A few guidelines to choose the best HD camcorder and a list of some of the best in the market.
An HD camcorder ensures that special moments in your life aren’t missed. The new generation camcorders easily surpass their counterparts in terms of producing high quality videos with clear sound. Videos recorded in an HD camcorder are far more detailed and can be customized with a number of options available in the gadget.
Things to Look for in a Camcorder
Mentioned below are some important features that should be considered before striking a deal.
Video/Sensor Resolution
The picture quality produced by a camcorder depends on the sensor’s resolution. The following are the types of sensors being used:
CCD: They collect light and convert it into electrical signals for image processing, but consume a lot of energy.
CMOS: CMOS offers flexibility because it caters to each pixel individually, thereby improving the overall picture and video quality.
MOS: These sensors guarantee to achieve high-quality images and videos while keeping energy consumption down.
The greater the sensor resolution, higher is the picture quality. HD camcorders provide two types of resolutions – the HD Ready (720p) and Full HD (1080i and 1080p). The ‘i’ and ‘p’ stand for interlaced and progressive scanning. Models having 1080i and 1080p resolution are preferred more as they provide a clearer and detailed image with an amazing quality.
Storage Medium
The recording medium is an important feature to consider while buying a camcorder. As of today, there are four ways to record data – Mini DV Cassette, hard drive, flash memory, and mini DVD. Out of the four options the most preferred ones are the hard drive and flash memory.
Hard Drive: Camcorders with hard drives are extremely easy to use as there is no need to remove the drive for data transfer. The hard drive allows the user to record videos for hours and the data can easily be transferred to a computer or an external hard drive.
Flash Memory: Other than the hard drive, flash memory is also a common data recording medium. A flash memory is further classified into three types – the internal memory of the camcorder which has a capacity of almost 32 GB (seen in most of the camcorders), the SSD (Solid-State Drive) which boasts a capacity of greater than 64 GB and finally the memory card which has a range of 2 GB to 64 GB.
Zoom
Full-size HD camcorders come with a minimum of 10x optical zoom and this feature is controlled by the movement of optical lenses. The lenses play a crucial role in providing crystal clear images. Another added feature is the digital zoom which makes the image clearer by increasing the pixel size, which in turn leads to a crystal clear video or picture.
LCD
Touchscreen LCDs are extremely common in today’s camcorders. They are not only used to view videos and images, but also to access many recording and playback features. Most LCDs measure almost 2½ inches, but some are larger in size which increases the price of the product. To ensure that they work fine outdoors, LCDs should be checked in the sunlight as well.
Size and Weight
Thanks to the recent technological developments, camcorders have lost excess weight and the box-shape. Most camcorders now weigh less than 700 gm, including the battery. Their compact size ensures a perfect fit on a human hand, or in a pant pocket. After considering all these necessary points, the buyer can make a uniformed decision suiting his/her needs. Here are the best options for buyers.
Top Rated HD Camcorders
Sony HDR-CX440
- Optical Zoom: 30x
- Digital Zoom: 350×4
- Sensor Resolution: 2.29 megapixels
- Video Resolution: 2.29 megapixels
- Shutter Speed: 1/8 sec
- Shutter Speed: 1/10000 sec
- Sensor Type: Exmor R CMOS
- LCD: 2.7 inches
- Digital Video Format: MPEG-4
- Price: USD 298
Pros
- Built-in projector
Cons
- Standard video quality
- Video recording in low light is not impressive
Canon Vixia HF R700
- Optical Zoom: 21x
- Digital Zoom: 1140x
- Camcorder Sensor Resolution: 2.07 megapixels
- Effective Video Resolution: 2.07 megapixels
- Min Shutter Speed: 1/2 sec
- Max Shutter Speed: 1/2000 sec
- Optical Sensor Type: HD CMOS RGB Color Filter
- LCD: 3.0 inches
- Digital Video Format: AVCHD/MPEG-4
- Price: USD 299
Pros
- Outstanding video even in dim light conditions
- Multiple options are provided for shooting HD videos
Cons
- A little bulky
Panasonic HC-X920
- Optical Zoom: 25x
- Digital Zoom: 1140x
- Camcorder Sensor Resolution: 8.49 megapixels
- Effective Video Resolution: 20.4 megapixels
- Min Shutter Speed: 1/2 sec
- Max Shutter Speed: 1/2000 sec
- Optical Sensor Type: Bi MOS Sensor
- LCD: 3.5 inches
- Digital Video Format: AVCHD/MPEG-4
- Price: USD 999
Pros
- Great video quality
- Excellent zooming features
- Compact body and light weight
Cons
- Slightly overpriced
Panasonic HC-V770K
- Optical Zoom: 20x
- Digital Zoom: 1140x
- Camcorder Sensor Resolution: 12.76 megapixels
- Effective Video Resolution: 20.4 megapixels
- Min Shutter Speed: 1/2 sec
- Max Shutter Speed: 1/2000 sec
- Optical Sensor Type: BSI MOS Sensor
- LCD: 3.0 inches
- Digital Video Format: AVCHD/MPEG-4
- Price: USD 499
Pros
- Good video quality
- Fairly good zooming features
- Compact body and light weight
Cons
- Poor battery backup
We have suggested some of the best camcorders available in the market. For detailed prices and discounts (if applicable), please check the official websites of the manufacturers.