Camcorder Brands from Consumer Reports

Camcorder Buying Guide

The moment you decide to buy a camcorder, you're inundated with a dizzying array of jargon: HDD, HD, AVCHD, HDV. You'll come across camcorders that cost as little as $100 and those that cost thousands. And the sales staff could even confuse you more. Use our guide will help find the right camcorder for your needs.

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Sort our Ratings based on features, brands and other factors.

Brands

Sony dominates the camcorder market, offering multiple models in a number of formats. Other brands include Canon, JVC, Panasonic, and Samsung, with Sanyo accounting for sales too. In pocket camcorders, Pure Digital and RCA have been leaders.

Canon

A key player in the camcorder market. This camcorder brand consistently produces good to very good high-definition and standard-definition models, some of which have recently topped our Ratings. The Vixia line of camcorders is Canon’s high-definition models. Along with Sony, it still offers a high-definition MiniDV tape model.

JVC

Among the first to offer a hard-drive camcorder. Consistently produces good high-definition and standard-definition models in several different formats. Hard-disk models are known as Everio camcorders. They've also introduced some pocket camcorder models.

Panasonic

Consistently produces good to very good high-definition and standard-definition models, some of which have recently topped our Ratings. They’ve also often offered new technologies, such as models with face detection. Models tend to be very easy to use. They've also introduced some pocket camcorder models.

Samsung

This brand has increased its presence in the product category by recently introducing a long line of new models. It offers high-definition, standard-definition and pocket camcorder models.

Sanyo

A niche player in this market. Produces small, portable camcorders, although they generally have more features than pocket camcorder models. The model lines include Xacti as well as other product lines. Known for introducing new technologies, such as offering waterproof. They offer high-definition and standard-definition models.

Sony

Leads the camcorder industry in market share and offers the largest model selection of standard- and high-definition models, some of which have recently topped our Ratings. They've also introduced some pocket camcorder models. Consumer models are known as Handycams. Along with Canon, it still offers a high-definition MiniDV tape model.

Pure Digital

Up-and-comer offering inexpensive, easy-to-use camcorders. Camcorder lines are called Flip, FlipUltra and Flip Mino. Offers standard-definition and high-definition camcorders. Although camcorders are convenient for sharing videos over the Internet, the video quality is generally far below that of even the lowest rated standard-definition camcorders.

Kodak

Although they're a well-known name in digital cameras for many years, the company has recently introduced several HD and SD pocket camcorders, including a full-HD pocket model.