Very good 720p HD video for its class; 5x optical zoom; nice LCD; full featured for an inexpensive minicamcorder

Component cable not included; slow AF, still-camera performance; poor photo quality; pistol grip not for everyone

Sanyo's dual-camera Xacti VPC-CG10 has the design and features to easily shoot both HD-quality movies and 10-megapixel photos, but slow performance and mediocre photos keep it from being a solid do-it-all device.

Nice size ; macro mode ; electronic image stabilization ; takes SDHC cards

Garish-looking design with hard-to-use buttons ; lame software

The JVC GC-FM1's impractical design and poor software hobble an otherwise competent mini camcorder competitor.

Solid 720p video, particularly for its size ; slightly slicker ultraslim yet functional design ; large 2-inch LCD ; easy to use ; integrated lithium ion rechargeable battery ; HDMI output ; FlipShare software compatible with both Macs and Windows ...

Fairly pricey ; no SD/MMC card expansion slot ; no cable included for HD output to HDTVs

Still one of the nicest models available, the second-generation Flip MinoHD offers a slightly improved design, double the memory, and an HDMI output for the same price that the original MinoHD used to cost.

Solid 720p video, particularly for its size ; slightly slicker ultraslim yet functional design ; large 2-inch LCD ; easy to use ; integrated lithium ion rechargeable battery ; HDMI output ; FlipShare software compatible with both Macs and Windows ...

Fairly pricey ; no SD/MMC card expansion slot ; no cable included for HD output to HDTVs

Still one of the nicest models available, the second-generation Flip MinoHD offers a slightly improved design, double the memory, and an HDMI output for the same price that the original MinoHD used to cost.

Simple operation ; records to DVDs or Memory Stick flash media

Soft video ; noticeable purple fringing on subjects ; DVDs not ideal storage medium

The Sony Handycam DCR-DVD650 offers an all-in-one, on-the-go way to capture standard-def video and burn it to a DVD, but hard-disk-drive and flash-memory models are otherwise a better option.

Excellent video quality and performance ; nicely designed interface ; fast battery charging

No eye-level viewfinder ; expensive ; lens cover rattles when closed

An excellent flash-based prosumer HD camcorder, the Canon Vixia HF S11 has the advantage of an excellent image stabilizer but it disappointingly lacks an eye-level viewfinder.

The ContourHD records high-definition video at 720p. Laser sights and a rotating lens help to aim the camera while mounted without the need for a viewfinder. Simple, one-handed operation and the included 2GB microSD card and rechargeable battery make ...

The unit is not waterproof or submersible. Low-light performance is poor

While not as rugged as its competition, the ContourHD features video quality and user-friendliness that is far better than any other helmet cam that we've tested.

Simple operation ; 60x zoom lens ; small, lightweight design

Soft, digital-artifact-laden video ; noticeable purple fringing on subjects

If internal flash memory, zoom range, and a touch-screen LCD are on your list of needs before video quality, check out the Sony Handycam DCR-SX41.

Excellent video quality ; 120GB hard drive ; attractive, understated design ; eye-level viewfinder

Wind filter not as dependable as previous Canon models ; manual focus pretty useless

Like its cousin, the flash-based HF11, Canon's Vixia HG21 delivers excellent HD video quality and performance albeit in a slightly larger, heavier package. However, you do get more storage space and a lower price.

Comfortable, compact design ; 34x zoom lens ; 16GB internal memory ; good audio quality ; relatively easy to operate

Slow autofocus performance ; long zoom lens lacks optical image stabilization

The Samsung SMX-F34 is a serviceable inexpensive standard-definition camcorder, but the money goes more to storage and the megazoom lens than to video quality.