Page: 5 of 5
In this report

See Also

HD Camcorders: Ratings of Sources
Total of 16 Sources

For an explanation of how we rank reviews, see our ratings criteria page.

1. CamcorderInfo.com
As of Dec. 2011
Best Camcorders
by Editors of CamcorderInfo.com
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentReviews 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-SDT750 is the best non-professional, high-definition camcorder on the market, testers say; it brings "3D videography to the masses." Editors also like the high-end Canon Vixia HF G10 and Sony Handycam HDR-TD10, as well as the less expensive Panasonic HDC-TM900 and Canon Vixia HF M40. Among pocket camcorders, editors are most impressed with the Samsung HMX-W200.
2. CNET
Nov. 9, 2011
Best Budget Camcorders
by Lori Grunin
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentAlthough 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 pocket models, although the no-frills Sony Handycam HDR-CX130 -- a regular camcorder with a flip-out screen -- also gets a mention. Each camcorder gets a rating and a full review.
3. CNET
Nov. 9, 2011
Best HD Camcorders
by Lori Grunin
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentThis chart is similar to the budget camcorder chart (above), but it ranks high-end HD camcorders. Again, each gets a star rating and a full review. Canon and Panasonic models dominate here.
4. ConsumerReports.org
Not Dated
HD Camcorder Ratings
by Editors of ConsumerReports.org
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentConsumerReports.org rates 52 full-featured HD camcorders here. Camcorders are judged on their picture and audio quality, ease of use and other important features, and then ranked from best to worst. This review is up to date, but individual write-ups on each model are extremely short.
5. ConsumerReports.org
Not Dated
Pocket Camcorder Ratings
by Editors of ConsumerReports.org
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentThis review is similar to the full-featured camcorder review (above), but it rates pocket camcorders. ConsumerReports.org tests 16 mini camcorders and recommends seven of them, based on their video and audio quality, still camera quality and other factors. Discussion, once again, is disappointingly short.
6. PC Advisor (UK)
As of Dec. 2011
Camcorder Reviews
by Editors of PC Advisor (U.K.)
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentEven 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. The Canon Vixia HF M40 rates highest among full-featured camcorders, and PC Advisor also recommends several pocket camcorders.
7. TrustedReviews.com
Sept. 8, 2011
Best Camcorders 2011
by David Gilbert
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentTrustedReviews.com is another British site that reviews a variety of tech products, including digital camcorders. The articles are critical and well done. The Panasonic HDC-TM900 achieves a rare perfect 10 rating, and this list also includes eight other full-featured and pocket camcorders that TrustedReviews.com recommends. Since the list was published, the Samsung HMX-W200 pocket camcorder has also earned a Recommended tag.
8. MaximumTech.com
July 15, 2011
Four Budget Camcorders Thoroughly Tested, Reviewed and Rated
by Alan Fackler
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentAfter Cisco unexpectedly killed the Flip pocket camcorder, MaximumTech.com decided to do a head-to-head comparo to find the best Flip substitute. Alan Fackler tests the Flip Mino HD, DXG Luxe Ultra Slim, Kodak Playfull and Sony Bloggie Touch. The tiny, inexpensive Kodak rates highest.
9. PC World
July 25, 2011
Top-Rated HD Pocket Camcorders
by Editors of PC World
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentPC World tests eight pocket HD camcorders from Sony, Creative, Sanyo, 3M, JVC, Flip and Kodak, in a well designed and clearly outlined testing process. The Creative Vado HD 3rd Generation earns the highest ratings of 4.5 stars (out of 5).
10. Macworld
As of Dec. 2011
Camcorders
by Editors of Macworld
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentMacworld looks at camcorders through the lens of a Mac computer user. Macworld tests a few full-featured camcorders and several pocket camcorders, giving each 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.
11. Which? magazine
As of Dec. 2011
Camcorders
by Editors of Which? magazine
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentWhich? is a U.K. publication similar to ConsumerReports.org. Editors test 24 pocket camcorders and 123 full-featured camcorders. Each one is rated on a variety of criteria (including video quality in daylight, dim and artificial light) and gets a concise but comprehensive write-up describing what it's like to use. Top performers are awarded a Best Buy designation. Which? magazine leaves a lot of discontinued models in its Best Buys, though.
12. PCMag.com
April 12, 2011
Ten Top-Notch Flip Video Camera Alternatives
by David Pierce
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentPCMag.com has tested plenty of pocket camcorders. Here, they pick 10 alternatives to the now-defunct Flip camcorder -- and the Sony Bloggie Touch MHS-TS20 is their Editors' Choice.
13. Amazon.com
As of Dec. 2011
Camcorders -- High Definition
by Contributors to Amazon.com
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentAmazon.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.
14. Wired
As of Dec. 2011
Digital Cameras and Camcorders
by Editors of Wired
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentWired reviews camcorders from time to time, but no pocket camcorder has impressed reviewers recently. Among full-featured camcorders, reviewers love the high-end Canon Vixia HF G10, and they're not shy about criticizing camcorders that don't make the grade. Full reviews are short, but testers do a good job explaining the pros and cons of each camcorder.
15. Videomaker.com
As of Dec. 2011
Digital Camcorder Reviews
by Editors of Videomaker.com
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentVideomaker.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.
16. YouTube.com
As of Dec. 2011
Camcorder Reviews
by Contributors to YouTube
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentMany, 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.
     
 

This is our assessment of the review’s relevance, clarity of testing and thoroughness.

Read more about our Ratings Criteria by clicking the link at the top of the page.
 
 
 
  
Useful Links
 

Back to top