Shop for digital camcorders

• 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, 3.2 in, Sony Handycam HDR-CX580V - Camcorder - Consumer - Flash card

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.5 stars Very good

  Overall score: 7.3 (3.5 stars)
• Average user rating: 3.5 stars out of 2 reviews

The Bottom Line: If you're looking to shoot great HD video on the cheap, keep looking; the Canon Vixia HF R series delivers decent video at best, even for its modest price. But for a low-priced model with mic and headphone jacks, the HF R100 is a pretty good deal. Read review

Specs: CMOS, Built-in, 11.3 oz, Canon VIXIA HF R100 - Camcorder - Consumer - Flash card, 4.8 in, 20 x x Zoom lens - 3 mm - 60 mm - F/1.8-3.6, 2.4 in, 2.7 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, 4.3 in, Panasonic HDC-SD40 - Camcorder - Consumer - Flash card, 2 in, 2.3 in, zoom, 16.8 x x 2.9 mm - 48.7 mm - F/1.8-2.6

• 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, 4.3 in, 10 x x Zoom lens - 3.8 mm - 38 mm - F/1.8-3.4, Sony Handycam HDR-CX760V - Camcorder - Consumer - Flash card, 3.5 in, 6.5 in

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

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.5 stars Very good

  Overall score: 7.4 (3.5 stars)
• Average user rating: 3.0 stars out of 18 reviews

The Bottom Line: Convenient, well-designed camcorders that look pricier than they are, models in the Canon FS series--FS11, FS10, and FS100--nevertheless deliver typical budget video in line with their budget price tags. Read review

Specs: CCD, 9.2 oz, 2.3 in, Canon FS100 - Camcorder - Consumer - Flash card, 2.4 in, 37 x x Zoom lens - 2.6 mm - 96.2 mm - F/2.0-5.2, 4.9 in

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.0 stars Good

  Overall score: 6.7 (3.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 2.5 stars out of 13 reviews

The Bottom Line: Its small size and attractive price might draw you to the Sony Handycam HDR-CX150, but this bare-bones camcorder just barely delivers on the promise of HD quality. Read review

Specs: Exmor R CMOS, 7.4 oz, 2.2 in, 25 x x Zoom lens - 2.5 mm - 62.5 mm - F/1.8-3.2, 2 in, 4.5 in, Sony Handycam HDR-CX150 - 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: CMOS, 9.5 oz, Samsung HMX-F90 - Camcorder - Consumer - Flash card, 52 x x Zoom lens - 2.1 mm - 109.2 mm - F/1.8, 2.1 in, 4.7 in, 2.2 in

• CNET Editor rating:
  0.0 stars

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

Specs: BSI-CMOS, 7.6 oz, 2 in, 4.7 in, JVC Everio GZ-E200 - Camcorder - Consumer - Flash card, 2.2 in, 40 x x Zoom lens - 2.9 mm - 116 mm - F/1.8

• 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, Sony Handycam HDR-CX360V - Camcorder - Consumer - Flash card, 2.2 in, 5 in, 2.6 in, 12 x x Zoom lens - 2.9 mm - 34.8 mm - F/1.8-3.4

• 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, 6.1 in, 5.7 in, 20 x x Zoom lens - 3.9 mm - 78 mm - F/1.6-2.8, 12.7 in, Sony Handycam HDR-FX7 - Camcorder - Consumer - Mini DV (HDV)

• 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, 5.4 in, 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, 3.3 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, 7.2 oz, 30 x x Zoom lens - 2.1 mm - 63 mm - F/1.8-3.4, Sony Handycam HDR-XR260V - Camcorder - Consumer - Hard disk drive, - Flash card, 5 in, 2.4 in, 2.6 in

• 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, 8.7 in, 20 x x Zoom lens - 5.4 mm - 108 mm - F/1.6-3.5, 19.5 in, Canon XL2 - Camcorder - Consumer - Mini DV, 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, Sony Handycam HDR-CX550V - Camcorder - Consumer - Flash card, 5.6 in, 2.9 in, 2.6 in

• CNET Editor rating:
  4.0 stars Excellent

  Overall score: 8.0 (4.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 5.0 stars out of 7 reviews

The Bottom Line: An excellent flash-based prosumer HD camcorder, you may nevertheless pass on the Canon Vixia HF S10 because it lacks an eye-level viewfinder. And the identical--but cheaper, because it has no built-in memory--Vixia HF S100 may also be a better buy. Read review

Specs: CMOS, Pop-up flash, 15.9 oz, 10 x x Zoom lens - 6.4 mm - 64 mm - F/1.8-3.0, 2.7 in, 2.8 in, Canon VIXIA HF S10 - Camcorder - Consumer - Flash card, 5.4 in

• CNET Editor rating:
  0.0 stars

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

Specs: MOS, 6.4 oz, Panasonic HC-V100 - Camcorder - Consumer - Flash card, 2.4 in, 4.4 in, 34 x x Zoom lens - 2.38 mm - 81 mm - F/1.8-4.0, 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, 4.7 in, 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, 2.6 in

• CNET Editor rating:
  0.0 stars

  Overall score: 0.0 (0.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 4.0 stars out of 5 reviews

Specs: CMOS, Built-in flash, 18.9 oz, Canon LEGRIA HV40 - Camcorder - Consumer - Mini DV (HDV), 5.4 in, 10 x x Zoom lens - 6.1 mm - 61 mm - F/1.8-3.0, 3.2 in, 3.5 in

• 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, 2.8 in, Canon VIXIA HF S100 - Camcorder - Consumer - Flash card, 2.7 in, 10 x x Zoom lens - 6.4 mm - 64 mm - F/1.8-3.0, 5.4 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, 12.2 oz, 4.8 in, 30 x x, Zoom lens - 1.9 mm - 57 mm - F/1.8-4.0 G, 2.4 in, 2.6 in, Camcorder, Sony Handycam HDR-PJ430V - Consumer - Flash card

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

• 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, Panasonic SDR-H80A - Camcorder - Consumer - Hard disk drive, - Flash card, 70 x x Zoom lens - 1.5 mm - 105 mm - F/1.9-5.7, 4.2 in, 2.1 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, 40 x x Zoom lens - 1.9 mm - 76 mm - F/1.8-4.1, Sony Handycam DCR-SR45 - Camcorder - Consumer - Hard disk drive, - Flash card, 3 in, 3 in, 4.4 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, 5.1 in, 12 x x Zoom lens - 4.8 mm - 57 mm - F/1.8-3.0, 2.5 in, Canon VIXIA HF100 - Camcorder - Consumer - Flash card, 2.9 in