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 63 reviews

The Bottom Line: The Kodak Playsport is an excellent minicamcorder that can take some rough treatment and capture solid HD video. Read review

Specs: Lens - 5.54 mm - F/2.8, Kodak Playsport - Camcorder - Pocket - Flash card

• CNET Editor rating:
  4.5 stars Spectacular

  Overall score: 9.0 (4.5 stars)
• Average user rating: 5.0 stars out of 1 review

The Bottom Line: The Contour+2 combines the best features of the entire Contour camera line in one simple, powerful flagship model. Read review

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.5 stars Very good

  Overall score: 7.6 (3.5 stars)
• Average user rating: 5.0 stars out of 3 reviews

The Bottom Line: With Wi-Fi, an LCD, and a waterproof body, as well as some nice accessories, the Drift HD Ghost uses its features to beat back the action cam competition. Read review

Specs: Camcorder

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.0 stars Good

  Overall score: 6.2 (3.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 0 stars No reviews, write one!

The Bottom Line: Sony's Handycam DCR-SX45, SX65, and SX85 standard-definition camcorders pack a megazoom lens at a reasonable price; one look at the standard-definition video, though, and you might regret not spending a bit more for an HD model. Read review

Specs: Advanced HAD CCD, 8.1 oz, 60 x x Zoom lens - 1.8 mm - 108 mm - F/1.8-6.0, 2 in, 2.2 in, Sony Handycam DCR-SX45 - Camcorder - Consumer - Flash card, 4.9 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 low-end HF R series announced at CES survives the annual purge for the slowly dying category. Read review

Specs: CMOS, 8.3 oz, 32 x x, Zoom lens - 2.8 mm - 89.6 mm, 2.2 in, 2.1 in, Camcorder, Canon VIXIA HF R40 - Consumer - Flash card, - Internal flash memory, 4.6 in

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.0 stars Good

  Overall score: 6.2 (3.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 1.0 stars out of 7 reviews

The Bottom Line: Sony's Handycam DCR-SX45, SX65, and SX85 standard-definition camcorders pack a megazoom lens at a reasonable price; one look at the standard-definition video, though, and you might regret not spending a bit more for an HD model. Read review

Specs: Advanced HAD CCD, 8.1 oz, Sony Handycam DCR-SX85 - Camcorder - Consumer - Flash card, 2.2 in, 2 in, 60 x x Zoom lens - 1.8 mm - 108 mm - F/1.8-6.0, 4.9 in

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.5 stars Very good

  Overall score: 7.8 (3.5 stars)
• Average user rating: 2.0 stars out of 4 reviews

The Bottom Line: The rugged Kodak PlaySport Zx5 is a very good minicamcorder, but falls just shy of improving on last year's model, despite being more durable. Read review

Specs: CMOS, None, 4.4 oz, Kodak PLAYSPORT Zx5 - Camcorder - Pocket - Flash card, 4.4 in, 2.3 in, 0.7 in, Lens - 5.5 mm - F/2.8

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.0 stars Good

  Overall score: 6.2 (3.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 4.0 stars out of 1 review

The Bottom Line: Sony's Handycam DCR-SX45, SX65, and SX85 standard-definition camcorders pack a megazoom lens at a reasonable price; one look at the standard-definition video, though, and you might regret not spending a bit more for an HD model. Read review

Specs: Advanced HAD CCD, 8.1 oz, 2 in, Sony Handycam DCR-SX65 - Camcorder - Consumer - Flash card, 4.9 in, 2.2 in, 60 x x Zoom lens - 1.8 mm - 108 mm - F/1.8-6.0

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.5 stars Very good

  Overall score: 7.7 (3.5 stars)
• Average user rating: 4.5 stars out of 2 reviews

The Bottom Line: The ContourRoam finally matches the rugged construction and ultrawide field of view of the competition, while still excelling as a sports camera with its ease of use and low price. Read review

Specs: CMOS, 0.3 lbs, 1.3 in, 2.2 in, 3.9 in, - microSD card

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.0 stars Good

  Overall score: 6.2 (3.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 2.5 stars out of 8 reviews

The Bottom Line: Sony's Handycam DCR-SR68 (and larger-capacity SR88) offers up ample storage and a megazoom lens at a reasonable price; one look at the standard-definition video, though, and you might regret not spending a bit more for an HD model. Read review

Specs: Advanced HAD CCD, 9.9 oz, 4.2 in, 2.2 in, 60 x x Zoom lens - 1.8 mm - 108 mm - F/1.8-6.0, Sony Handycam DCR-SR68 - Camcorder - Consumer - Hard disk drive, - Flash card, 2.6 in

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.5 stars Very good

  Overall score: 7.0 (3.5 stars)
• Average user rating: 4.5 stars out of 1 review

The Bottom Line: The Kodak Playfull minicamcorder is a pocketful of video fun, but it might be just too "mini" for some. Read review

Specs: CMOS, None, 3.4 oz, Kodak PLAYFULL ZE1 - Camcorder - Pocket - Flash card, 1.6 in, 0.6 in, Lens - 3.9 mm, 3.9 in

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.5 stars Very good

  Overall score: 7.0 (3.5 stars)
• Average user rating: 5.0 stars out of 1 review

The Bottom Line: Pivothead's pricey Durango video-recording eyewear is a fast, easy way to shoot Web-friendly POV movies. Read review

Specs: Camcorder - Internal flash memory

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.5 stars Very good

  Overall score: 7.8 (3.5 stars)
• Average user rating: 0 stars No reviews, write one!

The Bottom Line: The rugged Kodak PlaySport Zx5 is a very good minicamcorder, but falls just shy of improving on last year's model, despite being more durable. Read review

Specs: CMOS, None, 4.4 oz, 4.4 in, Kodak PLAYSPORT Zx5 - Camcorder - Pocket - Flash card, Lens - 5.5 mm - F/2.8, 0.7 in, 2.3 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, 10 x x Zoom lens - 4.5 mm - 45 mm - F/1.6, 14.3 in, 5.5 in, Panasonic AG-DVX100B - Camcorder - Professional - Mini DV, 6.3 in

• 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, Canon GL2 - Camcorder - Consumer - Mini DV, 4.6 in, 20 x x Zoom lens - 4.2 mm - 84 mm - F/1.6-2.9, 5.4 in

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.5 stars Very good

  Overall score: 7.4 (3.5 stars)
• Average user rating: 3.0 stars out of 18 reviews

The Bottom Line: Convenient, well-designed camcorders that look pricier than they are, models in the Canon FS series--FS11, FS10, and FS100--nevertheless deliver typical budget video in line with their budget price tags. Read review

Specs: CCD, 9.2 oz, Canon FS100 - Camcorder - Consumer - Flash card, 2.4 in, 2.3 in, 4.9 in, 37 x x Zoom lens - 2.6 mm - 96.2 mm - F/2.0-5.2

• 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 in, zoom, 16.8 x x 2.9 mm - 48.7 mm - F/1.8-2.6, 4.3 in, 2.3 in

• CNET Editor rating:
  0.0 stars

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

Specs: CMOS, 3 oz, 0.5 in, Lens, Kodak PLAYFULL Ze2 - Camcorder - Pocket - Flash card, 2.2 in, 3.7 in

• CNET Editor rating:
  0.0 stars

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

Specs: MOS, 6.5 oz, 4.4 in, 2.4 in, Panasonic HC-V100M - Camcorder - Consumer - Flash card, 2 in, 34 x x Zoom lens - 2.38 mm - 81 mm - F/1.8-4.0

• 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, 8.9 in, Canon XL2 - Camcorder - Consumer - Mini DV, 19.5 in, 20 x x Zoom lens - 5.4 mm - 108 mm - F/1.6-3.5, 8.7 in

• CNET Editor rating:
  4.0 stars Excellent

  Overall score: 8.0 (4.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 3.0 stars out of 2 reviews

The Bottom Line: The Contour GPS sports camera is the sweet spot in Contour's sports camera lineup, offering most of the features that most owners will find useful, and at an affordable price. Read review

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.0 stars Good

  Overall score: 6.6 (3.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 1.5 stars out of 6 reviews

The Bottom Line: Mediocre video quality and a couple design issues keep the Kodak PlayTouch from being a top-notch minicamcorder. Read review

Specs: CMOS, Lens - 3.9 mm, 4.3 in, 0.6 in, Kodak PLAYTOUCH - Camcorder - Pocket - Flash card, 2.3 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, 2.6 in, 70 x x Zoom lens - 1.5 mm - 105 mm - F/1.9-5.7, Panasonic SDR-H80A - Camcorder - Consumer - Hard disk drive, - Flash card, 4.2 in, 2.1 in

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.0 stars Good

  Overall score: 6.2 (3.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 3.5 stars out of 17 reviews

The Bottom Line: The Sony Handycam DCR-SR45 has a good design and reasonable feature set for its price, but the video quality doesn't measure up to the rest of the package. Read review

Specs: Advanced HAD CCD, None, 12.3 oz, 3 in, 4.4 in, 40 x x Zoom lens - 1.9 mm - 76 mm - F/1.8-4.1, 3 in, Sony Handycam DCR-SR45 - Camcorder - Consumer - Hard disk drive, - Flash card

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.5 stars Very good

  Overall score: 7.8 (3.5 stars)
• Average user rating: 3.0 stars out of 6 reviews

The Bottom Line: The rugged Kodak PlaySport Zx5 is a very good minicamcorder, but falls just shy of improving on last year's model, despite being more durable. Read review

Specs: CMOS, None, 4.4 oz, 4.4 in, Kodak PLAYSPORT Zx5 - Camcorder - Pocket - Flash card, 0.7 in, 2.3 in, Lens - 5.5 mm - F/2.8