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:
  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:
  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:
  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:
  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:
  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:
  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

• 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, 25 x x Zoom lens - 3.02 mm - 75.5 mm - F/1.8-3.3, 4.4 in, 2 in, Panasonic HDC-SD60K - Camcorder - Consumer - Flash card

• CNET Editor rating:
  0.0 stars

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

Specs: HD CMOS Pro, None, 1.7 lbs, 3 in, Camcorder, Canon XA10 - Professional - Flash card, 3 in, Zoom lens, 10 x x 4.25 mm - 42.5 mm - F/1.8-2.8, 6.3 in

• CNET Editor rating:
  0.0 stars

  Overall score: 0.0 (0.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 4.0 stars out of 1 review

Specs: BSI MOS, 7.5 oz, 4.3 in, 63 x x Zoom lens - 1.5 mm - 94.5 mm - F/1.9-5.7, 2.6 in, Panasonic HC-V10 - Camcorder - Consumer - Flash card, 2.2 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, 6.4 in, 13.8 in, 20 x x Zoom lens - 4.5 mm - 90 mm - F/1.6, 7.4 in, Canon XH A1 - Camcorder - Consumer - Mini DV (HDV)

• 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, Camcorder, Canon VIXIA HF R40 - Consumer - Flash card, - Internal flash memory, 4.6 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!

The Bottom Line: Despite a perceived lull in the camcorder market, Sony announces 10 models at CES. Read review

Specs: Exmor R CMOS, 7.4 oz, Camcorder, Sony Handycam HDR-PJ380 - Consumer - Internal flash memory, 4.6 in, 30 x x, Zoom lens - 1.9 mm - 57 mm - F/1.8-4.0 G, 2.3 in, 2.2 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, 2.6 in, 2.8 in, Panasonic HDC-TM900 - Camcorder - Consumer - Flash card, 12 x x Zoom lens - 3.45 mm - 41.4 mm - F/1.5-2.8, 5.7 in

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.0 stars Good

  Overall score: 6.4 (3.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 0 stars No reviews, write one!

The Bottom Line: For good-enough video for Web sharing and a 20x zoom lens, the Samsung HMX-QF20 gets the job done. Read review

Specs: BSI-CMOS, 6.3 oz, 2.1 in, 20 x x Zoom lens - 2.6 mm - 52 mm - F/1.8-3.9, 4.7 in, 1.7 in, Samsung HMX-QF20 - 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, Canon VIXIA HF R300 - Camcorder - Consumer - Flash card, 32 x x Zoom lens - 2.8 mm - 89.6 mm - F/1.8-4.5, 2.2 in, 4.5 in, 2.1 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, 30 x x Zoom lens - 2.1 mm - 63 mm - F/1.8-3.4, 2.6 in, 5 in, Sony Handycam HDR-PJ10 - Camcorder - Consumer - Flash card, 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, 11.6 oz, 20 x x Zoom lens - 3.2 mm - 64 mm - F/1.8-3.7, 2.6 in, DXG Pro Gear DXG-5K1V - Camcorder - Consumer - Flash card, 2.8 in, 5.1 in

• 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, 10 x x Zoom lens - 6.1 mm - 61 mm - F/1.8-3.0, 2.5 in, Canon VIXIA HF M500 - Camcorder - Consumer - Flash card, 2.7 in

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.5 stars Very good

  Overall score: 7.9 (3.5 stars)
• Average user rating: 4.0 stars out of 12 reviews

The Bottom Line: The flash-based Panasonic HDC-TM700 and its hard-disk sibling, the HDC-HS700, stand out for their low-light video quality and broad set of manual controls. However, while the TM700 is very attractively priced for its class, the HS700 is not, and not worth the price premium unless you absolutely need the hard disk. Read review

Specs: 3MOS, Built-in, 13.4 oz, 5.4 in, 2.6 in, 2.7 in, 12 x x Zoom lens - 3.45 mm - 41.4 mm - F/1.5-2.8, Panasonic HDC-TM700K - 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, Canon VIXIA HF200 - Camcorder - Consumer - Flash card, 15 x x Zoom lens - 4.1 mm - 61.5 mm - F/1.8-3.2, 2.4 in