Shop for digital camcorders

• 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, Canon HV30 - Camcorder - Consumer - Mini DV (HDV), 5.4 in, 3.2 in, 10 x x Zoom lens - 6.1 mm - 61 mm - F/1.8-3.0

• 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, 6.4 in, 13.8 in, 20 x x Zoom lens - 4.5 mm - 90 mm - F/1.6, 7.4 in, Canon XH A1 - Camcorder - Consumer - Mini DV (HDV)

• 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, Panasonic AG-DVX100B - Camcorder - Professional - Mini DV, 5.5 in, 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, 20 x x Zoom lens - 4.2 mm - 84 mm - F/1.6-2.9, Canon GL2 - Camcorder - Consumer - Mini DV, 4.6 in, 5.4 in, 12 in

• CNET Editor rating:
  4.0 stars Excellent

  Overall score: 8.0 (4.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 3.5 stars out of 6 reviews

The Bottom Line: The Sony Handycam HDR-FX7 is an excellent high-definition camcorder from a video perspective, but it's less satisfying if you're an audio control freak. Read review

Specs: 3 ClearVid CMOS, 1.04 megapixels, None, 3.1 lbs, 20 x x Zoom lens - 3.9 mm - 78 mm - F/1.6-2.8, 5.7 in, 12.7 in, Sony Handycam HDR-FX7 - Camcorder - Consumer - Mini DV (HDV), 6.1 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, 19.5 in, 20 x x Zoom lens - 5.4 mm - 108 mm - F/1.6-3.5, 8.9 in, Canon XL2 - 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 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, Canon VIXIA HV20 - Camcorder - Consumer - Mini DV (HDV), 5.4 in, 10 x x Zoom lens - 6.1 mm - 61 mm - F/1.8-3.0, 3.2 in, 3.5 in

• CNET Editor rating:
  4.0 stars Excellent

  Overall score: 8.0 (4.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 3.5 stars out of 31 reviews

The Bottom Line: A bargain for a three-chip camera, the Panasonic PV-GS250 is a great choice for an amateur with serious aspirations or just a discerning eye. Read review

Specs: 3CCD, Built-in flash, 1.1 lbs, 5.7 in, Panasonic Palmcorder Multicam PV-GS250 - Camcorder - Consumer - Mini DV, 2.9 in, 10 x x Zoom lens - 2.85 mm - 28.5 mm - F/1.6-2.8, 3.2 in

• CNET Editor rating:
  0.0 stars

  Overall score: 0.0 (0.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 3.5 stars out of 3 reviews

Specs: CMOS, 1.5 lbs, 2.8 in, 10 x x Zoom lens - 5.1 mm - 51 mm - F/1.8-2.1, 7.5 in, Sony HVR-A1U - Camcorder - Professional - Mini DV (HDV), 4.1 in

• CNET Editor rating:
  0.0 stars

  Overall score: 0.0 (0.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 3.5 stars out of 6 reviews

Specs: ClearVid CMOS, None, 6 lbs, Sony HVR-HD1000U - Camcorder - Professional - Mini DV (HDV), 10 x x Zoom lens - 4.4 mm - 54 mm

• CNET Editor rating:
  0.0 stars

  Overall score: 0.0 (0.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 5.0 stars out of 2 reviews

Specs: 3 ClearVid CMOS, None, 4.6 lbs, Sony Handycam HDR-FX1000 - Camcorder - Consumer - Mini DV (HDV), 7 in, 13.7 in, 20 x x Zoom lens - 4.1 mm - 82 mm - F/1.6-3.4, 6.7 in

• CNET Editor rating:
  0.0 stars

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

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

• CNET Editor rating:
  0.0 stars

  Overall score: 0.0 (0.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 3.0 stars out of 5 reviews

Specs: 3CCD, Built-in, 4.4 lbs, Panasonic DV PROLINE AG-DVC20 - Camcorder - Consumer - Mini DV, 10 x x Zoom lens

• CNET Editor rating:
  0.0 stars

  Overall score: 0.0 (0.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 2.5 stars out of 3 reviews

Specs: Advanced HAD CCD, 13.4 oz, Sony Handycam DCR-HC52 - Camcorder - Consumer - Mini DV, 40 x x Zoom lens - 1.9 mm - 76 mm - F/1.8-4.1, 2.5 in, 4.5 in, 3.3 in

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.5 stars Very good

  Overall score: 7.1 (3.5 stars)
• Average user rating: 4.0 stars out of 17 reviews

The Bottom Line: Excellent video quality, a broad feature set, and decent photos make the Sony Handycam DCR-HC96 an excellent choice for those seeking a compact MiniDV camcorder. Navigating the small touch screen may encourage you to stick with its automatic features, however. Read review

Specs: Advanced HAD CCD, 2.05 megapixels, Built-in, 1.1 lbs, 10 x x Zoom lens - 5.1 mm - 51 mm - F/1.8-2.9, 4.7 in, 3.6 in, 2.8 in, Sony Handycam DCR-HC96 - Camcorder - Consumer - Mini DV

• CNET Editor rating:
  0.0 stars

  Overall score: 0.0 (0.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 3.0 stars out of 3 reviews

Specs: 3 ClearVid CMOS, 1.04 megapixels, 3.3 lbs, Sony HVR-V1U - Camcorder - Professional - Mini DV (HDV), 20 x x Zoom lens - 3.9 mm - 78 mm - F/1.6-2.8, 7.2 in, 17 in, 5.7 in

• 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, 2.2 in, 4.2 in, 4.2 in, Sony Handycam DCR-PC350 - Camcorder - Consumer - Mini DV, 10 x x Zoom lens - 5.1 mm - 51 mm - F/1.8-2.9

• CNET Editor rating:
  0.0 stars

  Overall score: 0.0 (0.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 3.5 stars out of 3 reviews

Specs: ClearVid CMOS, 6.1 megapixels, Pop-up flash, 1.2 lbs, 5.4 in, 10 x x Zoom lens - 5.4 mm - 54 mm - F/1.8-2.9, Sony Handycam HDR-HC9 - Camcorder - Consumer - Mini DV (HDV), 3.2 in, 3.2 in

• CNET Editor rating:
  0.0 stars

  Overall score: 0.0 (0.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 4.0 stars out of 26 reviews

Specs: Advanced HAD CCD, 3.4 megapixels, None, 0.9 lbs, 4.4 in, 20 x x Zoom lens - 2.3 mm - 46 mm - F/1.8-3.1, Sony Handycam DCR-HC21 - Camcorder - Consumer - Mini DV, 2.2 in, 3.5 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: 3 ClearVid CMOS, None, 5.3 lbs, 12 x x Zoom lens - 4.4 mm - 52.8 mm - F/1.6-2.0, Sony HVR-Z7U - Camcorder - Professional - Mini DV (HDV)

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.0 stars Good

  Overall score: 6.0 (3.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 2.5 stars out of 15 reviews

The Bottom Line: Canon's affordable, compact ZR200 performs beautifully when the lights are bright, but you're probably better off with its less expensive sibling, the ZR100. Read review

Specs: CCD, None, 0.9 lbs, 20 x x Zoom lens - 2.8 mm - 56 mm - F/1.6-3.2, 5.1 in, 3.7 in, Canon ZR200 - Camcorder - Consumer - Mini DV, 2 in

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.0 stars Good

  Overall score: 6.8 (3.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 3.0 stars out of 18 reviews

The Bottom Line: Canon's new MiniDV top model, the ZR850, continues the ZR tradition of offering affordable, easy-to-use wide-screen movie-making, though low-light performance is still subpar. Read review

Specs: CCD, 1.07 megapixels, None, 13.4 oz, 2.2 in, 35 x x Zoom lens - 2.6 mm - 91 mm - F/2.0-5.0, 4.7 in, 3.6 in, Canon ZR850 - 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 6 reviews

Specs: ClearVid CMOS, Built-in flash, 1.3 lbs, 3.2 in, Sony Handycam HDR-HC5 - Camcorder - Consumer - Mini DV (HDV), 5.3 in, 10 x x Zoom lens - 5.1 mm - 51 mm - F/1.8-2.9, 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!

Specs: CCD, 13.8 oz, 2.7 in, Canon ZR960 - Camcorder - Consumer - Mini DV, 4.8 in, 3.3 in, 37 x x Zoom lens - 2.6 mm - 96.2 mm - F/2.0-5.2