HD camcorders: Compare features & prices

Side-by-side comparison

Recording time internal memory (minutes)
The amount of footage at the highest quality setting you can store on the built-in memory, in minutes.

Copy video onto memory card option
Some models allow you to copyvideo onto the memory card, from the main recording media, such as the hard disk or internal flash memory

Optical zoom
The higher the number, the more you can zoom in. 10 means 10 times magnification. Optical zoom usually ranges from 10 times to 40 times.

Lens cover
Tethered means it is attached with "string", built-in slider usually means you move a lever to cover/remove the lens cover, or it opens automatically.

Lens converter possible
A lens converter fitting allows you to attach a wide angle or telephoto converter lens

Image stabilisation system
Optical stabilisers use a small mechanical adjustment to compensate for trembling motions; electronic stabilisation uses a digital adjustment, which is not always as effective.

Size (wxhxd) (cm)
Dimensions as you look at the camcorder side on.

Weight (g)
Includes the device, the recording media, battery and hand strap.

LCD screen size
Size of the LCD screen, diagonally across in inches.

Video lamp
Provides additional light when the scene is dark

Backlight comp
If parts of the scene are too dark, this will help brighten them up

Gain up
This function brightens up the whole scene

External mic input
If the camcorder has an input (sometimes called a hot shoe) an external mic can be added for better sound quality

Viewfinder
The eyepiece viewfinder. Almost always colour, they are on the odd occasion black and white.

Widescreen Format
Whether the camcorder has an setting allowing recording in 16:9 mode

Battery life
How much recording time, in minutes, you should get with a fully-charged battery.

Artificial light video
Video quality under artificial light recording

Dim light video
Video quality under dim light recording

Overall video quality
Total video quality under various light conditions.

Image stabilisation effectiveness
How well the image stabilisation feature compensates for shaking hand motions.

Still photo quality
Receives "n/a" if no still photo function, or still photos recorded to tape. Image quality, shutter delay and other convenience rated

Features
How useful the camcorder's features are - a colour viewfinder gets a higher score than a black and white one, for example.

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