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Camcorders going tapeless: top DVD, hard drive, and flash-media models

Lori Grunin
Lori Grunin
Senior editor
Updated August 2, 2006

We miss the era, brief though it may have been, of the no-brainer camcorder decision--that time about a year ago when we could simply declare that MiniDV was the best choice and move on to more difficult questions. Now we have to make a chart and take it on a case-by-case basis.

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Medium Pros Cons Best for
MiniDV
  • Highest quality
  • Longest recording time
  • Broadest selection of models to choose from
  • No random access
  • Low compatibility with playback devices
  • Video you'll want to edit
  • HDTV playback
DVD recordable (3-inch disc)
  • Immediate access to any clip
  • High compatibility with playback devices
  • Cheapest media
  • Poor editability
  • Short recording times
  • Requires larger form factors
  • Compression artifacts in videos
  • Immediate distribution or playback
Flash media/hard drive
  • Immediate access to any clip
  • Facilitates tiny devices
  • Compression artifacts in videos
  • Poor editability
  • Low compatibility with playback devices
  • Quick-and-dirty videos
  • Situations when portability is paramount concern

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Product name JVC Everio GZ-MG505
JVC Everio GZ-MG505
Sony Handycam DCR-SR100
Sony Handycam DCR-SR100
Panasonic VDR-D300
Panasonic VDR-D300
Sony Handycam DCR-DVD505
Sony Handycam DCR-DVD505
Sanyo Xacti VPC-HD1
Sanyo Xacti VPC-HD1
JVC Everio GZ-MC500
JVC Everio GZ-MC500







Review date August 1, 2006 July 19, 2006 March 24, 2006 March 31, 2006 April 11, 2006 August 16, 2005







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Review summary A well-designed hard-disk-based camcorder, the JVC Everio GZ-MG505 produces video and stills that look great on TV. But its price might make you hit Pause. The Sony Handycam DCR-SR100 is a solid hard-drive-based option, especially if you like Sony's touch-screen interfaces. Rivaling its MiniDV competitors in a variety of shooting conditions, the Panasonic VDR-D300 doesn't force you to compromise video quality for the convenience of shooting directly on DVD. Full-featured but somewhat bulky, the Sony Handycam DCR-DVD505 DVD camcorder matches its MiniDV competitors in most areas, while offering the convenience of direct-to-disc recording. If you want the latest in cool toys, the Sanyo Xacti VPC-HD1 certainly has the right gadget quotient. Once you look at the image quality, however, its allure dims quite a bit. This extremely compact, nicely designed camera should please technophiles who want both photo and video capabilities and can afford to splurge.







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Basic Specs
  • Camcorder
• Electronic
• 10 x
• 5.0 megapixels
• 300 x
• 1/4.5"
• F/1.8-2.4
• 3CCD
• 14.3 oz
• Lithium ion
• Automatic , Manual
• Hard disk drive

Full specifications
• Camcorder
• 1 year parts warranty
• Electronic (Super Steady Shot)
• Built-in flash
• 1
• 10 x
• 3.05 megapixels
• 120 x
• 1/3"
• F/1.8-2.9
• Advanced HAD CCD
• 1.3 lbs
• 0 lux
• Lithium ion
• Automatic , Manual
• Hard disk drive

Full specifications
• Camcorder
• Electronic
• Built-in flash
• 10 x
• 700 x
• 1/6"
• F/1.8-2.8
• 3CCD
• 20.6 oz
• 1 lux
• Automatic , Manual
• DVD-RW (8 cm) , DVD-R (8cm) , DVD-RAM (8 cm)

Full specifications
• Camcorder
• Electronic (Super Steady Shot)
• Built-in flash
• 1
• 10 x
• 120 x
• 1/3"
• F/1.8-2.9
• CMOS
• 1.1 lbs
• 0 lux
• Lithium ion
• Automatic , Manual
• DVD-RW (8 cm) , DVD+RW (8cm) , DVD-R (8cm)

Full specifications
• Digital camera
• JPEG
• 2.2 in
• LCD passive matrix
• 5,000,000 pixels
• F/3.5
• Lithium ion
• Automatic , Manual

Full specifications
• Camcorder
• Electronic
• Pop-up flash
• 10 x
• 200 x
• 1/4.5"
• F/1.8-2.4
• 3CCD
• 0.7 lbs
• Automatic , Manual
• Microdrive

Full specifications