Consumer Reports just tested 14 HD camcorders from Canon, Panasonic, Sony, and JVC. They cost from $700 to $1,400.
To test for image quality, Consumer Reports recorded images on a set using different lighting conditions. There's a world of difference between standard-definition clarity and high-definition video clarity. It's really the detail that stands out the most. Details such as texture and definition are what distinguish a high-definition recording.
When deciding on which HD camcorder to get, a big part of the decision is how you want to record the images. There are several options. Some record onto mini-DV tape. Others onto mini-DVDs. And some use flash memory cards. There are also HD camcorders that use hard disk drives. There are four media formats from which to choose that will affect how much you can record and how you want to edit on your computer at home, and each one has its pluses and minuses.
Among the HD camcorders, Consumer Reports recommends the $800 Panasonic model HDC-SD-1. It records onto high-definition memory cards and has very good image quality. It also has an excellent 3-inch LCD viewfinder. But before you buy an HD camcorder, be sure you have an HDTV so that you'll be able to fully experience the clarity of the high-definition movies you'll be making.
While HD camcorders are coming into the market, standard-definition camcorders are still the biggest sellers and they cost quite a bit less. The type that record on mini-DV tape are the least expensive. Consumer Reports recommends several, including the Panasonic PV-GS80 and the Canon ZR-800. Both cost around $250.
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