Shop for digital camcorders

• 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, Sony Handycam DCR-SX45 - Camcorder - Consumer - Flash card, 2.2 in, 60 x x Zoom lens - 1.8 mm - 108 mm - F/1.8-6.0, 4.9 in, 2 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 in, 2.2 in, 60 x x Zoom lens - 1.8 mm - 108 mm - F/1.8-6.0, 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, Camcorder, Canon VIXIA HF R40 - Consumer - Flash card, - Internal flash memory, 4.6 in, 32 x x, Zoom lens - 2.8 mm - 89.6 mm, 2.1 in, 2.2 in

• 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, 60 x x Zoom lens - 1.8 mm - 108 mm - F/1.8-6.0, 2.2 in, Sony Handycam DCR-SX65 - Camcorder - Consumer - Flash card, 4.9 in, 2 in

• 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, 2.6 in, Sony Handycam DCR-SR68 - Camcorder - Consumer - Hard disk drive, - Flash card, 60 x x Zoom lens - 1.8 mm - 108 mm - F/1.8-6.0, 4.2 in, 2.2 in

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.5 stars Very good

  Overall score: 7.5 (3.5 stars)
• Average user rating: 4.0 stars out of 33 reviews

The Bottom Line: The Sony DCR-VX2000 is a lightweight prosumer camera that offers heavyweight performance and a wealth of features. Read review

Specs: 3CCD, None, 3.1 lbs, 5.7 in, 12 x x Zoom lens - 6 mm - 72 mm - F/1.6-2.4, Sony Handycam DCR-VX2000 - Camcorder - Consumer - Mini DV, 4.5 in, 13.5 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, 2.3 in, 2.4 in, 37 x x Zoom lens - 2.6 mm - 96.2 mm - F/2.0-5.2, 4.9 in, Canon FS100 - Camcorder - Consumer - Flash card

• CNET Editor rating:
  2.5 stars Average

  Overall score: 5.4 (2.5 stars)
• Average user rating: 2.5 stars out of 16 reviews

The Bottom Line: Poor button layout and terrible movies make the Samsung SC-D372 camcorder a definite "pass." Read review

Specs: CCD, 12 oz, Samsung SC-D372 - Camcorder - Consumer - Mini DV, 3.7 in, 4.7 in, 34 x x Zoom lens - F/1.6, 2.2 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 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, 8.7 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

• 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, 4.6 in, 5.4 in, 12 in, Canon GL2 - Camcorder - Consumer - Mini DV

• 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, 2.3 in, Panasonic HDC-SD40 - Camcorder - Consumer - Flash card, zoom, 16.8 x x 2.9 mm - 48.7 mm - F/1.8-2.6, 2 in, 4.3 in

• CNET Editor rating:
  0.0 stars

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

Specs: MOS, Built-in flash, 8 oz, 4.7 in, Panasonic HC-V500 - Camcorder - Consumer - Flash card, 38 x x Zoom lens - 2.35 mm - 89.3 mm - F/1.8-4.2, 2.1 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: CMOS, None, 2.2 lbs, 7.5 in, 10 x x Zoom lens - 4.25 mm - 42.5 mm - F/1.8-2.8, 5.5 in, Canon XF100 - Camcorder - Professional - Flash card, 10.6 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, 2.1 in, Panasonic SDR-H80A - Camcorder - Consumer - Hard disk drive, - Flash card, 4.2 in, 2.6 in, 70 x x Zoom lens - 1.5 mm - 105 mm - F/1.9-5.7

• 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, Sony Handycam DCR-SR45 - Camcorder - Consumer - Hard disk drive, - Flash card, 3 in, 40 x x Zoom lens - 1.9 mm - 76 mm - F/1.8-4.1, 3 in, 4.4 in

• CNET Editor rating:
  4.0 stars Excellent

  Overall score: 8.0 (4.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 0 stars No reviews, write one!

The Bottom Line: Panasonic's trio of prosumer camcorders, the hard-disk-based HDC-HS900 and flash-based TM900 and SD800, deliver generally excellent video quality and provide the full set of manual controls and features advanced users want. But you have to be willing to baby the white balance a bit. The TM900 is my top pick of the three for its EVF, but if you're on a tight budget the SD800 should suit just fine. Read review

Specs: 3MOS, Built-in flash, 16 oz, 2.6 in, 12 x x Zoom lens - 3.45 mm - 41.4 mm - F/1.5-2.8, 2.8 in, Panasonic HDC-HS900 - Camcorder - Consumer - Hard disk drive, - Flash card, 5.7 in

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.0 stars Good

  Overall score: 6.3 (3.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 3.0 stars out of 13 reviews

The Bottom Line: If this camcorder cost $500, we'd give it a much higher rating. But for its quadruple-digit price, we expect far better performance and video quality from the JVC Everio GZ-HD7. Read review

Specs: 3CCD, 1.5 lbs, JVC Everio GZ-HD7 - Camcorder - Consumer - Hard disk drive, 3 in, 7.3 in, 3.6 in, 10 x x Zoom lens - 3.3 mm - 33 mm - F/1.8-1.9

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.0 stars Good

  Overall score: 6.8 (3.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 4.5 stars out of 2 reviews

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, 9.3 oz, 2.4 in, 4.3 in, 2.5 in, Panasonic HDC-HS80 - Camcorder - Consumer - Hard disk drive, - Flash card, 37 x x Zoom lens - 2.38 mm - 81 mm - F/1.8-4

• CNET Editor rating:
  0.0 stars

  Overall score: 0.0 (0.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 2.5 stars out of 32 reviews

Specs: CCD, 12 oz, 2.8 in, Panasonic SDR-H40 - Camcorder - Consumer - Hard disk drive, 4.6 in, 42 x x Zoom lens - 1.8 mm - 75.6 mm - F/1.9-4.3, 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: 3MOS, Built-in flash, 15 oz, 2.6 in, 5.9 in, 12 x x Zoom lens - 2.84 mm - 34.1 mm - F/1.5-2.8, Panasonic HC-X900M - Camcorder - Consumer - Flash card, - Internal flash memory, 2.8 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, 6.4 oz, 2.4 in, 2 in, 34 x x Zoom lens - 2.38 mm - 81 mm - F/1.8-4.0, Panasonic HC-V100 - Camcorder - Consumer - Flash card, 4.4 in

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.0 stars Good

  Overall score: 6.1 (3.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 3.0 stars out of 9 reviews

The Bottom Line: As a scaled-down version of JVC's GZ-HD7, the GZ-HD3 ditches some of the fancier features, but its price is still higher than we'd like for this camcorder. Read review

Specs: 3CCD, 1.3 lbs, 6.1 in, 10 x x Zoom lens - 3.2 mm - 32 mm - F/1.8-2.4, 3.2 in, 3 in, JVC Everio GZ-HD3 - Camcorder - Consumer - Hard disk drive

• CNET Editor rating:
  0.0 stars

  Overall score: 0.0 (0.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 3.5 stars out of 8 reviews

Specs: Advanced HAD CCD, None, 13.8 oz, 40 x x Zoom lens - 1.9 mm - 76 mm - F/1.8-4.1, Sony Handycam DCR-DVD610 - Camcorder - Consumer - DVD, 3.5 in, 5.1 in, 2.2 in

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.5 stars Very good

  Overall score: 7.6 (3.5 stars)
• Average user rating: 3.5 stars out of 8 reviews

The Bottom Line: Though its video isn't perfect, the Canon FS200 is one of the better standard-definition consumer camcorders available. Read review

Specs: CCD, 7.9 oz, 2.3 in, 4.8 in, 2.2 in, 37 x x Zoom lens - 2.6 mm - 96.2 mm - F/2.0-5.2, Canon FS200 - Camcorder - Consumer - Flash card