HD Camcorders: Reviews

Updated July 2008

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Best HD camcorder

*Est. $785 Compare Prices

For the most beautiful HD video, the Canon VIXIA HV30 blows away the competition, experts say. This is one of the few high-def camcorders that still records to tapes using the older HDV format. While that format is less… convenient than recording to memory cards or a hard drive, it's also the reason the HV30 is able to deliver footage that is typically described as stunning, with crisp details and great colors. Also, if you plan to do anything more than shoot and view, HDV allows for fine, frame-by-frame editing without the need for a powerful computer. Though other types of HD camcorders are beginning to catch up in quality, for now at least, the Canon HV30 HD camcorder is the way to go if the very best quality video and easy editing are top priorities.

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Expert & User Review Sources:

CamcorderInfo.com: In this exhaustive multipage review, CamcorderInfo.com tests every aspect of the Canon VIXIA HV30, comparing it directly with ...

CNet.com: CNet.com's hands-on test concludes with a high rating for the Canon VIXIA HV30, citing both its "excellent" video quality and ...

Laptop Magazine: The Canon HV30 is an "Editor's Choice" at Laptop magazine. The review is balanced and appropriately critical. Excellent video, ...

TrustedReviews.com: TrustedReviews, a British site that reviews a variety of tech products, puts the Canon VIXIA HV30 on its "Recommended" list. ...

Macworld: Because Macs still have compatibility problems with some of the new tapeless camcorders, Macworld's brief review of the Canon ...

Amazon.com: The Canon HV30 averages 4.5 out of 5 stars from about two dozen reviewers. Users largely agree with experts that the HV30 is ...

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Budget HD camcorder

Panasonic HDC-SD9

*Est. $555 Compare Prices

Relatively inexpensive for an HD camcorder, the Panasonic HDC-SD9 also draws praise for its small size, light weight and good video quality. One reason for the small size -- about the same as a soda can -- is that this… Panasonic high-def camcorder records to small, removable memory cards. Despite the lack of heft, hand shake is not an issue because of a first-rate image stabilization system. However, video quality is a hair short of the Canon VIXIA HV30 in good lighting, but notably worse in low light. Still, experts say that the video will please most users and the bang-for-the-buck is nearly unbeatable.

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Expert & User Review Sources:

CamcorderInfo.com: CamcorderInfo.com compares the Panasonic HDC-SD9 with four competitors, concluding that Panasonic has indeed managed to pack a ...

TrustedReviews.com: In a lengthy review, James Morris touches on features some other reviewers skip, including the HDC-SD9's battery life and face ...

CNet.com: CNet's Lori Grunin agrees with other reviewers that the Panasonic HDC-SD9's low-light video quality isn't the best. Unlike other ...

The New York Times: David Pogue tests three of the smallest high-def camcorders and declares the HDC-SD9 the victor, citing its overall image ...

Amazon.com: The Panasonic HDC-SD9 has accumulated more than 45 user reviews. Several owners say the HDC-SD9's low-light video quality isn't ...

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for $854.95

Longest recording time

Sony Handycam HDR-SR12

*Est. $1,170 Compare Prices

If you want to shoot long stretches of uninterrupted video, the Sony Handycam HDR-SR12 high-def camcorder offers the longest recording time on the market: almost 15 hours of the highest-quality video thanks to its 120GB… hard drive. In reviews, video quality is superb, with exceptional zooming and lots of fun features including a see-in-the-dark NightShot setting. One thing experts dislike is the relatively short battery life, so keeping a spare on hand is a good idea. Cost is another issue. If you can get by with less recording time, the 60GB Sony Handycam HDR-SR11 (*est. $1,000) is otherwise identical.

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Expert & User Review Sources:

CamcorderInfo.com: CamcorderInfo.com's thorough review evaluates every aspect of the Sony HDR-SR12, comparing it with several of its peers. Overall, ...

Videomaker.com: Videomaker's reviews are critical and well done, but cameras are not compared with each other, nor is an objective rating system ...

DigitalTrends.com: Although editors at DigitalTrends.com don't review as many camcorders as others, reviews are easy to read and provide plenty of ...

ConsumerReports.org: Consumer Reports' individual review of the Sony HDR-SR12 is brief, but it does give the camcorder a rating of "excellent" to ...

Amazon.com: Consumers have posted about 20 reviews for the Sony HDR-SR12 at Amazon.com, almost unanimously positive. Reviews do include ...

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Canon VIXIA HG10 *Est. $650

5 picks by top review sites.

Canon VIXIA HF10 *Est. $810

4 picks by top review sites.

Sony Handycam HDR-SR11 *Est. $1,000

4 picks by top review sites.

Sony Handycam HDR-CX7 *Est. $865

3 picks by top review sites.

Canon VIXIA HF100 *Est. $650

3 picks by top review sites.

Canon VIXIA HR10 *Est. $830

2 picks by top review sites.

Panasonic HDC-HS9 *Est. $675

2 picks by top review sites.


	Canon HG10 AVCHD High Definition Camcorder with Optical Image Stabilizer from Amazon.com New: $557.99 In Stock. Average Customer Review:


	Canon VIXIA HF10 Flash Memory High Definition Camcorder with 16 GB Internal Flash Memory and 12x Optical Image Stabilized Zoom from Amazon.com New: $674.95 In Stock. Average Customer Review:


	Sony HDR-SR11 10.2-MP 60GB High Definition Hard Drive Handycam Camcorder with 12x Optical Image Stabilized Zoom from Amazon.com New: $1000.00 In Stock. Average Customer Review:


	Canon HR10 AVCHD 3.1MP High Definition DVD Camcorder with 10x Optical Image Stabilized Zoom from Amazon.com New: $398.00 In Stock. Average Customer Review:

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