Reviews for Camcorders Under $400

"Convenient SDHC card memory > Built-in optical stabiliser > Small enough to fit in a coat pocket...Files need converting to play on Mac > Doesn't record in high definition > Stills quality limited...Picking a camcorder has always involved tricky choices between competing formats...The advantage of camcorders that use SD cards is their size, and the Panasonic S26 proves this...You can almost wrap the fingers of one hand around the S26...The S26 offers..." read more »

"The DC410 even lets you record superior audio thanks to its microphone input jack...Canon's unique Advanced Zoom system puts the extended reach of a 41x zoom into your hands, letting you get closer to all of the action...Thanks to Quick Start technology, the DC410 only takes around a second to power up from Standby mode...With the LCD Video Light function active you can keep on shooting, even in poorly lit environments, by turning the screen to face forwards..." read more »

"Slim, lightweight design Detailed 720p video with smooth zoom action 8GB internal storage Includes an HDMI cable...Relatively expensive Video is dimmer than competitors’ Audio consistently cuts out before the video...Creative’s 720p pocket camcorder is slimmer than most, and offers good image quality—but competitors provide better bang for your buck...The $229 Vado HD makes a better impression, thanks to its more detailed image quality, and included..." read more »

"The Canon DC420 is a DVD-R DL (8 cm), DVD-RW (8 cm), and DVD-R (8cm)-based, consumer camcorder.Compared to other consumer camcorders on the market, it is relatively inexpensive at around $370...CNET's Product Briefs are generated by a software tool that combines product specifications with knowledge of our editorial experts..." read more »

"The Flip MinoHD and Vado HD use an internal rechargeable battery (the Vado’s is removable), while the Kodak Zi6 runs off two AA batteries...The Kodak Zi6 also includes an SD/SDHC media slot, so you can load the camera with up to 32GB of storage...The Flip HD supports composite video-out, the Kodak Zi6 can use composite and component video, and the Vado HD works with composite and HDMI connections...The Kodak Zi6 will blow out yellows, reds, and oranges under certain kinds of direct sunlight (sunsets, for example...Also, their 720p nature—the progressive video that looks good on a computer monitor—makes these the perfect camcorders for shooting quick and dirty video you’ll post to a video-sharing service such as YouTube (see “Sharing Your Videos” for more on online hosting..." read more »

"The larger the LCD, the easier it will be to see (and the more power-hungry it will be); for all but ultracompact camcorders, look for at least 2.5 inches...Tell us what you like about this product...Tell us what you don't like about this product..." read more »

"Good video quality for its class; manual controls; small, comfortable design....No inputs; questionable YouTube friendliness; no optical image stabilization; thin grip strap....Even though the MS120 is compact, it's very comfortable to use and does look and feel nice, despite being entirely plastic...Photos are 640x480 and are typical quality for SD camcorders--good enough for the Web or very small prints...What is nice is that if you know the clip is destined..." read more »

"CNET's Product Briefs are generated by a software tool that combines product specifications with knowledge of our editorial experts...Tell us what you like about this product...Tell us what you don't like about this product..." read more »

"The Aiptek MPVR Camcorder is a flash card-based, consumer camcorder.Compared to other consumer camcorders on the market, it is inexpensive at around $100.It includes ArcSoft media card companion, ArcSoft media converter, ArcSoft PhotoImpression, and muvee autoProducer software...CNET's Product Briefs are generated by a software tool that combines product specifications with knowledge of our editorial experts..." read more »

"Outdoor shots have blue cast; yellow cast in video shot with typical indoor lighting; poor video quality...The LCD is bright enough to remain visible in direct sunlight, but it’s hard to see if you’re holding the Zx1 over your head or down low...Despite this high data rate, the Zx1 video quality wasn’t as good as the three before-mentioned camcorders...Also, the Zx1’s zoom stutters and it doesn’t present a lot of detail...The Zx1 is more compact than those..." read more »