Shop for digital camcorders

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.0 stars Good

  Overall score: 6.8 (3.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 4.0 stars out of 9 reviews

The Bottom Line: Typical for their price class, the no-frills Sony Handycam HDR-CX130, CX160, and XR160 produce generally subpar HD video, but if you're not picky you'll probably be fine. The CX130 is the best buy of the three, as long as you go cheap on the memory card. Read review

Specs: Exmor R CMOS, 8.8 oz, 4.5 in, Sony Handycam HDR-CX130 - Camcorder - Consumer - Flash card, 2.2 in, 30 x x Zoom lens - 2.1 mm - 63 mm - F/1.8-3.4, 2.1 in

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.0 stars Good

  Overall score: 6.6 (3.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 2.5 stars out of 4 reviews

The Bottom Line: They're cheap and capture video, but don't buy the Sony Handycam HDR-CX190, CX200 or CX210 thinking that you're getting a great bargain on a real HD camcorder. If you're going to buy one, get the cheapest; nothing on any of these is really worth the extra bucks. Read review

Specs: Exmor R CMOS, 1.31 megapixels, 5.9 oz, Camcorder - Memory stick Pro Duo, Sony Handycam HDR-CX190 - Consumer, 25 x x, Zoom lens - 2.5 mm - 62.5 mm - F/1.8-3.2, 2 in, 2.2 in, 4.5 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: Despite a perceived lull in the camcorder market, Sony announces 10 models at CES. Read review

Specs: Exmor R CMOS, 6.3 oz, 2.1 in, Camcorder, Sony Handycam HDR-CX220 - Consumer - Flash card, 4.6 in, 26 x x, Zoom lens - 2.1 mm - 5.7 mm - F/1.9-4.0, 2.2 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 low-end HF R series announced at CES survives the annual purge for the slowly dying category. Read review

Specs: CMOS, 8.3 oz, Camcorder, Canon VIXIA HF R400 - Consumer - Flash card, 2.1 in, 32 x x, Zoom lens - 2.8 mm - 89.6 mm - F/1.8-4.5, 4.6 in, 2.2 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 low-end HF R series announced at CES survives the annual purge for the slowly dying category. Read review

Specs: CMOS, 8.3 oz, 2.1 in, Camcorder, Canon VIXIA HF R42 - Consumer - Flash card, 52 x x, Zoom lens - 2.8 mm - 89.6 mm - F/1.8-4.5, 2.2 in, 4.6 in

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.0 stars Good

  Overall score: 6.8 (3.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 0 stars No reviews, write one!

The Bottom Line: As entry-level camcorders go, JVC's Everio GZ-EX250 is an OK option, especially if Wi-Fi functionality and a 40x zoom lens are at the top of your want list. Read review

Specs: BSI-CMOS, 8.3 oz, JVC Everio GZ-EX250 - Camcorder - Consumer - Flash card, 2 in, 2.2 in, 40 x x Zoom lens - 2.9 mm - 116 mm - F/1.8, 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!

The Bottom Line: Despite a perceived lull in the camcorder market, Sony announces 10 models at CES. Read review

Specs: Exmor R CMOS, 7.4 oz, 4.6 in, Camcorder, Sony Handycam HDR-PJ230 - Consumer - Flash card, 2.2 in, 2.3 in, 26 x x, Zoom lens - 2.1 mm - 57 mm - F/1.9-4.0

• CNET Editor rating:
  0.0 stars

  Overall score: 0.0 (0.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 3.5 stars out of 4 reviews

Specs: Exmor R CMOS, 7.2 oz, 30 x x Zoom lens - 2.1 mm - 63 mm - F/1.8-3.4, 2.2 in, 2.1 in, Sony Handycam HDR-CX260V - Camcorder - Consumer - Flash card, 4.8 in

• 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, 25 x x Zoom lens - 3.02 mm - 75.5 mm - F/1.8-3.3, 2.6 in, 2 in, Panasonic HDC-SD60K - Camcorder - Consumer - Flash card, 4.4 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: Despite a perceived lull in the camcorder market, Sony announces 10 models at CES. Read review

Specs: Exmor R CMOS, 7.4 oz, Camcorder, Sony Handycam HDR-PJ380 - Consumer - Internal flash memory, 2.2 in, 4.6 in, 30 x x, Zoom lens - 1.9 mm - 57 mm - F/1.8-4.0 G, 2.3 in

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.0 stars Good

  Overall score: 6.6 (3.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 4.5 stars out of 1 review

The Bottom Line: They're cheap and capture video, but don't buy the Sony Handycam HDR-CX190, CX200 or CX210 thinking that you're getting a great bargain on a real HD camcorder. If you're going to buy one, get the cheapest; nothing on any of these is really worth the extra bucks. Read review

Specs: Exmor R CMOS, 6.2 oz, Sony Handycam HDR-CX210 - Camcorder - Consumer - Flash card, 25 x x Zoom lens - 2.5 mm - 62.5 mm - F/1.8-3.2, 4.5 in, 2 in, 2.2 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: They're cheap and capture video, but don't buy the Sony Handycam HDR-CX190, CX200 or CX210 thinking that you're getting a great bargain on a real HD camcorder. If you're going to buy one, get the cheapest; nothing on any of these is really worth the extra bucks. Read review

Specs: Exmor R CMOS, 6.2 oz, 2.2 in, 2 in, 25 x x Zoom lens - 2.5 mm - 62.5 mm - F/1.8-3.2, 4.5 in, Sony Handycam HDR-CX200 - Camcorder - Consumer - Flash card

• CNET Editor rating:
  0.0 stars

  Overall score: 0.0 (0.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 4.0 stars out of 1 review

Specs: BSI MOS, 7.5 oz, 4.3 in, 2.2 in, 2.6 in, Panasonic HC-V10 - Camcorder - Consumer - Flash card, 63 x x Zoom lens - 1.5 mm - 94.5 mm - F/1.9-5.7

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.0 stars Good

  Overall score: 6.8 (3.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 3.0 stars out of 6 reviews

The Bottom Line: Typical for their price class, the no-frills Sony Handycam HDR-CX130, CX160, and XR160 produce generally subpar HD video, but if you're not picky you'll probably be fine. The CX130 is the best buy of the three, as long as you go cheap on the memory card. Read review

Specs: Exmor R CMOS, 8.8 oz, 2.1 in, Sony Handycam HDR-CX160 - Camcorder - Consumer - Flash card, 30 x x Zoom lens - 2.1 mm - 63 mm - F/1.8-3.4, 4.5 in, 2.2 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: CMOS, 8.8 oz, 2.1 in, 2.2 in, 4.5 in, Canon VIXIA HF R300 - Camcorder - Consumer - Flash card, 32 x x Zoom lens - 2.8 mm - 89.6 mm - F/1.8-4.5

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.5 stars Very good

  Overall score: 7.0 (3.5 stars)
• Average user rating: 4.5 stars out of 4 reviews

The Bottom Line: You're paying a couple hundred extra for the projector in the otherwise frills-free Sony Handycam HDR-PJ10 over its identical twin, the CX160. But if you regularly show off your vacation videos in the homes of friends and family then it's worth it. Read review

Specs: CMOS, 10.9 oz, 30 x x Zoom lens - 2.1 mm - 63 mm - F/1.8-3.4, Sony Handycam HDR-PJ10 - Camcorder - Consumer - Flash card, 5 in, 2.3 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: BSI-CMOS, 7.6 oz, 4.7 in, 40 x x Zoom lens - 2.9 mm - 116 mm - F/1.8, JVC Everio GZ-E10 - Camcorder - Consumer - Flash card, 2 in, 2.2 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: They're cheap and capture video, but don't buy the Sony Handycam HDR-CX190, CX200 or CX210 thinking that you're getting a great bargain on a real HD camcorder. If you're going to buy one, get the cheapest; nothing on any of these is really worth the extra bucks. Read review

Specs: Exmor R CMOS, 6.2 oz, 2 in, 2.2 in, 25 x x Zoom lens - 2.5 mm - 62.5 mm - F/1.8-3.2, 4.5 in, Sony Handycam HDR-CX210 - 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: CMOS, 9.5 oz, 4.7 in, 52 x x Zoom lens - 2.1 mm - 109.2 mm - F/1.8, 2.1 in, 2.2 in, Samsung HMX-F90 - Camcorder - Consumer - Flash card

• CNET Editor rating:
  0.0 stars

  Overall score: 0.0 (0.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 4.0 stars out of 1 review

Specs: Exmor R CMOS, 7.2 oz, Sony Handycam HDR-XR260V - Camcorder - Consumer - Hard disk drive, - Flash card, 2.4 in, 2.6 in, 5 in, 30 x x Zoom lens - 2.1 mm - 63 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!

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, 2.4 in, Camcorder, Sony Handycam HDR-PJ430V - Consumer - Flash card, 2.6 in, 30 x x, Zoom lens - 1.9 mm - 57 mm - F/1.8-4.0 G, 4.8 in

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.0 stars Good

  Overall score: 6.8 (3.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 3.5 stars out of 5 reviews

The Bottom Line: Typical for their price class, the no-frills Sony Handycam HDR-CX130, CX160, and XR160 produce generally subpar HD video, but if you're not picky you'll probably be fine. The CX130 is the best buy of the three, as long as you go cheap on the memory card. Read review

Specs: Exmor R CMOS, Built-in, 12.3 oz, 2.4 in, 5 in, Sony Handycam HDR-XR160 - Camcorder - Consumer - Hard disk drive, - Flash card, 30 x x Zoom lens - 2.1 mm - 63 mm - F/1.8-3.4, 2.6 in

• CNET Editor rating:
  0.0 stars

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

Specs: BSI-CMOS, 7.6 oz, 2 in, JVC Everio GZ-E200 - Camcorder - Consumer - Flash card, 2.2 in, 4.7 in, 40 x x Zoom lens - 2.9 mm - 116 mm - F/1.8

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.0 stars Good

  Overall score: 6.7 (3.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 2.5 stars out of 13 reviews

The Bottom Line: Its small size and attractive price might draw you to the Sony Handycam HDR-CX150, but this bare-bones camcorder just barely delivers on the promise of HD quality. Read review

Specs: Exmor R CMOS, 7.4 oz, Sony Handycam HDR-CX150 - Camcorder - Consumer - Flash card, 2 in, 25 x x Zoom lens - 2.5 mm - 62.5 mm - F/1.8-3.2, 2.2 in, 4.5 in

• 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: 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, 6.8 oz, 2 in, Panasonic HDC-TM80 - Camcorder - Consumer - Flash card, 34 x x Zoom lens - 2.38 mm - 81 mm - F/1.8-4, 2.3 in, 4.3 in