Shop for digital camcorders

• 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, 6.5 in, 3.1 in, 3.3 in, 10 x x Zoom lens - 5.1 mm - 51 mm - F/1.8-2.9, Sony Handycam HDR-SR1 - Camcorder - Consumer - Hard disk drive

• 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, 2.8 in, 2.9 in, 40 x x Zoom lens - 1.9 mm - 76 mm - F/1.8-4.1, Sony Handycam DCR-SR42 - Camcorder - Consumer - Hard disk drive, 4.5 in

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.0 stars Good

  Overall score: 6.4 (3.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 4.5 stars out of 1 review

The Bottom Line: The near-identical models of the JVC Everio GZ-MG300 series--the MG330, MG335, MG360 and MG365--are budget-priced, hard-drive-based camcorders that are nice enough, but produce typical low-budget video. Read review

Specs: CCD, None, 11.1 oz, JVC Everio GZ-MG330R - Camcorder - Consumer - Hard disk drive, 2.7 in, 35 x x Zoom lens - 2.2 mm - 77 mm - F/1.8-4, 4.7 in, 2.1 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, Sony Handycam DCR-DVD101 - Camcorder - Consumer - DVD, 2 in, 3.5 in, 5.4 in, 10 x x Zoom lens - 2.3 mm - 23 mm - F/1.7-2.3

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.0 stars Good

  Overall score: 6.6 (3.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 3.5 stars out of 4 reviews

The Bottom Line: If you don't want to, need to, or simply can't shell out a couple hundred dollars more for an HD camcorder, the Sony Handycam DCR-SR85 delivers decent SD video and copious recording time. Read review

Specs: Advanced HAD CCD, None, 12.7 oz, 4.4 in, 3 in, Sony Handycam DCR-SR85 - Camcorder - Consumer - Hard disk drive, 25 x x Zoom lens - 2.5 mm - 62.5 mm - F/1.8-3.2, 3 in

• CNET Editor rating:
  0.0 stars

  Overall score: 0.0 (0.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 0.5 stars out of 5 reviews

Specs: CMOS, 4.6 oz, 0.2 in, 0.3 in, 4.9 in, Vivitar DVR-810HD - Camcorder - Consumer - Flash card, Lens - 7.45 mm - F/2.8

• 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, 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, 3.5 in, 5.1 in

• CNET Editor rating:
  2.0 stars Mediocre

  Overall score: 4.8 (2.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 2.0 stars out of 4 reviews

The Bottom Line: The ATC3K Action Camera is rugged enough to take the knocks of extreme sports; however, it falls flat when it comes to video and photo quality. Read review

Specs: CMOS, Built-in, Oregon Scientific Action Cam ATC3K - Camcorder - Wearable - Flash card, 1.6 in, 4.3 in, Lens, 1.6 in

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.0 stars Good

  Overall score: 6.8 (3.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 4.5 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, 2.3 in, Panasonic HDC-SD80 - Camcorder - Consumer - Flash card, 34 x x Zoom lens - 2.38 mm - 81 mm - F/1.8-4, 4.3 in, 2 in

• CNET Editor rating:
  0.0 stars

  Overall score: 0.0 (0.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 2.5 stars out of 7 reviews

Specs: Advanced HAD CCD, 6.7 oz, 4.4 in, 2.2 in, 60 x x Zoom lens - 1.8 mm - 108 mm - F/1.8-6.0, 2 in, Sony Handycam DCR-SX44 - Camcorder - Consumer - Flash card

• 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, 2.6 lbs, 5.3 in, 20 x x Zoom lens - 4.2 mm - 84 mm - F/1.6-2.9, 10.7 in, 4.6 in, Canon GL1 - 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 7 reviews

Specs: BSI-CMOS, Samsung HMX-Q10 - Camcorder - Consumer - Flash card, 10 x x Zoom lens - 2.75 mm - 27.5 mm - F/1.8, 1.7 in, 4.7 in, 2.1 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, 2.8 in, 4.7 in, 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

• 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, 2.2 in, Camcorder, Samsung HMX-H300 - Consumer - Flash card, 2 in, Zoom, 30 x x 2.47 mm - 74.1 mm - F/1.8, 4.7 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: CCD, None, 7.1 oz, JVC Everio GZ-MS230RUS - Camcorder - Consumer - Flash card, 4.5 in, 2 in, 2.4 in, 39 x x Zoom lens - 2.2 mm - 85.8 mm - F/1.8-4.3

• 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, Panasonic PV-GS320 - Camcorder - Consumer - Mini DV, 10 x x Zoom lens - 3 mm - 30 mm - F/1.8-2.8, 3.3 in, 5.8 in, 3.1 in

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.0 stars Good

  Overall score: 6.4 (3.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 3.0 stars out of 1 review

The Bottom Line: The Ion Twin Video makes putting yourself in movies easy, but the rest of the package isn't as exciting. Read review

Specs: CMOS, - SD Memory Card, 4.3 mm - F/2.8

• 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, 2.1 in, 60 x x Zoom lens - 1.8 mm - 108 mm - F/1.8-6.0, Sony Handycam DCR-SX40 - Camcorder - Consumer - Flash card, 2.3 in

• CNET Editor rating:
  0.0 stars

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

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

• CNET Editor rating:
  0.0 stars

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

Specs: CCD, None, 2 lbs, Sony Handycam DCR-TRV103 - Camcorder - Consumer - Video8, - Hi8, - Digital8, 8.5 in, 4 in, 4.2 in, 20 x x Zoom lens - 3.6 mm - 72 mm - F/1.4-2.9

• CNET Editor rating:
  0.0 stars

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

Specs: CMOS, 2.9 oz, 1.9 in, Veho muvi HD10 - Camcorder - Wearable - Flash card, 3.1 in, Lens - F/2.5, 0.7 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: 7.4 (3.5 stars)
• Average user rating: 0 stars No reviews, write one!

The Bottom Line: As long as you don't need to change shooting modes on the go, the ContourRoam2 is a simple way to capture fine-quality POV videos in dry or wet conditions. Read review

• CNET Editor rating:
  0.0 stars

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

Specs: Advanced HAD CCD, 10.6 oz, 25 x x Zoom lens - 2.5 mm - 62.5 mm - F/1.8-3.2, Sony Handycam DCR-SR87 - Camcorder - Consumer - Hard disk drive, 2.7 in, 4.4 in, 2.4 in

• CNET Editor rating:
  0.0 stars

  Overall score: 0.0 (0.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 2.5 stars out of 16 reviews

Specs: Advanced HAD CCD, 0.34 megapixels, Built-in, 1.1 lbs, 3.5 in, 5.1 in, Sony Handycam DCR-DVD105 - Camcorder - Consumer - DVD, 2.2 in, 20 x x Zoom lens - 2.3 mm - 46 mm - F/1.8-3.1