Shop for digital camcorders

• CNET Editor rating:
  4.0 stars Excellent

  Overall score: 8.0 (4.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 3.5 stars out of 32 reviews

The Bottom Line: Canon's first flash-based camcorder, the Canon Vixia HF10, delivers excellent HD video quality and performance in a tiny package. Read review

Specs: CMOS, 13.4 oz, 5.1 in, Canon VIXIA HF10 - Camcorder - Consumer - Flash card, 2.9 in, 12 x x Zoom lens - 4.8 mm - 57 mm - F/1.8-3.0, 2.5 in

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

• CNET Editor rating:
  4.0 stars Excellent

  Overall score: 8.0 (4.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 4.0 stars out of 29 reviews

The Bottom Line: One of a pair of Canon's first flash-based camcorders, the Canon Vixia HF100, delivers excellent HD video quality and performance in a tiny package. Read review

Specs: CMOS, 13.4 oz, Canon VIXIA HF100 - Camcorder - Consumer - Flash card, 5.1 in, 12 x x Zoom lens - 4.8 mm - 57 mm - F/1.8-3.0, 2.9 in, 2.5 in

• CNET Editor rating:
  0.0 stars

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

Specs: 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, Sony Handycam HDR-PJ580V - Camcorder - Consumer - Flash card, 6 in, 3.2 in

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.0 stars Good

  Overall score: 6.6 (3.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 2.0 stars out of 11 reviews

The Bottom Line: If storage amount, zoom range, and easy operation are on your list of needs before video quality, check out the Sony Handycam DCR-SR47. Read review

Specs: Advanced HAD CCD, 10.6 oz, 2.7 in, 4.4 in, 60 x x Zoom lens - 1.8 mm - 108 mm - F/1.8-6.0, Sony Handycam DCR-SR47 - Camcorder - Consumer - Hard disk drive, - Flash card, 2.4 in

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.0 stars Good

  Overall score: 6.0 (3.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 3.0 stars out of 8 reviews

The Bottom Line: The small size and massive video storage capacity of the JVC Everio GZ-MG77 make it a tantalizing choice, but poor video quality keeps this hard-disk-based camera from being a tape- or DVD-killer. Read review

Specs: CCD, 2.2 megapixels, Built-in, 15.2 oz, 2.7 in, JVC Everio GZ-MG77 - Camcorder - Consumer - Hard disk drive, 4.3 in, 10 x x Zoom lens - 3.8 mm - 38 mm - F/1.2-2.0, 2.7 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, 11.3 oz, 2.6 in, 4.8 in, 30 x x Zoom lens - 1.9 mm - 57 mm - F/1.8-4.0 G, Sony Handycam HDR-CX430V - Camcorder - Consumer - Flash card, - Internal flash memory, 2.3 in

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.0 stars Good

  Overall score: 6.8 (3.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 2.5 stars out of 5 reviews

The Bottom Line: While it's a perfectly serviceable HD camcorder, the Sony Handycam HDR-XR100 should deliver a little more of everything for the money. Read review

Specs: Exmor CMOS, 11.6 oz, 5.1 in, 2.7 in, 2.7 in, 10 x x Zoom lens - 3.2 mm - 32 mm - F/1.8-2.2, Sony Handycam HDR-XR100 - Camcorder - Consumer - Hard disk drive, - Flash card

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.0 stars Good

  Overall score: 6.4 (3.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 4.5 stars out of 1 review

The Bottom Line: The near-identical models of the JVC Everio GZ-MG300 series--the MG330, MG335, MG360 and MG365--are budget-priced, hard-drive-based camcorders that are nice enough, but produce typical low-budget video. Read review

Specs: CCD, None, 11.1 oz, 2.1 in, 35 x x Zoom lens - 2.2 mm - 77 mm - F/1.8-4, JVC Everio GZ-MG330R - Camcorder - Consumer - Hard disk drive, 2.7 in, 4.7 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, 11.3 oz, Sony Handycam HDR-CX430V - Camcorder - Consumer - Flash card, 2.6 in, 4.8 in, 30 x x Zoom lens - 1.9 mm - 57 mm - F/1.8-4.0 G, 2.3 in

• 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, Built-in flash, 12 oz, 2.6 in, Sony Handycam HDR-PJ30V - Camcorder - Consumer - Flash card, 5 in, 12 x x Zoom lens - 2.9 mm - 34.8 mm - F/1.8-3.4, 2.3 in

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.5 stars Very good

  Overall score: 7.3 (3.5 stars)
• Average user rating: 3.5 stars out of 8 reviews

The Bottom Line: A solid SD-based camcorder, the Panasonic HDC-SD1 nevertheless suffers from a few performance issues and an annoying design. Read review

Specs: 3CCD, 1.5 megapixels, Built-in flash, 15.2 oz, Panasonic HDC-SD1 - Camcorder - Consumer - Flash card, 12 x x Zoom lens - 4 mm - 48 mm - F/1.8-2.8, 2.6 in, 2.9 in, 5.4 in

• 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, 25 x x Zoom lens - 3.02 mm - 75.5 mm - F/1.8-3.3, Panasonic HDC-TM55 - Camcorder - Consumer - Flash card, 2.6 in, 4.4 in, 2 in

• CNET Editor rating:
  0.0 stars

  Overall score: 0.0 (0.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 3.0 stars out of 4 reviews

Specs: Advanced HAD CCD, None, 13.8 oz, Sony Handycam DCR-HC62 - Camcorder - Consumer - Mini DV, 3.3 in, 2.5 in, 4.5 in, 25 x x Zoom lens - 2.5 mm - 62.5 mm - F/1.8-3.2

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.0 stars Good

  Overall score: 6.7 (3.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 2.5 stars out of 12 reviews

The Bottom Line: Despite an attractive price and some decent features, the frustrations of the Samsung SC-HMX10 outnumber its rewards. Read review

Specs: CMOS, 10.9 oz, Samsung SC-HMX10 - Camcorder - Consumer - Flash card, 10 x x Zoom lens - 3.2 mm - 32 mm - F/1.6-4.3, 4.6 in, 2.4 in, 2.7 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-CMOS, Built-in flash, 10.9 oz, 10 x x Zoom lens - 3.76 mm - 37.6 mm - F/1.2-2.8, 2.4 in, 4.8 in, 2.1 in, JVC Everio GZ-HM860BUS - 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: 3CCD, Built-in flash, 12 oz, 2.6 in, Panasonic HDC-SD5 - Camcorder - Consumer - Flash card, 5.3 in, 2.6 in, 10 x x Zoom lens - 3 mm - 30 mm - F/1.8-2.8

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.0 stars Good

  Overall score: 6.2 (3.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 2.0 stars out of 8 reviews

The Bottom Line: Though the short battery life and mediocre image quality are frustrating, the JVC Everio GZ-MG30U's amazing recording capacity and tiny size still make it an enticing device. Read review

Specs: CCD, 6.8 megapixels, None, 0.7 lbs, JVC Everio GZ-MG30 - Camcorder - Consumer - Hard disk drive, 25 x x Zoom lens - 2.2 mm - 50 mm - F/1.8-3.2, 2.6 in, 4.3 in, 2.8 in

• CNET Editor rating:
  0.0 stars

  Overall score: 0.0 (0.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 3.5 stars out of 13 reviews

Specs: CCD, 13.2 oz, 2.8 in, 4.3 in, JVC Everio GZ-MG155 - Camcorder - Consumer - Hard disk drive, 32 x x Zoom lens, 2.6 in

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.5 stars Very good

  Overall score: 7.0 (3.5 stars)
• Average user rating: 0 stars No reviews, write one!

The Bottom Line: The Samsung HMX-R10's plentiful shooting features and fine-quality HD video for its class--at least in good lighting--make it a very good compact HD camcorder. However, its design definitely isn't for everyone. Read review

Specs: CMOS, Built-in flash, 8.1 oz, 5 in, 5 x x Zoom lens - 6.8 mm - 34 mm - F/3.5-3.7, 1.5 in, 2.2 in, Samsung HMX-R10 - Camcorder - Consumer - Flash card

• CNET Editor rating:
  0.0 stars

  Overall score: 0.0 (0.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 2.5 stars out of 7 reviews

Specs: Exmor CMOS, Built-in flash, 13.8 oz, 2.8 in, 2.7 in, 5.2 in, Sony Handycam HDR-XR200V - Camcorder - Consumer - Hard disk drive, - Flash card, 15 x x Zoom lens - 3.1 mm - 46.5 mm - F/1.8-2.6

• 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, 42 x x Zoom lens - 1.8 mm - 75.6 mm - F/1.9-4.3, 3.3 in, 4.7 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, 13.8 oz, 4.8 in, Canon ZR960 - Camcorder - Consumer - Mini DV, 37 x x Zoom lens - 2.6 mm - 96.2 mm - F/2.0-5.2, 2.7 in, 3.3 in

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.5 stars Very good

  Overall score: 7.0 (3.5 stars)
• Average user rating: 4.0 stars out of 42 reviews

The Bottom Line: If you're ready to make the move to 16:9 videography or want to shoot a lot of romantically lit scenes, look no further than Sony's top-of-the-line single-chip Handycam. Read review

Specs: Advanced HAD CCD, Pop-up flash, 0.9 lbs, 3.6 in, 4.3 in, 2.6 in, 10 x x Zoom lens - 5.1 mm - 51 mm - F/1.8-2.9, Sony Handycam DCR-HC90 - Camcorder - Consumer - Mini DV

• CNET Editor rating:
  0.0 stars

  Overall score: 0.0 (0.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 4.0 stars out of 2 reviews

Specs: Advanced HAD CCD, None, 14.1 oz, 25 x x Zoom lens - 2.5 mm - 62.5 mm - F/1.8-3.2, Sony Handycam DCR-DVD810 - Camcorder - Consumer - Flash card, - DVD, 5.1 in, 2.2 in, 3.5 in