Best Camcorders - 8 to 80 MegaPixels Memory Still Resolution, Low Light, High Definition Recording Format

'relatively healthy 12x optical zoom'

'The TM700’s on screen menu is fairly easy to navigate although it does require a bit of scrolling to get at some functions.'

'Good range of manual features.'

'You press and hold the center button to select the dial's operation: manual focus, exposure compensation, aperture or shutter, mic level and automatic gain control limit--which caps the signal boosting in low light to minimize visual noise. '

'The new touchscreen system is intuitive and good for beginners, but we did find it a bit frustrating for navigating the camcorder's long menu system.'

'the display is clear and viewable even in quite bright conditions.'

'streamlined user interface'

'The camera includes 32GB of built-in flash memory and supports SDHC cards, and it encodes the video as AVCHD files with data rates up to 24 mbps, the format's maximum capability. '

'The camcorder earned an audio score of Good, with noticeably better clarity and volume than rival camcorders offered. '

'impressively deep and professional manual controls'

'The playback on the camera is easy enough to use, though I miss the touchscreen on my Handycam.'

'The Sanyo Xacti SH1 boasts a 23x optical zoom, which is above average for a Full HD camcorder; most high-definition cameras come with 15x zooms or lower. '

'Supports Apple-backed iFrame format.'

'The CX550V has a nice array of features including manual focus, aperture and shutter control, and multi-channel audio recording. '

'remarkably smooth video'

'The JVC GZ-HM550 is sharply styled, with a silver-accented black body.'

'The HM550 has other great new features being showcased by JVC's newly announced flagship camcorder, the GZ-HM1.'

'smooth, fluid image'

'Picture quality and sound are impressively clear, with no background hiss or operational buzz, while colours have just the right amount of saturation to ensure that skin tones look healthy without appearing unnaturally so.'

'Excellent set of manual features.'

'The HF S21 also includes an electronic viewfinder, and it is Canon's only new camcorder to include such feature. '

'Canon’s superlative proprietary imaging technologies'

'traditional candy bar-style design'

'The creamy white and black incarnation of the latest high definition Sanyo Xacti VPC-CG10 model remains desirably attractive and portable too at a weight of 188g with rechargeable lithium-ion battery and card inserted.'

'Images remained impressively sharp throughout testing, with detailed objects — such as overlapping leaves — exhibiting little digital smearing.'