Hard Drive Camcorders, Single sensor

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

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-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

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

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

Sony Handycam HDR-SR8

Leading Sony's charge on to the high-definition battlefield is the gorgeous Handycam HDR-SR8, a camcorder that boasts a gargantuan 100GB hard drive, a 10x Carl Zeiss zoom lens and Sony's Super SteadyShot and Super NightShot systems

Editor's rating 9.2

Sony Handycam DCR-SR42

The Sony Handycam DCR-SR42 is a lightweight camcorder with a 30GB hard drive and has a bundled dock and built-in lens cover. It uses a touchscreen menu system on its 64mm LCD. It has decent stereo audio and its zoom is easy to control

Editor's rating 6.0

JVC Everio GZ-MG57

A good size for small adult hands, the GZ-MG57 is also lighter than most camcorders. Like the other Everio models, you control the camera's options via a joystick on the bezel of the LCD. The menu system is fairly straightforward, providing quick access to all the shooting settings

User rating 4.0

Editor's rating 6.4

Sony Handycam HDR-SR1

Sony's sturdy, adaptable camcorder is a pleasure to use. Hard disk capacity, a great design and a broad feature set -- including AV, component and HDMI output jacks and a manual control ring for adjusting exposure, focus and white balance -- make this the consumer HD model to beat for 2006

Editor's rating 8.0

Sony Handycam DCR-SR80

If you're the type of videographer that puts the camcorder in Easy mode and concentrates on pointing the lens in the right direction and zooming when appropriate, the Sony Handycam DCR-SR80 should be great for you. Performance is pleasing and image quality is impressive -- you could definitely do a lot worse

Editor's rating 7.1

Sony Handycam DCR-SR40

Sony's Handycam DCR-SR40 is a decent choice for an entry-level hard-drive-based camcorder. Tweakers and still-image buffs will probably want to move up the line, but casual shooters, such as those who just want to document birthday parties and the occasional holiday, should enjoy the convenience of being tape and mini-DVD free

Editor's rating 7.0

Sony Handycam DCR-SR100

Sony may not be the first manufacturer to enter the hard drive camcorder market -- that distinction goes to JVC's Everio models. But with excellent video quality and fluid operation, the Sony Handycam DCR-SR100 puts all but the more expensive JVC 500 series models, as well as Sony's own DVD-based models, to shame

User rating 8.0

Editor's rating 7.4