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, Panasonic HDC-SD60K - Camcorder - Consumer - Flash card, 4.4 in, 2.6 in, 2 in, 25 x x Zoom lens - 3.02 mm - 75.5 mm - F/1.8-3.3

• 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, Panasonic HDC-HS80 - Camcorder - Consumer - Hard disk drive, - Flash card, 37 x x Zoom lens - 2.38 mm - 81 mm - F/1.8-4, 2.4 in, 4.3 in, 2.5 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, 4.2 in, 2.6 in, Panasonic SDR-H80A - Camcorder - Consumer - Hard disk drive, - Flash card, 70 x x Zoom lens - 1.5 mm - 105 mm - F/1.9-5.7, 2.1 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, 4.2 in, Panasonic SDR-H85A - Camcorder - Consumer - Hard disk drive, - Flash card, 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: 2.5 stars out of 32 reviews

Specs: CCD, 12 oz, 2.8 in, 4.6 in, Panasonic SDR-H40 - Camcorder - Consumer - Hard disk drive, 2.6 in, 42 x x Zoom lens - 1.8 mm - 75.6 mm - F/1.9-4.3

• 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, 2.9 in, 2.8 in, Panasonic SDR-H18 - Camcorder - Consumer - Hard disk drive, 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: 5.0 stars out of 3 reviews

Specs: MOS, Built-in flash, 8.6 oz, 4.7 in, Camcorder, Panasonic HDC-SD90 - Consumer - Flash card, 2 in, Zoom, 21 x x 2.82 mm - 59.2 mm - F/1.8-3.5, 2.5 in

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.5 stars Very good

  Overall score: 7.2 (3.5 stars)
• Average user rating: 1.5 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, 2.5 in, 70 x x Zoom lens - 1.48 mm - 104 mm - F/1.9-5.7, Panasonic SDR-H85S - Camcorder - Consumer - Hard disk drive, - Flash card, 4.2 in, 2.2 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, Panasonic PV-GS80 - Camcorder - Consumer - Mini DV, 3.1 in, 32 x x Zoom lens - 2.3 mm - 73.6 mm - F/1.8-3.7, 5.4 in, 2.9 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-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, 2.5 in, 4.2 in, 2.2 in, 70 x x Zoom lens - 1.48 mm - 104 mm - F/1.9-5.7, Panasonic SDR-H85 - Camcorder - Consumer - Hard disk drive, - Flash card

• CNET Editor rating:
  0.0 stars

  Overall score: 0.0 (0.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 4.0 stars out of 4 reviews

Specs: CCD, 12 oz, 4.6 in, 2.6 in, Panasonic SDR-H60 - Camcorder - Consumer - Hard disk drive, - Flash card, 50 x x Zoom lens - 1.8 mm - 90 mm - F/2.0-5.0, 2.8 in

• CNET Editor rating:
  0.0 stars

  Overall score: 0.0 (0.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 1.0 stars out of 4 reviews

Specs: CCD, 8.3 oz, 2.2 in, 70 x x Zoom lens - 1.5 mm - 105 mm - F/1.9-5.7, Panasonic SDR-S26K - Camcorder - Consumer - Flash card, 2.6 in, 4.2 in

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.0 stars Good

  Overall score: 6.6 (3.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 0 stars No reviews, write one!

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, - Flash card, Panasonic SDR-H80K - Camcorder - Consumer - Hard disk drive, 2.6 in, 2.1 in, 4.2 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, Camcorder flash light, 9.8 oz, 2.7 in, 4.9 in, 21 x x Zoom lens - 2.82 mm - 59.2 mm - F/1.8-3.5, 2.4 in, Panasonic HC-V720 - 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, 8.1 oz, 50 x x Zoom lens - 2.06 mm - 103 mm - F/1.8-4.2, 4.6 in, 2.4 in, 2.1 in, Panasonic HC-V520 - Camcorder - Consumer - Flash card

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.5 stars Very good

  Overall score: 7.5 (3.5 stars)
• Average user rating: 1.0 stars out of 1 review

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: CMOS, Built-in flash, 9.1 oz, 2.6 in, 2 in, 4.4 in, Panasonic HDC-TM55 - Camcorder - Consumer - Flash card, 25 x x Zoom lens - 3.02 mm - 75.5 mm - F/1.8-3.3

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.0 stars Good

  Overall score: 6.6 (3.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 0 stars No reviews, write one!

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, 2.1 in, 4.2 in, 2.6 in, Panasonic SDR-H80S - Camcorder - Consumer - Hard disk drive, - Flash card, 70 x x Zoom lens - 1.5 mm - 105 mm - F/1.9-5.7

• 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, Panasonic Palmcorder Multicam PV-GS35 - Camcorder - Consumer - Mini DV, 30 x x Zoom lens - 1.9 mm - 57 mm - F/1.8-3.9, 3.2 in, 4.5 in, 2.5 in

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.5 stars Very good

  Overall score: 7.5 (3.5 stars)
• Average user rating: 0 stars No reviews, write one!

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, 11.5 oz, 25 x x Zoom lens - 3.02 mm - 75.5 mm - F/1.8-3.3, 2.6 in, Panasonic HDC-HS60K - Camcorder - Consumer - Hard disk drive, - Flash card, 4.4 in, 2.2 in

• 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, Panasonic VDR D50 - Camcorder - Consumer - DVD, 2.1 in, 3.5 in, 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: 3.5 stars out of 1 review

Specs: CCD, 14.5 oz, 3.2 in, 4.7 in, 2.7 in, Panasonic Palmcorder Multicam PV-GS29 - Camcorder - Consumer - Mini DV, 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: 4.0 stars out of 2 reviews

Specs: CCD, None, 13.8 oz, 2.6 in, Panasonic PV-GS90 - Camcorder - Consumer - Mini DV, 4.7 in, 3.3 in, 42 x x Zoom lens - 1.8 mm - 75.6 mm - F/1.9-4.3

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.5 stars Very good

  Overall score: 7.5 (3.5 stars)
• Average user rating: 0 stars No reviews, write one!

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, Panasonic HDC-SD60S - Camcorder - Consumer - Flash card, 4.4 in, 2.6 in, 25 x x Zoom lens - 3.02 mm - 75.5 mm - F/1.8-3.3

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.0 stars Good

  Overall score: 6.6 (3.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 0 stars No reviews, write one!

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, 2.1 in, Panasonic SDR-H80R - Camcorder - Consumer - Hard disk drive, - Flash card, 70 x x Zoom lens - 1.5 mm - 105 mm - F/1.9-5.7, 4.2 in, 2.6 in

• CNET Editor rating:
  0.0 stars

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

Specs: CCD, 8.3 oz, 70 x x Zoom lens - 1.5 mm - 105 mm - F/1.9-5.7, 2.2 in, 4.2 in, 2.6 in, Panasonic SDR-S26 - Camcorder - Consumer - Flash card