Ultracompact design ; 37x optical zoom ; mic, headphone jacks

No optical image stabilization ; no extended-life battery option

Though its video isn't perfect, the Canon FS200 is one of the better standard-definition consumer camcorders available.

Manual controls ; 60GB hard drive ; 70x optical zoom with stabilization

Mediocre video quality ; USB, power input behind battery

The Panasonic SDR-H80 has the zoom power of a telescope and a lot of storage in a compact body, but the video results are not nearly as thrilling.

Good video quality for its class ; manual controls ; small, comfortable design

No inputs ; questionable YouTube friendliness ; no optical image stabilization ; thin grip strap

The JVC Everio GZ-MS120 is a nice little flash-memory-based standard-def camcorder.

High-quality video ; solid performance ; electronic viewfinder ; full manual feature set

Touch screen not responsive enough

A very good prosumer HD camcorder, the Panasonic HDC-TM300 nevertheless has an annoying touch-screen interface.

High-quality video ; solid performance ; electronic viewfinder ; full manual feature set

Touch screen not responsive enough

A very good prosumer HD camcorder, the Panasonic HDC-HS300 still isn't as good a deal as the similarly featured but flash-based TM300 and has the same annoying touch-screen interface.

High-quality video ; solid performance ; broad manual feature set

Touch screen not responsive enough

A very good prosumer HD camcorder, the Panasonic HDC-HS250 is the best deal of its product line, but has the same annoying touch-screen interface.

Simple operation ; 60x zoom lens ; 60GB hard drive ; small

Soft video ; noticeable purple fringing on subjects

If storage amount, zoom range, and easy operation are on your list of needs before video quality, check out the Sony Handycam DCR-SR47.

Decent video for a VGA budget mini camcorder ; easy to use ; good low-light performance ; 4GB memory holds 2 hours of video ; FlipShare software is compatible with both Mac and Windows machines

No memory card slot ; no rechargeable battery included

Flip Video has made some modest improvements to the original Ultra--but it's only worth buying at a reasonable discount off its list price.

Decent video for a VGA budget mini camcorder ; easy to use ; good low-light performance ; 4GB memory holds 2 hours of video ; FlipShare software is compatible with both Mac and Windows machines

No memory card slot ; no rechargeable battery included

Flip Video has made some modest improvements to the original Ultra--but it's only worth buying at a reasonable discount off its list price.

Decent video for a VGA budget mini camcorder ; easy to use ; good low-light performance ; 4GB memory holds 2 hours of video ; FlipShare software is compatible with both Mac and Windows machines

No memory card slot ; no rechargeable battery included

Flip Video has made some modest improvements to the original Ultra--but it's only worth buying at a reasonable discount off its list price.