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Analog models have lost out to digital's quality and ease of use.

You can do a lot more with videos shot on camcorders than play them back, unedited, on your TV. You can edit and embellish them with music using your computer, then play your productions on your DVD player or PC. You can also e-mail them to friends or family.

Digital camcorders still dominate the market, accounting for the vast majority of new models and purchases. They generally offer fine picture quality and decent sound, and most are quite compact--many weigh about 1 pound, and the smallest are closer to half a pound. You can duplicate recordings without degrading picture or sound quality, and even take still photos with most new models. Digital camcorders capable of high-definition recording (HD) are the newest arrivals. If you'll be watching your video on an HDTV, it's worth considering an HD camcorder, but be prepared to pay hundreds more for one.

As prices on digital camcorders have dropped, analog camcorders have been relegated to a very small part of the market. While they are the lowest-priced option, picture and sound quality are a step below what you can get with digital models. Some analog units are as easy to handle as digital models but tend to be a bit bigger and bulkier.

New recording formats are also becoming more important. Most digital camcorders store your video on miniature tape cassettes or DVDs, but others record onto an internal hard drive or removable flash-memory cards similar to those you'd use in a digital camera. A few models combine two storage options, such as a hard drive and DVD or memory card, for added flexibility.

WHAT'S AVAILABLE

Sony dominates the camcorder market, offering multiple models in a number of formats. Other top brands include Canon, JVC, Panasonic, and Samsung, with Hitachi and Sanyo accounting for some sales as well.

In years past, the major distinction in the camcorder category was analog vs. digital, but analog models have dwindled, with only a few remaining. Most analog camcorders use the Hi8 tape format. (VHS-C and Super VHS-C are fading from the market.) Blank tapes range from $3.50 to $6.50. Analog camcorders usually weigh around 2 pounds. Picture quality is generally good, though a notch below digital. Price: $200 to $300.

Among digital camcorders, one major distinction is the resolution the camcorder can capture. Most camcorders on the market are standard-definition, but more high-def camcorders are arriving. Those look just like conventional standard-definition (SD) models but they use a higher-resolution image sensor and more-advanced recording technology. They record in wide-screen format. HD video contains much more detail than SD video, but you'll be able to see it only on an HDTV.

Some HD models can record video in 1080i, the same high resolution in which a lot of HDTV programming is broadcast. Other models record in 720p, an alternative HD broadcast format. Note that (in general) HD recordings take up much more space than standard-def video, so you'll fit less footage in a given amount of storage; 720p files are not quite as large as 1080i, though. But high definition recordings made on MiniDV tape (HDV) store the same amount as SD recordings on MiniDV tape (DV). AVCHD recordings made on DVD or HDD hold almost as much video as SD on the same media. With some formats used to record HD, such as AVCHD, you might need HD-capable hardware, such as a Blu-ray DVD player, to play back recordings. You can also connect the camcorders directly to an HDTV.

Some HD models give you the option of recording in SD, which enables you to store more video. That also provides for broader playback compatibility if you want to share recordings with others. You can also down-convert HD video either within the camera or after you've transferred it to a computer.

The other chief distinction among camcorders is the recording medium they use. Camcorders using MiniDV tapes have been the most popular for the last few years but models that record on miniature DVDs, built-in hard drives, and memory cards, are becoming more common, in SD and HD versions.

MiniDV. MiniDV camcorders use a unique tape cassette, and the typical recording time is 60 minutes at standard play (SP) speed, which gives you the best quality, or 90 minutes at lower quality. Expect to pay about $4 for an SP-60 tape. While the cassettes are inexpensive and readily available, the tape can tangle and jam in the camcorder transport, which should be handled carefully to avoid damage. You must use the camcorder for playback. It converts the recording to an analog signal that can be played directly into a TV or VCR. If the TV or VCR has an S-video input jack, use it to get a high-quality picture for SD. For HD, models use component jack or HDMI to get a high-quality picture. You can fast forward or rewind sequentially through a recording, but you can't randomly jump to specific points on the tape. You can also transfer video to a computer for editing. That takes place in real time, so it's a slow process. Because of the gentler compression used, edited MiniDV video tends to look better than with the other types of camcorders. It's the only recording format that allows frame-by-frame editing. Price: $200 to $450 for SD; $775 to $1,150 for HD.

Disc-based. The disc format offers benefits that tape can't match: When handled with care they have durability, compactness, and random access to scenes as with a DVD. That makes for more carefree recording, though you should avoid bumping the camcorder while recording and keep dirt out of the mechanism. The 8-centimeter (about 3¼-inch) discs record standard MPEG-2 video, the same format used in larger, 12-centimeter" commercial DVD videos. The amount of recording time varies according to the quality level you select, from 20 minutes per side at the highest-quality setting for DVD-RAM to about 60 minutes per side at the lowest setting. (Double-sided or dual-layer discs double the capacity.) DVD-RAM discs are not compatible with most DVD players, but the discs can be reused. DVD-R is supposed to be compatible with most newer DVD players and computer DVD drives, but the discs are not rewriteable. DVD-RW and DVD+RW are reusable, rewriteable disc formats that promise similar compatibility. You can transfer files to a computer rapidly via a USB connection, but the files aren't "frame accurate," meaning you have less-precise control during editing. And, you generally get more artifacts in the edited recording because of the compression used.

With HD models, you might need different playback hardware than with standard-definition camcorders. For example, HD video recorded onto DVDs with the new AVCHD format can be played only on a Blu-ray disc player.

Camcorders using discs often require more time to power up and shut down. (Disc prices range from about $4 to $20.) Price: $300 to $600 for SD; $700 to $1,000 for HD.

Hard-drive-based. Camcorders that record onto tiny, built-in hard drives are even more carefree. Because the drive is internal, it's protected from most things including some level of mechanical shock. There's also no recording media to buy or carry along on trips. Like DVDs, hard drives are random access, but they're even faster. Most models have over 30 gigabytes of capacity, providing seven to nine hours of recordings at the highest-quality mode and 25 or more hours at lower quality. Some models can use removable memory cards to provide even more storage. This type of camcorder attaches via FireWire or USB to a computer and appear as mass-storage devices, so transferring files is a drag-and-drop affair. This format is very flexible, with an easy connection to computer: no special drivers are necessary, video and photos are already computer-compatible file formats and transfer quickly, so no conversion is necessary. As with discs, you generally don't have frame-accurate editing control and edited recordings have more digital artifacts because of the compression used. With this type of camcorder, you must be comfortable with the idea of using a computer to transfer or archive your video.

Acronym confusion worth noting: Some models are marketed with the acronym "HDD" which typically stands for "hard disk drive." Consumers looking for an "HD" (High Definition) hard disc drive-based camcorder, should carefully look for other indicators--such as "720p," "1080," "full HD" or "high def"--that the particular model does indeed record "high definition" video. Price: $400 to $800 for SD; $900 to $1,400 for HD.

Flash-memory-based. With digital formats using Secure Digital High Capacity (SDHC) or Memory Stick memory cards, the amount of video you can record at the highest quality level can vary from 15 minutes to 1 hour on 256-MB to 2-GB cards. Even larger cards with greater capacity are available. (To get a more precise estimate, check a camera's specifications.) As with hard drive-based models, you must be comfortable with the idea of using a computer to transfer or archive your video. Price: $350 to $800; $900 to $1,500 for HD.

Combo models. "Hybrid" camcorders--a relatively new category--that combine a hard-drive and a DVD drive or memory card in one unit. The hard-drive or memory card is fast and convenient for recording, while DVD is best used for archiving or sharing videos. Price: $410 to $700 for SD; $800 to $1500 for HD.

HOW TO CHOOSE

Buy a digital model unless you have old tapes to play back. It won't cost you much more, and you'll get better-quality recordings, usually longer recording times, plus more features and a wider choice of models. If you're replacing an older camcorder, think about what you'll do with the tapes you've accumulated. One option is to transfer them to an easily viewed (and more durable) medium, such as a DVD.

Consider an HD camcorder if you have (or will be buying) an HDTV. An HDTV can make the most of the higher-resolution video quality from a high-def camcorder. But keep in mind that it will probably cost you several hundred dollars more than a comparable standard-def camcorder. If you want the best possible video and it's worth the money to you, HD is the way to go.

Decide which recording format suits you best. The recording format you choose determines not only how much you'll be spending for tapes, discs, or memory, but also how much recording time you'll get. See the specifics for each storage format under A guide to formats.

Check the size, weight, and controls. In the store, try different camcorders to make sure they fit your hand and are comfortable to use. Some models can feel disconcertingly tiny. You'll need to use a tripod if you want rock-steady video, no matter which camcorder you choose. Most camcorders 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 the tape, DVD, or memory card and remove the battery without any trouble.

Check the flip-out LCD viewer. Most measure 2.5 inches on the diagonal, but some are larger. That can add about $100 to the price. Some viewers 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 on any model you're considering. The quality of the display is especially important if the camcorder has no viewfinder. Some have a "brightness boost" button, conveniently situated by the LCD.

Think about the lighting. A camcorder isn't always used outdoors or in a brightly lighted room. You can shoot video in dim light, but don't expect miracles. In our tests, using the default mode, most camcorders produced only fair or poor images in very low light. Many camcorders have settings that can improve performance but can be a challenge to use. There are models that do decently in dim light--say, in a darkened auditorium or at a child's birthday party with only candles for illumination. Check our Ratings for the best low-light performers if you expect to shoot in that type of setting.

Decide how much zoom you want. Most camcorders have at least 10x zoom, but if you expect to be shooting across a soccer field or from the rear of a school auditorium, you may prefer a model with 30x or even 40x. Although an image stabilization feature can help with the "shakes," we still recommend a tripod when using a long zoom.

For top audio quality, look for a model that accepts an external microphone. Most camcorders we tested were just OK for audio because of noises picked up from inside the camcorder. If you want cleaner audio with reduced room noise and echoes, use a highly directional microphone or one you can put at the source of the sound.

Consider your editing standards. You can edit any digital recording medium, but MiniDV allows you the finest control. It's your best bet for professional-style frame-by-frame editing.

Consider traveling convenience. If you don't want to be weighed down while traveling, consider a flash-memory- or hard-drive-based model. High-capacity SD and Memory Stick cards are pricy, but hold nearly as much video as blank tapes and discs--and with much less weight and bulk. Built-in hard drives means you can record for hours without the need to carry any blank media at all. But with both types, you'll have to be comfortable with using a computer to transfer or archive your recordings.

Is simple sharing super important? If you want the convenience of showing off your videos without dragging out the camcorder and cables, consider getting a DVD-based model. In most cases, the DVD from your camcorder (once finalized) will work in most current DVD players.

Copyright © 2003-2008 Consumers Union of U.S., Inc.
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