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, 30 x x Zoom lens - 2.1 mm - 63 mm - F/1.8-3.4, 2.2 in, 4.5 in, Sony Handycam HDR-CX130 - Camcorder - Consumer - Flash card, 2.1 in

• CNET Editor rating:
  4.0 stars Excellent

  Overall score: 8.3 (4.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 5.0 stars out of 2 reviews

The Bottom Line: While it's got a great shooter feature set and good video quality, the Canon Vixia HF G10 still feels a bit expensive for what it offers. Read review

Specs: HD CMOS Pro, 19.2 oz, 3 in, 10 x x Zoom lens - 4.25 mm - 42.5 mm - F/1.8-2.8, Camcorder, Canon VIXIA HF G10 - Consumer - Flash card, 3.1 in, 5.9 in

• CNET Editor rating:
  4.5 stars Spectacular

  Overall score: 9.0 (4.5 stars)
• Average user rating: 1.5 stars out of 4 reviews

The Bottom Line: The GoPro Hero3 Silver and White editions are strong contenders in the sports camera market, but the faster, more powerful Black Edition is head and shoulders the best sports camera on the market today. Read review

Specs: CMOS, 2.6 oz, GoPro HERO3 Camcorder - Wearable - Flash card, Lens - F/2.8

• CNET Editor rating:
  4.5 stars Spectacular

  Overall score: 9.0 (4.5 stars)
• Average user rating: 3.0 stars out of 3 reviews

The Bottom Line: The GoPro Hero3 Silver and White editions are strong contenders in the sports camera market, but the faster, more powerful Black Edition is head and shoulders the best sports camera on the market today. Read review

Specs: CMOS, 2.6 oz, GoPro HERO3 Camcorder - Wearable - Flash card, Lens - F/2.8

• 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: 2.0 stars out of 3 reviews

The Bottom Line: The GoPro Hero3 Silver and White editions are strong contenders in the sports camera market, but the faster, more powerful Black Edition is head and shoulders the best sports camera on the market today. Read review

Specs: CMOS, 2.6 oz, Lens - F/2.8, GoPro HERO3 Camcorder - Wearable - Flash card

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

Specs: Exmor R CMOS, 6.3 oz, 4.6 in, Camcorder, Sony Handycam HDR-CX220 - Consumer - Flash card, 2.2 in, 26 x x, Zoom lens - 2.1 mm - 5.7 mm - F/1.9-4.0, 2.1 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 - F/1.8-4.5, 2.1 in, 2.2 in, 4.6 in, Camcorder, Canon VIXIA HF R400 - Consumer - Flash card

• CNET Editor rating:
  4.0 stars Excellent

  Overall score: 8.7 (4.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 4.0 stars out of 1 review

The Bottom Line: The GoPro HD Hero2 is easily the best GoPro camera yet, with the ruggedness and quality that we've come to expect and a new user-friendly interface. Read review

Specs: CMOS, 11.0 megapixels, GoPro HD HERO2 Outdoor Edition - Camcorder - Wearable - Flash card, Lens - F/2.8

• 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: The Sony Action Cam is a solid first effort and worth its price, but some design shortcomings may be enough to put off some potential buyers. Read review

Specs: Exmor R CMOS, 2.3 oz, 3.2 in, 1.9 in, Sony Action Cam HDR-AS10 - Camcorder - Wearable - Flash card, 1 in, Lens - 2.5 mm - F/2.8

• 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, Canon VIXIA HF M400 - Camcorder - Consumer - Flash card, 2.9 in, 2.8 in, 5.2 in

• 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:
  3.5 stars Very good

  Overall score: 7.6 (3.5 stars)
• Average user rating: 0.5 stars out of 1 review

The Bottom Line: The Samsung HMX-W300 rugged minicamcorder is a good traveling companion for capturing Web-friendly movie clips and photos of your next hike or beach trip. Read review

Specs: BSI-CMOS, 4.8 oz, Lens - 4.3 mm - F/2.2, 2.4 in, 4.4 in, 0.7 in, Samsung HMX-W300 - 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: 7.0 (3.5 stars)
• Average user rating: 0 stars No reviews, write one!

The Bottom Line: The Monoprice MHD Action Camera is a very good value. You'll just have to be forgiving of its video quality. Read review

Specs: 3.9 oz, Lens, 1.5 in, Monoprice MHD Action Camera - Camcorder - Wearable - Flash card, 1.9 in, 3.8 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, 4.6 in, 52 x x, Zoom lens - 2.8 mm - 89.6 mm - F/1.8-4.5, 2.1 in, Camcorder, Canon VIXIA HF R42 - Consumer - Flash card, 2.2 in

• 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: 6.8 (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, 2 in, 2.2 in, 40 x x Zoom lens - 2.9 mm - 116 mm - F/1.8, JVC Everio GZ-EX250 - Camcorder - Consumer - Flash card, 4.7 in

• 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, 2.1 in, 4.8 in, 30 x x Zoom lens - 2.1 mm - 63 mm - F/1.8-3.4, Sony Handycam HDR-CX260V - Camcorder - Consumer - Flash card, 2.2 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: The Sony Action Cam is a solid first effort and worth its price, but some design shortcomings may be enough to put off some potential buyers. Read review

Specs: Exmor R CMOS, 2.3 oz, 1 in, 1.9 in, 3.2 in, Wide-angle lens - 2.5 mm - F/2.8, Sony Action Cam HDR-AS15 - Camcorder - Wearable - Flash card

• 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: A larger sensor and longer lens are among the improvements Canon incorporates into its top-of-the-line consumer and compact pro models. Read review

Specs: CMOS, 27 oz, 4.3 in, 7.2 in, 3.3 in, 20 x x, Zoom lens - 3.67 mm - 73.4 mm - F/1.8-2.8, Camcorder, Canon XA20 - Professional - Flash card

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.5 stars Very good

  Overall score: 7.2 (3.5 stars)
• Average user rating: 3.5 stars out of 1 review

The Bottom Line: The Sony Bloggie Live HD lets you wirelessly live stream all your life events with the ease of a shoot-and-share camcorder. But, not without a few caveats. Read review

Specs: Exmor CMOS, 12.8 megapixels, 4.8 oz, Lens - 5.3 mm - F/2.8, Sony Bloggie Live HD MHS-TS55 - Camcorder - Pocket - Internal flash memory, 2.2 in, 4.4 in, 0.6 in

• 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, 4.9 in, 2 in, 2.2 in, 60 x x Zoom lens - 1.8 mm - 108 mm - F/1.8-6.0, Sony Handycam DCR-SX45 - 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!

The Bottom Line: The Vixia HF G20 announced at CES incorporates a new sensor and lower price. Read review

Specs: HD CMOS Pro, 1.3 lbs, 6.3 in, 3 in, 3.1 in, 10 x x, Zoom lens - 4.25 mm - 42.5 mm - F/1.8-2.8, Camcorder, Canon VIXIA HF G20 - Consumer - Flash card