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 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, zoom, 16.8 x x 2.9 mm - 48.7 mm - F/1.8-2.6, Panasonic HDC-SD40 - Camcorder - Consumer - Flash card, 4.3 in, 2 in, 2.3 in

• CNET Editor rating:
  4.0 stars Excellent

  Overall score: 8.4 (4.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 4.0 stars out of 7 reviews

The Bottom Line: Panasonic has listened. The third incarnation of the AG-DVX100 offers unrivalled bang for the buck in a prosumer standard-definition MiniDV camera. Read review

Specs: 3CCD, 3.8 megapixels, None, 3.7 lbs, 10 x x Zoom lens - 4.5 mm - 45 mm - F/1.6, 14.3 in, 6.3 in, 5.5 in, Panasonic AG-DVX100B - Camcorder - Professional - Mini DV

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

• 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, 4.2 in, 70 x x Zoom lens - 1.5 mm - 105 mm - F/1.9-5.7, Panasonic SDR-H80A - Camcorder - Consumer - Hard disk drive, - Flash card, 2.1 in, 2.6 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, 10 x x Zoom lens - 2.85 mm - 28.5 mm - F/1.6-2.8, 2.9 in, Panasonic Palmcorder Multicam PV-GS250 - Camcorder - Consumer - Mini DV, 3.2 in, 5.7 in

• 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, 2.4 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, 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!

Specs: MOS, Built-in flash, 8 oz, Panasonic HC-V500 - Camcorder - Consumer - Flash card, 2.1 in, 38 x x Zoom lens - 2.35 mm - 89.3 mm - F/1.8-4.2, 2.6 in, 4.7 in

• CNET Editor rating:
  0.0 stars

  Overall score: 0.0 (0.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 2.5 stars out of 32 reviews

Specs: CCD, 12 oz, 42 x x Zoom lens - 1.8 mm - 75.6 mm - F/1.9-4.3, 2.8 in, Panasonic SDR-H40 - Camcorder - Consumer - Hard disk drive, 2.6 in, 4.6 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, 34 x x Zoom lens - 2.38 mm - 81 mm - F/1.8-4, Panasonic HDC-SD80 - Camcorder - Consumer - Flash card, 2 in, 2.3 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!

Specs: 3MOS, Built-in flash, 15 oz, 2.8 in, Panasonic HC-X900M - Camcorder - Consumer - Flash card, - Internal flash memory, 5.9 in, 2.6 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: 3MOS, Built-in flash, 15 oz, 12 x x Zoom lens - 2.84 mm - 34.1 mm - F/1.5-2.8, 2.8 in, 2.6 in, 5.9 in, Panasonic HC-X900 - Camcorder - Consumer - Flash card

• CNET Editor rating:
  0.0 stars

  Overall score: 0.0 (0.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 4.0 stars out of 7 reviews

Specs: 3CCD, 0.54 megapixels, None, 15.9 oz, 10 x x Zoom lens - 3 mm - 30 mm - F/1.8-2.8, 2.9 in, 4.8 in, Panasonic SDR-H200 - Camcorder - Consumer - Hard disk drive, 2.8 in

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.5 stars Very good

  Overall score: 7.4 (3.5 stars)
• Average user rating: 3.0 stars out of 12 reviews

The Bottom Line: Combining the simplicity of SD recording, a roomy 30GB hard drive, a long zoom, and pleasing image quality, the SDR-H18 is a good choice for a standard-definition, hard-drive camcorder. Read review

Specs: CCD, 15.2 oz, Panasonic SDR-H18 - Camcorder - Consumer - Hard disk drive, 2.8 in, 2.9 in, 5 in, 32 x x Zoom lens - 2.3 mm - 73.6 mm - F/1.8-3.7

• 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, 14.5 oz, 2.7 in, 3.2 in, Panasonic Palmcorder Multicam PV-GS29 - Camcorder - Consumer - Mini DV, 4.7 in, 30 x x Zoom lens - 1.9 mm - 57 mm - F/1.8-3.9

• CNET Editor rating:
  0.0 stars

  Overall score: 0.0 (0.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 3.0 stars out of 5 reviews

Specs: 3CCD, Built-in, 4.4 lbs, 10 x x Zoom lens, Panasonic DV PROLINE AG-DVC20 - Camcorder - Consumer - Mini DV

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.0 stars Good

  Overall score: 6.4 (3.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 2.5 stars out of 16 reviews

The Bottom Line: With its extreme zoom range and low price, the Panasonic PV-GS35 is an excellent choice when you can't get close to your subject. Read review

Specs: CCD, 0.9 lbs, 2.5 in, 3.2 in, 30 x x Zoom lens - 1.9 mm - 57 mm - F/1.8-3.9, Panasonic Palmcorder Multicam PV-GS35 - Camcorder - Consumer - Mini DV, 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!

Specs: MOS, Built-in flash, 8 oz, 2.6 in, Panasonic HC-V500M - Camcorder - Consumer - Flash card, 4.7 in, 2.1 in, 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: 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, 2.6 in, 5.6 in, Panasonic VDR-D210 - Camcorder - Consumer - DVD, 32 x x Zoom lens - 2.3 mm - 73.6 mm - F/1.8-3.7, 3.6 in

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.0 stars Good

  Overall score: 6.8 (3.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 3.5 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, Panasonic HDC-TM41 - Camcorder - Consumer - Flash card, 2.3 in, 16.8 x x Zoom lens - 2.9 mm - 48.7 mm - F/1.8-2.6, 4.3 in, 2 in

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.0 stars Good

  Overall score: 6.2 (3.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 3.5 stars out of 5 reviews

The Bottom Line: The Panasonic PV-GS80 is a serviceable budget camcorder, but better choices are out there. Read review

Specs: CCD, 0.46 megapixels, None, 15.9 oz, 32 x x Zoom lens - 2.3 mm - 73.6 mm - F/1.8-3.7, 5.4 in, Panasonic PV-GS80 - Camcorder - Consumer - Mini DV, 2.9 in, 3.1 in

• CNET Editor rating:
  0.0 stars

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

Specs: CCD, 7.5 oz, 2.5 in, 4.2 in, 70 x x Zoom lens - 1.48 mm - 104 mm - F/1.9-5.7, Panasonic SDR-T70 - Camcorder - Consumer - Flash card, 2.2 in

• CNET Editor rating:
  0.0 stars

  Overall score: 0.0 (0.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 2.0 stars out of 8 reviews

The Bottom Line: The Panasonic VDR-D100 was first announced at CES 2006 in early January. Check out CNET editors' early impressions of this product. Read review

Specs: CCD, None, Panasonic Palmcorder VDR-D100 - Camcorder - Consumer - DVD, 2.4 in, 1.3 in, 3.6 in, 30 x x Zoom lens - 1.9 mm - 57 mm - F/1.8-3.9

• CNET Editor rating:
  0.0 stars

  Overall score: 0.0 (0.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 2.5 stars out of 2 reviews

Specs: CCD, None, 14.1 oz, 5.1 in, 3.5 in, 2.1 in, Panasonic VDR D50 - Camcorder - Consumer - DVD, 42 x x Zoom lens - 1.8 mm - 75.6 mm - F/1.9-4.3

• CNET Editor rating:
  0.0 stars

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

Specs: CCD, 7.5 oz, 4.2 in, Panasonic SDR-S70 - Camcorder - Consumer - Flash card, 2.5 in, 2.2 in, 70 x x Zoom lens - 1.48 mm - 104 mm - F/1.9-5.7