Best Reviewed
HD Camcorders
- Best pocket HD camcorder Samsung HMX-W200 *Est. $145
- Best HD camcorder overall Canon Vixia HF G10 *Est. $1400
- Best budget HD camcorder Canon Vixia HF M40 *Est. $475
- 3D-capable camcorder Panasonic HDC-TM900 *Est. $990
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Camcorders differ by recording medium, file types
Like standard-definition camcorders, HD camcorders can record to different media. Each type has its pros and cons:
- Flash memory -- lightweight, but cards can be expensive: Camcorders that record to flash memory (SD or SDHC cards, Sony Memory Stick media and/or internal flash memory) are the smallest and lightest HD camcorders on the market; the smallest are no bigger than an iPod. A typical internal flash-memory camcorder might have 32 GB of built-in flash memory, and it will store three to 12 hours of footage before it must be downloaded to a computer. The priciest models double that capacity to 64 GB of internal memory. Some camcorders record only to memory cards; an 8 GB memory card can be had for $15 and will store one to three hours of footage. Most camcorders accept 32 GB memory cards, and some accept special 64 GB cards. Many HDTVs include a memory card slot that will allow you to play your movies directly from the card.
- Hard drive -- longest recording time, but most expensive: The most expensive hard-drive camcorders come with 220 GB of storage -- enough to record 18 hours of best-quality HD video -- but smaller 120 to 160 GB models can be found for under $600. There are no tapes, DVDs or memory cards to juggle (although these camcorders do accept memory cards). You can plug your camcorder into your computer, and then drag and drop your video for editing. To play your movies, you can either hook up your camcorder to your TV or burn footage to a disc. Hard-drive camcorders are heavier than flash-memory camcorders, though, and hard drives work more slowly and are more prone to breaking (since they have moving parts), so they're not as popular as flash-memory camcorders.
- MiniDV -- excellent video quality, but older technology: MiniDV camcorders record to small tapes. The tapes cost about $3 each and hold 60 to 90 minutes of footage. This type of camcorder compresses footage the least, so MiniDV camcorders have traditionally offered the best video quality. However, you must hook up your camcorder to your TV -- or transfer your footage to a computer and burn it to a DVD -- to play your movies. Transferring footage to a computer is extremely slow, because it happens in real time (an hour-long tape takes an hour to transfer). Most experts say other formats have now caught up in terms of quality, and few new camcorders use tapes.
High-def camcorder shoppers will run into two main recording formats: HDV or AVCHD. Most new camcorders record in AVCHD.
- AVCHD: If you buy a regular-sized camcorder that records to anything but tapes -- flash memory or hard disk – you'll probably be recording in Advanced Video Codec High Definition (AVCHD). AVCHD compresses video using MPEG-4, which allows a lot of high-definition video to fit on a small amount of memory. Experts say the latest camcorders do this so efficiently that their video now looks even better than old-fashioned tape camcorders'.
- HDV: If you buy a camcorder that records to MiniDV tapes, you'll be recording in high-definition video (HDV). This format uses MPEG-2 compression to fit the video on the tape. Few new camcorders use tapes.
Here's what the experts say to look for when buying a high-definition camcorder:
- HDV camcorders that record to tapes are on their way out. Although HDV traditionally records excellent video and provides an instant archive, very few new HD camcorders use this medium.
- Camcorders that record to flash memory are the most compact. Most new camcorders use flash memory instead of a bulkier, heavier internal hard drive. Internal hard drives can usually hold many more hours of footage, but you can add memory cards to flash-memory camcorders to boost their memories.
- A long optical zoom helps you compose your shot. Most HD camcorders top out at 12x or 15x. Digital zooms can extend things farther but are of limited value, especially when recording HD, as they tend to pixilate images (cause them to become blocky and lose detail). With a zoom, optical image stabilization helps counteract camera shake, which can be especially noticeable in HD footage. Even so, using a tripod is a good idea for long-zoom shots.
- Most HD camcorders take good still shots. Most reviewers agree that a digital camcorder is no substitute for a dedicated digital camera. But HD camcorders have imagers with a lot more pixels than standard-definition camcorders and do a better job of capturing stills.
- Which HD is the best HD? You'll find camcorders labeled with a bunch of different numbers, all claiming to be HD. Generally, footage recorded in 1080i (or even more advanced 1080p) "full-HD" resolution will look better than 720p footage. More frames per second (60i or 60p versus 30p) usually look smoother, although some camcorders offer a 24p mode that can look beautifully film-like. A higher bitrate (28 Mbps versus 24 Mbps) generally makes for sharper footage. However, the more advanced the footage, the more space it hogs; make sure your computer can handle the load. If you plan to edit your footage, make sure the editing program you want to use is compatible with your camcorder's recording format.