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HD Camcorders: Ratings of Sources
Total of 26 Sources
1. CamcorderInfo.com
As of Oct. 2009
Camcorder Ratings
by Editors of CamcorderInfo.com
Our Assessment

Reviews at CamcorderInfo.com are lengthy, detailed and comparative. Camcorders are graded on features, performance, portability, battery life and more, culminating with an overall rating. Currently, the Panasonic HDC-TM300 is the best non-professional, high-definition camcorder on the market, testers say. Among pocket camcorders, editors find the Sony Webbie HD MHS-CM1 more versatile than simpler models from Kodak and Pure Digital.

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2. CNET
Sept. 8, 2009
Best Budget Camcorders
by Lori Grunin
Our Assessment

Although CNET's reviews are shorter than those at CamcorderInfo.com, they are easier to read and do a nice job in covering the latest camcorders' strengths and weaknesses. Most of CNET's best budget camcorders are high-definition pocket camcorders, although a few standard-definition models remain. Each camcorder gets a rating and a full review. CNET calls the Kodak Zi8 "the best pocket camcorder we've reviewed to date" and specifically recommends it over the Pure Digital Flip, though both camcorders receive the same rating.

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3. TechRadar.com
As of Oct. 2009
Camcorders
by Editors of TechRadar.com
Our Assessment This extensive British site conducts its own expert reviews of consumer tech products. The single-product HD camcorder reviews are well done and appropriately critical. Reviews are only occasionally comparative, but a rating system shows where the camcorders stand in the eyes of the editors. Many, but not all, camcorders are also available in versions for the U.S.
4. PC Advisor (UK)
As of Oct. 2009
Product Reviews: Camcorders
by Editors of PC Advisor (U.K.)
Our Assessment

Even though they are not very long, the camcorder reviews done by this British publication have lots of details. Editors are not bashful about pointing out flaws, and even the best camcorders don't escape completely unscathed. Although camcorders are only rarely compared, an objective overall rating (as well as sub-ratings for build quality, features and value) makes it easier to see where each stands relative to the competition. Most of the camcorders PC Advisor has reviewed recently are available in the U.S.

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5. PC World
As of Oct. 2009
Camcorders
by Editors of PC World
Our Assessment

PC World tests all of the most popular current pocket HD camcorders from Sony, Creative, Pure Digital and Kodak. The Kodak Zi8 earns the highest rating of 90 (out of 100), with the Pure Digital Flip UltraHD and Creative Vado HD each one point behind. The Zi8 review includes test footage from competitors in both bright and low light so you can compare the video quality. PC World's testing process is well designed and clearly outlined, but editors don't test enough full-featured camcorders to rank among the top review sources.

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6. Pocket-lint.com
As of Oct. 2009
Camcorders
by Editors of Pocket-Lint.com
Our Assessment Reviews at this U.K. site are thorough and easy to read. Testers have tackled a few inexpensive camcorders lately, and the vast majority is available in the U.S. The Sanyo Xacti VPC-FH1 gets the highest rating; testers like the Pure Digital Flip UltraHD best among pocket camcorders.
7. Gizmodo
Aug. 3, 2009
Kodak Zi8 1080p Pocket Camcorder Review: Your Move, Flip
by John Herrman
Our Assessment

Gizmodo.com has tested several pocket camcorders, one of which -- the Kodak Zi8 -- makes the site's Bestmodo list this year. This thorough review concludes that the Zi8's advanced features lift it past the Pure Digital Flip camcorders. A video review shows how the camcorder shoots in macro mode, in bright sunlight, at night and even in a subway tunnel. You'll find other reviews by clicking on the camcorder link.

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8. CNET
Sept. 8, 2009
Best HD Camcorders
by Lori Grunin
Our Assessment CNET also maintains a list of the best HD camcorders overall. Editors star ratings to each camcorder, but the top six camcorders get identical ratings, so it's hard to tell which are truly the best. CNET's testing and reviews are thorough, as usual, but this list includes several outdated models.
9. DigitalTrends.com
As of Oct. 2009
Top Rated Reviews: Camcorders
by Editors of DigitalTrends.com
Our Assessment

Although editors at DigitalTrends.com don't review as many camcorders as others, reviews are easy to read and provide plenty of details. While camcorders are not directly compared to each other, they do receive numerical scores. One thing that makes this site harder to use is that lots of discontinued models remain listed. The two current camcorders with the highest scores are the Canon Vixia HF200 and Canon Vixia HF S10.

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10. DigitalProducer.com
As of Oct. 2009
Camcorder Reviews
by Contributors to Digital Producer Magazine
Our Assessment This site offers several recent camcorder reviews by knowledgeable contributors, but you must search to find them. Reviews are appropriately critical and based on testing, and they're illustrated with photos of the camcorders. Sample videos and still photos are also posted. However, camcorders aren't compared directly against one another.
11. Macworld
As of Oct. 2009
Camcorder Reviews
by Editors of Macworld
Our Assessment

Macworld looks at camcorders through the lens of a Mac computer user. Macworld tests new models every few months -- usually popular models or those that are highly rated elsewhere. Camcorders are directly compared only occasionally, but each model is given a numeric rating. The narrative reviews are informative and based on testing, and they include lists of pros and cons as well as pricing information. The Canon Vixia HG21 is among the highest rated full-featured HD camcorders, while the Pure Digital Flip UltraHD edges out its pocket HD camcorder competition.

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12. About.com
As of Oct. 2009
Best HD Camcorders
by Greg Scoblete
Our Assessment

Greg Scoblete, About.com's guide to camcorders, regularly conducts hands-on tests of the latest camcorders on the market and assigns each a star rating. He lists his top six HD camcorders here, including both full-featured and pocket models. Written reviews are fairly short, but Scoblete does draw some comparisons between models, and he posts video samples shot with the camcorders. (Note: ConsumerSearch is owned by About.com, but the two don't share an editorial affiliation.)

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13. Wired.com
As of Oct. 2009
Camcorders
by Editors of Wired
Our Assessment Wired has reviewed 25 camcorders, including several of the newest on the market. Full reviews are short, but testers do a good job explaining the pros and cons of each camcorder. The Kodak Zi8 pocket camcorder is the editors' pick. Among full-featured camcorders, three models from Canon and Panasonic get the highest ratings.
14. TrustedReviews.com
As of Oct. 2009
Camcorder Reviews
by Editors of TrustedReviews.com
Our Assessment

TrustedReviews.com is another British site that reviews a variety of tech products, including digital camcorders. The articles are critical and well done, but all of the major new camcorders on the market get the same rating of nine out of 10. The lengthy reviews do explain which camcorder is best for which purpose, but you must read them closely. Most of the top picks are available in versions sold in the U.S., but several of them have been discontinued.

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15. ConsumerReports.org
As of Oct. 2009
HD Camcorder Ratings
by Editors of ConsumerReports.org
Our Assessment ConsumerReports.org rates camcorders in several categories: MiniDV, flash memory, hard disk and combo-memory. Camcorders are rated on their picture and audio quality, ease of use and other important features, and then ranked from best to worst. However, individual write-ups on each model are extremely short, and some of the 30 models covered have been discontinued.
16. Which? magazine
As of Oct. 2009
HD Camcorders
by Editors of Which? magazine
Our Assessment Which? is a U.K. publication similar to ConsumerReports.org. Editors test 56 camcorders, rating each on 10 criteria (including sound and video quality in both dim and artificial light) and award the top performers a Best Buy designation. Several of the Best Buys are discontinued, but new models are clearly marked with a "just tested" logo. Most of the camcorders are available in the U.S.
17. The Washington Post
May 17, 2009
Do-It-Yourself HD Video
by Rob Pegoraro
Our Assessment The Washington Post's personal tech columnist, Rob Pegoraro, tests two pocket HD camcorders head-to-head: the Pure Digital Flip UltraHD and Kodak Zx1. The Kodak shoots slightly better video, but Pegoraro picks the Flip for its easier-to-use design and software.
18. Laptop Magazine
As of Oct. 2009
Digital Camcorder Reviews
by Editors of Laptop Magazine
Our Assessment

Laptop Magazine doesn't review as many new camcorders as some other sources, but the camcorders that editors pick tend to be very popular models. Reviews are balanced and appropriately critical. Each camcorder gets a star rating, making it easy to compare models on your own, and the best are clearly marked as Editors' Choice selections. Some of the top picks have been discontinued, but two current high-definition models make the cut: the Pure Digital Flip UltraHD and Kodak Zi6.

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19. PCMag.com
As of Oct. 2009
Digital Camcorders
by Editors of PCMag.com
Our Assessment PCMag.com regularly reviews HD camcorders, judging their features and performance in hands-on tests. Each camcorder gets a star rating, but some of the Editors' Choice picks have been discontinued. The Kodak Zi8, Kodak Zi6 and Creative Vado HD pocket camcorders are three Editors' Choice models that are currently available.
20. InfosyncWorld.com
As of Oct. 2009
Review Center: Camcorders
by Editors of InfoSyncWorld.com
Our Assessment

InfoSyncWorld.com tests camcorders in-depth, shooting with different modes in various light and color situations. Reviews are illustrated with lots of images captured by the camcorders. Models aren't tested head-to-head, but each camcorder gets a numeric rating. The scores are close, especially at the top, but the Canon Vixia HF S10 edges into first place. However, InfoSyncWorld.com hasn't tested any camcorders since April 2009.

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21. Amazon.com
As of Oct. 2009
Camcorders -- High Definition
by Contributors to Amazon.com
Our Assessment Amazon.com allows camcorder owners to share their experiences with others. The top-selling models here receive enough reviews to make visiting this site useful if you want to read real-world opinions about a high-definition camcorder you might be considering. HD camcorders are listed separately from standard-definition camcorders, and you can sort the camcorders by score.
22. Videomaker.com
As of Oct. 2009
Digital Camcorder Reviews
by Editors of Videomaker.com
Our Assessment Videomaker.com's camcorder coverage is aimed at the professional and the serious hobbyist. While the magazine reviews a number of professional camcorders, several consumer-grade HD camcorders also get a once-over. Reviewers cover every major aspect of each camcorder, but they aren't very critical, and they tend to like every camcorder they test.
23. Engadget.com
As of Oct. 2009
Camcorder Reviews
by Editors of Engadget.com
Our Assessment Engadget.com has rated a few HD camcorders in recent months. Current models are mixed in with old models, and Engadget.com's own reviews are mixed in with links to other sites' reviews. It is difficult to tell which camcorders the reviewers like best, as the camcorders are not given numeric scores or ranked against each other.
24. Walmart.com
As of Oct. 2009
Camcorder Reviews
by Contributors to Walmart.com
Our Assessment Walmart.com sells camcorders, and buyers are invited to rate them. Most camcorders have collected a few reviews or none at all, but some have more than 100 reviews. The Pure Digital Flip MinoHD is noteworthy for its strong score following a significant number of reviews.
25. YouTube.com
As of Oct. 2009
Camcorder Reviews
by Contributors to YouTube
Our Assessment Many, many people have posted video reviews of their HD camcorders on YouTube. Reviewers are usually not experts, but some of the reviews are quite helpful. You can watch some clips in both standard-def and HD, to see the difference.
26. Epinions.com
As of Oct. 2009
Digital Camcorders
by Contributors to Epinions.com
Our Assessment Epinions.com invites owners to rate their own camcorders. Traffic here is lower than at Amazon.com, so most HD camcorders have few, if any, comments. However, a few high-definition camcorders do receive a handful of ratings, so it might be worth a stop to see if a camcorder you are considering is among them.

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