Best Camcorders - true MPEG Movie Mode, 2.0 to 3 CCD Quantity, 30 to 200 x Digital Zoom

'performance, and image quality didn't live up to its high price tag.'

'lack of a viewfinder'

'high price'

'Unfortunately, while that may have been true for a standard-definition world, it doesn't seem to carry over to high-def--at least, not in the case of the JVC Everio GZ-HD7.'

'No AF Assist lamp, flash or light.'

'pretty disappointing camcorder'

'However, at just 0.57in, we can’t help feeling that it could be a little bigger.'

'Soft, bland video quality.'

'I'm also disappointed to see that Sanyo did away with the great-looking OLED (Organic Light-Emitting Diode'

'significant audio deficiencies include the lack of a headphone jack and full-time audio meters, both necessities for serious audio recording.'

'do not think AVCHD is a good consumer format at the moment due to its lack of broad support.'

'A small internal fan, designed to keep camcorder components cool, vents near the rear of the body.'

'The HDR-HC1 is also uncharacteristic of Sony's recent announcements in it's level of manual control of audio.'

'the HC1 has one significant downside for the enthusiast: tapes load from the bottom'

'The greatest limitation of the LCD is its relatively small size, which is hard to avoid on a camera this tiny.'

'it is ludicrous to offer a three CCD camcorder without at least manual shutter speed and aperture control'

'The shape is unusual as well, with the lens barrel pivoting from the body'