The following camcorders in our comparison are versatile devices that cater to both beginners and intermediate users alike. For a start, these are all High Definition (HD) camcorders. With high definition capability very accessible in low-priced camcorders, we can’t expect anything less for a camcorder in the $500 – $1000 price range. We will examine and rate each camcorder based on Value (what the camcorder has to offer), Quality (video performance in different environments), Ease of Use (user-friendliness), Control (manual options) and Overall performance. I gave a maximum score of five to each of the categories mentioned.

The Samsung SC-MX20 is an upgrade of the SC-MX10 model. Price range for this model is at $200 – $350. Like its predecessor the SC-MX10, it is also equipped with a single 1/6 inch CCD sensor with a great 34X zoom lens. Ideal for beginners with its properly streamlines menus that are strategically grouped together, intuitive manual controls and a swivel grip that is fun to use are all great qualities for this camcorder. However, this camcorder performs below par where it matters – taking videos.

The Panasonic SDR-H60 Camcorder is a full featured camcorder that packs many elements for a very competitive price. This camcorder is Panasonic’s number one single-chip, standard definition hard drive camcorder. Its 60GB hard drive provides enough space for recording 14hrs of high quality videos and 54hrs of low quality videos. If that is not enough, you can continue recording in MPEG 2 format thru an SD or SDHC memory card that you can place in its built-in memory slot.

If you’re always on the go, ready to shoot those once-in-a-lifetime moments, then the Panasonic SDR-S7 is good for you. Although larger than a cell phone, it is small enough to slip in your pocket or bag for you to take everywhere you go. You can grip it and it sits easily in the palm of the hand; anyone who lays eyes on it always immediately remarks about its size.

The Panasonic HDC-HS300 is the company’s top camcorder for 2009 and easily fits in the first-class camcorder category. With a price range of $1200-$1499, the HDC-HS300 brims with features and manual controls and boasts an amazing video quality. The HDC-HS300 also features Panasonic’s intelligent Auto (iA) capability and the Advanced Optical Image Stabilization (Advanced OIS) which equips the camcorder with excellent shake-reduction capabilities.

With a price range of $9,900 – $13,500, the Panasonic AG-HPX500 is a shoulder mounted high-definition camcorder from Panasonic that is nowhere in the cheap category but definitely packs a lot of features and many functions that are not available in any other camcorder in the market.

In the fourth quarter of 2007, Panasonic has announced a new model of AVCHD pro camcorder added to its line-up, the AG-HMC70. Panasonic has tried to balance a professional look with affordability. Panasonic scheduled it to release in April of 2008, and they expected it to sell for less than $2000. It is similar to HDC-SD1 with a shoulder-mount design and upgraded audio options. It can store up to 32 GB in AVCHD video format to SD/SDHC cards.

The VPC-WH1 Camcorder can be submerged in the water up to a depth of 10 feet; this is what makes Sanyo’s VPC-WH1 HD camcorder special. The other camcorder that Sanyo had made waterproof was the VPC CA9, which could be submerged under water up to a depth of 5 feet. CA9 is an upright pistol grip camcorder, whereas WH1 has a more traditional design. Before WH1, Panasonic’s SDR-SW20 and SW21were the only models that gave industrial-strength waterproofing to consumer camcorders; however, Sanyo goes a step ahead by not only shooting …

Sanyo’s VPC-HD2000, a vertical, pistol grip camcorder, is the first consumer camcorder to capture full high-definition videos at 60 frames per second. Its strongest offerings are video performance, low light sensitivity, manual controls and a number of options for still photography. It features 10X optical zoom and 16X advanced zoom.
It is called a “Dual Camera” because Sanyo has incorporated a point and shoot camera and a camcorder both in one device. Even if it is an easy-to-use machine, it is tiring to hold the camcorder in position for a very long time because of the lack of a handgrip. The VPC-HD2000 is a good camcorder designed with both beginners and experts in mind.

The most exciting characteristic of Sanyo’s new Xacti VPC-CA9 is its being waterproof. Be it on the longest waterslide or in a bucket full of water, the CA9 has passed all the tests. It is safe to use it underwater for up to a depth of 1.5m or 5feet. You can actually rinse the CA9 with water after using it underwater.
It has a pistol like grip that makes it easier to control the camcorder. It has the ability to shoot HD 9 megapixel digital still pics and HD 720/30p video underwater. Some may find its still picture quality not to be up to the mark. However, its video quality is good. It has some very descent features like face detection for up to 12 faces, a 285-degree rotating LCD screen, and a reverse sequential shooting function. Sanyo’s Xacti VPC-CA9 is a good camcorder with better features and its most prominent aspect is its waterproof feature.

Sanyo Xacti is a high definition camcorder with 10x optical zoom. One of its most exciting aspects is its vertical design and small size. Designed to fit in a jacket pocket, it is very portable. It renders good results for a camcorder of its size. It weighs around 9.9 ounces (with the battery and SD card). It has a pistol-like-grip, designed for simple, one-hand operation with the thumb. This makes it comfortable to hold the camcorder for long periods.
One of its exceptional features is its video quality. On the front …

Canon’s Vixia HF20 is a High Definition camcorder that records to a 32 GB built-in memory. Price wise it is a reasonable alternative to a more expensive HF11. It has a very neat and classy black look that is not cluttered with too many buttons. It sports some of the most high-end features that include a 15x HD video lens, a Super Range Optical Image Stabilizer, and a 3.89megapixel Full HD CMOS sensor. It also has a broad set of manual features. It is loaded with a number of features for a camcorder of its size.
One of its most disappointing aspects is the lack of an electronic viewfinder. It has a descent battery life. The camcorder has the capability to deliver good outcome, and clear, and crisp results. It shares common features with the HF200, other than the 32 GB built-in memory that is absent in HF200.

Sony’s new HDR-CX520V is a flash memory camcorder like its sister model, HDR-CX500V. It is capable of capturing full 1920×1080 HD video and up to 12-megapixel stills on a 64GB internal flash memory. It features a six Megapixel Exmor R CMOS sensor and offers up to 25 hours of HD video in LP mode.
It offers 12x optical zoom and 15x digital zoom. It has a 3-inch touch screen. Some of its other features include Face Detection, Dynamic Range Optimizer, Optical SteadyShot image stabilization and Smile Shutter. Its most amazing feature …

The Canon VIXIA HF S100 brings pro level quality to the prosumer market at an amazingly affordable price. Despite a few usability issues this camcorder’s quality more than makes up for its few flaws.

VIXIA HF S10 has a lot in common with its sister model, the HF S100. The only difference between the two is that HF S100 lacks a built-in memory. HF S10 is designed for people who require a professional camcorder at a reasonable price.
VIXIA HF S10 is Canon’s flagship consumer flash memory camcorder. One of its better features is the professional quality 10x HD Video lens that captures perfect pictures comparable to those taken from a professional camera.  It delivers pictures that are crisp, clear, and with the least flare and …

We’ve reviewed a lot of flash memory camcorders, and generally we think flash camcorders are the best of breed of the digital camcorders. They are smaller, lighter, less power hungary, and more reliable, but one thing we’ve never liked about them is the limited video storage. As the recording quality has skyrocketed up to 1080p @ 60 frames per second, the amount of storage space needed to operate one of these camcorders rapidly exceeds the current size of flash memory cards. And even more disturbing is the high performance memory cards needed to record at that quality are VERY expensive. One of our editors stumbled upon the MoFoto Portable Video Storage Device, and we realized that it would be a great companion to the flash camcorders we like so much.