Our main issue with the HG21, Canon's high-class, high-definition camcorder, is that it may be too good for its own good. Now that should tell you something. The HG21 comes with a whopping 120GB hard drive, a vast array of high-end features and produ...

Enormous 120GB hard drive; ravishing video; optical image stabilisation

Sound could be better; frustrating joystick menus

The Canon HG21 is an excellent camcorder that does so many things right and hardly anything wrong. Our only concern is that it might be a victim of it's own success. Its flexibility means more more potential outlay on accessories, its huge hard drive...

JVC bucks the trend for standard-def camcorders to have low-res sensors with the Everio GZ-MG730, its top-of-the-line hybrid camcorder. Small enough to fit in your pocket, it manages to cram in a 30GB hard drive plus microSD card expansion and a 7-megapix...

Solid standard-definition video quality; above-average photo quality; manual controls; small, comfortable design; dock and remote included

Tricky menu navigation and polarising interface; no external mic, headphone jacks; overpriced; unnecessarily uses fiddly microSD media

The JVC Everio GZ-MG730 produces acceptable standard-def video and good photos in bright light, but considering its price tag, it's ultimately disappointing

Samsung is coming into its own on the camcorder front, with the Samsung HMX20. It's a sleeker, more confident beast, and impressed us with the quality of its video even in low light, making this more than just a good-looking model. It's lacking...

Crisp detail; strong low-light performance; slick styling

No optical image stabilisation; overzealous zoom control

The Samsung VP-HMX20 impressed us with the quality of its video even in low light, making this more than just a good-looking stylish model. We'd like more manual control -- and more subtle control over the zoom -- but it's so easy to use that we...

If you're after the camcorder experience but don't need high definition, the Samsung VP-MX20 is an affordable standard definition shooter with 34x zoom. Good battery life and long recording times combined with the convenience of SD cards make th...

Large screen; expandable memory; swivel grip

Only standard definition

If you're after the camcorder experience but don't need high definition, the Samsung VP-MX20 is an affordable standard definition shooter. Decent battery life and long recording times combined with the convenience of SD cards make this a worthwh...

The Sony Handycam DCR-SR85's 60GB of storage means you can take it on holiday without worrying about running out of space. Plus, you can save video and stills to Memory Stick Pro Duo cards up to 8GB, making it a 'hybrid' camcorder. It'...

Lightweight, compact design; 60GB of storage and recording ability to Memory Stick cards; responsive touch screen; simple operation

Overpriced for what it delivers; no optical image stabilisation

If you don't want to, need to, or simply can't shell out a couple hundred pounds more for an HD camcorder, the Sony Handycam DCR-SR85 delivers decent SD video and copious recording time

We're loving the Canon HG20 HD camcorder, if not just for its bigger 60GB hard drive compared to Canon's comparable HF11's 32GB of internal flash memory. But that's just where it starts -- the HG20 is cheaper at around £720 and has exc

Excellent video quality; 60GB hard drive; attractive, understated design

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

Like its cousin, the flash-based HF11, Canon's Vixia HG20 delivers excellent HD video quality and performance albeit in a slightly larger, heavier package. But you do get more storage space at a lower price, which we think makes it entirely worth it

The Panasonic HDC-HS100 ticks just about every box for a camcorder. It's compact but still grippable, while boasting a roomy hard drive. It sports a number of high-end features while still being a piece of cake to operate and benefitting from effecti...

Manual lens ring; clever automatic settings; excellent video

Some grain in low light

Ticking every box -- compact frame, large capacity, high-end features -- the Panasonic HDC-HS100 delivers excellent high definition video in a package both acessible and powerful. The manual lens ring and viewfinder are nice touches in a very polished pac...

We're happy to report that you can find the Aiptek AHD Z500 Plus for under £200, which is great considering it's a 'full HD', lightweight camcorder. It's a true point-and-shoot and yields crisp images and movies and performs well

It's HD on a budget

Not many features; poor sound

The Aiptek AHD Z500 Plus gives decent enough high definition video, but doesn't back it up with decent sound or features. That said, the price and ease of use may motivate you to make a few compromises if all you need is a simple, pocketable HD shoot...

At a budget price, the Canon FS10 is small, stylish and provides a reasonably expansive feature set for an SD card-based camcorder. With 8GB of flash memory built in as well, it's a compact and convenient video camera with a hybrid zoom for very long...

Compact, attractive design; mic input

No optical image stabilisation; ineffective wind filter; no headphone jack; modest video quality

Convenient, well-designed camcorders that look pricier than they are, models in the Canon FS series -- FS11, FS10 and FS100 -- nevertheless deliver typical budget video in line with their price tags

The Sony TG3E camcorder is perfect for people who are sick of making compromises -- either in quality in favour of size, or size in favour of quality. Though it isn't exactly mini at 240g, it's portable and, significantly, yields amazing HD foot...

Size and portability; video quality; stills quality

Confusing controls; AVCHD format; no mic socket

Sony's forte is high-quality, cutting-edge technology delivered in highly desirable, stylish consumer products. That describes the TG3E perfectly. Serious videographers may scoff at some of its omissions and weaknesses, but for non-experts happy to p...