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, 2.1 in, 4.5 in, 2.2 in, Sony Handycam HDR-CX130 - 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 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, 32 x x, Zoom lens - 2.8 mm - 89.6 mm - F/1.8-4.5, 4.6 in, 2.1 in, Camcorder, Canon VIXIA HF R400 - Consumer - Flash card

• 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, 2.9 in, 5.2 in, 2.8 in, Canon VIXIA HF M400 - Camcorder - Consumer - Flash card, 10 x x Zoom lens - 6.1 mm - 61 mm - F/1.8-3.0

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

• CNET Editor rating:
  0.0 stars

  Overall score: 0.0 (0.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 4.5 stars out of 1 review

Specs: HD CMOS Pro, 10.9 oz, 4.8 in, Canon VIXIA HF M500 - Camcorder - Consumer - Flash card, 2.5 in, 2.7 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: 7.0 (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, 30 x x Zoom lens - 2.1 mm - 63 mm - F/1.8-3.4, 2.6 in, Sony Handycam HDR-PJ10 - Camcorder - Consumer - Flash card, 2.3 in, 5 in

• CNET Editor rating:
  4.0 stars Excellent

  Overall score: 8.0 (4.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 5.0 stars out of 1 review

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, 13.9 oz, 5.7 in, 2.8 in, 12 x x Zoom lens - 3.45 mm - 41.4 mm - F/1.5-2.8, 2.6 in, Panasonic HDC-TM900 - Camcorder - Consumer - Flash card

• 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, 2.1 in, Canon VIXIA HF R300 - Camcorder - Consumer - Flash card, 32 x x Zoom lens - 2.8 mm - 89.6 mm - F/1.8-4.5, 4.5 in, 2.2 in

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.5 stars Very good

  Overall score: 7.8 (3.5 stars)
• Average user rating: 4.0 stars out of 3 reviews

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, - F/1.8 - 3.0, 10 x x Zoom lens - 6.1 mm - 61 mm, 2.8 in, Canon VIXIA HF M40 - Camcorder - Consumer - Flash card, 5.2 in, 2.9 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, Samsung HMX-F90 - Camcorder - Consumer - Flash card, 2.1 in, 4.7 in, 52 x x Zoom lens - 2.1 mm - 109.2 mm - F/1.8

• CNET Editor rating:
  0.0 stars

  Overall score: 0.0 (0.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 3.5 stars out of 2 reviews

Specs: Exmor R CMOS, Camcorder flash light, 12.2 oz, Sony Handycam HDR-CX580V - Camcorder - Consumer - Flash card, 6 in, 3.5 in, 12 x x Zoom lens - 2.9 mm - 34.8 mm - F/1.8-3.4, 3.2 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, 2.2 in, 4.5 in, Sony Handycam HDR-CX160 - Camcorder - Consumer - Flash card, 2.1 in, 30 x x Zoom lens - 2.1 mm - 63 mm - F/1.8-3.4

• CNET Editor rating:
  0.0 stars

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

Specs: CMOS, 11.6 oz, 2.6 in, 5.1 in, 20 x x Zoom lens - 3.2 mm - 64 mm - F/1.8-3.7, 2.8 in, DXG Pro Gear DXG-5K1V - Camcorder - Consumer - Flash card

• CNET Editor rating:
  4.0 stars Excellent

  Overall score: 8.0 (4.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 3.5 stars out of 29 reviews

The Bottom Line: While it's more expensive than its sub-$600 competitors, the Canon Vixia HF20 and Vixia HF200 deliver a more extensive feature set for the extra money. The HF200, which lacks internal memory, is probably a better buy than the HF20, though the HF20's all-black body is a bit classier looking. Read review

Specs: CMOS, 2.99 megapixels, Built-in flash, 12 oz, 2.8 in, 4.9 in, 2.4 in, 15 x x Zoom lens - 4.1 mm - 61.5 mm - F/1.8-3.2, Canon VIXIA HF200 - Camcorder - Consumer - Flash card

• CNET Editor rating:
  4.0 stars Excellent

  Overall score: 8.0 (4.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 3.5 stars out of 32 reviews

The Bottom Line: Canon's first flash-based camcorder, the Canon Vixia HF10, delivers excellent HD video quality and performance in a tiny package. Read review

Specs: CMOS, 13.4 oz, 2.9 in, Canon VIXIA HF10 - Camcorder - Consumer - Flash card, 12 x x Zoom lens - 4.8 mm - 57 mm - F/1.8-3.0, 5.1 in, 2.5 in

• CNET Editor rating:
  0.0 stars

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

Specs: HD CMOS Pro, 10.9 oz, Canon VIXIA HF M52 - Camcorder - Consumer - Flash card, 4.8 in, 2.5 in, 10 x x Zoom lens - 6.1 mm - 61 mm - F/1.8-3.0, 2.7 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, 2.4 in, 5 in, 30 x x Zoom lens - 2.1 mm - 63 mm - F/1.8-3.4, 2.6 in, Sony Handycam HDR-XR160 - Camcorder - Consumer - Hard disk drive, - Flash card

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.5 stars Very good

  Overall score: 7.3 (3.5 stars)
• Average user rating: 3.5 stars out of 2 reviews

The Bottom Line: If you're looking to shoot great HD video on the cheap, keep looking; the Canon Vixia HF R series delivers decent video at best, even for its modest price. But for a low-priced model with mic and headphone jacks, the HF R100 is a pretty good deal. Read review

Specs: CMOS, Built-in, 11.3 oz, 20 x x Zoom lens - 3 mm - 60 mm - F/1.8-3.6, 2.4 in, 2.7 in, Canon VIXIA HF R100 - Camcorder - Consumer - Flash card, 4.8 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: 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, 2.6 in, 2.4 in, 4.8 in, Camcorder, Sony Handycam HDR-PJ430V - Consumer - Flash card

• CNET Editor rating:
  4.0 stars Excellent

  Overall score: 8.0 (4.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 5.0 stars out of 7 reviews

The Bottom Line: An excellent flash-based prosumer HD camcorder, you may nevertheless pass on the Canon Vixia HF S10 because it lacks an eye-level viewfinder. And the identical--but cheaper, because it has no built-in memory--Vixia HF S100 may also be a better buy. Read review

Specs: CMOS, Built-in flash, 15.9 oz, 2.8 in, 5.4 in, 10 x x Zoom lens - 6.4 mm - 64 mm - F/1.8-3.0, 2.7 in, Canon VIXIA HF S10 - Camcorder - Consumer - Flash card

• CNET Editor rating:
  4.0 stars Excellent

  Overall score: 8.0 (4.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 3.5 stars out of 17 reviews

The Bottom Line: While it's more expensive than its sub-$600 competitors, the Canon Vixia HF20 and Vixia HF200 deliver a more extensive feature set for the extra money. The HF200, which lacks internal memory, is probably a better buy than the HF20, though the HF20's all-black body is a bit classier-looking. Read review

Specs: CMOS, 2.99 megapixels, Built-in flash, 12 oz, Canon VIXIA HF20 - Camcorder - Consumer - Flash card, 2.4 in, 4.9 in, 2.8 in, 15 x x Zoom lens - 4.1 mm - 61.5 mm - F/1.8-3.2

• CNET Editor rating:
  4.0 stars Excellent

  Overall score: 8.0 (4.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 4.0 stars out of 29 reviews

The Bottom Line: One of a pair of Canon's first flash-based camcorders, the Canon Vixia HF100, delivers excellent HD video quality and performance in a tiny package. Read review

Specs: CMOS, 13.4 oz, 2.9 in, Canon VIXIA HF100 - Camcorder - Consumer - Flash card, 12 x x Zoom lens - 4.8 mm - 57 mm - F/1.8-3.0, 5.1 in, 2.5 in

• CNET Editor rating:
  4.0 stars Excellent

  Overall score: 8.0 (4.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 4.0 stars out of 13 reviews

The Bottom Line: An excellent flash-based prosumer HD camcorder, you may nevertheless pass on the Canon Vixia HF S100 because it lacks an eye-level viewfinder. It's probably a better buy than the identical--but more expensive, because it has 32GB built-in memory--Vixia HF S10. Read review

Specs: CMOS, Pop-up flash, 15.9 oz, 10 x x Zoom lens - 6.4 mm - 64 mm - F/1.8-3.0, Canon VIXIA HF S100 - Camcorder - Consumer - Flash card, 2.7 in, 2.8 in, 5.4 in