Typical price: £850
What is it: Full high-definition camcorder with 120GB hard drive
What we think: So good, it's almost too good
Compare the Canon HG21
Canon HG21 compared to other hard drive camcorders
![]() Canon HG21 |
![]() JVC Everio GZ-MC500 |
![]() Sony Handycam HDR-SR8 |
![]() Panasonic HDC-HS100 |
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| Review date | 1 Dec 08 | 22 Jul 05 | 3 Jul 07 | 3 Oct 08 |
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| Price range | £850 | |||
| Review summary | 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 means you're not likely to ever fill it, its assorted high-end features mean its pretty pricey. But we still love it Read full review |
Not only does it look like a professional camcorder, but the MC500's performance matches its appearance. Instead of the more common single CCD, the MC500 uses three separate CCDs to capture a far better clarity of colour. The biggest benefit of the MC500, however, is the size of the thing -- it's tiny Read full review |
The Sony HDR-SR8 and HDR-SR7, which has a smaller 60GB hard drive, are the Rolls Royce of movie cameras -- feeling like a million dollars, shooting like they're heading for Hollywood and handling like a dream. Tech-heads will need to look elsewhere, but everyone else will luxuriate in the effortlessly impressive high-definition movies – and probably struggle to fill that large hard drive Read full review |
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 package Read full review |
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| Full specification | Full specification | Full specification | Full specification |
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