Shop for digital camcorders

• 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, 5.9 in, 3 in, Camcorder, Canon VIXIA HF G10 - Consumer - Flash card, 10 x x Zoom lens - 4.25 mm - 42.5 mm - F/1.8-2.8, 3.1 in

• 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, 10 x x Zoom lens - 6.1 mm - 61 mm - F/1.8-3.0, Canon VIXIA HF M400 - Camcorder - Consumer - Flash card, 5.2 in, 2.8 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, 5.4 in, 10 x x Zoom lens - 6.1 mm - 61 mm - F/1.8-3.0, Canon HV30 - Camcorder - Consumer - Mini DV (HDV), 3.5 in, 3.2 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 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, Camcorder, Canon VIXIA HF G20 - Consumer - Flash card, 3.1 in, 10 x x, Zoom lens - 4.25 mm - 42.5 mm - F/1.8-2.8, 3 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: 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: HD CMOS Pro, 27 oz, 7.2 in, 4.3 in, Camcorder, Canon VIXIA HF G30 - Consumer - Flash card, 20 x x, Zoom lens - 3.67 mm - 73.4 mm - F/1.8-2.8, 3.3 in

• CNET Editor rating:
  4.0 stars Excellent

  Overall score: 8.9 (4.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 3.5 stars out of 19 reviews

The Bottom Line: Canon's XH A1 and XH G1 are excellent camcorders for entry-level professionals and independent filmmakers, with hard-to-beat prices for what they offer. Read review

Specs: 3CCD, None, 4.7 lbs, 7.4 in, Canon XH A1 - Camcorder - Consumer - Mini DV (HDV), 13.8 in, 6.4 in, 20 x x Zoom lens - 4.5 mm - 90 mm - F/1.6

• 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, Camcorder flash light, 20.3 oz, 2.9 in, Camcorder, Sony Handycam HDR-PJ790V - Consumer - Flash card, 5.4 in, 10 x x, Zoom lens - 3.8 mm - 38 mm - F/1.8-3.4, 3.3 in

• 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, 2.4 in, Canon VIXIA HF200 - Camcorder - Consumer - Flash card, 4.9 in, 15 x x Zoom lens - 4.1 mm - 61.5 mm - F/1.8-3.2

• 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, 2.5 in, Canon VIXIA HF M500 - Camcorder - Consumer - Flash card, 2.7 in, 4.8 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: 7.8 (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, 2.9 in, 2.8 in, 5.2 in, Canon VIXIA HF M40 - Camcorder - Consumer - Flash card, - F/1.8 - 3.0, 10 x x Zoom lens - 6.1 mm - 61 mm

• 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, 2.7 in, 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

• 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, 12 in, Canon GL2 - Camcorder - Consumer - Mini DV, 4.6 in, 20 x x Zoom lens - 4.2 mm - 84 mm - F/1.6-2.9, 5.4 in

• 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, 4.8 in, 20 x x Zoom lens - 3 mm - 60 mm - F/1.8-3.6, Canon VIXIA HF R100 - Camcorder - Consumer - Flash card, 2.4 in, 2.7 in

• CNET Editor rating:
  4.0 stars Excellent

  Overall score: 8.0 (4.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 4.0 stars out of 3 reviews

The Bottom Line: Though they're an excellent trio of camcorders, the Vixia HF S21, HF S20, and HF S200 are significantly more expensive than their respective competitors, especially since the S20 and S200 lack electronic viewfinders. If you can forgo some of the subtleties of the manual controls, you can probably get what you need with a cheaper camcorder. Read review

Specs: CMOS, Built-in flash, 16.6 oz, 5.8 in, 3 in, Canon VIXIA HF S21 - Camcorder - Consumer - Flash card, 2.9 in, 10 x x Zoom lens - 6.4 mm - 64 mm - F/1.8-3.0

• 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, 6 in, 3.5 in, Sony Handycam HDR-CX580V - Camcorder - Consumer - Flash card, 12 x x Zoom lens - 2.9 mm - 34.8 mm - F/1.8-3.4, 3.2 in

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.5 stars Very good

  Overall score: 7.3 (3.5 stars)
• Average user rating: 3.0 stars out of 4 reviews

The Bottom Line: A solid first effort in a nascent category, the Sony Handycam NEX-VG10 nevertheless needs some conceptual refinement. Read review

Specs: Exmor APS HD CMOS, External, 2.9 lbs, 11 x x Zoom lens - 18 mm - 200 mm - F/3.5-6.3, 3.8 in, Sony Handycam NEX-VG10 - Camcorder - Consumer - Flash card, 5.2 in, 11.6 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, 2.4 in, Camcorder, Sony Handycam HDR-PJ430V - Consumer - Flash card, 4.8 in, 2.6 in, 30 x x, Zoom lens - 1.9 mm - 57 mm - F/1.8-4.0 G

• 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 most interesting thing about the new model is its ability to work with the new power zoom lenses. Read review

Specs: Exmor APS HD CMOS, 22.9 oz, 8.8 in, 5.1 in, 3.6 in, Sony Handycam NEX-VG30 - Camcorder - Consumer - Flash card

• 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, 20 x x Zoom lens - 5.4 mm - 108 mm - F/1.6-3.5, 19.5 in, 8.9 in, 8.7 in, Canon XL2 - Camcorder - Consumer - Mini DV

• CNET Editor rating:
  0.0 stars

  Overall score: 0.0 (0.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 5.0 stars out of 1 review

Specs: Exmor R CMOS, Camcorder flash light, 19.6 oz, 6.5 in, Sony Handycam HDR-CX760V - Camcorder - Consumer - Flash card, 3.5 in, 10 x x Zoom lens - 3.8 mm - 38 mm - F/1.8-3.4, 4.3 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, Canon VIXIA HF S100 - Camcorder - Consumer - Flash card, 5.4 in, 10 x x Zoom lens - 6.4 mm - 64 mm - F/1.8-3.0, 2.8 in, 2.7 in

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.5 stars Very good

  Overall score: 7.8 (3.5 stars)
• Average user rating: 3.5 stars out of 4 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, 12.7 oz, 10 x x Zoom lens - 6.1 mm - 61 mm - F/1.8-3.0, 2.9 in, Canon VIXIA HF M41 - Camcorder - Consumer - Flash card, 5.4 in, 2.8 in

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.5 stars Very good

  Overall score: 7.8 (3.5 stars)
• Average user rating: 3.5 stars out of 1 review

The Bottom Line: While it's a fine model, the Sony Handycam HDR-CX360V seems too expensive for the video quality and features it delivers. Read review

Specs: Exmor R CMOS, Built-in flash, 11.3 oz, 2.2 in, 5 in, Sony Handycam HDR-CX360V - Camcorder - Consumer - Flash card, 2.6 in, 12 x x Zoom lens - 2.9 mm - 34.8 mm - F/1.8-3.4

• 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, 2.8 in, 2.4 in, 15 x x Zoom lens - 4.1 mm - 61.5 mm - F/1.8-3.2, 4.9 in, Canon VIXIA HF20 - Camcorder - Consumer - Flash card

• CNET Editor rating:
  0.0 stars

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

Specs: Exmor R CMOS, Camcorder flash light, 1.2 lbs, 4.2 in, 6.4 in, 3.4 in, 10 x x Zoom lens - 3.8 mm - 38 mm - F/1.8-3.4, Sony Handycam HDR-PJ710V - Camcorder - Consumer - Flash card