Best Camcorders - SP Recording Speed, 1 to * CCD Quantity, 30 to 200 x Digital Zoom

'sizable 3.5-inch screen'

'high quality recording'

'excellent high-end camcorder'

'It excels in low-light environments and it's also ideal for macro shooting.'

'crisp and clear focus'

'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.'

'the main zoom is large and the record button comfortably placed for the more traditional HandyCam posture.'

'nice, large zoom rocker switch'

'The new GZ-HM1 HD Everio offers a full slate of technologies to optimize picture quality and an array of manual controls for creative flexibility. '

'Special shooting modes for capturing subjects lit by a spotlight or other specific sources can be helpful.'

'unique shooting functions'

'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 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.'