HD camcorders: How to buy the best digital camcorder Buying a standard-definition camcorder
SD camcorders can be very small, like the Panasonic SDR-S15
Advantages of a standard-definition camcorder
There are plenty of models to consider if you’re interested in buying a standard-definition (SD) camcorder. And while they may seem increasingly outdated next to their more advanced high-definition cousins, there are still plenty of reasons to buy one.
Cost
SD camcorders are almost always much cheaper than HD models, and prices are continuing to fall as more HD camcorders reach the market. It’s possible to find an SD camcorder for less than £200 – something that can't be said for full-size HD camcorders.
It's worth thinking about how you are likely to use the camcorder. If it's for casual use on holidays, you may not be too concerned about having the best possible image quality.
If you want to record an important occasion for posterity, such as the birth of a child or a graduation ceremony, then it may be worth considering an HD camcorder.
All our Which? reviews of the best camcorders feature a constantly updating price comparison tool, helping you find the cheapest online retailer after you’ve chosen the right model for you.
Size
Both SD and HD camcorders are getting smaller and smaller as consumers demand ever more compact models.
Of the two types, SD camcorders tend to be much smaller and lighter. This can make them easier to hold while filming, and less bulky to pack for holidays.
The small size can have its disadvantages. Very small camcorders tend to be stripped of useful features such as viewfinders and connections for external microphones, and the sound quality of recordings can suffer due to the very small internal microphones.
Check our advice on the best digital camcorder features to look for to help you decide which features will be most helpful for the kind of filming you want to do.
The Panasonic SDR-H90 has a huge x70 optical zoom
Optical zoom
SD camcorders tend to have much larger optical zoom factors than HD camcorders. You can find SD camcorders with zooms of x50, x60, or even x70 zooms, though you will need a tripod to make the most of such extreme zoom lengths.
The Sony DCR-SR57, for example, has a huge x60 optical zoom, while the Panasonic SDR-S26 has an even larger x70 zoom. Compare this with HD camcorders, which have zooms of x10, x12, or x16.
You can also use the camcorders’ zoom lenses when taking still photos.
Recording capacity
Because standard definition holds much less information than HD, you can record much more footage.
For example, a standard-definition camcorder with an 80GB hard drive can record around 18 hours of footage. A HD camcorder with the same size hard drive can record around 10 hours of footage.
Whether you are recording onto a hard disk, a memory card, a DVD or a Mini-DV tape, standard-definition footage takes up much less space than HD footage. This can also make it faster to transfer files and edit them on your computer.
For more information on the various ways to record your movies, see our Which? advice on digital camcorder recording formats.
Disadvantages of a standard-definition camcorder
Video image quality
Next to price, the difference in video quality between standard-definition and HD camcorders is the most important consideration of all.
HD camcorders will give far better image quality. Your videos will be more sharply defined, with superior distinctions between subtle colour differences, shadow and highlight. The amount of information an HD camcorder can record far surpasses what is possible with an SD camcorder.
Remember, the films you record on an SD camcorder will look noticeably less impressive when viewed back on a large LCD or plasma TV, as weaknesses in the video image quality will be exaggerated by the size of the TV screen.
Check our expert Which? reviews of the best camcorders to help you choose the best model for you.
