Panasonic HDC-SD9

If you want a small, light and relatively inexpensive high-definition camcorder, experts overwhelmingly recommend the Panasonic HDC-SD9. Most reviewers say the Panasonic's video is superb, particularly in bright light. However, nearly all experts and consumers criticize the grainy video shot in low light, and a few find annoying design blunders (such as a power jack hidden behind the battery). However, the soda-can-shaped model still beats other tiny high-def camcorders in tests. The Panasonic shaves inches and ounces by recording to flash memory cards (8 GB cards cost about $20 and can record an hour of top-quality video).

CamcorderInfo.com has the most complete and comparative review of the Panasonic HDC-SD9, followed closely by TrustedReviews.com. CNET's write-up is shorter, but it is appropriately critical and includes a video review. The New York Times compares the Panasonic HDC-SD9 with two competing tiny HD camcorders in a hands-on test. We also found useful owner reviews at Amazon.com.