Shop for digital camcorders

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.5 stars Very good

  Overall score: 7.8 (3.5 stars)
• Average user rating: 5.0 stars out of 1 review

The Bottom Line: A fine follow-up to last year's M3xx series, the Canon Vixia M4xx series should please most home-movie-oriented videographers despite its relatively high price. If you don't need the EVF, the M400 is your best buy, but if you'll be shooting a lot in sunlight, it's worth it to step up to the M41. Read review

Specs: CMOS, 12.3 oz, 10 x x Zoom lens - 6.1 mm - 61 mm - F/1.8-3.0, 2.9 in, 2.8 in, 5.2 in, Canon VIXIA HF M400 - Camcorder - Consumer - Flash card

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.5 stars Very good

  Overall score: 7.8 (3.5 stars)
• Average user rating: 4.0 stars out of 3 reviews

The Bottom Line: A fine follow-up to last year's M3xx series, the Canon Vixia M4xx series should please most home-movie-oriented videographers despite its relatively high price. If you don't need the EVF, the M400 is your best buy, but if you'll be shooting a lot in sunlight, it's worth it to step up to the M41. Read review

Specs: CMOS, 12.3 oz, Canon VIXIA HF M40 - Camcorder - Consumer - Flash card, - F/1.8 - 3.0, 10 x x Zoom lens - 6.1 mm - 61 mm, 2.8 in, 5.2 in, 2.9 in

• CNET Editor rating:
  4.0 stars Excellent

  Overall score: 8.0 (4.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 3.5 stars out of 29 reviews

The Bottom Line: While it's more expensive than its sub-$600 competitors, the Canon Vixia HF20 and Vixia HF200 deliver a more extensive feature set for the extra money. The HF200, which lacks internal memory, is probably a better buy than the HF20, though the HF20's all-black body is a bit classier looking. Read review

Specs: CMOS, 2.99 megapixels, Built-in flash, 12 oz, 2.8 in, 2.4 in, Canon VIXIA HF200 - Camcorder - Consumer - Flash card, 4.9 in, 15 x x Zoom lens - 4.1 mm - 61.5 mm - F/1.8-3.2

• CNET Editor rating:
  0.0 stars

  Overall score: 0.0 (0.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 4.5 stars out of 1 review

Specs: HD CMOS Pro, 10.9 oz, 2.5 in, Canon VIXIA HF M500 - Camcorder - Consumer - Flash card, 2.7 in, 4.8 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: Despite a perceived lull in the camcorder market, Sony announces 10 models at CES. Read review

Specs: Exmor R CMOS, 12.2 oz, 2.6 in, 30 x x, Zoom lens - 1.9 mm - 57 mm - F/1.8-4.0 G, 4.8 in, 2.4 in, Camcorder, Sony Handycam HDR-PJ430V - 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: HD CMOS Pro, 10.9 oz, 2.7 in, Canon VIXIA HF M52 - Camcorder - Consumer - Flash card, 4.8 in, 2.5 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: 7.3 (3.5 stars)
• Average user rating: 3.5 stars out of 2 reviews

The Bottom Line: If you're looking to shoot great HD video on the cheap, keep looking; the Canon Vixia HF R series delivers decent video at best, even for its modest price. But for a low-priced model with mic and headphone jacks, the HF R100 is a pretty good deal. Read review

Specs: CMOS, Built-in, 11.3 oz, 4.8 in, 20 x x Zoom lens - 3 mm - 60 mm - F/1.8-3.6, Canon VIXIA HF R100 - Camcorder - Consumer - Flash card, 2.4 in, 2.7 in

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.5 stars Very good

  Overall score: 7.8 (3.5 stars)
• Average user rating: 3.5 stars out of 4 reviews

The Bottom Line: A fine follow-up to last year's M3xx series, the Canon Vixia M4xx series should please most home-movie-oriented videographers despite its relatively high price. If you don't need the EVF, the M400 is your best buy, but if you'll be shooting a lot in sunlight, it's worth it to step up to the M41. Read review

Specs: CMOS, 12.7 oz, Canon VIXIA HF M41 - Camcorder - Consumer - Flash card, 5.4 in, 2.9 in, 10 x x Zoom lens - 6.1 mm - 61 mm - F/1.8-3.0, 2.8 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: Exmor R CMOS, Camcorder flash light, 12.2 oz, 6 in, 3.5 in, Sony Handycam HDR-CX580V - Camcorder - Consumer - Flash card, 12 x x Zoom lens - 2.9 mm - 34.8 mm - F/1.8-3.4, 3.2 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, 2.6 in, 12 x x Zoom lens - 2.9 mm - 34.8 mm - F/1.8-3.4, 5 in, Sony Handycam HDR-CX360V - Camcorder - Consumer - Flash card, 2.2 in

• CNET Editor rating:
  4.0 stars Excellent

  Overall score: 8.0 (4.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 4.0 stars out of 13 reviews

The Bottom Line: An excellent flash-based prosumer HD camcorder, you may nevertheless pass on the Canon Vixia HF S100 because it lacks an eye-level viewfinder. It's probably a better buy than the identical--but more expensive, because it has 32GB built-in memory--Vixia HF S10. Read review

Specs: CMOS, Pop-up flash, 15.9 oz, Canon VIXIA HF S100 - Camcorder - Consumer - Flash card, 5.4 in, 10 x x Zoom lens - 6.4 mm - 64 mm - F/1.8-3.0, 2.8 in, 2.7 in

• CNET Editor rating:
  4.0 stars Excellent

  Overall score: 8.0 (4.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 3.5 stars out of 17 reviews

The Bottom Line: While it's more expensive than its sub-$600 competitors, the Canon Vixia HF20 and Vixia HF200 deliver a more extensive feature set for the extra money. The HF200, which lacks internal memory, is probably a better buy than the HF20, though the HF20's all-black body is a bit classier-looking. Read review

Specs: CMOS, 2.99 megapixels, Built-in flash, 12 oz, 2.8 in, 2.4 in, 15 x x Zoom lens - 4.1 mm - 61.5 mm - F/1.8-3.2, 4.9 in, Canon VIXIA HF20 - Camcorder - Consumer - Flash card

• CNET Editor rating:
  4.0 stars Excellent

  Overall score: 8.0 (4.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 5.0 stars out of 7 reviews

The Bottom Line: An excellent flash-based prosumer HD camcorder, you may nevertheless pass on the Canon Vixia HF S10 because it lacks an eye-level viewfinder. And the identical--but cheaper, because it has no built-in memory--Vixia HF S100 may also be a better buy. Read review

Specs: CMOS, Pop-up flash, 15.9 oz, 2.8 in, Canon VIXIA HF S10 - Camcorder - Consumer - Flash card, 2.7 in, 5.4 in, 10 x x Zoom lens - 6.4 mm - 64 mm - F/1.8-3.0

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.5 stars Very good

  Overall score: 7.9 (3.5 stars)
• Average user rating: 3.5 stars out of 10 reviews

The Bottom Line: The Sony Handycam HDR-CX550V fares well compared with the competition, though its video could be a bit sharper and the interface less cumbersome. Unless you absolutely need to store a lot of video on the camcorder--which I don't suggest--or if have large hands that could benefit from the extra grip that the hard drive provides, the CX550V is a better deal than its hard-disk-based sibling. Read review

Specs: Exmor R CMOS, Built-in flash, 15.5 oz, Sony Handycam HDR-CX550V - Camcorder - Consumer - Flash card, 2.9 in, 10 x x Zoom lens - 3.8 mm - 38 mm - F/1.8-3.4, 2.6 in, 5.6 in

• CNET Editor rating:
  0.0 stars

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

Specs: Exmor R CMOS, Camcorder flash light, 12.2 oz, Sony Handycam HDR-PJ580V - Camcorder - Consumer - Flash card, 3.5 in, 6 in, 12 x x Zoom lens - 2.9 mm - 34.8 mm - F/1.8-3.4 G, 3.2 in

• CNET Editor rating:
  0.0 stars

  Overall score: 0.0 (0.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 5.0 stars out of 1 review

Specs: HD CMOS Pro, 10.9 oz, 2.5 in, 10 x x Zoom lens - 6.1 mm - 61 mm - F/1.8-3.0, Canon VIXIA HF M50 - Camcorder - Consumer - Flash card, 4.8 in, 2.7 in

• CNET Editor rating:
  0.0 stars

  Overall score: 0.0 (0.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 4.5 stars out of 4 reviews

Specs: Exmor R CMOS, Built-in flash, 13.6 oz, 5.3 in, 10 x x Zoom lens - 3.8 mm - 38 mm - F/1.8-3.4, 2.4 in, Sony Handycam HDR-CX560V - 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 4 reviews

Specs: Exmor R CMOS, Built-in flash, 13.9 oz, 2.9 in, 5.4 in, 2.4 in, Sony Handycam HDR-CX700V - Camcorder - Consumer - Flash card, 10 x x Zoom lens - 3.8 mm - 38 mm - F/1.8-3.4

• 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, Built-in flash, 15.9 oz, 2.9 in, 5.3 in, 12 x x Zoom lens - 2.9 mm - 34.8 mm - F/1.8-3.4 G, 2.6 in, Sony Handycam HDR-PJ650V - Camcorder - Consumer - Internal flash memory

• 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, - Internal flash memory, 2.6 in, 2.3 in, 30 x x Zoom lens - 1.9 mm - 57 mm - F/1.8-4.0 G, 4.8 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: Like its sibling the HF10, Canon's flash-based Vixia HF11 delivers excellent HD video quality and performance in a tiny package. However, the HF11 delivers a bit more value for its lower price. Read review

Specs: CMOS, Built-in flash, 13.4 oz, Camcorder, Canon HF11 - Consumer - Flash card, 2.5 in, 12 x Zoom lens - 4.8 mm - 57 mm - F/1.8-3.0, 5.1 in, 2.9 in

• CNET Editor rating:
  4.0 stars Excellent

  Overall score: 8.0 (4.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 3.5 stars out of 16 reviews

The Bottom Line: As the flash-memory-based equivalent of the HDR-SR7, the Sony Handycam HDR-CX7 serves up the same pleasing performance and quality as its hard-drive cousin. Read review

Specs: ClearVid CMOS, Built-in flash, 15.9 oz, 10 x x Zoom lens - 5.4 mm - 54 mm - F/1.8-2.9, 2.7 in, 2.6 in, Sony Handycam HDR-CX7 - Camcorder - Consumer - Flash card, 5.1 in

• CNET Editor rating:
  0.0 stars

  Overall score: 0.0 (0.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 2.5 stars out of 28 reviews

Specs: Advanced HAD CCD, None, 0.9 lbs, 5.2 in, 2.2 in, 3.4 in, Sony Handycam DCR-DVD92 - Camcorder - Consumer - DVD, 20 x x Zoom lens - 2.3 mm - 46 mm - F/1.8-3.1

• CNET Editor rating:
  4.0 stars Excellent

  Overall score: 8.0 (4.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 4.0 stars out of 8 reviews

The Bottom Line: As the flash-memory-based equivalent of the HDR-SR11, the Sony Handycam HDR-CX12 serves up the same pleasing performance and quality as its hard-drive cousin. Read review

Specs: ClearVid CMOS, Built-in flash, 15.9 oz, 3 in, 12 x x Zoom lens - 5.9 mm - 58.8 mm - F/1.8-3.1, 5.4 in, 3.3 in, Sony Handycam HDR-CX12 - Camcorder - Consumer - Flash card

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.5 stars Very good

  Overall score: 7.4 (3.5 stars)
• Average user rating: 3.5 stars out of 33 reviews

The Bottom Line: Its compact size and great stills and videos make the PC350 a top choice for a double-duty camcorder. Read review

Specs: CCD, 2.04 megapixels, Built-in flash, 0.9 lbs, Sony Handycam DCR-PC350 - Camcorder - Consumer - Mini DV, 10 x x Zoom lens - 5.1 mm - 51 mm - F/1.8-2.9, 4.2 in, 2.2 in, 4.2 in