Types of Camcorders
First, decide on the type of high-definition camcorder you want to buy. If you want better quality and more options, consider a full-sized model. If you need a smaller, more portable model, get an action cam, which is about half the size of regular pocket camcorders. Keep in mind, however, that today’s full-sized camcorders are smaller and more lightweight than previous models. They fit easily in your hand and weigh as little as a half-pound yet still include at least a 10x optical zoom lens and other powerful possible features: Ultra High Definition, or 4K, resolution; 3D capability; GPS for geotagging; and built-in, or pico, projectors.
Full-Sized Camcorders
Unlike analog camcorders of the past, digital models allow you to do a lot more with video than just play it back on a TV. You can edit and embellish with music using a computer, then play your productions on a computer, or on a DVD or Blu-ray player. You can also email recordings or upload video clips to sites such as YouTube. Many video-editing software suites also let you combine video with digital stills, graphics, and text.
Most full-sized camcorders have at least a 10x optical zoom, although some have more (as much as 50x). At maximum zoom, most full-sized camcorders will produce jittery video because of hand shake or other factors. To compensate, most have an image stabilizer.
One feature found on many full-sized HD camcorders is an HDMI output, the best way to connect your camcorder to an HDTV.
Action Cams
If you want a camcorder that’s more compact than a full-sized model, you should consider an action cam, like one of GoPro’s Hero line of camcorders. Such models are very small and lightweight, and they often have rugged bodies.
Action cams are designed for people who engage in outdoor sports and activities such as biking, surfing, and snowboarding, and want the ability to capture hands-free video. Because of their compact size, they may lack features such as a viewfinder or an LCD. Although some have a waterproof exterior, most have a rugged and waterproof housing or removable case and mounting brackets for attaching the camcorder to a helmet or another object.
Camcorder Features
The right camcorder features are important, whether you’re considering an HD camcorder or a 4K model.
Flip-Out LCD Viewer
This type of viewer is common on all full-sized camcorders but few action cams. Some come in a wider aspect ratio (16:9), often called a wide-screen LCD, that is similar to the ratio found on many HDTVs. (Some higher-priced camcorders include touch-screen LCDs.) LCDs are useful for reviewing video and can be easier to use than an eyepiece viewfinder. But LCDs are difficult to use in sunlight—a drawback of models that have only a display and no eyepiece.
Screens vary from 2½ to 4 inches measured diagonally, with a larger screen offered as a step-up feature on higher-priced models. Because an LCD viewer uses batteries faster than an eyepiece viewfinder, you don’t have as much recording time when the LCD is in use.
PHOTO: CANON
Image Stabilizer
This feature automatically reduces most of the shaking that occurs while you hold the camcorder. Most stabilizers are either electronic or optical, although some models have both. Either type is effective; though mounting the camcorder on a tripod is the surest way to get steady images. Tip: If you’re not using a tripod, try holding the camcorder with both hands and bracing both elbows against your body.
PHOTO: GOPRO
Autofocus and Full-Auto Switch
Full-auto switch: This control, which goes by different names depending on the manufacturer, provides you with point-and-shoot simplicity. The camcorder automatically adjusts the color balance, shutter speed, focus, and aperture (also called the “iris” or “f-stop” with camcorders).
Autofocus: Adjusts for maximum sharpness. Some models include a manual-focus override that can be helpful in problem situations, such as low light.
PHOTO: SAMSUNG
Zoom, Optical Zoom, and Digital Zoom
Zoom: This is typically a finger control—press one way to zoom in, the other to widen the view. The rate at which the zoom changes depends on how hard you press the switch.
Optical zoom: Typical optical-zoom ratios range from 10:1 to about 50:1—or are described as having 10x optical zoom or 50x optical zoom. The zoom relies on optical lenses, just like a film camera (hence the term “optical zoom”).
Digital zoom: Many camcorders also include a digital zoom to extend the range to 400:1 or more, but at a lower picture quality than optical zoom gives.
PHOTO: CANON
3D Capability
Some camcorders can capture 3D photos or video, or both. To do this, the camcorder may capture two different images (or use software to create them), representing the different perspectives of the left and right eye. The differences between those two images create a sense of depth. Your brain combines the two images into one seamless 3D image when you wear special glasses, which are capable of presenting each eye with its own separate view, or when you view them on a special 3D LCD that uses applied “parallax barrier technology.”
PHOTO: PANASONIC
Built-In Projectors
Some models include built-in projectors (also known as pico projectors). The feature is now incorporated into some HD camcorder models from Sony. Each includes a tiny projector embedded on the back of the flip-out LCD, which Sony claims will be able to project a 60-inch diagonal image.
PHOTO: SONY
Viewfinder
Although most newer camcorders do not have this feature, some higher-priced models will have an electronic viewfinder that lets you compose a shot without needing to use the display. This conserves battery life and is helpful in bright-light situations that wash out the LCD.
PHOTO: SONY
WiFi
The number of camcorders with WiFi is growing. It allows you to wirelessly transfer photos and video to your computer, quickly back them up on a hard drive, or upload them directly to a social networking website. Some models even also allow you to wirelessly connect and transfer video and photos to mobile devices or control the camcorder remotely from an app on a smartphone or tablet. Some camcorders also include near field communication (NFC), which makes connecting to mobile devices quick and easy.
PHOTO: SAMSUNG
Rugged and/or Waterproof Body
Models that are rugged and waterproof have bodies that are claimed to resist moisture and withstand falls.
PHOTO: GOPRO
4K Resolution
A camcorder with 4K resolution (3840x2160 pixels) offers four times the resolution of a full HD camcorder (1920x1080 pixels). Because of the higher resolution, these new types of camcorders can provide finer detail, but you need an Ultra High Definition (4K) TV to see that detail.
PHOTO: SONY
Flip-Out LCD Viewer
This type of viewer is common on all full-sized camcorders but few action cams. Some come in a wider aspect ratio (16:9), often called a wide-screen LCD, that is similar to the ratio found on many HDTVs. (Some higher-priced camcorders include touch-screen LCDs.) LCDs are useful for reviewing video and can be easier to use than an eyepiece viewfinder. But LCDs are difficult to use in sunlight—a drawback of models that have only a display and no eyepiece.
Screens vary from 2½ to 4 inches measured diagonally, with a larger screen offered as a step-up feature on higher-priced models. Because an LCD viewer uses batteries faster than an eyepiece viewfinder, you don’t have as much recording time when the LCD is in use.
PHOTO: CANON
Shopping Tips
Consider the type, size, weight, controls, and features: In the store, try different camcorders to make sure they fit your hand and are comfortable to use. Most are designed so that the most frequently used controls—the switch to zoom in and out, the record button, and the button for still photos—are readily at hand. Make sure that the controls are convenient and that you can change recording media and remove the battery without any trouble. More models are also including WiFi features. So check for this if it’s important to you.
Check the LCD. Most measure about 3 inches on the diagonal, but some are larger. However, few action cams have any type of display. Some displays on full-sized models suffer from too much glare, making them difficult to use outdoors in bright sun. Check the display in the store to make sure you’re satisfied with the usability of any model you’re considering. But note that most LCDs look fine indoors. In full, midday sunlight, viewing performance will vary greatly from model to model.
Think about lighting. You won’t always be shooting in bright light. Using the default mode, we found that models varied in quality when shooting in dim light. Most full-sized HD camcorders captured at least good-quality video in low light, but some had excellent quality. Note that many camcorders have settings that can improve performance but can be a challenge to use.
Consider audio quality. We look at how accurately the built-in microphone records and whether the sound file is free from noise or hiss. Action cams often lack decent audio quality. A few advanced models include a jack for using an external microphone, which can improve sound quality.
Decide which recording format suits you best. The recording format you choose determines not only how much you’ll be spending for memory media (most often, a memory card) but also how much recording time you’ll get. Most models offer a few recording formats and several resolution options. But there’s generally a trade-off: Better-quality formats and higher resolution settings give you shorter recording times.
How Camcorders Store Video
Flash memory is the standard storage format. Most camcorders store video on memory cards, such as Secure Digital (SD, SDHC, SDXC), micro Secure Digital (microSD, microSDHC, microSDXC), Memory Stick, and Memory Stick Micro memory cards. The amount of video you can record on a camcorder at the highest quality depends on the card’s capacity, which can range from 4GB to 128GB or more.
Some camcorders include an internal, nonremovable flash memory chip—capacity for internal flash storage can range from 8GB to 96GB. Some models include both a memory card and internal flash memory.
No matter which type of camcorder you buy, after you capture your video you’ll need to transfer your video to your computer’s hard drive, where you can store or edit it.
Resolution and What's Available
Almost all newer camcorders capture high-definition video, even low-end budget models (at either 1280x720 pixels or 1920x1080 pixels at various frame rates). Such footage will look best when viewed on an HDTV. There have also been fewer full-sized HD-models introduced because an increasing number of devices (SLRs, smartphones, tablets) also capture HD video.
However, 4K video camcorders are appearing in the market. The major distinction between a 4K camcorder and an HD camcorder is the resolution they capture:
• 4K camcorder resolution: 3840x2160 pixels
• HD camcorder resolution: 1920x1080 pixels or 1280x720 pixels
• Standard-definition camcorder resolution: 720x480 pixels
Almost all HD models can record video in 1080i, the same resolution as much HDTV programming. Some can even shoot in 1080p—the same format used on Blu-ray discs. Only a few models record in 720p, an alternative HD broadcast format.
HD recordings take up much more space than standard-def video, so you’ll fit less video in a given amount of storage. Some formats that record in HD, such as AVCHD, need HD-capable hardware, such as a Blu-ray disc player, to play back recordings. Also, you’ll find action cams that can capture HD-resolution video, some even in 1080i, but will compromise the video quality in other ways, such as lower frame rates.
Camcorder Brands
Sony dominates the camcorder market, offering a range of models across all current consumer formats. Other brands include Canon, GoPro, JVC, Panasonic, Samsung, and Vivitar.
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