Reviews of Video Cameras

The new standard definition, flash memory, limited moving parts camcorder from Canon, the FS100, provides a lot of great options and a decent price. Though there are a wide variety of camcorders in the same field, the FS100 balances out the options to try and provide a great camcorder at a budget price. However, while some of the features are nice, in the end, don’t judge this camcorder by its nicely labeled box.

It is standard definition, so though Canon has provided an impressive 37X optical zoom, but may be challenged, especially under low light. The 2.7” LCD screen, though a little grainy, makes up for it by being viewable even in direct sunlight. Weighing only 9.2 ounces, its light weight and ergonomic feel make it easy to record with. The included mic input is a nice touch; however, the wind filter is completely useless.

Read more of this Canon FS 100 review?

Read more reviews from electronicsme?

camcorder reviews

While I am a huge fan of standard definition camcorders, there is no bias here when saying, even in this category; the flash memory Panasonic SDR-SW20 is right where it is expected to be. It appeals to the active user, being waterproof, drop-proof, and dust-proof, but the challenges are the small buttons because of its size.

Price is definitely in line with those first time camcorder buyers, but if you’re planning to use this for advanced video photography, then you may need to keep shopping. Compared to cameras in the same category, the buttons aren’t nearly as accessible and the hand strap, because of its size, is unreliable.

Read more from electronicsme?

electronicsme product reviews and specifications

You know the drill—HDD and flash memory-based high-def camcorders are hot as blank tape and disc models fall out of favor. Recently we reviewed two newly introduced hard disc drive editions—the JVC GZ-HD40 and Canon Vixia HG21. Now it’s Panasonic’s turn for a new AVCHD high-def model but this one only records to SDHC cards. Since there’s no drive, disc or tape mechanism it’s incredibly compact and lightweight (13.4 ounces loaded versus 19 for the HG21). And after getting a world of grief from reviewers including yours truly, the company has moved from a trio of CCD chips to three CMOS sensors. Hopefully this will bring Panasonic back into the game but there’s a lot more to camcorders than imaging devices. Let’s see if our friends from Osaka have something to cheer about—or if they have to go back to the drawing board…

Read | Permalink | User Reviews | Linking Blogs

The JVC Everio GZ-MS100 is an average budget SD-card-based camcorder that's more attractive for its small design and relatively average video quality than its unique interface and one-touch uploads to YouTube.

The Panasonic SDR-SW20's only saving grace is its water-, shock-, and dust-proof body (and even those have limitations). Otherwise there's no reason to buy this pocket camcorder.

As we reported in the recent JVC GZ-HD40 review, high-definition hard disc drive and flash memory-based camcorders are arriving fast and furiously. One of the newest on the scene is the Canon Vixia HG21, a model with a whopping 120GB HDD, a 3.3-megapixel CMOS sensor, potent 12x zoom and optical image stabilization to help eliminate the shakes from your videos. What’s also really great about this one is the fact it records at a very fast bit rate of 24 Mbps—almost the level of many HDV and MPEG-2 TS camcorders. In theory a faster bit rate means better video. Whether this baby delivered the goods is exactly what we wanted to discover…

Read | Permalink | User Reviews | Linking Blogs

Like its cousin, the flash-based HF11, Canon's Vixia HG20 delivers excellent HD video quality and performance albeit in a slightly larger, heavier package. However, you do get more storage space and a lower price.

If you don't want to, need to, or simply can't shell out a couple hundred dollars more for an HD camcorder, the Sony Handycam DCR-SR85 delivers decent SD video and copious recording time.

The inexorable march away from tapes and discs has picked up steam in Camcorder Land—and this trend will continue until MiniDV and DVD home video makers take their place on the obsolete shelf next to Walkman cassette music players and analog televisions. This won’t happen overnight, but it’s happening right in front of our eyes as flash-based and hard disk drive camcorders win-over the public and take share from competing formats. Basically, it’s the iPod Phenomenon dramatically reshaping the camcorder biz. According to industry execs, tape and DVD cam sales are dropping while the new—and definitely cooler—formats take over. Almost all of the recent releases were memory card, flash or HDD based. And many of them are high-definition. I’m a big fan of high-def hard drive camcorders because their storage capabilities can’t be beat. It’s great not worrying if you have enough blank tape or DVDs for saving memories. And the small size and weight of flash-based models is also a winner. Finally, a high-definition camcorder is the only way to go, even though they’re much more expensive than SD ($799 USD is still about the cheapest, compared to $250 USD for MiniDV). With these preferences on the table, I was happy to test a new JVC HD Everio with a 120GB HDD. This high-def camcorder saves up to 15 hours of best-quality AVCHD video plus it performs several other unique tricks we’ll disclose on the following pages. Is it worth 1,300 clams? Read on, read on…

Read | Permalink | User Reviews | Linking Blogs

While bigger than most of its competitors and high priced for a mini camcorder, the Kodak Zi6's attractive design and decent video quality adequately compensate for some usability drawbacks.