Shop for digital camcorders

• 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, 5 in, 2.4 in, 2.6 in, 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

• 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, 5.6 in, 2.9 in, Sony Handycam HDR-CX550V - Camcorder - Consumer - Flash card, 2.6 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 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, Canon VIXIA HF100 - Camcorder - Consumer - Flash card, 5.1 in, 2.5 in, 2.9 in

• CNET Editor rating:
  4.0 stars Excellent

  Overall score: 8.0 (4.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 3.5 stars out of 17 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, 4.9 in, 2.8 in, Canon VIXIA HF20 - 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: BSI MOS, 6.5 oz, 2.1 in, 2.4 in, 4.5 in, Panasonic HC-V201 - Camcorder - Consumer - Flash card, 38 x x Zoom lens - 2.35 mm - 89.3 mm - F/1.8-4.2

• 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, 2.2 in, 5.1 in, Sony Handycam DCR-DVD650 - Camcorder - Consumer - Flash card, - DVD, 60 x x Zoom lens - 1.8 mm - 108 mm - F/1.8-6.0, 3.5 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, Panasonic Palmcorder Multicam PV-GS250 - Camcorder - Consumer - Mini DV, 2.9 in, 5.7 in, 10 x x Zoom lens - 2.85 mm - 28.5 mm - F/1.6-2.8, 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!

Specs: MOS, 6.4 oz, 34 x x Zoom lens - 2.38 mm - 81 mm - F/1.8-4.0, 2.4 in, Panasonic HC-V100 - Camcorder - Consumer - Flash card, 2 in, 4.4 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, JVC Everio GZ-HD7 - Camcorder - Consumer - Hard disk drive, 3 in, 10 x x Zoom lens - 3.3 mm - 33 mm - F/1.8-1.9, 3.6 in, 7.3 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, 1.2 lbs, 3.2 in, 3.5 in, 5.4 in, 10 x x Zoom lens - 6.1 mm - 61 mm - F/1.8-3.0, Canon VIXIA HV40 - Camcorder - Consumer - Mini DV (HDV)

• 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, 3.2 in, 3.5 in, 12 x x Zoom lens - 2.9 mm - 34.8 mm - F/1.8-3.4 G, 6 in, Sony Handycam HDR-PJ580V - 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!

The Bottom Line: A larger sensor and longer lens are among the improvements Canon incorporates into its top-of-the-line consumer and compact pro models. Read review

Specs: CMOS, 27.2 oz, Camcorder, Canon XA25 - Professional - Flash card, 20 x x, Zoom lens - 3.67 mm - 73.4 mm - F/1.8-2.8, 4.3 in, 3.3 in, 7.2 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, 2.5 in, 2.8 in, Camcorder, Sony Handycam HDR-TD30V - Consumer - Flash card, 5.2 in, 10 x x, Zoom lens - 3.2 mm - 32 mm - F/1.8-3.4 G

• 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, 2.5 in, 4.3 in, 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

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

• CNET Editor rating:
  0.0 stars

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

Specs: 3MOS, Built-in flash, 15 oz, 5.9 in, 2.6 in, Panasonic HC-X900M - Camcorder - Consumer - Flash card, - Internal flash memory, 2.8 in, 12 x x Zoom lens - 2.84 mm - 34.1 mm - F/1.5-2.8

• 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, 7.4 oz, 4.5 in, 25 x x Zoom lens - 2.5 mm - 62.5 mm - F/1.8-3.2, Sony Handycam HDR-PJ200 - Camcorder - Consumer - Flash card, 2.3 in, 2.2 in

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.5 stars Very good

  Overall score: 7.9 (3.5 stars)
• Average user rating: 3.5 stars out of 14 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, 2.8 in, 12 x x Zoom lens - 5.5 mm - 66 mm - F/1.8-3.4, 5.4 in, 3 in, Sony Handycam HDR-XR500V - 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 1 review

Specs: Exmor R CMOS, Camcorder flash light, 1.2 lbs, 3.4 in, 4.2 in, 10 x x Zoom lens - 3.8 mm - 38 mm - F/1.8-3.4, Sony Handycam HDR-PJ710V - Camcorder - Consumer - Flash card, 6.4 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, 3 in, Canon HG10 - Camcorder - Consumer - Hard disk drive, 10 x x Zoom lens - 6.1 mm - 61 mm - F/1.8-3.0, 3.2 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, 12 x x Zoom lens - 4.8 mm - 57 mm - F/1.8-3.0, 3.1 in, 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: 0 stars No reviews, write one!

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

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.5 stars Very good

  Overall score: 7.2 (3.5 stars)
• Average user rating: 0 stars No reviews, write one!

The Bottom Line: The Panasonic SDR-S50 standard-definition camcorder is worth considering for its manual controls and powerful zoom lens in a very compact body--not video quality. Read review

Specs: CCD, 7.5 oz, Panasonic SDR-S50N - Camcorder - Consumer - Flash card, 4.2 in, 2.2 in, 70 x x Zoom lens - 1.48 mm - 104 mm - F/1.9-5.7, 2.5 in

• 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, 2.4 in, 10 x x Zoom lens - 3.8 mm - 38 mm - F/1.8-3.4, 2.6 in, 5.3 in, Sony Handycam HDR-CX560V - Camcorder - Consumer - Flash card

• 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, 4.8 in, 2.7 in, 10 x x Zoom lens - 6.1 mm - 61 mm - F/1.8-3.0, Canon VIXIA HF M50 - Camcorder - Consumer - Flash card, 2.5 in