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Digital Camcorders Reviews
Updated September 2007
Our research turned up excellent digital-camcorder reviews, which run the gamut from general consumer publications (The New York Times, Consumer Reports), to computing and electronics publications (PC World, CNet.com) to enthusiast websites (CamcorderInfo.com). CamcorderInfo.com has the most detailed reviews, and editors are sticklers for low-light performance, typically a sticky issue for camcorders. Reviews at CNet.com and PC World are not as detailed about every performance aspect, but reviews are more concise and easier to read. Consumer Reports provides very little discussion, but rates the largest number of camcorders. This report focuses on standard-definition (SD) digital camcorders. Manufacturers are now introducing more and more high-definition camcorders. While standard-definition camcorders capture video that roughly matches the maximum resolution of a standard television, high-definition camcorders can record more image detail, which looks best when viewed on an HDTV. High-definition camcorders are still a lot more expensive than SD digital camcorders. We are covering these models in our companion report on high-definition camcorders. MiniDV camcorders, which record to widely available miniDV tapes, have long dominated the digital camcorder market, but newer types of camcorders can record to discs. Despite some significant limitations (which are discussed below in our Full Story), the advantages of miniDVD are clear: the discs are compact and durable, and they can be played directly in most DVD players. In addition, some
camcorders can record to an internal hard disk drive or a memory card, and
in many cases both. Critics agree that these digital camcorders trail other
technologies in terms of image quality, but the gap is not as large as it
once was and prices are falling. A couple of new
camcorders marry the two tapeless technologies in what, on paper, should be
a breakthrough product. Lots of reviewers have hailed what Hitachi tried to do in the
Hitachi DZ-HS300A
(*est. $380)
and larger-capacity Hitachi DZ-HS500A
(*est. $535)
. In theory, hybrid
HDD/miniDVD camcorders like the Hitachi camcorders offer some significant
advantages, letting you record to a hard drive (handy for transferring images
to a computer or for in-camera editing), or letting you instead record directly
to a miniDVD disc, which can immediately be played in a standard DVD player.
Or you could initially record to the hard drive, edit your video on the spot
and record to a miniDVD -- all right there on the camera. Unfortunately, according
to critics, including CamcorderInfo.com's John Neely, the "DZ-HS300A
is high on concept and very low on follow-through." Among the issues
cited are poor video quality; Neely writes that the Hitachi
digital camcorder produces "the worst image we've seen from a camcorder
in this price range for some time." Sharpness, in particular, is poor
and vertical resolution is very low. Low-light performance falls short of
the competition as well, say experts.
Reviewers also complain of numerous usability and performance issues. Things aren't helped much by the user manual -- New York Times technology columnist David Pogue call the Hitachi's manual one of the "worst instruction manuals ever translated ... it practically would have been clearer if they had left it in Japanese." Pogue is somewhat more forgiving of the video quality, but even he says it "isn't great." (Note that ConsumerSearch is owned by The New York Times.) ... Continued
Our Consensus Report shows how many times products are top-ranked by reviewers included in our
Reviews say there are lots of great standard-definition camcorder choices. MiniDVD is an attractive option for those who want to view videos with a minimum of post-shooting fuss. The Panasonic VDR-D310 offers great image quality and lots of creative control, while the Sony DCR-DVD508 provides great-looking videos for those who just want to point and shoot. MiniDV provides great video quality and more flexibility when it comes to video editing. The Panasonic PV-GS320 provides the best image quality of all in this category, while the Canon ZR800 is a solid selection for those on a tight budget. Hard drive camcorders don't have miniDV's video quality but they bypass the hassles of dealing with tape, and videos are easier to edit than those recorded on miniDVD. The Sanyo Xacti VPC-E1 is a unique underwater camcorder. The RCA Small Wonder EZ201 isn't the best when it comes to video quality, but is great for Internet videos. Advertisement
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Digital Camcorders Reviews |
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© 2008. ConsumerSearch, Inc. A service from 
, a part of The New York Times Company. All Rights Reserved.
ConsumerSearch and ConsumerSearch.com are registered trademarks of ConsumerSearch, Inc. Other trademarks or service marks on this site are the property of their respective owners. ConsumerSearch is not sponsored by any source reviewed, and we accept no consideration or payment for including, excluding, or ranking any reviews, products or services in our reports.
* Pricing information is approximate as of the time this report was written and is based on observed market selling prices and/or list prices. Actual selling prices may differ.
