(Nov 17, 2008)
Lori Grunin
Senior Editor
You've heard all the hype about the digital video revolution and how it could make you the local Spielberg. But what if you just want to make a nice-looking home video and call it a day? These digital camcorders offer good image quality and lots of useful features without giving you more video power than you'll need to shoot the next holiday gathering or Little League game.
Canon Vixia HG20
Like its cousin, the flash-based HF11, Canon's Vixia HG20 delivers excellent HD video quality and performance albeit in a slightly larger, heavier package. However, you do get more storage space and a lower price.
Price: $549.95 - $924.07 (check prices)
Review date: Sep 29, 2008
Excellent
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Canon Vixia HF100
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.
Price: $529.00 - $887.60 (check prices)
Review date: Apr 16, 2008
Excellent
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Sony Handycam HDR-SR11
Sony's Handycam HDR-SR11 and SR12 60GB hard-drive-based AVCHD camcorders deliver top notch performance and image quality.
Price: $709.00 - $1,099.99 (check prices)
Review date: Apr 10, 2008
Excellent
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Canon Vixia HF10
Canon's first flash-based camcorder, the Canon Vixia HF10, delivers excellent HD video quality and performance in a tiny package.
Price: $623.95 - $1,068.77 (check prices)
Review date: Mar 3, 2008
Excellent
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Canon Vixia HV30
An extremely minor upgrade from the HV20, the Canon Vixia HV30 remains a quality HDV camcorder with a couple of performance issues.
Price: $569.95 - $972.90 (check prices)
Review date: Feb 25, 2008
Excellent
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Sony Handycam HDR-CX7
As the flash-memory-based equivalent of the HDR-SR7, the Sony Handycam HDR-CX7 serves up the same pleasing performance and quality as its hard-drive cousin.
Price: $549.99 - $799.00 (check prices)
Review date: Aug 9, 2007
Excellent
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Sony Handycam HDR-SR7
The hard-drive-based analog of the HDR-HC7, the Sony Handycam HDR-SR7 finally delivers a cutting-edge HD video experience, complete with great video and compatibility frustrations.
Price: $859.99 - $1,399.99 (check prices)
Review date: Jul 19, 2007
Excellent
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Sony Handycam HDR-HC7
A great HD camcorder for deep-pocketed leisure shooters, as long as you like the Sony Handycam HDR-HC7's touch screen interface.
Price: $769.95 - $1,299.99 (check prices)
Review date: Mar 30, 2007
Excellent
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Panasonic SDR-H18
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.
Price: $799.99 (check prices)
Review date: Jul 27, 2007
Very good
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Sony Handycam DCR-SR300 (40GB)
The Sony DCR-SR300 digital camcorder should appeal to casual, snapshooter-type videographers, but it's somewhat pricey, since its video quality still can't match better MiniDV camcorders.
Price: $519.99 - $751.99 (check prices)
Review date: May 30, 2007
Very good
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