Canon Vixia HV40

Despite their inconvenience, some users still prefer recording HD footage to old-fashioned tapes: They're cheap, they form an instant archive and they work with older computers and editing software. For these users, reviewers say the Canon HV40 is the best choice. The HV40's footage is sharp and vibrant, but not quite as good as that of the best flash-memory camcorders, such as the top-rated Canon Vixia HF G10 (*Est. $1,400). These newer camcorders can hold hours of footage in their internal memories -- no tapes to deal with -- and footage downloads to a computer quickly, rather than in tedious real time as with tapes. Critics say these newer camcorders also offer the most streamlined controls, something Canon has neglected to add to the HV40.

CamcorderInfo.com conducts the most extensive comparison tests of the Canon Vixia HV40, and editors offer advice on whether a tape-based camcorder is still a good idea. CNET and the U.K.'s PC Advisor also test the HV40, but their star ratings haven't changed since the reviews were written a year or two ago (CamcorderInfo.com, on the other hand, keeps an updated ratings chart). Owner reviews for this model at Amazon.com seem to be unusually knowledgeable.