam HDR-TD30V - Consumer - Flash card, 2.8 in, 2.5 in, 5.2 in

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

• CNET Editor rating:
  0.0 stars

  Overall score: 0.0 (0.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 4.5 stars out of 4 reviews

Specs: Exmor R CMOS, Built-in flash, 13.6 oz, 2.6 in, Sony Handycam HDR-CX560V - Camcorder - Consumer - Flash card, 2.4 in, 10 x x Zoom lens - 3.8 mm - 38 mm - F/1.8-3.4, 5.3 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, Built-in flash, 26.1 oz, 2.9 in, Camcorder, Sony Handycam HDR-TD10 - Consumer - Flash card, 5.9 in, 3.4 in, Zoom Lens, 10 x x 2.9 mm - 29 mm - F/1.8-3.4

• CNET Editor rating:
  0.0 stars

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

Specs: HD CMOS Pro, 10.9 oz, 2.7 in, 10 x x Zoom lens - 6.1 mm - 61 mm - F/1.8-3.0, 4.8 in, Canon VIXIA HF M50 - 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: CMOS, None, 2.2 lbs, 10.6 in, 5.5 in, Canon XF100 - Camcorder - Professional - Flash card, 7.5 in, 10 x x Zoom lens - 4.25 mm - 42.5 mm - F/1.8-2.8

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.5 stars Very good

  Overall score: 7.9 (3.5 stars)
• Average user rating: 3.5 stars out of 4 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: MOS, Built-in, 15.9 oz, 5.4 in, 2.7 in, Panasonic HDC-HS700K - Camcorder - Consumer - Hard disk drive, - Flash card, 2.6 in, 12 x x Zoom lens - 3.45 mm - 41.4 mm - F/1.5-2.8

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.0 stars Good

  Overall score: 6.4 (3.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 1.5 stars out of 4 reviews

The Bottom Line: An interesting design doesn't offset the so-so video quality and performance, especially for the higher priced HMX-H106, H105, and H104. If you're set on this series, though, the no-memory-included Samsung HMX-H100 is probably the best deal of the bunch. Read review

Specs: CMOS, Built-in flash, 13.4 oz, 5.1 in, 10 x x Zoom lens - 3.3 mm - 33 mm - F/1.8-2.5, 2.4 in, 2.3 in, Samsung HMX-H100 - Camcorder - Consumer - Flash card

• CNET Editor rating:
  0.0 stars

  Overall score: 0.0 (0.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 2.0 stars out of 1 review

Specs: CMOS, 2 in, 4.7 in, Camcorder, Samsung HMX-H300 - Consumer - Flash card, 2.2 in, Zoom, 30 x x 2.47 mm - 74.1 mm - F/1.8

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.5 stars Very good

  Overall score: 7.9 (3.5 stars)
• Average user rating: 3.5 stars out of 3 reviews

The Bottom Line: The Sony Handycam HDR-XR550V 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 have large hands and therefore could benefit from the extra grip the hard drive provides, the cheaper and nearly identical flash-based CX550V is a better deal. Read review

Specs: Exmor R CMOS, Built-in flash, 1.1 lbs, 2.9 in, 5.6 in, 10 x x Zoom lens - 3.8 mm - 38 mm - F/1.8-3.4, 2.8 in, Sony Handycam HDR-XR550V - Camcorder - Consumer - Hard disk drive, - 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, 37 x x Zoom lens - 2.38 mm - 81 mm - F/1.8-4, Panasonic HDC-HS80 - Camcorder - Consumer - Hard disk drive, - Flash card, 2.4 in, 2.5 in, 4.3 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: The most interesting thing about the new model is its ability to work with the new power zoom lenses. Read review

Specs: Exmor APS HD CMOS, 22.9 oz, 5.1 in, Sony Handycam NEX-VG30H - Camcorder - Consumer - Flash card, 11.1 x x Zoom lens - 18 mm - 200 mm - F/3.5-6.3 PZ OSS, 3.6 in, 8.8 in

• CNET Editor rating:
  0.0 stars

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

Specs: ClearVid CMOS, None, 6 lbs, 10 x x Zoom lens - 4.4 mm - 54 mm, Sony HVR-HD1000U - Camcorder - Professional - Mini DV (HDV)