Camcorders

Flip Video Ultra (2nd gen)

The second generation of the Ultra standard-definition mini camcorder offers some modest improvements on its predecessor, with better video, a bigger LCD screen and more storage. It's a solid choice for those seeking a straightforward device for shooting Web-destined video

Editor's rating 6.6

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

Kodak Zx1 Pocket Video Camera

The easy-to-use Zx1 Pocket Video Camera HD mini-camcorder offers a relatively rugged design, good video quality and expandable memory. A flip-out USB connector is sorely missed and we'd like a bundled memory card, but this speedy performer still represents decent value for money

Editor's rating 7.6

Sanyo Xacti DMX-CA8

The Sanyo Xacti DMX-CA8 is a waterproof camcorder that's up to the challenge of holidays, adventures and wet weekends. Video quality isn't a top priority here, but it offers 'proper camcorder' features such as optical zoom and stills capture, and it's perfect for sharing your daring snowboarding clips on YouTube

Editor's rating 6.1

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

Flip Video MinoHD

The MinoHD isn't without its drawbacks, most notably a high price tag and its lack of a memory-expansion slot, but it's a great mini-camcorder nonetheless. Considering its size, this ultra-simple device shoots solid 720p video, and uploading your recordings to the Internet couldn't be much easier

Editor's rating 8.0

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

JVC Everio GZ-MS100

The big YouTube sticker on back of this camcorder's LCD and the YouTube branding on the box are kind of a giveaway: JVC's Everio GZ-MS100 is a compact, budget SD-card-based camcorder capitalising on the trend of one-touch video upload to the Internet

User rating 8.0

Editor's rating 6.4

Samsung VP-MX20

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 this a worthwhile Web-sharing option

User rating 4.7

Editor's rating 6.6

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

Canon FS100

At a budget price, the Canon FS100 is small, stylish and provides a reasonably expansive feature set for an SD card-based camcorder. It's a compact and convenient video camera with a hybrid zoom for very long shots

User rating 8.0

Editor's rating 7.4

Canon FS11

At a budget price, the Canon FS11 is small, stylish and provides a reasonably expansive feature set for an SD card-based camcorder. With 16GB of flash memory built in as well, it's a compact and convenient video camera with a hybrid zoom for very long shots

Editor's rating 7.4

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

Aiptek AHD Z500 Plus

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 in most situations -- though sound quality leaves something to be desired

User rating 7.0

Editor's rating 6.7

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

Kodak Zi6

While bigger than most of its competitors and high priced for a mini camcorder, the Kodak Zi6's attractive design and decent video quality adequately compensate for some usability drawbacks. Most notably, we wanted an optional memory card to make up for the mere 30MB of storage

User rating 9.0

Editor's rating 7.0

Canon FS10

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 shots

Editor's rating 7.4

Panasonic SDR-SW20

The novelty of waterproof gadgets takes a long time to wear off and we'll never tire of drop-testing products, which is why the shock and water-proof Panasonic SDR-SW20 camcorder certainly has the fun factor. It looks great too and is highly affordable for holidaymakers

Editor's rating 6.1

Creative Vado Pocket Video Cam

Creative has done a nice job with its first entry into the straight-to-Web mini camcorder market. With its small form factor and a rechargeable battery, this camcorder has an extremely low price tag to keep you sweet and away from point-and-shoot cameras

Editor's rating 6.8