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, 2.2 in, 4.5 in, 30 x x Zoom lens - 2.1 mm - 63 mm - F/1.8-3.4, Sony Handycam HDR-CX130 - Camcorder - Consumer - Flash card, 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, 4.6 in, 32 x x, Zoom lens - 2.8 mm - 89.6 mm - F/1.8-4.5, 2.1 in, 2.2 in, Camcorder, Canon VIXIA HF R400 - 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 low-end HF R series announced at CES survives the annual purge for the slowly dying category. Read review

Specs: CMOS, 8.3 oz, 2.2 in, 4.6 in, 52 x x, Zoom lens - 2.8 mm - 89.6 mm - F/1.8-4.5, Camcorder, Canon VIXIA HF R42 - Consumer - Flash card, 2.1 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, 40 x x Zoom lens - 2.9 mm - 116 mm - F/1.8, JVC Everio GZ-EX250 - Camcorder - Consumer - Flash card, 2.2 in, 2 in, 4.7 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, 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, 4.9 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, 2.6 in, 4.4 in, 25 x x Zoom lens - 3.02 mm - 75.5 mm - F/1.8-3.3, Panasonic HDC-SD60K - Camcorder - Consumer - Flash card, 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: 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, 4.9 in, Sony Handycam DCR-SX85 - Camcorder - Consumer - Flash card, 2.2 in, 2 in

• 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, 2.3 in, 2.6 in, 30 x x Zoom lens - 2.1 mm - 63 mm - F/1.8-3.4, 5 in, Sony Handycam HDR-PJ10 - Camcorder - Consumer - Flash card

• 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, Sony Handycam DCR-SX65 - Camcorder - Consumer - Flash card, 60 x x Zoom lens - 1.8 mm - 108 mm - F/1.8-6.0, 2.2 in, 2 in, 4.9 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, 60 x x Zoom lens - 1.8 mm - 108 mm - F/1.8-6.0, 2.6 in, Sony Handycam DCR-SR68 - Camcorder - Consumer - Hard disk drive, - Flash card, 2.2 in, 4.2 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, 4.5 in, 2.2 in, 32 x x Zoom lens - 2.8 mm - 89.6 mm - F/1.8-4.5, Canon VIXIA HF R300 - Camcorder - Consumer - Flash card, 2.1 in

• 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, 4.5 in, 30 x x Zoom lens - 2.1 mm - 63 mm - F/1.8-3.4, 2.2 in, Sony Handycam HDR-CX160 - Camcorder - Consumer - Flash card, 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: Despite a perceived lull in the camcorder market, Sony announces 10 models at CES. Read review

Specs: Exmor R CMOS, 12.2 oz, 30 x x, Zoom lens - 1.9 mm - 57 mm - F/1.8-4.0 G, 2.4 in, 4.8 in, 2.6 in, Camcorder, Sony Handycam HDR-PJ430V - Consumer - Flash card

• 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, 2.4 in, Canon FS100 - Camcorder - Consumer - Flash card, 37 x x Zoom lens - 2.6 mm - 96.2 mm - F/2.0-5.2, 4.9 in, 2.3 in

• CNET Editor rating:
  0.0 stars

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

Specs: CMOS, 9.5 oz, 2.2 in, 52 x x Zoom lens - 2.1 mm - 109.2 mm - F/1.8, 2.1 in, Samsung HMX-F90 - Camcorder - Consumer - Flash card, 4.7 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, Sony Handycam HDR-XR160 - 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:
  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, 5.1 in, 2.2 in, 60 x x Zoom lens - 1.8 mm - 108 mm - F/1.8-6.0, 3.5 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, 8.8 oz, 2.1 in, Canon VIXIA HF R30 - Camcorder - Consumer - Flash card, 4.5 in, 32 x x Zoom lens - 2.8 mm - 89.6 mm - F/1.8-4.5, 2.2 in

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.0 stars Good

  Overall score: 6.7 (3.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 3.5 stars out of 3 reviews

The Bottom Line: Its small size and attractive price might draw you to the Sony Handycam HDR-XR150, but this bare-bones camcorder just barely delivers on the promise of HD quality. Read review

Specs: Exmor R CMOS, 10.6 oz, 25 x x Zoom lens - 2.5 mm - 62.5 mm - F/1.8-3.2, 2.6 in, 4.5 in, 2.2 in, Sony Handycam HDR-XR150 - Camcorder - Consumer - Hard disk drive, - Flash card

• 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, 40 x x Zoom lens - 1.9 mm - 76 mm - F/1.8-4.1, 4.5 in, 2.9 in, 2.8 in, Sony Handycam DCR-SR42 - Camcorder - Consumer - Hard disk drive

• 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, 4.4 in, 40 x x Zoom lens - 1.9 mm - 76 mm - F/1.8-4.1, 3 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: 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, 2.6 in, Panasonic SDR-H80A - Camcorder - Consumer - Hard disk drive, - Flash card, 4.2 in, 70 x x Zoom lens - 1.5 mm - 105 mm - F/1.9-5.7, 2.1 in

• 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, 2.5 in, 4.3 in, 2.4 in, 37 x x Zoom lens - 2.38 mm - 81 mm - F/1.8-4, Panasonic HDC-HS80 - Camcorder - Consumer - Hard disk drive, - 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: BSI-CMOS, 8.3 oz, 2.2 in, 40 x x Zoom lens - 2.9 mm - 116 mm - F/1.8, JVC Everio GZ-EX210 - Camcorder - Consumer - Flash card, 4.7 in, 2 in