High Def Camcorders

Samsung HMX-H106SP

With a 64GB solid-state drive, as well as an SDHC card slot, the high-definition HMX-H106SP is a robustly built, compact camcorder. Its video quality isn't the best we've seen and its autofocus can be rather slow, but it benefits from an LCD touchscreen and well-organised menus

Editor's rating 6.4

Panasonic HDC-SD10

The Panasonic HDC-SD10 is a great pocket camcorder that manages to combine diminutive dimensions with good-quality, 1080p high-definition video. Beginners will have no problems using it, but there are plenty of options to keep more experienced users happy, too

Editor's rating 8.0

Sony Handycam HDR-XR500VE

Even though it's expensive and its user interface could do with a revamp, the Handycam HDR-XR500VE is a great camcorder, recording first-class video to its 120GB hard drive. It also sports a consumer-friendly feature set, including built-in GPS, and offers great performance

Editor's rating 7.9

Sony Handycam HDR-XR100

It's rather expensive, but the Handycam HDR-XR100 records decent 1080p video to its 80GB hard drive, and rectifies some of the problems suffered by the HDR-CX100. Sporting a simple and functional design, it's also comfortable to operate and quick to start up

Editor's rating 6.8

Sony Handycam HDR-XR520VE

Despite a relatively awkward user interface and a high price tag, the Handycam HDR-XR520VE is a great hi-def camcorder. It records first-rate video to an ample 240GB hard drive, offers great performance and sports a consumer-friendly feature set, including built-in GPS

Editor's rating 7.9

Panasonic HDC-TM300

The flash-based HDC-TM300 camcorder is pricey but shoots excellent 1080p high-definition video and offers solid performance, as well as a full set of manual controls. The touchscreen interface can be irritating at times, but this remains a very good HD camcorder

Editor's rating 7.9

Panasonic HDC-HS200

It may be expensive, but the Panasonic HDC-HS200 shoots truly excellent 1080p high-definition video, performing remarkably well in interior lighting conditions. It also takes great 10.6-megapixel still images, packs 80GB of built-in memory and boasts an intuitive touchscreen interface

Editor's rating 7.5

JVC Everio GZ-X900

The distinctive design won't be everyone's cup of tea, but the Everio GZ-X900 comes pretty close to being the perfect combination of camcorder and camera, shooting crisp video and sharp photos. You'll have to dig deep though -- this machine doesn't come cheap

Editor's rating 8.0

Sanyo Xacti VPC-CG10

Combining 10-megapixel still photos with 720p high-definition video, the Xacti VPC-CG10 aims to offer a killer combination of camera and camcorder for a reasonable price. Its ray-gun design won't appeal to everyone, but it's very pocket-friendly and extremely easy to operate

User rating 9.0

Editor's rating 6.0

Sanyo Xacti VPC-TH1

Under the right conditions, the attractive and eminently portable Xacti VPC-TH1 is capable of shooting extremely rich and detailed 720p footage -- just don't shake it too much when filming. It's also very easy to use and won't put a massive dent in your wallet

Editor's rating 6.0

Canon Legria HF200

The flash-based, high-definition Legria HF200 compact camcorder is pricey compared to many of its rivals. But a relatively extensive feature set, top-notch performance and excellent video-quality go some way to justifying the extra cost. And it all comes in a functional, classy-looking package

Editor's rating 8.0

Canon Legria HF20

Compared to its competitors, the flash-based, high-definition Legria HF20 compact camcorder is pricey. But it goes a long way to justifying the extra expense by offering a relatively extensive feature set, top-notch performance and excellent video-quality in a functional, classy-looking package

Editor's rating 8.0

Canon Legria HF S100

Offering top-notch performance and video quality, the SD card-based Legria HF S100 is an excellent high-definition camcorder with a good, functional design. As long as you can live without an electronic viewfinder and internal memory, you'll find it provides a better shooting experience than many of its rivals

Editor's rating 8.0

Canon Legria HF S10

Offering top-notch performance and video quality, the flash-based Legria HF S10 is an excellent high-definition camcorder with a good, functional design. As long as you can live without an electronic viewfinder, you'll find it provides a better shooting experience than many of its rivals

Editor's rating 8.0

Sony Handycam HDR-CX100

The compact, flash-based Handycam HDR-CX100 has a boxy but pleasant design and shoots decent video, performing particularly well in low light. Whether or not it's right for you depends on how significant a factor size is, as you can get better-equipped but larger models for the same price

Editor's rating 7.4

JVC Everio GZ-HD40

The reasonably compact Everio GZ-HD40 is a dual-format high-definition camcorder, shooting in both AVCHD and MPEG-2 TS, allowing you to get the best of both worlds. The menu system is convoluted, but the HD40 offers very good video quality and plenty of manual options

Editor's rating 8.0

Creative Vado HD

The easy-to-use Vado HD marries impressive video quality with a strong feature set, making it a serious rival to the leader in the mini-camcorder market, the Flip Video Mino HD. The Vado HD also boasts one feature that its main rivals do not -- a mini HDMI connector

User rating 7.0

Editor's rating 8.0

Canon HG21

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 produces video that is absolutely breathtaking. If you think you can make use of it all, this one's a winner

Editor's rating 8.6

Panasonic HDC-HS100

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 effective automatic modes. And, considering all the features, its price is right

Editor's rating 8.4

Sony TG3E

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 footage with well-tuned features. If you ask us, that's the best of both worlds

Editor's rating 8.2