The JVC GY-HM100U HD camcorder pushes the boundaries of what a professional shooter can expect from a small camcorder. We've certainly become accustomed to thinking bigger is better, but the JVC GY-HM100U delivers both the high quality and ...

Lightweight and well designed camera body Easily imported QuickTime file format Dual SDHC slots for continuous recording

Not ideal for low light shooting

The JVC GY-HM100U HD camcorder is small, flexible and agile. It's ready to take whatever a pro shooter can throw at it.

It's hard to imagine that something so small can pack in this much technology. This reminds us of the differences in portable stereo technology in the eighties (very big shoulder-mounted) and today (iPods). The truth is that camcorders have been ...

Tiny 15x HD video lens Video Snap Shot Mode

Some users may want more weight to their cameras Manual focus through menu

The biggest little consumer camera around, perfect for family and event shoots.

Just like last year's HS100, this HS300 is a very nice-looking, sleek camera. It fits right in the center of the palm and is very easy to shoot with. Weighing in at 1.14 pounds, the HS300 feels light enough to operate as a handheld, while still ...

Manual focus ring Intelligent auto High-resolution stills

Reliance of touchscreen interface

Consumer camera at its best. Offers both manual customization and auto presets to conquer any shooting scenario.

One of the big standouts at CES this year was Canon's new AVCHD camcorder, the HF S10. One of the most impressive cameras to hit the market in some time, the S10 is without a doubt a beautiful camera. And with 900 lines of resolution packed into every ...

900 lines of resolution Up to 64GB of Flash memory Video snapshot on camera editing

No viewfinder

Canon's HF S10 is a top consumer camera for shooters looking to step up into the forefront of professional videography.

Similar in size and weight to a cell phone, the Pure Digital MinoHD camcorder records HD video at the incredible list price of $230. The MinoHD is Pure Digital's first 720p HD camcorder-all of their previous models have been standard-def. The MinoHD ...

Small, handy size ; High quality video output ; Very simple and easy to use

No mic or earphone jack ; Too-simple editing software ; Tough to shoot steady video consistently ; Poor automatic white balance ; No HD playback directly from camcorder

Overall, the MinoHD is an impressive offering for the very few bucks it may cost the consumer.

It's been about three years since Panasonic Broadcast released the acclaimed AG-HVX200 and the P2 workflow to the world. At the time going tapeless was still considered a bold gamble, filled with unknown risks such as archiving uncertainty and limited ...

DVCPRO HD 4:2:2 Codec Wide angle lens 5-year warranty

P2 media costly Short record times Only 650 lines horizontal resolution

Panasonic's AG-HPX170 shows good color detail and has extensive picture customization options. The P2 based media, though, is still costly, and the tradeoff for great pictures is short record times.

The professional camcorder market is not as intimidating as it was several years ago. These days, a shooter can find a professional-quality camcorder with cutting-edge features at a reasonable price. The video quality of these camcorders continues to ...

There's one thing we haven't talked about yet, and that's price. It will be the biggest factor in your decision. Price was a much bigger hurdle in the professional market before the prosumer camcorder market matured. Today, with much more competition ...

Looking for the ultimate HD camcorder? With full HD 1920x1080 resolution, an improved CMOS sensor and loads of other features, Sony's new HDR-XR520V just may be the solution you've been waiting for

Improved low light Massive storage Smooth slow motion Image stabilization

Battery life Limited footage for smooth slow motion

With loads of features, ease of use and quality to back it all up, the Sony HDR-XR520V is a powerful consumer-grade camcorder.

Get in line: It has finally arrived. Panasonic's new HDC-HS100 is an SD/HDD hybrid camcorder that is sure to shake things up. It's a beauty with an innovative design and a very user-friendly touch. At $1,200, the HS100 is a much welcome edition to the ...

Extremely user-friendly ; Intelligent Auto mode ; Intuitive design

Long load times

Panasonic's HDC-HS100 is the ultimate consumer camera. It is the only camcorder that offers the customization of a professional model with the touch of a consumer one.

Costing $3,200, the HDR-FX1000 is Sony's new version of the HDR-FX1. Sony has included three 1/3-inch ClearVid CMOS sensors instead of three CCDs, chopped off about an inch of the body, and added a new 20 x 29.5mm wide-angle G-Lens. With a few design ...

Very professional feeling consumer camcorder 29.5mm wide-angle G Lens Film-like progressive Scan: 1080/24p, 1080/30p, or 1080/60i

No knob on the zoom ring Servo focus only

The Sony HDR-FX1000 is the ultimate consumer camera that thinks like a professional.