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, 60 x x Zoom lens - 1.8 mm - 108 mm - F/1.8-6.0, Sony Handycam DCR-SX45 - Camcorder - Consumer - Flash card, 2 in, 4.9 in, 2.2 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, 60 x x Zoom lens - 1.8 mm - 108 mm - F/1.8-6.0, 2.2 in, Sony Handycam DCR-SX85 - Camcorder - Consumer - Flash card, 4.9 in, 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, 32 x x, Zoom lens - 2.8 mm - 89.6 mm, 4.6 in, Camcorder, Canon VIXIA HF R40 - Consumer - Flash card, - Internal flash memory, 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, 2.2 in, 4.9 in, 60 x x Zoom lens - 1.8 mm - 108 mm - F/1.8-6.0, Sony Handycam DCR-SX65 - Camcorder - Consumer - Flash card, 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, Sony Handycam DCR-SR68 - Camcorder - Consumer - Hard disk drive, - Flash card, 2.6 in, 60 x x Zoom lens - 1.8 mm - 108 mm - F/1.8-6.0, 2.2 in, 4.2 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, 2.3 in, 37 x x Zoom lens - 2.6 mm - 96.2 mm - F/2.0-5.2, 4.9 in, 2.4 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, 40 x x Zoom lens - 1.9 mm - 76 mm - F/1.8-4.1, 3 in, 4.4 in, Sony Handycam DCR-SR45 - Camcorder - Consumer - Hard disk drive, - Flash card, 3 in

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.0 stars Good

  Overall score: 6.6 (3.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 3.0 stars out of 7 reviews

The Bottom Line: The Sony Handycam DCR-DVD650 offers an all-in-one, on-the-go way to capture standard-def video and burn it to a DVD, but hard-disk-drive and flash-memory models are otherwise a better option. Read review

Specs: Advanced HAD CCD, 13.8 oz, Sony Handycam DCR-DVD650 - Camcorder - Consumer - Flash card, - DVD, 3.5 in, 5.1 in, 2.2 in, 60 x x Zoom lens - 1.8 mm - 108 mm - F/1.8-6.0

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

• 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, 70 x x Zoom lens - 1.5 mm - 105 mm - F/1.9-5.7, 4.2 in, Panasonic SDR-H80A - Camcorder - Consumer - Hard disk drive, - Flash card, 2.6 in, 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!

Specs: 3MOS, Built-in flash, 15 oz, 5.9 in, 2.6 in, Panasonic HC-X900M - Camcorder - Consumer - Flash card, - Internal flash memory, 2.8 in, 12 x x Zoom lens - 2.84 mm - 34.1 mm - F/1.5-2.8

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.0 stars Good

  Overall score: 6.6 (3.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 2.0 stars out of 11 reviews

The Bottom Line: If storage amount, zoom range, and easy operation are on your list of needs before video quality, check out the Sony Handycam DCR-SR47. Read review

Specs: Advanced HAD CCD, 10.6 oz, 2.7 in, 60 x x Zoom lens - 1.8 mm - 108 mm - F/1.8-6.0, 2.4 in, 4.4 in, Sony Handycam DCR-SR47 - Camcorder - Consumer - Hard disk drive, - Flash card

• 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, 2.2 in, Sony Handycam DCR-SX45 - Camcorder - Consumer - Flash card, 60 x x Zoom lens - 1.8 mm - 108 mm - F/1.8-6.0, 2 in

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.0 stars Good

  Overall score: 6.0 (3.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 2.5 stars out of 26 reviews

The Bottom Line: Given its mediocre video quality, the Sony Handycam DCR-SR42 seems overpriced for what it delivers. Read review

Specs: Advanced HAD CCD, 13.4 oz, Sony Handycam DCR-SR42 - Camcorder - Consumer - Hard disk drive, 2.9 in, 4.5 in, 2.8 in, 40 x x Zoom lens - 1.9 mm - 76 mm - F/1.8-4.1

• 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, Panasonic SDR-H40 - Camcorder - Consumer - Hard disk drive, 42 x x Zoom lens - 1.8 mm - 75.6 mm - F/1.9-4.3, 2.6 in, 4.6 in, 2.8 in

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.0 stars Good

  Overall score: 6.6 (3.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 3.5 stars out of 4 reviews

The Bottom Line: If you don't want to, need to, or simply can't shell out a couple hundred dollars more for an HD camcorder, the Sony Handycam DCR-SR85 delivers decent SD video and copious recording time. Read review

Specs: Advanced HAD CCD, None, 12.7 oz, 25 x x Zoom lens - 2.5 mm - 62.5 mm - F/1.8-3.2, 4.4 in, 3 in, Sony Handycam DCR-SR85 - Camcorder - Consumer - Hard disk drive, 3 in

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.5 stars Very good

  Overall score: 7.4 (3.5 stars)
• Average user rating: 3.0 stars out of 6 reviews

The Bottom Line: You can tell where Sony cut corners on this compact, flash-based HD camcorder. While it's decent, there are better options for the money than the Sony Handycam HDR-CX100. Read review

Specs: Exmor CMOS, 9.9 oz, 10 x x Zoom lens - 3.2 mm - 32 mm - F/1.8-2.2, 4.5 in, 2.2 in, 2.4 in, Sony Handycam HDR-CX100 - Camcorder - Consumer - Flash card

• CNET Editor rating:
  0.0 stars

  Overall score: 0.0 (0.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 3.0 stars out of 12 reviews

Specs: Advanced HAD CCD, 8.8 oz, 2.3 in, Sony Handycam DCR-SX40 - Camcorder - Consumer - Flash card, 4.4 in, 2.1 in, 60 x x Zoom lens - 1.8 mm - 108 mm - F/1.8-6.0

• 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, 3.5 in, 5.1 in, Sony Handycam DCR-DVD610 - Camcorder - Consumer - DVD, 2.2 in, 40 x x Zoom lens - 1.9 mm - 76 mm - F/1.8-4.1

• CNET Editor rating:
  0.0 stars

  Overall score: 0.0 (0.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 3.0 stars out of 12 reviews

Specs: Advanced HAD CCD, 15.5 oz, 40 x x Zoom lens - 1.9 mm - 76 mm - F/1.8-4.1, 2.2 in, Sony Handycam DCR-DVD108 - Camcorder - Consumer - DVD, 5.2 in, 3.5 in

• CNET Editor rating:
  0.0 stars

  Overall score: 0.0 (0.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 2.5 stars out of 7 reviews

Specs: CCD, 15.5 oz, 3.5 in, 2 in, 34 x x Zoom lens - 2.3 mm - 78.2 mm - F/1.6, 4.8 in, Samsung SC-DX103 - Camcorder - Consumer - DVD

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.5 stars Very good

  Overall score: 7.4 (3.5 stars)
• Average user rating: 3.0 stars out of 12 reviews

The Bottom Line: Combining the simplicity of SD recording, a roomy 30GB hard drive, a long zoom, and pleasing image quality, the SDR-H18 is a good choice for a standard-definition, hard-drive camcorder. Read review

Specs: CCD, 15.2 oz, 32 x x Zoom lens - 2.3 mm - 73.6 mm - F/1.8-3.7, 5 in, 2.8 in, 2.9 in, Panasonic SDR-H18 - Camcorder - Consumer - Hard disk drive

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.0 stars Good

  Overall score: 6.0 (3.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 3.0 stars out of 8 reviews

The Bottom Line: The small size and massive video storage capacity of the JVC Everio GZ-MG77 make it a tantalizing choice, but poor video quality keeps this hard-disk-based camera from being a tape- or DVD-killer. Read review

Specs: CCD, 2.2 megapixels, Built-in, 15.2 oz, 4.3 in, 2.7 in, 2.7 in, 10 x x Zoom lens - 3.8 mm - 38 mm - F/1.2-2.0, JVC Everio GZ-MG77 - Camcorder - Consumer - Hard disk drive

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.0 stars Good

  Overall score: 6.8 (3.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 3.0 stars out of 10 reviews

The Bottom Line: Canon's latest entry-level camcorder, the ZR700, is easy to use, affordable, and ideal for wide-screen moviemaking, but low-light performance remains a problem. Read review

Specs: CCD, 680,000 pixels, None, 0.9 lbs, Canon ZR700 - Camcorder - Consumer - Mini DV, 3.6 in, 1.9 in, 25 x x Zoom lens - 2.6 mm - 65 mm - F/1.8-2.6, 4.5 in

• CNET Editor rating:
  2.5 stars Average

  Overall score: 5.4 (2.5 stars)
• Average user rating: 2.5 stars out of 17 reviews

The Bottom Line: The JVC GZ-MG21 is a nice idea, but its poor video quality and irritating control scheme make conventional camcorders seem a lot more appealing. Read review

Specs: CCD, 0.68 megapixels, Built-in, 12 oz, JVC Everio GZ-MG21US - Camcorder - Consumer - Hard disk drive, 32 x x Zoom lens - 2.3 mm - 73.6 mm - F/2.0-4.5, 2.7 in, 4.3 in, 2.7 in