Camcorder Buying Guide
The moment you decide to buy a camcorder, you're inundated with a dizzying array of jargon: HDD, HD, AVCHD, SDHC, 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.
- Getting started
- Types
- Features
- Brands
- Watch video
Camcorder selector (beta)
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 Hitachi and Sanyo accounting for sales too.
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.
Hitachi
Although this company has generally introduced only a few models each year, it has been known for innovation, with new technologies, such as camcorders with a Blu-ray disc recorders. They offer high-definition and standard-definition models.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.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.Samsung
This camcorder brand offers high-definition and standard-definition models.Sanyo
A niche player in this market. Produces small, portable camcorders. The model lines include Xacti as well as other product lines. Known for introducing new technologies, such as offering waterproof camcorders or models with OLED display screens. 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. Consumer models are known as Handycams. Many models have unique features, such as touch-screen LCDs and Night-vision modes for shooting in pitch-black situations with monochromatic video recording. 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. Only offers standard-definition camcorders. Although camcorders were convenient for sharing videos over the Internet, the video quality was far below that of even the lowest rated standard-definition camcorders.
