Best HD Camcorders

Canon HV20 (Around $900)

Best HD camcorder. While high-definition camcorders are still a new technology with some usability issues, we had no trouble identifying the Canon HV20 as the best HD camcorder in reviews. Critics say its high-resolution image quality when displayed on an HDTV is simply outstanding. Low light performance is also good, especially when the camcorder's 24p mode is used. The 24p mode mimics the way film motion picture cameras capture footage -- that means your home videos can look more like movies. A great optical image stabilization system keeps things rock-steady even where other systems fall short. The Canon HV20 records to familiar and easy to find miniDV tapes, recording about 80 minutes of top-quality footage to each tape. Right now, experts say its MPEG-2 image files are easiest to edit on a computer (compared to the MPEG-4 files produced by some other types of HD camcorders). Ergonomics on the 1.2-pound Canon HD camcorder are also good.


Sony Handycam HDR-HC5 (Around $810)

Budget HD camcorder. This Sony high-definition camcorder uses easy-to-find miniDV tapes for recording and it costs a little less than the Canon HV20, the current leader in reviews. While experts say the Sony's image quality is very good, it's missing some features such as optical image stabilization – important for minimizing jumpy images caused by the natural movements of your hands as you hold the camcorder. If you plan mainly on using a tripod, you might not need that feature, but given the relatively small price difference, the Canon HV20 is the better buy overall.


Sony Handycam HDR-SR7 (Around $1,100)

Longest recording time. Most reviews say that image quality from the Sony Handycam HDR-SR7 falls a bit short of the less expensive Canon HV20 high-definition camcorder. Still, experts say image quality looks terrific in its own right and is far better than that of a standard-definition camcorder when displayed on an HDTV. And the Sony has one big advantage over the Canon HD camcorder: its 60GB hard disc drive can store up to 8 hours of top quality HD video (compared to about 80 minutes of best-quality video on miniDV tapes used by the Canon HV20). It uses the AVCHD format and MPEG-4 files, which are relatively easy to record to standard DVD discs, but editing isn't as easy as with MPEG-2 video. The Sony's menus and features are accessed through a touch screen that most critics don't like.