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  DIGITAL CAMCORDERS

Flip UltraHD (black)

EDITORS RATING
8.0
SPECS
THE GOOD

Shoots 720p HD video; high-quality video for its class; easy to use; uses rechargeable AA batteries; FlipShare software compatible with both Mac and Windows machines.

THE BAD

Somewhat pricey; no memory card slot; no cable included for HD output to HDTVs.

THE BOTTOM LINE

The Flip Video UltraHD may not be the sexiest mini camcorder out there, but it offers a respectable feature set and some of the best video we've seen from this type of cheap, YouTube-friendly camcorder.

REVIEWED: 29-Apr-2009 09:01 PM PDT
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Flip UltraHD (white)

EDITORS RATING
8.0
SPECS
THE GOOD

Shoots 720p HD video; high-quality video for its class; easy to use; uses rechargeable AA batteries; FlipShare software compatible with both Mac and Windows machines.

THE BAD

Somewhat pricey; no memory card slot; no cable included for HD output to HDTVs.

THE BOTTOM LINE

The Flip Video UltraHD may not be the sexiest mini camcorder out there, but it offers a respectable feature set and some of the best video we've seen from this type of cheap, YouTube-friendly camcorder.

REVIEWED: 29-Apr-2009 09:01 PM PDT
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Sony Handycam HDR-XR520V

EDITORS RATING
7.9
VALUE WATCH RATING
Poor value
SPECS

Camcorder, Exmor R CMOS, 12 x, Flash card, Hard disk drive, 18 oz

THE GOOD

First-rate video quality and performance; geotagging videos is fun, if limited.

THE BAD

Annoying menu system; no wind filter; no manual shutter-speed, iris, or audio controls; relatively big and heavy; expensive.

THE BOTTOM LINE

Though their geotagging capabilities are mostly novelty and their interfaces could use a complete overhaul, the top-notch video quality, performance, and consumer-friendly feature sets of the Sony Handycam HDR-XR500V and HDR-XR520V make them worthy camcorder options. Both are overpriced, but since 14 hours of recording time is plenty--especially if supplemented with flash media--the HDR-XR500V is the better deal of the two.

REVIEWED: 02-Jul-2009 11:00 AM PDT
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Sony Handycam HDR-XR500V

EDITORS RATING
7.9
VALUE WATCH RATING
Poor value
SPECS

Camcorder, Exmor R CMOS, 12 x, Flash card, Hard disk drive, 18 oz

THE GOOD

First-rate video quality and performance; geotagging videos is fun, if limited.

THE BAD

Annoying menu system; no wind filter; no manual shutter-speed, iris, or audio controls; relatively big and heavy; expensive.

THE BOTTOM LINE

Though their geotagging capabilities are mostly novelty and their interfaces could use a complete overhaul, the top-notch video quality, performance, and consumer-friendly feature sets of the Sony Handycam HDR-XR500V and HDR-XR520V make them worthy camcorder options. Both are overpriced, but since 14 hours of recording time is plenty--especially if supplemented with flash media--the HDR-XR500V is the better deal of the two.

REVIEWED: 02-Jul-2009 11:00 AM PDT
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Panasonic HDC-HS300

EDITORS RATING
7.9
VALUE WATCH RATING
Poor value
SPECS

Camcorder, 3CMOS, 12 x, Flash card, Hard disk drive, 16.2 oz

THE GOOD

High-quality video; solid performance; electronic viewfinder; full manual feature set.

THE BAD

Touch screen not responsive enough.

THE BOTTOM LINE

A very good prosumer HD camcorder, the Panasonic HDC-HS300 still isn't as good a deal as the similarly featured but flash-based TM300 and has the same annoying touch-screen interface.

REVIEWED: 02-Jun-2009 01:31 PM PDT
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Panasonic HDC-TM300 (Black)

EDITORS RATING
7.9
VALUE WATCH RATING
Poor value
SPECS

Camcorder, CMOS, 12 x, Flash card, 13.6 oz

THE GOOD

High-quality video; solid performance; electronic viewfinder; full manual feature set.

THE BAD

Touch screen not responsive enough.

THE BOTTOM LINE

A very good prosumer HD camcorder, the Panasonic HDC-TM300 nevertheless has an annoying touch-screen interface.

REVIEWED: 02-Jun-2009 01:00 PM PDT
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Panasonic HDC-HS250

EDITORS RATING
7.7
SPECS

Camcorder, 3MOS, 12 x, Flash card, Hard disk drive, 930.3 lbs

THE GOOD

High-quality video; solid performance; broad manual feature set.

THE BAD

Touch screen not responsive enough

THE BOTTOM LINE

A very good prosumer HD camcorder, the Panasonic HDC-HS250 is the best deal of its product line, but has the same annoying touch-screen interface.

REVIEWED: 01-Jun-2009 02:55 PM PDT
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Canon FS200 (silver)

EDITORS RATING
7.6
VALUE WATCH RATING
Poor value
SPECS

Camcorder, CCD, 37 x, Flash card, 7.9 oz

THE GOOD

Ultracompact design; 37x optical zoom; mic, headphone jacks.

THE BAD

No optical image stabilization; no extended-life battery option.

THE BOTTOM LINE

Though its video isn't perfect, the Canon FS200 is one of the better standard-definition consumer camcorders available.

REVIEWED: 26-Jun-2009 09:36 AM PDT
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Canon FS200 (red)

EDITORS RATING
7.6
VALUE WATCH RATING
Poor value
SPECS

Camcorder, CCD, 37 x, Flash card, 7.9 oz

THE GOOD

Ultracompact design; 37x optical zoom; mic, headphone jacks.

THE BAD

No optical image stabilization; no extended-life battery option.

THE BOTTOM LINE

Though its video isn't perfect, the Canon FS200 is one of the better standard-definition consumer camcorders available.

REVIEWED: 26-Jun-2009 09:36 AM PDT
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Canon FS200 (blue)

EDITORS RATING
7.6
VALUE WATCH RATING
Poor value
SPECS

Camcorder, CCD, 37 x, Flash card, 7.9 oz

THE GOOD

Ultracompact design; 37x optical zoom; mic, headphone jacks.

THE BAD

No optical image stabilization; no extended-life battery option.

THE BOTTOM LINE

Though its video isn't perfect, the Canon FS200 is one of the better standard-definition consumer camcorders available.

REVIEWED: 26-Jun-2009 09:36 AM PDT
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JVC Everio GZ-MS120 (red)

EDITORS RATING
7.0
VALUE WATCH RATING
Poor value
SPECS

Camcorder, CCD, 35 x, Flash card, 8.5 oz

THE GOOD

Good video quality for its class; manual controls; small, comfortable design.

THE BAD

No inputs; questionable YouTube friendliness; no optical image stabilization; thin grip strap.

THE BOTTOM LINE

The JVC Everio GZ-MS120 is a nice little flash-memory-based standard-definition camcorder.

REVIEWED: 08-Jun-2009 01:43 PM PDT
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JVC Everio GZ-MS120 (black)

EDITORS RATING
7.0
VALUE WATCH RATING
Poor value
SPECS

Camcorder, CCD, 35 x, Flash card, 8.5 oz

THE GOOD

Good video quality for its class; manual controls; small, comfortable design.

THE BAD

No inputs; questionable YouTube friendliness; no optical image stabilization; thin grip strap.

THE BOTTOM LINE

The JVC Everio GZ-MS120 is a nice little flash-memory-based standard-definition camcorder.

REVIEWED: 08-Jun-2009 01:43 PM PDT
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JVC Everio GZ-MS120 (blue)

EDITORS RATING
7.0
VALUE WATCH RATING
Poor value
SPECS

Camcorder, CCD, 35 x, Flash card, 8.5 oz

THE GOOD

Good video quality for its class; manual controls; small, comfortable design.

THE BAD

No inputs; questionable YouTube friendliness; no optical image stabilization; thin grip strap.

THE BOTTOM LINE

The JVC Everio GZ-MS120 is a nice little flash-memory-based standard-definition camcorder.

REVIEWED: 08-Jun-2009 01:43 PM PDT
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Sony Handycam HDR-XR100

EDITORS RATING
6.8
VALUE WATCH RATING
Poor value
SPECS

Camcorder, Exmor CMOS, 10 x, Flash card, Hard disk drive, 11.6 oz

THE GOOD

Relatively fast startup; comfortable design.

THE BAD

So-so video quality for HD; annoying touch screen and interface.

THE BOTTOM LINE

While it's a perfectly serviceable HD camcorder, the Sony Handycam HDR-XR100 should deliver a little more of everything for the money.

REVIEWED: 08-Jul-2009 11:47 AM PDT
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Panasonic SDR-H80 (blue)

EDITORS RATING
6.6
VALUE WATCH RATING
Poor value
SPECS

Camcorder, CCD, 70 x, Flash card, Hard disk drive, 10.6 oz

THE GOOD

Manual controls; 60GB hard drive; 70x optical zoom with stabilization.

THE BAD

Mediocre video quality; USB, power input behind battery.

THE BOTTOM LINE

The Panasonic SDR-H80 has the zoom power of a telescope and a lot of storage in a compact body, but the video results are not nearly as thrilling.

REVIEWED: 22-Jun-2009 01:05 PM PDT
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Panasonic SDR-H80 (red)

EDITORS RATING
6.6
VALUE WATCH RATING
Poor value
SPECS

Camcorder, CCD, 70 x, Flash card, Hard disk drive, 10.6 oz

THE GOOD

Manual controls; 60GB hard drive; 70x optical zoom with stabilization.

THE BAD

Mediocre video quality; USB, power input behind battery.

THE BOTTOM LINE

The Panasonic SDR-H80 has the zoom power of a telescope and a lot of storage in a compact body, but the video results are not nearly as thrilling.

REVIEWED: 22-Jun-2009 01:05 PM PDT
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Panasonic SDR-H80 (black)

EDITORS RATING
6.6
VALUE WATCH RATING
Poor value
SPECS

Camcorder, CCD, 70 x, Flash card, Hard disk drive, 10.6 oz

THE GOOD

Manual controls; 60GB hard drive; 70x optical zoom with stabilization.

THE BAD

Mediocre video quality; USB, power input behind battery.

THE BOTTOM LINE

The Panasonic SDR-H80 has the zoom power of a telescope and a lot of storage in a compact body, but the video results are not nearly as thrilling.

REVIEWED: 22-Jun-2009 01:05 PM PDT
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Panasonic SDR-H80 (silver)

EDITORS RATING
6.6
VALUE WATCH RATING
Poor value
SPECS

Camcorder, CCD, 70 x, Flash card, Hard disk drive, 10.6 oz

THE GOOD

Manual controls; 60GB hard drive; 70x optical zoom with stabilization.

THE BAD

Mediocre video quality; USB, power input behind battery.

THE BOTTOM LINE

The Panasonic SDR-H80 has the zoom power of a telescope and a lot of storage in a compact body, but the video results are not nearly as thrilling.

REVIEWED: 22-Jun-2009 01:05 PM PDT
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Sony Handycam DCR-SR47 (silver)

EDITORS RATING
6.6
VALUE WATCH RATING
Poor value
SPECS

Camcorder, Advanced HAD CCD, 60 x, Flash card, Hard disk drive, 10.6 oz

THE GOOD

Simple operation; 60x zoom lens; 60GB hard drive; small.

THE BAD

Soft video; noticeable purple fringing on subjects.

THE BOTTOM LINE

If storage amount, zoom range, and easy operation are on your list of needs before video quality, check out the Sony Handycam DCR-SR47.

REVIEWED: 28-May-2009 01:40 PM PDT
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Sony Handycam DCR-SR47 (blue)

EDITORS RATING
6.6
VALUE WATCH RATING
Poor value
SPECS

Camcorder, Advanced HAD CCD, 60 x, Hard disk drive, 10.6 oz

THE GOOD

Simple operation; 60x zoom lens; 60GB hard drive; small.

THE BAD

Soft video; noticeable purple fringing on subjects.

THE BOTTOM LINE

If storage amount, zoom range, and easy operation are on your list of needs before video quality, check out the Sony Handycam DCR-SR47.

REVIEWED: 28-May-2009 01:40 PM PDT
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Sony Handycam DCR-SR47 (red)

EDITORS RATING
6.6
VALUE WATCH RATING
Poor value
SPECS

Camcorder, Advanced HAD CCD, 60 x, Hard disk drive, 10.6 oz

THE GOOD

Simple operation; 60x zoom lens; 60GB hard drive; small.

THE BAD

Soft video; noticeable purple fringing on subjects.

THE BOTTOM LINE

If storage amount, zoom range, and easy operation are on your list of needs before video quality, check out the Sony Handycam DCR-SR47.

REVIEWED: 28-May-2009 01:40 PM PDT
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Flip Ultra (second gen, white)

EDITORS RATING
6.6
SPECS
THE GOOD

Decent video for a VGA budget mini camcorder; easy to use; good low-light performance; 4GB memory holds 2 hours of video; FlipShare software is compatible with both Mac and Windows machines.

THE BAD

No memory card slot; no rechargeable battery included.

THE BOTTOM LINE

Flip Video has made some modest improvements to the original Ultra--but it's only worth buying at a reasonable discount off its list price.

REVIEWED: 29-Apr-2009 09:01 PM PDT
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Flip Ultra (second gen, black)

EDITORS RATING
6.6
SPECS

Camcorder, Flash card, 6 oz

THE GOOD

Decent video for a VGA budget mini camcorder; easy to use; good low-light performance; 4GB memory holds 2 hours of video; FlipShare software is compatible with both Mac and Windows machines.

THE BAD

No memory card slot; no rechargeable battery included.

THE BOTTOM LINE

Flip Video has made some modest improvements to the original Ultra--but it's only worth buying at a reasonable discount off its list price.

REVIEWED: 29-Apr-2009 09:01 PM PDT
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Flip Ultra (second gen, yellow)

EDITORS RATING
6.6
SPECS

Camcorder, Flash card, 6 oz

THE GOOD

Decent video for a VGA budget mini camcorder; easy to use; good low-light performance; 4GB memory holds 2 hours of video; FlipShare software is compatible with both Mac and Windows machines.

THE BAD

No memory card slot; no rechargeable battery included.

THE BOTTOM LINE

Flip Video has made some modest improvements to the original Ultra--but it's only worth buying at a reasonable discount off its list price.

REVIEWED: 29-Apr-2009 09:01 PM PDT
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Flip Ultra (second gen, pink)

EDITORS RATING
6.6
SPECS
THE GOOD

Decent video for a VGA budget mini camcorder; easy to use; good low-light performance; 4GB memory holds 2 hours of video; FlipShare software is compatible with both Mac and Windows machines.

THE BAD

No memory card slot; no rechargeable battery included.

THE BOTTOM LINE

Flip Video has made some modest improvements to the original Ultra--but it's only worth buying at a reasonable discount off its list price.

REVIEWED: 29-Apr-2009 09:01 PM PDT
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