Shop for digital camcorders

• CNET Editor rating:
  4.0 stars Excellent

  Overall score: 8.3 (4.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 5.0 stars out of 2 reviews

The Bottom Line: While it's got a great shooter feature set and good video quality, the Canon Vixia HF G10 still feels a bit expensive for what it offers. Read review

Specs: HD CMOS Pro, 19.2 oz, 10 x x Zoom lens - 4.25 mm - 42.5 mm - F/1.8-2.8, 3.1 in, 3 in, Camcorder, Canon VIXIA HF G10 - Consumer - Flash card, 5.9 in

• CNET Editor rating:
  4.0 stars Excellent

  Overall score: 8.0 (4.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 4.0 stars out of 21 reviews

The Bottom Line: An extremely minor upgrade from the HV20, the Canon Vixia HV30 remains a quality HDV camcorder with a couple of performance issues. Read review

Specs: CMOS, Built-in flash, 1.2 lbs, 3.5 in, 3.2 in, Canon HV30 - Camcorder - Consumer - Mini DV (HDV), 5.4 in, 10 x x Zoom lens - 6.1 mm - 61 mm - F/1.8-3.0

• 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: A larger sensor and longer lens are among the improvements Canon incorporates into its top-of-the-line consumer and compact pro models. Read review

Specs: CMOS, 27 oz, Camcorder, Canon XA20 - Professional - Flash card, 3.3 in, 4.3 in, 20 x x, Zoom lens - 3.67 mm - 73.4 mm - F/1.8-2.8, 7.2 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: The Vixia HF G20 announced at CES incorporates a new sensor and lower price. Read review

Specs: HD CMOS Pro, 1.3 lbs, 3 in, Camcorder, Canon VIXIA HF G20 - Consumer - Flash card, 6.3 in, 3.1 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: 0 stars No reviews, write one!

The Bottom Line: A larger sensor and longer lens are among the improvements Canon incorporates into its top-of-the-line consumer and compact pro models. Read review

Specs: HD CMOS Pro, 27 oz, 7.2 in, Camcorder, Canon VIXIA HF G30 - Consumer - Flash card, 20 x x, Zoom lens - 3.67 mm - 73.4 mm - F/1.8-2.8, 3.3 in, 4.3 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: HD CMOS Pro, None, 1.7 lbs, 6.3 in, 3 in, Zoom lens, 10 x x 4.25 mm - 42.5 mm - F/1.8-2.8, Camcorder, Canon XA10 - Professional - Flash card, 3 in

• CNET Editor rating:
  4.0 stars Excellent

  Overall score: 8.9 (4.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 3.5 stars out of 19 reviews

The Bottom Line: Canon's XH A1 and XH G1 are excellent camcorders for entry-level professionals and independent filmmakers, with hard-to-beat prices for what they offer. Read review

Specs: 3CCD, None, 4.7 lbs, 7.4 in, 20 x x Zoom lens - 4.5 mm - 90 mm - F/1.6, Canon XH A1 - Camcorder - Consumer - Mini DV (HDV), 13.8 in, 6.4 in

• CNET Editor rating:
  4.0 stars Excellent

  Overall score: 8.0 (4.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 4.0 stars out of 3 reviews

The Bottom Line: Though they're an excellent trio of camcorders, the Vixia HF S21, HF S20, and HF S200 are significantly more expensive than their respective competitors, especially since the S20 and S200 lack electronic viewfinders. If you can forgo some of the subtleties of the manual controls, you can probably get what you need with a cheaper camcorder. Read review

Specs: CMOS, Built-in flash, 16.6 oz, 5.8 in, 10 x x Zoom lens - 6.4 mm - 64 mm - F/1.8-3.0, 2.9 in, 3 in, Canon VIXIA HF S21 - Camcorder - Consumer - 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 55 reviews

The Bottom Line: This outstanding performer raises the bar for prosumer MiniDV camcorders. Read review

Specs: 3CCD with Pixel Shift, None, 2.6 lbs, 12 in, 20 x x Zoom lens - 4.2 mm - 84 mm - F/1.6-2.9, 4.6 in, Canon GL2 - Camcorder - Consumer - Mini DV, 5.4 in

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.5 stars Very good

  Overall score: 7.9 (3.5 stars)
• Average user rating: 3.5 stars out of 26 reviews

The Bottom Line: Canon returns to the state of the art in DV but doesn't set a new standard. Read review

Specs: 3CCD, None, 7.7 lbs, 8.7 in, 8.9 in, 19.5 in, Canon XL2 - Camcorder - Consumer - Mini DV, 20 x x Zoom lens - 5.4 mm - 108 mm - F/1.6-3.5

• CNET Editor rating:
  0.0 stars

  Overall score: 0.0 (0.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 4.0 stars out of 5 reviews

Specs: CMOS, Built-in flash, 1.2 lbs, Canon VIXIA HV40 - Camcorder - Consumer - Mini DV (HDV), 3.5 in, 3.2 in, 5.4 in, 10 x x Zoom lens - 6.1 mm - 61 mm - F/1.8-3.0

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.5 stars Very good

  Overall score: 7.7 (3.5 stars)
• Average user rating: 4.0 stars out of 45 reviews

The Bottom Line: Canon's HV20 camcorder is a great choice for HD-happy amateurs, but its low-light performance could have been better. Read review

Specs: CMOS, Built-in flash, 1.2 lbs, 5.4 in, Canon VIXIA HV20 - Camcorder - Consumer - Mini DV (HDV), 3.5 in, 10 x x Zoom lens - 6.1 mm - 61 mm - F/1.8-3.0, 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!

The Bottom Line: A larger sensor and longer lens are among the improvements Canon incorporates into its top-of-the-line consumer and compact pro models. Read review

Specs: CMOS, 27.2 oz, 4.3 in, Camcorder, Canon XA25 - Professional - Flash card, 3.3 in, 7.2 in, 20 x x, Zoom lens - 3.67 mm - 73.4 mm - F/1.8-2.8

• CNET Editor rating:
  4.0 stars Excellent

  Overall score: 8.0 (4.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 4.5 stars out of 6 reviews

The Bottom Line: Like its cousin, the flash-based HF11, Canon's Vixia HG21 delivers excellent HD video quality and performance albeit in a slightly larger, heavier package. However, you do get more storage space and a lower price. Read review

Specs: CMOS, Built-in flash, 17.3 oz, 3 in, 3.1 in, Canon VIXIA HG21 - Camcorder - Consumer - Hard disk drive, - Flash card, 5.4 in, 12 x x Zoom lens - 4.8 mm - 57 mm - F/1.8-3.0

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.5 stars Very good

  Overall score: 7.5 (3.5 stars)
• Average user rating: 3.5 stars out of 29 reviews

The Bottom Line: A solid hard-drive based HD camcorder, the Canon HG10 nevertheless has its share of annoying quirks. Read review

Specs: CMOS, 2.07 megapixels, Built-in flash, 1.1 lbs, 5.1 in, Canon HG10 - Camcorder - Consumer - Hard disk drive, 3.2 in, 3 in, 10 x x Zoom lens - 6.1 mm - 61 mm - F/1.8-3.0

• CNET Editor rating:
  0.0 stars

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

Specs: CMOS, None, 2.2 lbs, 7.5 in, 5.5 in, Canon XF100 - 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: 5.0 stars out of 1 review

Specs: CMOS, None, 2.4 lbs, 5.5 in, Canon XF105 - Camcorder - Professional - Flash card, 10 x x Zoom lens - 4.25 mm - 42.5 mm - F/1.8-2.8, 10.6 in, 7.5 in

• CNET Editor rating:
  0.0 stars

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

Specs: 3CCD, None, 2.6 lbs, 20 x x Zoom lens - 4.2 mm - 84 mm - F/1.6-2.9, 4.6 in, Canon GL1 - Camcorder - Consumer - Mini DV, 5.3 in, 10.7 in

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.5 stars Very good

  Overall score: 7.2 (3.5 stars)
• Average user rating: 4.0 stars out of 1 review

The Bottom Line: Though the Canon HR10 is a decent camcorder, there are better choices for the same money because format performance and compatibility issues make it hard to recommend a DVD-based AVCHD model. Read review

Specs: CMOS, Built-in flash, 1.2 lbs, 3.7 in, 2.6 in, 10 x x Zoom lens - 6.1 mm - 61 mm - F/1.8-3.0, Canon HR10 - Camcorder - Consumer - DVD, 5.2 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: 3CCD, None, 5.3 lbs, 7.6 in, 6.4 in, 20 x x Zoom lens - 4.5 mm - 90 mm - F/1.6-3.5, 15.5 in, Canon XH A1S - Camcorder - Consumer - Mini DV (HDV)

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.5 stars Very good

  Overall score: 7.7 (3.5 stars)
• Average user rating: 3.5 stars out of 20 reviews

The Bottom Line: The Canon DC40 definitely deserves a spot on your short list of DVD camcorders. Read review

Specs: CCD, Built-in flash, 16.9 oz, 5 in, Canon DC40 - Camcorder - Consumer - DVD, 3.4 in, 10 x x Zoom lens - 6.1 mm - 61 mm - F/1.8-3.0, 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: 3CCD, 5.01 megapixels, None, 5.5 lbs, 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), 8.9 in, 8.7 in, 19.5 in

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.0 stars Good

  Overall score: 6.4 (3.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 3.0 stars out of 6 reviews

The Bottom Line: A good budget home-movie camcorder but think twice before forgoing the night light in the Elura 65. Read review

Specs: CCD, None, 1.1 lbs, 14 x x Zoom lens - 3.5 mm - 49 mm - F/1.8-3.1, Canon Elura 60 - Camcorder - Consumer - Mini DV, 2.9 in, 3.1 in, 5.1 in

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.0 stars Good

  Overall score: 6.8 (3.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 3.5 stars out of 8 reviews

The Bottom Line: A very good pocket camcorder that, in a pinch, can double as a decent snapshot camera. With a higher-resolution LCD and a video light, the Optura 500 is a better bet, though. Read review

Specs: CCD, 2.0 megapixels, Built-in flash, 1.1 lbs, Canon Optura 400 - Camcorder - Consumer - Mini DV, 4.2 in, 2.1 in, 4 in, 10 x x Zoom lens - 4.7 mm - 47 mm - F/1.8-2.4

• CNET Editor rating:
  0.0 stars

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

Specs: CCD, None, 1.3 lbs, 2.2 in, 5.1 in, Canon ZR10 - Camcorder - Consumer - Mini DV, 10 x x Zoom lens - 4.2 mm - 42 mm - F/1.8-2.9, 4 in