Best Camcorders - 1 to * CCD Quantity, Digital Camcorder Type, High Definition Recording Format, 2 to 3 in. LCD Panel Size, 5 to 7 in. Depth

'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.'

'decent video quality'

'new interface'

'user-friendly interface'

'The HDC-SD20 can capture full HD 1920x1080 video directly to SD/SDHC cards, features advanced optical image stabilization to reduce blurry images at long zoom ranges and can operate in light down to 9 LUX with its built-in video light. '

'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'

'Excellent HD Camera'

'colours are warm and well saturated – reds particularly eye popping and skin tones bright and healthy looking – with detail and sound impressively clear when viewed back on a flat panel telly.'

'remarkably smooth video'

'Several of the new Sony camcorders will also feature new highlight playback and power-on by LCD.'

'The HDR-XR100 also records audio in Dolby Digital 5.1 surround sound and has a built-in zoom microphone for realistic sound.  '

'new Custom Key button'

'The lens is very similar to the HV30 with spectra coating (to reduce flare and ghosting), aspheric design, but adds a neutral density (ND) filter to improve performance in bright environments.'

'astonishing high definition detail and color reproduction'

'Best-in-class handling and manual control'