A review of the top 5 camcorders   

Camcorders these days come in a variety of sizes and features. Camcorders are excellent gadgets for creating the finest videos or pictures of important events or any application that warrants their service. Just like TV sets and other electronic gadgets, High Definition (HD) is now the custom. And with so many types of them to choose from and features they offer, it is becoming more complex to make the right buying decision. So here is a list of the top camcorders to fill your video recording requirements.

Panasonic Pro AG-HMC150 AVCHD Camcorder

The AG-HMC150 professional camcorder from Panasonic offers the latest technology in HD recording. It is fitted with three 1/3-inch progressive imagers to generate spectacular images with 1920 x 1080 pixels resolution. Panasonic AG-HCM150 professional camcorder has a 3.5-inch LCD screen that can display thumbnails for quick access to video clips, Vectorscope, Waveform Monitor and 2-focus displays for quick focusing. It is equipped with a new PH Record function (21 Mbps) with numerous video capture formats including 24p. It also comes with a 13x 28mm zoom lens and this well-balanced camcorder only weighs 9.6 lbs. With its wide range of video and audio recording features, the HMC150 comes highly recommended for video enthusiasts and professionals looking for an affordable HD camcorder.

Sony Professional HVR-A1U CMOS HD Camcorder

The Sony HVR-A1U is a palm-sized camcorder that is power-packed with professional features. It utilizes the latest 1/3-inch 2.97-megapixel CMOS sensor in capturing HD quality images. Furthermore, the performance of its CMOS sensor is optimized using a new technology called Enhanced Imaging Processor. It is equipped with 10x optical zoom Carl Zeiss lens, 2.7-inch LCD hybrid screen, built-in dynamic speaker, wide range stereo microphone and almost about everything you would expect from a professional HD camcorder. The HVR-A1U is being offered at a very affordable price and will be a nice option for all video enthusiasts.

Canon XH-A1 3CCD HD Camcorder

The XH-A1 utilizes the DIGIC DV II developed by Canon itself to capture optimal quality 1080/60i HD images. It comes equipped with Canon’s genuine 20x HD L series Fluorite lens which can deliver excellent resolution and color reproduction. It features a hybrid noise reduction facility, 2.8-inch widescreen LCD display, 20x optical zoom lens, 0.57 inches extensive screen EVF, XLR inputs and SD memory card slots. It also features Canon’s Super-Range Optical Image Stabilizer system for correcting videos being recorded when movements or vibrations are encountered – by means of merging gyro and image sensors. It comes with Canon’s renowned auto focus system, which combines two external autofocus sensors greatly decreasing focusing time even on difficult subjects or in low-light conditions. The XH-A1 is a very powerful HD camcorder that will surely please professional shooters and prosumers alike.

Panasonic Professional AG-HMC40 AVCHD Camcorder

The Panasonic AG-HMC40 packs loads of professional features into a compact package with an affordable price tag. It utilizes a ¼-inch 3MOS imager with 1920 x 1080 3-megapixel full resolution video in AVCHD to produce superb quality HDV. It can also be used to capture digital still pictures with 10.6-megapixel resolution which can be saved directly into an SD card, and these photos can be printed directly from the camcorder when a compatible printer is attached. It also features a 12x optical zoom lens, an optical image stabilizer, video and audio options. Considering all the AG-HMC40’s features and overall functionality, it is obviously a value-for-money camcorder.

Canon XH-A1S HDV HD Professional Camcorder

The Canon XH-A1S HD Professional camcorder offers advanced features and a wide variety of image/color settings to make your video recording experience more satisfying. It sports a 20x HD zoom lens with L Series Fluorite and 3 CCDs in which each provides a resolution of 1440 x 1080 pixels. Its Super-range Optical Image Stabilizer corrects for any “shakes” or camera movement, and the Instant Auto Focus provides for precise focus. It is equipped with DIGIC DV II HD image processor in which the overall color reproduction is enhanced together with noise reduction function for the finest HD video you would expect. It also features manual and automatic modes to give you total control over this versatile camcorder.

No, I'm afraid we don't repair camcorders. Take it back to the shop you bought it at if it's gone wrong inside 12 months. It will be obsolete in 36 months, so throw it away! But if you need to back up your camcorder files or even worse if you've lost video files, then we can help.

Back to DIY articles