Shop for digital camcorders

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.5 stars Very good

  Overall score: 7.5 (3.5 stars)
• Average user rating: 3.5 stars out of 12 reviews

The Bottom Line: Panasonic's quartet of entry-level HD camcorders--the HDC-HS60, TM60, TM55, and SD60--delivers a nice manual feature set and good performance, as well as solid video quality for their class. As long as you don't pay list price, the SD60 is a great value, and if possible, avoid paying the unnecessary price premium for the hard drive in the HS60. Read review

Specs: MOS, Built-in flash, 9 oz, 2 in, 25 x x Zoom lens - 3.02 mm - 75.5 mm - F/1.8-3.3, 4.4 in, Panasonic HDC-SD60K - 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 1 review

Specs: BSI MOS, 7.5 oz, 63 x x Zoom lens - 1.5 mm - 94.5 mm - F/1.9-5.7, Panasonic HC-V10 - Camcorder - Consumer - Flash card, 2.6 in, 2.2 in, 4.3 in

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.5 stars Very good

  Overall score: 7.9 (3.5 stars)
• Average user rating: 4.0 stars out of 12 reviews

The Bottom Line: The flash-based Panasonic HDC-TM700 and its hard-disk sibling, the HDC-HS700, stand out for their low-light video quality and broad set of manual controls. However, while the TM700 is very attractively priced for its class, the HS700 is not, and not worth the price premium unless you absolutely need the hard disk. Read review

Specs: 3MOS, Built-in, 13.4 oz, 2.6 in, 2.7 in, Panasonic HDC-TM700K - Camcorder - Consumer - Flash card, 5.4 in, 12 x x Zoom lens - 3.45 mm - 41.4 mm - F/1.5-2.8

• CNET Editor rating:
  4.0 stars Excellent

  Overall score: 8.9 (4.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 4.0 stars out of 8 reviews

The Bottom Line: With its AG-HVX200, Panasonic raises the bar again, bringing us professional HD versatility and quality at a lower price than ever. Read review

Specs: 3CCD, Built-in, - DV, Panasonic AG-HVX200 - Camcorder - Professional - DVCPRO, - DVCPRO HD, - P2 Card, 13 x x Zoom lens - 4.2 mm - 55 mm - F/1.6

• CNET Editor rating:
  4.0 stars Excellent

  Overall score: 8.0 (4.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 5.0 stars out of 1 review

The Bottom Line: Panasonic's trio of prosumer camcorders, the hard-disk-based HDC-HS900 and flash-based TM900 and SD800, deliver generally excellent video quality and provide the full set of manual controls and features advanced users want. But you have to be willing to baby the white balance a bit. The TM900 is my top pick of the three for its EVF, but if you're on a tight budget the SD800 should suit just fine. Read review

Specs: 3MOS, Built-in flash, 13.9 oz, 2.8 in, Panasonic HDC-TM900 - Camcorder - Consumer - Flash card, 12 x x Zoom lens - 3.45 mm - 41.4 mm - F/1.5-2.8, 2.6 in, 5.7 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, 14.3 in, 6.3 in, 10 x x Zoom lens - 4.5 mm - 45 mm - F/1.6, 5.5 in, Panasonic AG-DVX100B - Camcorder - Professional - Mini DV

• 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, Panasonic HDC-SD40 - Camcorder - Consumer - Flash card, 2.3 in, 4.3 in, zoom, 16.8 x x 2.9 mm - 48.7 mm - F/1.8-2.6, 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, 9.1 oz, 1.8 in, 5 in, Panasonic HX-WA03 - Camcorder - Pocket - Flash card, 5 x x Zoom lens - 6.8 mm - 34 mm - F/3.5-3.7, 3.8 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: 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, 2.3 in, 4.3 in, 34 x x Zoom lens - 2.38 mm - 81 mm - F/1.8-4, 2 in, Panasonic HDC-TM80 - 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: MOS, 6.5 oz, Panasonic HC-V100M - Camcorder - Consumer - Flash card, 2 in, 4.4 in, 34 x x Zoom lens - 2.38 mm - 81 mm - F/1.8-4.0, 2.4 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, Built-in flash, 8 oz, Panasonic HC-V500 - Camcorder - Consumer - Flash card, 2.1 in, 2.6 in, 4.7 in, 38 x x Zoom lens - 2.35 mm - 89.3 mm - F/1.8-4.2

• 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:
  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: 6.8 (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:
  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:
  3.5 stars Very good

  Overall score: 7.2 (3.5 stars)
• Average user rating: 0.5 stars out of 1 review

The Bottom Line: The Panasonic SDR-H85 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, 9.6 oz, Panasonic SDR-H85A - Camcorder - Consumer - Hard disk drive, - Flash card, 2.5 in, 2.2 in, 4.2 in, 70 x x Zoom lens - 1.48 mm - 104 mm - F/1.9-5.7

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.5 stars Very good

  Overall score: 7.7 (3.5 stars)
• Average user rating: 3.5 stars out of 6 reviews

The Bottom Line: A very good prosumer HD camcorder, the Panasonic HDC-HS250 is the best deal of its product line, but has the same annoying touch-screen interface. Read review

Specs: 3MOS, Built-in flash, 14.9 oz, 2.7 in, 12 x x Zoom lens - 4 mm - 48 mm - F/1.8-2.8, 2.9 in, 5 in, Panasonic HDC-HS250K - 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 4 reviews

The Bottom Line: The flash-based Panasonic HDC-TM700 and its hard-disk sibling, the HDC-HS700, stand out for their low-light video quality and broad set of manual controls. However, while the TM700 is very attractively priced for its class, the HS700 is not, and not worth the price premium unless you absolutely need the hard disk. Read review

Specs: MOS, Built-in, 15.9 oz, 2.6 in, Panasonic HDC-HS700K - Camcorder - Consumer - Hard disk drive, - Flash card, 12 x x Zoom lens - 3.45 mm - 41.4 mm - F/1.5-2.8, 2.7 in, 5.4 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, 4.6 in, 2.6 in

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.0 stars Good

  Overall score: 6.0 (3.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 2.5 stars out of 2 reviews

The Bottom Line: The Panasonic HM-TA1 minicamcorder offers above-average HD video recording in a small package, but is otherwise pretty lame. Read review

Specs: MOS, 3.3 oz, 0.7 in, Panasonic HM-TA1H - Camcorder - Pocket - Flash card, 2.1 in, 4.1 in, Lens - 4.1 mm - F/2.8

• CNET Editor rating:
  0.0 stars

  Overall score: 0.0 (0.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 3.5 stars out of 3 reviews

Specs: 3CCD, None, 3.7 lbs, 6.5 in, Panasonic AVCCAM AG-HMC150PJ - Camcorder - Professional - Flash card, 13 x x Zoom lens - 3.9 mm - 51 mm - F/1.6-3.0, 6.1 in, 15.6 in

• CNET Editor rating:
  0.0 stars

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

Specs: BSI 3MOS, 0.1 oz, 7.7 in, 12 x x Zoom lens - 2.84 mm - 34.1 mm - F/1.5-2.8, 13.8 in, 6.3 in, Panasonic AVCCAM AG-AC90 - Camcorder - Professional - Flash card