Best HD Camcorder

Panasonic's top camcorders have historically been great performers, after all. We were just hoping thatâ?? despite the fact that wireless features have become the connecting thread of imaging-related announcements at CESâ?? this model would stand out in some other way. Maybe the new back-illuminated sensors will do the trick, but we'll only be sure after lab testing.

That said, we have to admit the new WiFi features are pretty darn cool.

The HC-X920 is priced £50 above the RRP of the HC-X900, but it's still sub-£1,000, and should be £50-100 beneath this when it becomes more widely available. With even better performance and additional WiFi-features, it's well worth the extra cash anyway. The HC-X900 was the king of consumer-grade camcorders, and the HC-X920 is heir to its throne. If you're looking for the best 2D camcorder on the market, Panasonic has raised the bar yet again with the HC-X920.

You might be a little sceptical about the need for a proper video camera in the days of DSLRs and phones, but we promise you, there's something a lot nicer about picking up a tool designed to do the job. Sure, you can do all DIY with a hammer if need be, but the results will cary from good, to very smashy and not all that nice to look at. Pick the right tool, and use a couple of things together, and you'll get a much better result.

As a product judged for what it does, we really love the X920.

It's hard to get excited about a camcorder that offers so few performance improvements, but bear with us, because the Panasonic HC-V720â?? like its predecessorâ?? is a great deal.

Minus a few slight changes, both for better and worse, the V720's image quality is quite similar to the V700's. But let's not forget how strong performance was to begin with. This camcorder's color accuracy and noise reduction are both solid, and sharpness is outstanding, surpassing competitors like Canon's HF M52.

The Panasonic HC-V720 may only have minor improvements in central areas, particularly image quality, but it does have enough additional features and enhancements to make it a worthy upgrade nevertheless. The additional image stabilisation options, 5.1 surround sound, and comprehensive WiFi features are all very welcome. With great performance and loads of features, this is a great mid-range camcorder.

The important thing when considering whether to get the Panasonic HC-V720, then, isn't whether it'll give you vastly improved image quality in your video over what some cameras or the best smartphones will do. Sadly, it often won't.
But what it does is enable you to smoothly record footage that you couldn't get any other way: close-ups in sporting events; perfectly smooth tracking of a bird taking off; video from a boat that doesn't make people too seasick.

The GoPro Hero3 Silver and White editions are strong contenders in the sports camera market, but the faster, more powerful Black Edition is head and shoulders the best sports camera on the market today.

If you're looking to upgrade from your HD Hero2, the Hero3: Black Edition should give you plenty to be excited about. The enhanced video performance means your videos will be sharper, have more detail in low light, and moving subjects will look smoother than anything you shot with the Hero2. In addition to being both smaller and lighter than its predecessor, the Hero3's built-in WiFi functions make it an easier camcorder to us, especially if you have a smartphone.

The GoPro Hero3 Black Edition delivers outstanding video quality and features like 4K that you won't find anywhere else.

So the ideal PX100 customer will be looking for a little bit of both: A person who's interested in improving their technique or someone else's, but also maybe shooting some game footage from the bleachers too. We do think this represents a large portion of coaches and parents, and if you're one of them, don't be afraid to buy this unique camcorder.

The JVC GC-PX100 is pricey but brilliant, and it's the best camcorder of its type in the market. If you're a serious videographer with demanding requirements, the PX100 is more than likely up to the task.

The benefits of the HC-V520 are clear. It has more manual controls than the Canon and its zoom lens is ridiculously long. It's a stronger camcorder in low light and it comes with a better battery. But the Canon is easier to use and it comes in a slicker, fancier package, which, in a way, makes it more fun to handle. Both are good options for low-end camcorders, but the Canon HF R40 is the better bang for your buck.

The Panasonic HC-V520 is quite an improvement over its predecessor. With better image quality, the WiFi features, and enhanced zoom as well as more image stabilisation options, there are many reasons why this is a better buy than the HC-V500. However, at around £130 less than the HC-V720, it's not such a clear value proposition in the mid-range price bracket. If you have the extra to spend, the HC-V720 is a clear winner around the £500 mark.

Good image quality and great Wi-Fi features, but few connections.