On record: the best camcorders; From the top movie makers to the worst shakers, we’ve tested and rated cutting edge camcorders at every price point
0 Comments | Mail on Sunday (London, England), The, March 7, 2010
Byline: REVIEWS BY SAM KIELDSEN
1. TOSHIBA CAMILEO S10
www.toshiba.ie Resolution 1080p Zoom 4x digital Memory SD card slot Connections Mini HDMI, TV out, USB 2.0 Pocket-sized with bags of charm, this is ideal for capturing spontaneous moments. Video quality is sharp and it is superb value – a standout on this chart.
2. TOSHIBA CAMILEO H20
www.toshiba.ie Resolution 1080p Zoom 5x optical Memory SD card slot Connections Mini HDMI, TV out, USB 2.0 Affordable and compact, but you’ll need a very steady hand due to the lack of anti-shake technology.
3. HITACHI DZ-HV 1074
www.hitachi.ie Resolution 1080p Zoom 5x optical Memory SD card slot Connections Mini HDMI, TV out, USB 2.0 This affordable model has a simple touchscreen interface and is extremely easy to use. Superb.
4. SAMSUNG SMX-C10
www.samsung.com/ie Resolution 720 x 480 Zoom 10x optical Memory SD card slot Connections TV out, USB 2.0 The standard definition footage isn’t anything to get excited about — but it does offer one-touch YouTube uploads.
5. SANYO XACTI VPC-TH1
ie.sanyo.com Resolution 720p Zoom 30x optical Memory SD card slot Connections Mini HDMI, TV out, USB 2.0 The 30x zoom should attract paparazzo types, but alas is a little flaky: extend it fully and image quality gets wobbly.
6. SANYO HD2000
ie.sanyo.com Resolution 1080p Zoom 16x optical Memory SD card Connections HDMI, TV out, USB 2.0 The easy-grip design and large zoom make this appealing on paper. However, poor anti-shake technology means you’ll need a tripod to use that huge zoom.
7. SAMSUNG H104
www.samsung.com/ie Resolution 1080p Zoom 10x optical Memory 16GB internal, SD card slot Connections Mini HDMI, TV out (HD), USB 2.0 Despite its small size, this camcorder’s footage looks beautifully crisp. The palm-friendly shape, light weight and touchscreen make using it a pleasure.
8. CANON LEGRIA HF R16
www.canon.ie Resolution 1080p Zoom 20x optical Memory 8GB internal, SD card slot Connections Mini HDMI, TV out (HD), AV out, USB 2.0 While it’s nowhere near as impressive as the other two Canon camcorders here, the R16 is still a solid all-rounder.
9. SONY TG7VE
www.sony.ie Resolution 1080p Zoom 10x optical Memory 16GB internal, memory stick slot Connections HDMI, TV out (HD), USB 2.0 Sony’s pistol-grip mini-camcorder has a high-class zoom lens, touchscreen, good built-in storage and even GPS so you can geo-tag videos and photos.
10. CANON LEGRIA HF M306
www.canon.ie Resolution 1080p Zoom 15x optical Memory SD card slot Connections Mini HDMI, TV out (HD), AV out, USB 2.0 If you want a nifty, simple performer but can’t stretch your budget over a grand, here’s the recorder for you.
11. PANASONIC TM350
www.panasonic.ie Resolution 1080i Zoom 12x optical Memory 64GB internal, SD card slot Connections Mini HDMI, TV out, component HD out, USB 2.0 A whopping 64GB of built-in storage makes this the one for those who feel compelled to record everything they see.
12. SONY CX520VE
www.sony.ie Resolution 1080i Zoom 12x optical Memory 64GB internal, memory stick slot Connections Mini HDMI, TV out (HD), USB 2.0 Yes it’s pricey, but this camcorder has it all: compact size, solid build, surround sound and eyeball-slicingly sharp HD.
13. CANON LEGRIA HF S21
www.canon.ie Resolution 1080p Zoom 10x optical Memory 64GB internal, dual SD card slots Connections Mini HDMI, TV out (HD), AV out, remote control, mic, USB 2.0 Stump up the cash and you’ll get a nearprofessional camcorder. Top notch.
1. TOSHIBA S10, [euro]115 (8/10)
2. TOSHIBA H20, [euro]160 (3/10)
8. CANON HF R16, [euro]585 (4/10)
3. HITACHI DZ-HV1074, [euro]175 (8/10)
9. SONY TG7VE, [euro]665 (7/10)
4. SAMSUNG SMX-C10, [euro]200 (1/10)
10. CANON HF M306, [euro]815 (7/10)
5. SANYO VPC-TH1, [euro]235 (3/10)