HD Camcorders Reviews

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

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HD Camcorders Reviews Reviewed
Review Ratings	Citation	CS Credibility Rating	HD Camcorders Ratings Comments on Reviews
1. CamcorderInfo.com	Camcorder Ratings Editors of CamcorderInfo.com As of Oct. 2007		Reviews at CamcorderInfo.com are lengthy and very detailed, including comparisons to other high-definition camcorders. Camcorders are graded on features, performance, portability, battery life and more, culminating with an overall rating. Currently, a trio of high-definition camcorders dominates the list of highest-rated models. Though not perfect, the Canon HV20 is great for enthusiasts and even acceptable for some professionals. The Canon HG10 is called the best high definition camcorder on the market, but it falls short in a couple of areas when compared to the HV20. The Sony HDR-HC7 is a highly rated consumer-level HD camcorder, but it lacks manual controls and has disappointing low-light performance, say editors.
2. CamcorderInfo.com	The Great HD Shoot-Out David Kender and John Neely Apr. 30, 2007		In this detailed comparative review, editors pit four HD camcorders -- Canon HV20, Sony HDR-HC7, Panasonic HDC-SD1 and JVC Everio GZ-HD7 -- against each other. Performance, ease-of-use, ergonomics and much more are put under the microscope, and the report is illustrated with tons of photographs. Features are listed in table format so it is easy to see how the HD camcorders stack up in that regard. In the end, every HD camcorder has its strong points and its warts, but the Canon HV20 is named the clear winner. Assets include "amazing performance and bang for the buck," while disappointments are "cheap-feeling" build quality and zoom lever that's described as "awful."

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

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

3. CNet.com	Editors' top high-definition camcorders Edited by Lori Grunin and Philip Ryan Aug. 10, 2007		Although CNet.com's reviews are shorter than those at CamcorderInfo.com, they are easier to read and do a nice job in covering each camcorder's strengths and weaknesses. In addition, each camcorder is rated numerically so you can compare models based on their score. The very best camcorders are recognized with an Editors' Choice award, but no consumer-oriented HD camcorders currently qualify. A trio of current Sony HD camcorders top the list, and all earn identical scores. That's not completely surprising as CNet.com says that the Sony Handycam HDR-CX7, HDR-SR7 and HDR-HC7 are very similar except for the way they store captured footage. The Canon HV20 also rates well.
4. PC World >> Details/Subscribe	High-Definition Camcorders Make Video Pop Alan Stafford and Editors of PC World June 25, 2007		This "mini-roundup" looks at four high-definition camcorders, highlighting four different technologies. The Panasonic HDC-SD1, which records AVCHD to a memory card, produces the best images according to testers, but the Canon HV20, which records HDV format video to miniDV tapes, is named a Best Buy because it has more features and a significantly lower price tag. Links to longer individual reviews are provided.

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

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

5. The New York Times >> Details/Subscribe	Not-So-High-Definition Camcorders David Pogue June 7, 2007		New York Times' Circuits columnist David Pogue compares three camcorders that record to SD/SDHC memory cards. The Canon PowerShot TX1 and Sanyo Xacti VPC-HD2 take excellent still images, but the video, especially in the case of the Sanyo, is not so hot. The recently discontinued Panasonic HDC-SD1, on the other hand, takes excellent video, but the tape-based Canon HV20 takes slightly better footage still, and the AVCHD format the Panasonic camcorder uses is problematic, especially if you plan on doing any editing. (Note that ConsumerSearch is owned by About.com and The New York Times.)
6. The New York Times >> Details/Subscribe	Your Life, in a Movie of Top Quality David Pogue June 7, 2007		In this article, David Pogue of The New York Times compares the Sony Handycam HDR-SR7 and the JVC Everio GZ-HD7, a pair of high-definition camcorders that store their captured footage on internal hard drives. While the JVC Everio GZ-HD7 "isn't quite a home run," Pogue appreciates that JVC "has gone to great innovative lengths to make sure that you can store and edit its recordings." The Sony HDR-SR7, on the other hand, presents more challenges in both editing and playback, however the video quality is just as good and Sony has superior image stabilization, which Pogue feels is especially important for HD video. (Note that ConsumerSearch is owned by About.com and The New York Times.)
7. Videomaker.com	Camcorder Reviews Editors of Videomaker.com As of Oct. 2007		Videomaker's camcorder coverage is aimed at the professional and serious hobbyist. While the magazine reviews a number of professional camcorders, several consumer-grade HD camcorders also get a once over. The reviews are critical and well done, but cameras are not compared to each other nor is an objective rating system used. In recent reviews, the Sony HDR-HC7 and Canon HV20 fare well, but the JVC Everio GZ-HD7 falls short because of video performance that is "only average."
8. Tech.co.uk	Camcorders Editors of Tech.co.uk As of Oct. 2007		Tech.co.uk gathers reviews from a wide-ranging family of British magazines and websites. The single-product HD camcorder reviews are only occasionally comparative, but a star rating system shows where the camcorders stand in the eyes of the editors (though no absolute best models are cited). The reviews themselves are well done and appropriately critical, though occasionally the star rating appears to not quite jive with the report. For example, the Sony HDR-SR8 is called "a lovely camcorder that's a pleasure to use," and receives the site's highest ranking, but the reviewer concedes it still is not quite "a worthy substitute for a tape-based HDV camcorder." Other top-rated high-definition camcorders include the JVC Everio GZ-HD7, Canon HV20 and Sony HDR-HC7.
9. Trusted Reviews	Camcorder Reviews Editors of TrustedReviews.com As of Oct. 2007		Trusted Reviews is another British site that reviews a variety of tech products, including digital camcorders. The articles are critical, and some limited comparisons are made. In addition, objective scores are given for features, image quality and value, as well as an overall score. Among recently reviewed high definition camcorders, only the Canon HV20 rises to the list of recommended products. Reviewer Rob Tucker says the camcorder is "the most successfully realised HDV model for serious consumers," and includes all of the most important features and excellent video quality. Trusted Reviews also has one of the first reports on the Panasonic HDC-SX5, a hybrid camcorder that can record to both DVDs and SDHC memory cards. However, it doesn't do particularly well, in part because Tucker has "never been bowled over by DVD camcorders."
10. PC Magazine >> Details/Subscribe	Reviews: Digital Camcorders Editors of PC Magazine As of Oct. 2007		PC Magazine covers camcorders in single-product reviews and multi-camcorder 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, editors have only reviewed one currently available HD camcorder, the Sanyo Xacti VPC-HD2, a 720p model. Terry Sullivan's write-up finds some positives but reports that this Sanyo high-definition camcorder trails the competition.
11. Digital Trends.com	Top Reviews for Camcorders Editors of DigitalTrends.com As of Oct. 2007		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 these reviews harder to use is that several discontinued models remain listed. Several current HD camcorders rise to Editor's Choice standards, including the Canon PowerShot TX1, the Sony Handycam HDR-CX7 and the Canon HV20.
12. DigitalProducer.com >> Details/Subscribe	AVCHD and the Sony HDR CX7 Douglas Spotted Eagle Aug. 23, 2007		This single-product review of the Sony Handycam HDR-CX7 goes into good detail and is appropriately critical. But its real value lies in its discussion of editing AVCHD footage. Reviewer Douglas Spotted Eagle reports on the editing workflow in both a PC package (Sony Vegas 7e) and in Mac's iMovie 08. His assessment is that it is possible, but time consuming. Particularly if you are working on a PC, "you'll definitely want a fast computer." Spotted Eagle is disappointed that Sony chose not to include a Memory Stick Pro Duo card or a mini HDMI adapter or cable (needed for watching the video over HDMI) in the box. He also finds the introductory DVD to be "almost offensive in how it presents using a camcorder."

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

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

13. Consumer Guide.com	DV Camcorders Reviews and Prices Editors of ConsumerGuide.com As of Oct. 2007		Consumer Guide is becoming a better destination for camcorder reviews. It is finally clear that at least some hands-on testing is going on and many recent reports show more critical evaluation than we've seen before. That said, there's still too little independent opinion and too much reliance on manufacturer-supplied specs and information than we like to see. Also, this is currently a better source for reviews of standard definition camcorders because only a handful of current HD camcorders are covered.
14. CircuitCity.com	High Definition Camcorders Contributors to CircuitCity.com As of Oct. 2006		This is the web storefront for the Circuit City, a large consumer electronics retailer. Customers and owners can 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, site visitors can provide a one-line summary and a more detailed review if they wish.
15. Amazon.com	Camcorders Contributors to Amazon.com As of Oct. 2007		Amazon.com also 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 may be considering. Of course, like most non-professional review sources, the quality and usefulness of the information is uneven. HD camcorders are listed here together with SD camcorders.
16. Epinions	Digital Camcorder Ratings Contributors to Epinions As of Oct. 2007		Epinions invites owners to rate their own camcorders. Traffic here is lower than at either Circuit City or Amazon.com so most HD camcorders have few, if any, comments. However, a few high-definition camcorders do receive a few ratings, so it might be worth a stop to see if a camcorder you are considering is among them.

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

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

17. About.com	Camcorders Emily Price As of Oct. 2007		This landing page contains a scattered list of articles and reviews for some digital camcorders, including high-definition camcorders. Many of the reviews are short -- really no more than product announcements and a rundown of features -- and we see no evidence that much real testing is going on. (Note that ConsumerSearch is owned by About.com.)
18. Consumer Reports >> Details/Subscribe	First Looks: Two camcorders for high-def home videos Editors of Consumer Reports July 2006		Although Consumer Reports does a good job of rating standard-definition camcorders, it has so far only written reviews for two high-definition models, both published more than a year ago. As a result, the reviews are out of date and the general conclusions reached are really not relevant given the explosion of HD offerings over the past year.