Shop for digital camcorders

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.0 stars Good

  Overall score: 6.8 (3.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 4.0 stars out of 9 reviews

The Bottom Line: Typical for their price class, the no-frills Sony Handycam HDR-CX130, CX160, and XR160 produce generally subpar HD video, but if you're not picky you'll probably be fine. The CX130 is the best buy of the three, as long as you go cheap on the memory card. Read review

Specs: Exmor R CMOS, 8.8 oz, 4.5 in, 30 x x Zoom lens - 2.1 mm - 63 mm - F/1.8-3.4, Sony Handycam HDR-CX130 - Camcorder - Consumer - Flash card, 2.2 in, 2.1 in

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.0 stars Good

  Overall score: 6.6 (3.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 2.5 stars out of 4 reviews

The Bottom Line: They're cheap and capture video, but don't buy the Sony Handycam HDR-CX190, CX200 or CX210 thinking that you're getting a great bargain on a real HD camcorder. If you're going to buy one, get the cheapest; nothing on any of these is really worth the extra bucks. Read review

Specs: Exmor R CMOS, 1.31 megapixels, 5.9 oz, Camcorder - Memory stick Pro Duo, Sony Handycam HDR-CX190 - Consumer, 25 x x, Zoom lens - 2.5 mm - 62.5 mm - F/1.8-3.2, 2 in, 2.2 in, 4.5 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, 6.3 oz, 4.6 in, 2.1 in, 2.2 in, 26 x x, Zoom lens - 2.1 mm - 5.7 mm - F/1.9-4.0, Camcorder, Sony Handycam HDR-CX220 - Consumer - Flash card

• CNET Editor rating:
  0.0 stars

  Overall score: 0.0 (0.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 3.5 stars out of 4 reviews

Specs: Exmor R CMOS, 7.2 oz, 30 x x Zoom lens - 2.1 mm - 63 mm - F/1.8-3.4, 2.1 in, Sony Handycam HDR-CX260V - Camcorder - Consumer - Flash card, 2.2 in, 4.8 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, 7.4 oz, 4.6 in, 2.3 in, 30 x x, Zoom lens - 1.9 mm - 57 mm - F/1.8-4.0 G, Camcorder, Sony Handycam HDR-PJ380 - Consumer - Internal flash memory, 2.2 in

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.0 stars Good

  Overall score: 6.8 (3.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 3.0 stars out of 6 reviews

The Bottom Line: Typical for their price class, the no-frills Sony Handycam HDR-CX130, CX160, and XR160 produce generally subpar HD video, but if you're not picky you'll probably be fine. The CX130 is the best buy of the three, as long as you go cheap on the memory card. Read review

Specs: Exmor R CMOS, 8.8 oz, 30 x x Zoom lens - 2.1 mm - 63 mm - F/1.8-3.4, Sony Handycam HDR-CX160 - Camcorder - Consumer - Flash card, 2.2 in, 4.5 in, 2.1 in

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.5 stars Very good

  Overall score: 7.0 (3.5 stars)
• Average user rating: 4.5 stars out of 4 reviews

The Bottom Line: You're paying a couple hundred extra for the projector in the otherwise frills-free Sony Handycam HDR-PJ10 over its identical twin, the CX160. But if you regularly show off your vacation videos in the homes of friends and family then it's worth it. Read review

Specs: CMOS, 10.9 oz, 30 x x Zoom lens - 2.1 mm - 63 mm - F/1.8-3.4, 2.6 in, Sony Handycam HDR-PJ10 - Camcorder - Consumer - Flash card, 2.3 in, 5 in

• 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, 3.3 in, Sony Handycam HDR-SR11 - Camcorder - Consumer - Hard disk drive, 12 x x Zoom lens - 4.9 mm - 58.8 mm - F/1.8-3.1, 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, 5 in, 2.4 in, Sony Handycam HDR-XR260V - Camcorder - Consumer - Hard disk drive, - Flash card, 30 x x Zoom lens - 2.1 mm - 63 mm - F/1.8-3.4, 2.6 in

• 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, 3.2 in, 3.5 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: 3.0 stars out of 4 reviews

The Bottom Line: A solid first effort in a nascent category, the Sony Handycam NEX-VG10 nevertheless needs some conceptual refinement. Read review

Specs: Exmor APS HD CMOS, External, 2.9 lbs, 11 x x Zoom lens - 18 mm - 200 mm - F/3.5-6.3, 3.8 in, Sony Handycam NEX-VG10 - Camcorder - Consumer - Flash card, 5.2 in, 11.6 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, 2.6 in, 30 x x, Zoom lens - 1.9 mm - 57 mm - F/1.8-4.0 G, 2.4 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: 3.5 stars out of 5 reviews

The Bottom Line: Typical for their price class, the no-frills Sony Handycam HDR-CX130, CX160, and XR160 produce generally subpar HD video, but if you're not picky you'll probably be fine. The CX130 is the best buy of the three, as long as you go cheap on the memory card. Read review

Specs: Exmor R CMOS, Built-in, 12.3 oz, 2.6 in, 5 in, Sony Handycam HDR-XR160 - Camcorder - Consumer - Hard disk drive, - Flash card, 30 x x Zoom lens - 2.1 mm - 63 mm - F/1.8-3.4, 2.4 in

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

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

• 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, 2.6 in, 5.6 in, 2.9 in, Sony Handycam HDR-CX550V - Camcorder - Consumer - Flash card, 10 x x Zoom lens - 3.8 mm - 38 mm - F/1.8-3.4

• 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, 10 x x Zoom lens - 3.8 mm - 38 mm - F/1.8-3.4, 3.4 in, Sony Handycam HDR-PJ710V - Camcorder - Consumer - Flash card, 4.2 in, 6.4 in

• 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, 6.5 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, 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: 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, 2.5 in, Camcorder, Sony Handycam HDR-TD30V - Consumer - Flash card, 5.2 in, 2.8 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, 6.14 megapixels, Built-in flash, 20.5 oz, 10 x x, Zoom lens - 3.8 mm - 38 mm - F/1.8-3.4, 3.5 in, 4.3 in, Camcorder - Memory Stick PRO Duo, Sony Handycam HDR-PJ760V - Consumer, 6.5 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, Sony Handycam HDR-XR500V - Camcorder - Consumer - Hard disk drive, - Flash card, 5.4 in, 12 x x Zoom lens - 5.5 mm - 66 mm - F/1.8-3.4, 2.8 in, 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: Exmor R CMOS, Camcorder flash light, 12.2 oz, 12 x x Zoom lens - 2.9 mm - 34.8 mm - F/1.8-3.4 G, 3.5 in, 6 in, Sony Handycam HDR-PJ580V - Camcorder - Consumer - Flash card, 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: Exmor R CMOS, 7.4 oz, 25 x x Zoom lens - 2.5 mm - 62.5 mm - F/1.8-3.2, 2.3 in, Sony Handycam HDR-PJ200 - Camcorder - Consumer - Flash card, 2.2 in, 4.5 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, 5.1 in, Sony Handycam DCR-DVD650 - Camcorder - Consumer - Flash card, - DVD, 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: 4.5 stars out of 4 reviews

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