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Hard drive camcorders have an optional dock that can burn the video straight off. So if you're on vacation and need more space, it's an easier way to go. Are you going to record 37 hours of footage before unloading it?Viewing footage from DV is difficult. There is no VHS adapter like there is for VHS-C. For people who don't have editing software, a dvd burner, and a firewire port and cable, watching the footage on tv means hooking it straight from the camcorder to the tv (a pain) or getting it converted somewhere which can cost around $20 a tape.Mini DVD camcorders are probably the worst camcorder around. Most can only hold 30 minutes of footage and can take up to 7 minutes to initialize before you can start shooting. Editing on your computer is a hassle, because there usually is no cable, so you have to rip it off the DVD and most editing software isn't meant to edit video that way. Macs with the slot drive can't take the dvds, and there are no cables, so they are screwed.

While this is a suprisingly complete quick reference including kareno's addendum there is one topic that was either overlooked or deemed too insignificant (bad move that)to include.I am speaking about the complexity and reliability of the drive and record mechanisims of both the tape and dvd storage type cameras.A little research made it plain to me that these two items were far and away the number one problem area of these types of cameras.It isn't unusual for repairs in these areas to easily exceed the cost of the camera itself.
With solid state or SDHC memory cards there isn't this weak area to worry about.As a matter of fact on these cameras the only moving parts are the zoom/focus mechanism of the lense and the hinges on the lcd screen.Me being a faithful adherent of the K.I.S.S. theory of product design,you can guess which type I decided to buy.Just for the record I went with the entry level Canon FS100 since this is my first digital camcorder.I am VERY impressed with this little jewel and plan to use it for a long time to come.Besides,I really don't need high def since I have yet to buy a high def TV on which to view the pictures.

Although larger camera are important if you need to shoot footage for long periods of time, I'm still a bigger fan of the mini hd camcorders. they're just so sleek. The main things you should look for are cost, resolution and comparisons with similar high brands like sonyt and panasonic. I'd go with any of these <a href="http://besthdcamcorderreview.com/category/top-hd-camcorders/">hd camcorders</a> above the rest: http://besthdcamcord...-hd-camcorders/

I would consider Storage type an important feature to look at when buying a camera. With some digital cameras you need multiple cords just to get the footage off, others (like mini dvd cameras) are horrible and as stated in an earlier comment take a while to start up with a limited taping time these camera take more time to maintain then to actually use. I have been searching for a new video camera to carry on vacation, to birthday parties and such. Then the other day i came across this review http://shoplinked.co...inoHD60min.aspx it is for the New Flip Video camera. I just got back from my first trip with it and so far i love it.

This line "these editing apps let you burn only a standard-definition disc." is the most ridiculous line I have heard in a review in a long time. There are no "standard-definition" discs. You can put what ever you want on any CD or DVD, and they are not limit to what resolution you put on it. Now, I'll give you the fact that with use these disc you won't have a much time to use on them and that some players my not support the higher format. You still can play them in any computer and have the HD quality.

If you are going to use a tripod and want to eliminate the jiggles at the beginning and end of each clip caused by hitting the on/off switch then get a camcorder with a remote.

If you are doing video in the cold cold outdoors. Get one that records with the screen door closed. That way you can use your bare hands wrapped around the camcorder as a heat source.

Get one that isn't too expensive otherwise you won't take it with you.

It's sort of handy if the camcorder creates the video files in this format yyyymmddhhmmss.mpg This makes it easy to sync video from 2 or more camcorders.

Nicely written for a basic comparison article. It will help the novice choose suitable equipment to meet expectations.

Mr. Hastings,

Only one word to describe your article.

"Excellent"

Thank you.

i love the Kodak Playsport for sports rugged use and sharing ease on the like of Facebook, Flicker , Kodak Gallery , Youtube and quality of Image is very good for Family or General use.

if you are a Professional i think you need a high end device which most of us not

Excellent article, one more thing left to be cleared up-sensors. senosr size, type, brand etc. Could someone explain this?

recommended

If I assigned points Out of 100

71 points for cheap $5 remotes; is surely 3 times more important than all the rest of the features combined.

10 points for the design change. The hand strap is not a good way to shoot video.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=BqsXWPmsgBk
I would have never noticed the mouse if I was using the view screen and the flashlight shooting method makes it easy to catch the action. The hand strap is a loser.

1 point for a detachable view screen. They have to install it anyway so this shouldn't be a big item cost wise.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=ov9w4WxKFCs It would have been great for curling..

1 point for the GPS watermark option. it has it's own switch. I'd just make short-short videos or 1 pic for location then switch it off. I don't want to have to go digging for this info. Again this would be a minor software fix.

-1 point for the ability to view the videos on the tiny tiny screen. I never watch or delete any video on the camcorder; this is another worthless option.

1 point for the time showing on the screen. That should be an easy software option with no cost. There are a number of far more useless options in the menu.

1 point for the ability to skip the beginning and end of each video. If it's difficult to skip the end, then the eliminating the jigglies at the beginning is a good start. My software can be set to start 1/2 second in and play for the length of the video - 1 second. I created this option because when I started doing video, the jigglies annoyed me to no end.

1 point for the sighting tube / flashlight mount on the top of the CC

2 points for the mute option. Wind noise and yappy friends would be the main reason for this option. They could use the start/stop recording switch. I don't use that button.. ever.

2 points for the ability to attach to a spotting scope to the FRONT of the CC. Everybody with a spotting scope would love this one. It wouldn't be expensive either.

10 points for standard AA or AAA batteries. Just a waste of money for the batteries and the chargers. I paid for 3 and 2 of the batteries and chargers along with shopping time. Money wasters...

1 point for the zoom cover/lock. I guess I could use a small piece of electrical tape to solve the problem...

-1 point for the so called "Pros" that like to keep things complex. Just so they can look smart.

Most of recent great video has been shot on cell phones by amateurs not by self proclaimed pros. Egypt, tsunami, police brutality etc. It's not the equipment that makes these shots great. A pro would be busy checking the lighting etc and most likely miss the action.

Video from yesterday.

Bulls fighting (nobody gets hurt)

For me, this was exactly whaty I was looking for. Thanks.

NO PCWORLD - I'm not going to sit and wait for a 30 second preroll crap commercial. It takes me 1 second to see if this is something i must have or irrelevant nonsense. The remaining 29 seconds is a waste of my time.