Find The Right Digital Camcorders

JVC Everio GZ-MS130 (blue)

The JVC Everio GZ-MS130 is a nice little flash-memory-based standard-def camcorder.

Specs: Camcorder, CCD, 35 x, Flash card, 8.6 oz

Sony Handycam DCR-SR47 (silver)

If storage amount, zoom range, and easy operation are on your list of needs before video quality, check out the Sony Handycam DCR-SR47.

Specs: Camcorder, Advanced HAD CCD, 60 x, Flash card, Hard disk drive, 10.6 oz

Sony Handycam HDR-CX100 (red)

You can tell where Sony cut corners on this compact, flash-based HD camcorder. While it's decent, there are better options for the money than the Sony Handycam HDR-CX100.

Specs: Camcorder, ClearVid CMOS, 10 x, Flash card

Sony Handycam HDR-CX100 (black)

You can tell where Sony cut corners on this compact, flash-based HD camcorder. While it's decent, there are better options for the money than the Sony Handycam HDR-CX100.

Specs: Camcorder, ClearVid CMOS, 10 x, Flash card

Sony Handycam HDR-CX100 (silver)

You can tell where Sony cut corners on this compact, flash-based HD camcorder. While it's decent, there are better options for the money than the Sony Handycam HDR-CX100.

Specs: Camcorder, Exmor CMOS, 10 x, Flash card, 9.9 oz

Samsung SC-MX20 (blue)

The Samsung SC-MX20 has an attractive price, but you get what you pay for.

Specs: Camcorder, CCD, 34 x, Flash card, 9.9 oz

JVC Everio GZ-MG730 (30GB, black)

The JVC Everio GZ-MG730 produces acceptable standard-def video and good photos in bright light, but considering its price tag, it's ultimately disappointing.

Specs: Camcorder, CCD, 10 x, Hard disk drive, 11.8 oz

JVC Everio GZ-MS100 (red)

The JVC Everio GZ-MS100 is an average budget SD-card-based camcorder that's more attractive for its small design and relatively average video quality than its unique interface and one-touch uploads to YouTube.

Specs: Camcorder, CCD, 35 x, Flash card, 7.9 oz

JVC Everio GZ-MG365

The near-identical models of the JVC Everio GZ-MG300 series--the MG330, MG335, MG360 and MG365--are budget-priced, hard-drive-based camcorders that are nice enough, but produce typical low-budget video.

Specs: Camcorder, CCD, 35 x, Flash card, Hard disk drive, 11.1 oz

Canon FS100 (sapphire blue)

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.

Specs: Camcorder, CCD, 37 x, Flash card, 9.2 oz

Canon DC220

A simple DVD camcorder with decent performance and image quality, the DC220 won't blow you away, but it also will not let you down.

Specs: Camcorder, CCD, 35 x, DVD-R (8cm), DVD-RW (8 cm), DVD-R DL (8 cm), 0.68 megapixels, 14.3 oz

JVC GR-D370

Despite its relatively low price and big optical zoom range, the JVC GR-D370 does little else to distinguish itself in budget class.

Specs: Camcorder, CCD, 32 x, Mini DV, 14.1 oz

Hitachi DZ-BX35A

For a moderate price, you get the convenience of recording your video directly to DVD media, but the entry-level Hitachi DZ-BX35A offers only basic features and can't deliver the image quality of Hitachi's step-up DVD camcorders.

Specs: Camcorder, CCD, 25 x, DVD-R (8cm), DVD+RW (8cm), DVD-RW (8 cm), DVD-RAM (8 cm), 1.1 lbs

Canon DC100

A basic, inexpensive DVD camcorder, the Canon DC100 is a safe, if unremarkable, choice.

Specs: Camcorder, CCD, 25 x, DVD-R (8cm), DVD-RW (8 cm), 14.5 oz

Canon Elura 100

With a big zoom, a small size, and a decent price, the Canon Elura 100 is a great choice if you plan on steering clear of low-light situations.

Specs: Camcorder, CCD, 20 x, Mini DV, 0.88 megapixels, 0.9 lbs

JVC Everio GZ-MG37

The JVC Everio GZ-MG37's disappointing video quality completely overwhelms the advantages of its small size and massive video capacity.

Specs: Camcorder, CCD, 32 x, Hard disk drive, 0.68 megapixels, 12 oz

JVC Everio GZ-MG77

The small size and massive video storage capacity of the JVC Everio GZ-MG77 make it a tantalizing choice, but poor video quality keeps this hard-disk-based camera from being a tape- or DVD-killer.

Specs: Camcorder, CCD, 10 x, Hard disk drive, 2.2 megapixels, 13 oz

Panasonic VDR-D100

Specs: Camcorder, CCD, DVD-R (8cm), DVD-RW (8 cm), DVD-RAM (8 cm)

Panasonic VDR-M75

Although Panasonic has produced one solid MiniDV camcorder after another, the feature-strapped, DVD-based VDR-M75 just doesn't measure up.

Specs: Camcorder, CCD, 10 x, DVD-R (8cm), DVD-RAM (8 cm), 1.1 lbs

Canon Optura S1

A decent pocket camcorder that's also a makeshift snapshot camera, the Canon Optura S1 is not an optimal choice for indoor shooting.

Specs: Camcorder, CCD, 10 x, Mini DV, 2.0 megapixels, 0.9 lbs