HD camcorder reviews: Features explained
HD camcorders have similar features to standard-definitions ones (see our standard-definition camcorder reviews if you don't want an HD model).
Recording format
One of the first things you have to decide is what recording format to choose – Mini-DV, DVD, memory card or hard disk. See recording formats to find out which is best for you.
Zoom
Camcorders have a zoom to get you closer to the action
Zoom helps you get closer to the action. All camcorders have a zoom feature, but some have much more powerful zooms than others.
A x10 optical zoom is sufficient for most people’s needs.If you’re doing lots of long-distance work, such as close-ups of distant wildlife, a more powerful zoom can come in handy – but you'll probably need a tripod.
Digital zoom or optical zoom?
If you're shopping around for a camcorder, make sure you compare optical zoom figures, not the digital figures manufacturers sometimes quote.
Digital zoom reduces picture quality, sometimes to the point that you can barely make out what you're filming.
Recording in difficult light
Camcorders generally struggle to produce good image quality in dim light outdoors or indoors. However, there are easy to use features which help you to achieve a better picture. Look to see if your camcorder has these.
Night mode
Some camcorders have a 'night mode'. This gives you a brighter picture, although it sometimes also results in jerky movements of moving objects.
Video lamp
Some camcorders also have video lamps that help to illuminate your subject, providing it's within about a metre and a half away. Good for close-up work.
Gain-up and backlight compensation
Gain-up, if available, can brighten up a picture, and backlight compensation brightens up someone or something positioned in front of a bright scene, a window for example.
Image stabilisation
The slightest hand or arm movement can cause a shaking effect when shooting with a camcorder, especially when you've zoomed far in.
All our HD camcorders come with a stabilisation function, which removes minor shakiness.
Some of these work better than others, and some have unwanted side effects – loss of sharpness or resolution, for example.
Unless you’re using a tripod, keep image stabilisation turned on, however, as the pros usually far outweigh the cons.
Sound
Sound quality on camcorders isn't always great. Some, but not all, camcorders allow you to attach an external microphone which often, but not always, significantly improves sound quality.
Camcorder built-in mics are susceptible to picking up wind noise, which can end up being quite annoying when you are playing back your video.
To this end, most camcorders have a wind-filter function that cuts this wind noise significantly.
However, it can sometimes cut other sound, so when you are indoors or somewhere where there is no wind, switch this function off if you are able to.
Overall, wind filters work really well and the pros far outweigh the cons.
Most HD camcorders also have zoom mics. When the feature is switched on, the mic will pick up sound from further and further away the more you zoom in.
Some HD camcorders also offer a surround-sound recording setting, for playback on a home cinema system.
This is a nice feature, though often you need to transfer the footage to computer first and undergo a conversion process using supplied software before you can take advantage of it.
Still photos
Most camcorders can take still photos. Quality is still short of what you can expect from a good dedicated digital camera, but the gap is closing.
For maximum convenience, look for those recording onto memory card for easy transfer to computer.