Digital Camcorders Reviews

The reviews below are assigned ratings by ConsumerSearch. These ratings are based on credibility in testing, evaluating and identifying the best Digital Camcorders. See our ratings criteria

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Digital Camcorders Reviews Reviewed
Review Ratings	Citation	CS Credibility Rating	Digital Camcorders Ratings Comments on Reviews
1. CamcorderInfo.com	Camcorder Ratings Editors of CamcorderInfo.com As of Sept. 2007		At CamcorderInfo.com, writeups are lengthy and very detailed, and include comparisons to similar camcorders and discussions about suitability for different types of users. Camcorders are graded on features, performance, portability, battery life and more, culminating with an overall rating. The site's reviewers rarely pull their punches and are often highly critical and opinionated. Because this site reviews more digital camcorders than any other website, they'll likely have a review on the model that interests you.
2. PC World >> Details/Subscribe	Convenient Camcorders Editors of PC World May 24, 2007		In this article, PC World reviews and ranks ten camcorders that record to miniDVD or to an internal miniature hard drive. While discussion within the article itself is limited, links are provided to somewhat longer individual camcorder reviews. The article also reports on a handful of miniDV camcorders and one that records to an SD memory card. The Sony DCR-DVD408 gets the highest rating. The video quality of the Canon DC50 is also excellent, and it does better with still photos, but it is harder to use than the Sony. The JVC GZ-MG155 is the highest-rated hard drive camcorder, but the Sony and the Canon both have better image quality.
3. CNet.com	Editors' top budget camcorders Edited by Lori Grunin and Philip Ryan July 27, 2007		This listing -- with links to full reviews -- lists the camcorders CNet.com considers best (high-definition camcorders are covered in a separate area). Since each model is rated numerically, you can compare camcorders based on their score. The Panasonic SDR-H18 earns the highest score. It can record SD video to a hard drive or SD card and provides "pleasing" video quality. The Panasonic VDR-D310 "produces good-looking home movies without much hassle." The Panasonic PV-GS320 MiniDV camcorder is easy to use, with good video quality.

Digital Camcorders Reviews above this line are significantly better than reviews below.

Review Ratings	Citation	CS Credibility Rating	Digital Camcorders Ratings Comments on Reviews

4. Consumer Reports >> Details/Subscribe	Camcorders Editors of Consumer Reports July 2007		This major roundup looks at 23 standard-definition digital camcorders. As usual, testing is thorough and well documented. The magazine says that although miniDVD camcorders ranked higher in their ratings, miniDV cameras generally represent a better value and are what most users should first consider. However, Consumer Reports does not go into nearly as much detail as higher-rated resources. Most models earn only brief discussion, though high points, low points and bottom line assessments are made.
5. PC Advisor	Product Reviews: Camcorders Editors of PC Advisor As of Sept. 2007		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 reviewed are also available in the U.S.

Digital Camcorders Reviews above this line are significantly better than reviews below.

Review Ratings	Citation	CS Credibility Rating	Digital Camcorders Ratings Comments on Reviews

6. PC Magazine >> Details/Subscribe	Reviews: Digital Camcorders Editors of PC Magazine As of Sept. 2007		PC Magazine covers camcorders in single-product reviews and multi-camera roundups. Each camcorder receives an editor's rating that can be compared to other models, and the best camcorders receive an Editors' Choice award. However, at the time of our last visit, relatively few current digital camcorders have gotten reviews. One exception is the Sony DCR-DVD508, an Editors' Choice winner that "rises to the top of the miniDVD camcorder market by offering excellent quality, performance, and ease of use."
7. Laptop Magazine >> Details/Subscribe	Digital Video Reviews Editors of Laptop magazine As of Sept. 2007		Laptop magazine occasionally reviews digital camcorders. Some of the individual reviews are on the short side, and while the camcorders are rarely criticized harshly, most don't receive unqualified praise either. The Sanyo Xacti VPC-E1 earns an Editor's Choice rating as a "fun hybrid camera-camcorder" that's waterproof instead of just water resistant. The Pure Digital Flip Video camcorder comes up short when it comes to video quality, but it's the least expensive option out there for capturing video clips.

Digital Camcorders Reviews above this line are significantly better than reviews below.

Review Ratings	Citation	CS Credibility Rating	Digital Camcorders Ratings Comments on Reviews

8. The New York Times >> Details/Subscribe	Camcorders That Come With Footnotes David Pogue Feb. 22, 2007		New York Times technology columnist David Pogue looks at the Hitachi DZ-HS300A and DZ-HS500A, two hybrid camcorders that eliminate some of the editing hassles of miniDVD technology by including a miniature hard drive. While Pogue says that the idea is great in theory, and that the "flexibility of these camcorders is jaw-dropping," the video quality is disappointing. In addition, both camcorders are difficult to use -- a situation made worse in no small part by a manual that "practically would have been clearer if they had left it in Japanese." (Note that ConsumerSearch is owned by The New York Times.)
9. Digital Trends.com	Top Reviews for Camcorders Editors of DigitalTrends.com As of Sept. 2007		Although they don't review as many camcorders as higher-rated resources, Digital Trends' reviews are easy to read and provide plenty of details. While camcorders are not directly compared to each other, they do receive numerical ratings, making it easier to see which ones score highest. Users can also add their own reviews. One thing that makes the list a little harder to use is that lots of discontinued models are still included, which is frustrating. High-definition camcorders dominate the ratings.
10. Sound & Vision Magazine >> Details/Subscribe	RCA EZ201 Small Wonder Camcorder Michael Antonoff July 2007		According to Michael Antonoff, the RCA EZ201 Small Wonder "is the last camcorder anyone serious about video and audio quality would choose to save a family's ceremonial events." However, it is a great choice for those looking for an inexpensive camcorder for capturing impromptu moments for posting on the Internet or e-mailing to friends.
11. The New York Times >> Details/Subscribe	Cameras That Swim With the Fishes David Pogue July 12, 2007		This article focuses on still cameras that are suitable for underwater use, but the Sanyo Xacti VPC-E1 is also profiled. New York Times technology columnist David Pogue is impressed. The design is very attractive, and the video quality on dry land is fairly good, though not as good as that from a miniDV camcorder. Underwater, however, the video quality is startling and the "excellent microphone fills the soundtrack with the sort of bubbly gurgles that you've heard before only on Jacques Cousteau specials."
12. Consumer Guide.com	DV Camcorders Reviews and Prices Editors of ConsumerGuide.com As of Sept. 2007		Consumer Guide continues to improve as a destination for camcorder reviews. It is clear, at long last, that some hands-on testing is going on and many of the most recent reports show more critical evaluation than we've seen in the past. That said, there's still too little independent opinion and too much reliance on manufacturer-supplied specs and information to make these reviews useful.
13. Consumer Reports >> Details/Subscribe	New camcorders don't beat older models Editors of Consumer Reports Sept. 2006		In this brief report, Consumer Reports' editors comment that while new camcorders are both smaller and lighter, they don't necessarily outperform older models that might still be available. In particular, they note that a smaller body means less room for controls, making cameras somewhat harder to use. Furthermore, some functions might be buried under layers of menus or accessed only via multifunction joysticks.
14. About.com	Digital Camcorders Emily Price As of Sept. 2007		This landing page contains a scattered list of articles and reviews for some digital camcorders. Unfortunately, most of the reviews are little more than product announcements and expanded discussions of features, and few, if any, camcorders appear to have been actually tested. Several articles listing the latest models from major manufacturers may be useful to those just starting out in their search for a camcorder, since they briefly describe the key differences between models. (Note that ConsumerSearch is owned by About.com.)
15. About.com	Panasonic SDR-H18 hard drive camcorder Bridget Johnson Not Dated		About.com's Journalism Guide, Bridget Johnson, looks at the Panasonic SDR-H18 from the viewpoint of someone looking to capture news or other footage for display on a website. Her conclusion is that it is "fun, functional, and fast to get turned on and recording when the news strikes." The small size is an especially useful benefit for the "sneaky reporter." Poor low-light performance and still image quality are significant negatives. No other camcorders are tested, but this review is useful if you are interested in this specific camcorder.

Digital Camcorders Reviews above this line are significantly better than reviews below.

Review Ratings	Citation	CS Credibility Rating	Digital Camcorders Ratings Comments on Reviews

16. CircuitCity.com	Camcorders Contributors to CircuitCity.com As of Sept. 2007		This is the web storefront for the national brick-and-mortar Circuit City chain. Readers are invited to rate their camcorders in areas such as picture quality, features, battery life and value (cost-benefit), and those ratings are used to create an overall user rating. In addition, users can provide a one-line summary and a more detailed review if they wish. Popular camcorders get lots of ratings and reviews, some of which are fairly detailed, making this a good place to learn what users think of their purchases after they get them home.
17. Amazon.com	Camcorders Contributors to Amazon.com As of Sept. 2007		Amazon.com also allows camcorder owners to share their experiences with prospective buyers. The top-selling models here get enough reviews to make visiting this site useful if you want to read real-world opinions about a camcorder you are considering. Of course, like most nonprofessional review sources, the quality and usefulness of the information is inconsistent. Also, since many camcorders remain on the site long after they are discontinued, this resource might be most useful once you've narrowed down your choices.
18. Epinions	Digital Camcorder Ratings Contributors to Epinions As of Sept. 2007		Epinions invites owners to rate their own camcorders. Unfortunately, the models garnering the most reviews are usually outdated. While this is useful if you're looking for a used camcorder, it's not as helpful in identifying today's best choices.
19. First Glimpse Magazine >> Details/Subscribe	Which Digital Camcorder Is Right For You? Editors of First Glimpse magazine Aug. 1, 2007		This chart compares eight standard-definition and high-definition camcorders. Unfortunately, there's little here that could not be gleaned from manufacturer literature. Rows that identify who the camera is "Perfect For" as well as the "Coolest Feature" might help some, but there's no indication that anyone has tested -- or even seen -- any of these camcorders.