Hard Drive Camcorders

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 SDR-H80

Whether you want to film the moon and stars or just someone very far away having a nosebleed, the compact Panasonic SDR-H80's 70x zoom will let you do it. Its standard-definition video won't blow you away, but it offers loads of storage and its price is reasonable too

Editor's rating 6.6

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

Sony Handycam DCR-SR47

An entry-level standard-definition hard-drive-based camcorder, the Handycam DCR-SR47 isn't for hi-def fanatics. But, if plenty of storage, a 60x megazoom lens and a compact and lightweight body are on your list of priorities, the DCR-SR47 will be well worth investigating

Editor's rating 6.6

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

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

JVC Everio GZ-MG730

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-megapixel sensor

Editor's rating 6.6

Canon HG20

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 excellent lens performance, not to mention superb video quality and understated design

Editor's rating 8.0

Sony Handycam DCR-SR85

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's easy to operate, too, thanks in part to a responsive, 69mm (2.7-inch) touchscreen LCD

Editor's rating 6.6

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 Handycam HDR-SR12

There's a whole lot to like about the Sony Handycam HDR-SR12. Not only does this shooter capture beautiful video to its impressive 120GB hard drive, it also shoots excellent still photos. If you're in the market for a hard drive-based high-definition camcorder, you won't go wrong with this Sony

Editor's rating 8.0

JVC Everio GZ-MG330

High definition may be all the rage, but not everyone is ready to make the leap to shooting in HD. Some just want a small, unobtrusive camcorder that records good-quality footage and doesn't cost the earth -- JVC delivers that with the MG330 that offers a 30GB hard drive and 35x optical zoom for under £250

User rating 7.0

Editor's rating 7.0

Sony Handycam DCR-SR45E

The best thing about the Sony Handycam DCR-SR45E is the touchscreen -- and the compact size, and probably the price, too. It is still a basic camcorder, however, with only standard-definition videos that won't appear that sharp if played back on a full-size TV screen

Editor's rating 6.2

Sony Handycam HDR-SR11

There's a whole lot to like about the Sony Handycam HDR-SR11. Not only does this shooter capture beautiful video, it also shoots excellent still photos. If you're in the market for a hard-drive-based high-definition camcorder, you won't go wrong with this Sony

Editor's rating 8.0

Toshiba Gigashot A100F

The Toshiba Gigashot A100F has put high definition and large capacity into the hands of the everyday shooter with its venture into the HD camcorder world. It's a beautifully-styled, respectably performing excellent HD camcorder for someone looking to film some simple footage

Editor's rating 7.0

Sony Handycam DCR-SR290E

Seeing is believing with Sony's Handycam DCR-SR290E. Its giant 69mm (2.7-inch) wide-screen touchscreen LCD allows you to see clearly through the Zeiss-branded 10x optical zoom lens. Along with Super SteadyShot image stablisation, you'll be looking at some excellent video

Editor's rating 7.4

Sony Handycam HDR-SR5E

The Sony Handycam HDR-SR5E is a bargain, with its HD video support, hard disk-based recording and Sony provenance. It feels solidly built, with some nice design touches and the controls in the places you'd expect to find them. With plenty of features, you're looking at the real deal

Editor's rating 7.0

Canon HG10

The Canon HG10, the hard drive-based, AVCHD-compatible camcorder, takes some chances. For starters, it has one of the most comfortable zoom switches in its class. Plus, upping its low-light performance, both focus and video quality, means it goes beyond other models to produce sharp photo and video

Editor's rating 7.5