Shop for digital camcorders

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.0 stars Good

  Overall score: 6.0 (3.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 1.5 stars out of 2 reviews

The Bottom Line: There are better choices than the Sony Handycam DCR-DVD305, a so-so DVD camcorder. Read review

Specs: Advanced HAD CCD, 0.69 megapixels, Built-in, 1.1 lbs, 2.2 in, 3.5 in, 5.1 in, Sony Handycam DCR-DVD305 - Camcorder - Consumer - DVD, 12 x x Zoom lens - 3 mm - 36 mm - F/1.8-2.5

• 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, Panasonic HDC-DX1 - Camcorder - Consumer - DVD, 3.5 in, 12 x x Zoom lens - 4 mm - 48 mm - F/1.8-2.8, 3.6 in, 6.4 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, 10 x x Zoom lens - 3.2 mm - 32 mm - F/1.8-2.3, 2 in, Sony Handycam DCR-DVD201 - Camcorder - Consumer - DVD, 5.4 in, 3.5 in

• CNET Editor rating:
  0.0 stars

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

Specs: Exmor APS HD CMOS, 1.4 lbs, 5.1 in, 11 x x Zoom lens - 18 mm - 200 mm - F/3.5-6.3, 3.6 in, Sony Handycam NEX-VG20H - Camcorder - Consumer - Flash card, 8.8 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, 5.4 in, Sony Handycam HDR-HC9 - Camcorder - Consumer - Mini DV (HDV), 3.2 in, 3.2 in

• CNET Editor rating:
  0.0 stars

  Overall score: 0.0 (0.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 3.5 stars out of 1 review

Specs: CCD, 2.0 megapixels, None, 1.8 lbs, 3.3 in, Sony Handycam CCD-TRV328 - Camcorder - Consumer - Hi8, 5.9 in, 20 x x Zoom lens - 2.5 mm - 50 mm - F/1.6-2.4, 3.9 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, 3.2 megapixels, None, 1.8 lbs, 5.9 in, 3.9 in, Sony Handycam CCD-TRV128 - Camcorder - Consumer - Hi8, 3.3 in, 20 x x Zoom lens - 2.5 mm - 50 mm - F/1.6-2.4

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.5 stars Very good

  Overall score: 7.0 (3.5 stars)
• Average user rating: 3.5 stars out of 19 reviews

The Bottom Line: This pocket MiniDV camcorder excels outdoors, and back home, you'll love the Handycam Station dock. Read review

Specs: CCD, 1.0 megapixels, None, 1.1 lbs, 2 in, 3.9 in, Sony Handycam DCR-PC109 - Camcorder - Consumer - Mini DV, 3.8 in, 10 x x Zoom lens - 3.2 mm - 32 mm - F/1.8-2.3

• CNET Editor rating:
  2.5 stars Average

  Overall score: 5.2 (2.5 stars)
• Average user rating: 2.5 stars out of 3 reviews

The Bottom Line: The Panasonic SDR-SW20's only saving grace is its water-, shock-, and dust-proof body (and even those have limitations). Otherwise, there's no reason to buy this pocket camcorder. Read review

Specs: CCD, 1.2 lbs, 2.5 in, 4.5 in, 1.3 in, 10 x x Zoom lens - 2.3 mm - 23 mm - F/1.8-2.4, Panasonic SDR-SW20R - 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: CMOS, None, 2.4 lbs, 5.5 in, 7.5 in, Canon XF105 - Camcorder - Professional - Flash card, 10.6 in, 10 x x Zoom lens - 4.25 mm - 42.5 mm - F/1.8-2.8

• CNET Editor rating:
  0.0 stars

  Overall score: 0.0 (0.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 4.5 stars out of 2 reviews

Specs: 3CCD, 3.1 lbs, 10.7 in, 10 x x Zoom lens - 3.7 mm - 37 mm - F/1.8-2.8, 7 in, JVC GY-HM100U - Camcorder - Professional - Flash card, 5.3 in

• CNET Editor rating:
  0.0 stars

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

Specs: 3CCD, 3.1 lbs, 10 x x Zoom lens - 3.7 mm - 37 mm - F/1.8-2.8, 5.4 in, 14.4 in, 7 in, JVC GY-HM150U - Camcorder - Professional - 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, 5.01 megapixels, None, 5.5 lbs, 8.9 in, 8.7 in, 19.5 in, 20 x x Zoom lens - 5.4 mm - 108 mm - F/1.6-3.5 L IS III Canon XL, Canon XL H1S - Camcorder - Professional - Mini DV (HDV)

• 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, 6.7 in, 17.8 in, 7 in, Sony HVR-Z5U - Camcorder - Consumer - Mini DV (HDV), 20 x x Zoom lens - 4.1 mm - 82 mm - F/1.6-3.4

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.5 stars Very good

  Overall score: 7.0 (3.5 stars)
• Average user rating: 4.0 stars out of 13 reviews

The Bottom Line: A very good pocket camcorder that, in a pinch, can double as a decent snapshot camera. Read review

Specs: CCD, 2.0 megapixels, Built-in flash, 1.1 lbs, 4.2 in, 10 x x Zoom lens - 4.7 mm - 47 mm - F/1.8-2.4, 2.1 in, 4 in, Canon Optura 500 - Camcorder - Consumer - Mini DV

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.5 stars Very good

  Overall score: 7.4 (3.5 stars)
• Average user rating: 3.0 stars out of 10 reviews

The Bottom Line: The Sony DCR-SR300 digital camcorder should appeal to casual, snapshooter-type videographers, but it's somewhat pricey, since its video quality still can't match better MiniDV camcorders. Read review

Specs: ClearVid CMOS, Built-in flash, 1.3 lbs, 3 in, Sony Handycam DCR-SR300 - Camcorder - Consumer - Hard disk drive, 3.1 in, 10 x x Zoom lens - 5.4 mm - 54 mm - F/1.8-2.9, 5 in

• CNET Editor rating:
  0.0 stars

  Overall score: 0.0 (0.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 4.0 stars out of 3 reviews

Specs: CMOS, 6.4 megapixels, Pop-up flash, 16.4 oz, 10 x x Zoom lens - 6.3 mm - 63 mm - F/1.8-2.5, Samsung SC-HMX20C - Camcorder - Consumer - Flash card, 2.6 in, 2.6 in, 5.5 in

• CNET Editor rating:
  0.0 stars

  Overall score: 0.0 (0.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 1.5 stars out of 8 reviews

Specs: CCD, 0.46 megapixels, None, 1.1 lbs, 5.9 in, 3.3 in, 32 x x Zoom lens - 2.3 mm - 73.6 mm - F/1.8-3.7, 3.8 in, Panasonic VDR D230 - Camcorder - Consumer - DVD

• 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, 5.6 in, 3.6 in, 32 x x Zoom lens - 2.3 mm - 73.6 mm - F/1.8-3.7, 2.6 in, Panasonic VDR-D210 - Camcorder - Consumer - DVD

• 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, 4.2 lbs, 14 x x Zoom lens - 5.8 mm - 81.2 mm - F/1.9, 8.3 in, 16.7 in, 9.8 in, Sony XDCAM EX PMW-EX3 - Camcorder - Professional - Flash card

• CNET Editor rating:
  0.0 stars

  Overall score: 0.0 (0.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 4.0 stars out of 1 review

Specs: CCD, 19.6 oz, 3.4 in, 10 x x Zoom lens - 2.45 mm - 24.5 mm - F/1.8-2.8, 2.5 in, 5.4 in, Panasonic DVD e.cam VDR-D250 - Camcorder - Consumer - DVD

• 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, 3 in, 5.4 in, 2.8 in, Sony Handycam HDR-XR520V - Camcorder - Consumer - Hard disk drive, - 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: 3 ClearVid CMOS, None, 5.3 lbs, 12 x x Zoom lens - 4.4 mm - 52.8 mm - F/1.6-2.0, Sony HVR-Z7U - Camcorder - Professional - 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: 3MOS, 11 lbs, 21.6 in, 9.7 in, Panasonic P2 HD AG-HPX300 - Camcorder - Professional - P2 Card, 9.9 in, 17 x x Zoom lens - 4.5 mm - 76.5 mm

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.0 stars Good

  Overall score: 6.0 (3.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 2.5 stars out of 16 reviews

The Bottom Line: You're better off with a cheaper MiniDV camcorder or one of Sony's pricier DVD models. Read review

Specs: Advanced HAD CCD, None, 1.3 lbs, Sony Handycam DCR-DVD100 - Camcorder - Consumer - DVD, 5.6 in, 10 x x Zoom lens - 3.3 mm - 33 mm - F/1.7-2.2, 2.6 in, 3.9 in