Solid 720p video, particularly for its size; slightly slicker ultraslim yet functional design; large 2-inch LCD; easy to use; integrated lithium ion rechargeable battery; HDMI output; FlipShare software compatible with both Macs and Windows machines.
THE BAD
Fairly pricey; no SD/MMC card expansion slot; no cable included for HD output to HDTVs.
THE BOTTOM LINE
Still one of the nicest models available, the second-generation Flip MinoHD offers a slightly improved design, double the memory, and an HDMI output for the same price that the original MinoHD used to cost.
Solid 720p video, particularly for its size; slightly slicker ultraslim yet functional design; large 2-inch LCD; easy to use; integrated lithium ion rechargeable battery; HDMI output; FlipShare software compatible with both Macs and Windows machines.
THE BAD
Fairly pricey; no SD/MMC card expansion slot; no cable included for HD output to HDTVs.
THE BOTTOM LINE
Still one of the nicest models available, the second-generation Flip MinoHD offers a slightly improved design, double the memory, and an HDMI output for the same price that the original MinoHD used to cost.
Excellent video quality and performance; nicely designed interface; fast battery charging.
THE BAD
No eye-level viewfinder; expensive; lens cover rattles when closed.
THE BOTTOM LINE
An excellent flash-based prosumer HD camcorder, the Canon Vixia HF S11 has the advantage of an excellent image stabilizer but it disappointingly lacks an eye-level viewfinder.
Camcorder, CMOS, 12 x, Flash card, Hard disk drive, 17.3 oz
THE GOOD
Excellent video quality; 120GB hard drive; attractive, understated design; eye-level viewfinder.
THE BAD
Wind filter not as dependable as previous Canon models; manual focus pretty useless.
THE BOTTOM LINE
Like its cousin, the flash-based HF11, Canon's Vixia HG21 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.
Camcorder, CMOS, Flash card, 5.0 megapixels, 4.3 oz
THE GOOD
The ContourHD records high-definition video at 720p. Laser sights and a rotating lens help to aim the camera while mounted without the need for a viewfinder. Simple, one-handed operation and the included 2GB microSD card and rechargeable battery make this one of the most easy-to-use helmet cams we've tested.
THE BAD
The unit is not waterproof or submersible. Low-light performance is poor.
THE BOTTOM LINE
While not as rugged as its competition, the ContourHD features video quality and user-friendliness that is far better than any other helmet cam that we've tested.
Very good 720p HD video for its class; 5x optical zoom; nice LCD; full featured for an inexpensive minicamcorder.
THE BAD
Component cable not included; slow AF, still-camera performance; poor photo quality; pistol grip not for everyone.
THE BOTTOM LINE
Sanyo's dual-camera Xacti VPC-CG10 has the design and features to easily shoot both HD-quality movies and 10-megapixel photos, but slow performance and mediocre photos keep it from being a solid do-it-all device.
Very good 720p HD video for its class; 5x optical zoom; nice LCD; full featured for an inexpensive minicamcorder.
THE BAD
Component cable not included; slow AF, still-camera performance; poor photo quality; pistol grip not for everyone.
THE BOTTOM LINE
Sanyo's dual-camera Xacti VPC-CG10 has the design and features to easily shoot both HD-quality movies and 10-megapixel photos, but slow performance and mediocre photos keep it from being a solid do-it-all device.
The X-Driven DRS-1100 viewer program pairs video with an accurate Google map showing vehicle location. Driving video and GPS information are automatically recorded.
THE BAD
The software viewer interface is a little rough in some places, and not always intuitive to use.
THE BOTTOM LINE
The X-Driven DRS-1100 performs its basic task of recording potential accidents well, but a number of small problems with the included viewer software hamper its usability.
Camcorder, Advanced HAD CCD, 60 x, Flash card, DVD-R (8cm), DVD+RW (8cm), DVD-RW (8 cm), DVD+R DL (8cm), 13.8 oz
THE GOOD
Simple operation; records to DVDs or Memory Stick flash media.
THE BAD
Soft video; noticeable purple fringing on subjects; DVDs not ideal storage medium.
THE BOTTOM LINE
The Sony Handycam DCR-DVD650 offers an all-in-one, on-the-go way to capture standard-def video and burn it to a DVD, but hard-disk-drive and flash-memory models are otherwise a better option.
Comfortable, compact design; 34x zoom lens; 16GB internal memory; good audio quality; relatively easy to operate.
THE BAD
Slow autofocus performance; long zoom lens lacks optical image stabilization.
THE BOTTOM LINE
The Samsung SMX-F34 is a serviceable inexpensive standard-definition camcorder, but the money goes more to storage and the megazoom lens than to video quality.
Comfortable, compact design; 34x zoom lens; 16GB internal memory; good audio quality; relatively easy to operate.
THE BAD
Slow autofocus performance; long zoom lens lacks optical image stabilization.
THE BOTTOM LINE
The Samsung SMX-F34 is a serviceable inexpensive standard-definition camcorder, but the money goes more to storage and the megazoom lens than to video quality.
Comfortable, compact design; 34x zoom lens; 16GB internal memory; good audio quality; relatively easy to operate.
THE BAD
Slow autofocus performance; long zoom lens lacks optical image stabilization.
THE BOTTOM LINE
The Samsung SMX-F34 is a serviceable inexpensive standard-definition camcorder, but the money goes more to storage and the megazoom lens than to video quality.
Comfortable, compact design; 34x zoom lens; 16GB internal memory; good audio quality; relatively easy to operate.
THE BAD
Slow autofocus performance; long zoom lens lacks optical image stabilization.
THE BOTTOM LINE
The Samsung SMX-F34 is a serviceable inexpensive standard-definition camcorder, but the money goes more to storage and the megazoom lens than to video quality.
An interesting design doesn't offset the so-so video quality and performance, especially for the higher priced HMX-H106, H105, and H104. If you're set on this series, though, the no-memory-included Samsung HMX-H100 is probably the best deal of the bunch.
An interesting design doesn't offset the so-so video quality and performance, especially for the higher priced HMX-H106, H105, and H104. If you're set on this series, though, the no-memory-included Samsung HMX-H100 is probably the best deal of the bunch.
An interesting design doesn't offset the so-so video quality and performance, especially for the higher priced HMX-H106, H105, and H104. If you're set on this series, though, the no-memory-included Samsung HMX-H100 is probably the best deal of the bunch.
An interesting design doesn't offset the so-so video quality and performance, especially for the higher priced HMX-H106, H105, and H104. If you're set on this series, though, the no-memory-included Samsung HMX-H100 is probably the best deal of the bunch.
The ATC5K has a color LCD that makes it easy to use in the field. Its Webcam and live monitor function enhance the usefulness of the camera. Waterproof, shockproof design takes bumps and splashes in stride.
THE BAD
Front-heavy design makes the unit difficult to mount stably. Low light performance is abysmal.
THE BOTTOM LINE
The ATC5K Action Camera has a few new features that make it easy to pick up and start using; however, it falls flat when it comes to video and photo quality.
The ATC3K's waterproof, shockproof design takes bumps and splashes in stride. The Webcam and live monitor functions enhance the usefulness of the camera.
THE BAD
The unit only captures VGA video, which is fairly low resolution by today's standards. Front-heavy design makes the unit difficult to mount stably. Low light performance is abysmal. The ATC3K does not feature a still photography mode.
THE BOTTOM LINE
The ATC3K Action Camera is rugged enough to take the knocks of extreme sports; however, it falls flat when it comes to video and photo quality.
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