Editors' Top Camcorders
updated June 5, 2006

Digital video isn't cheap, but recently, prices on basic camcorders have come down far enough to put them in reach of home video makers on a budget. You should expect to spend at least $250 on a MiniDV, Digital8, or other type of digital camcorder. Affordable models generally offer fewer features and smaller sensors than their pricier relations, but many of them capture high-quality footage that will put your old analog camcorder to shame. The camcorders on this list are all widely available for less than $500. -- Lori Grunin, senior editor

Editors' Top Camcorders:

Budget camcorders

| Home-movie camcorders | Pro and semipro camcorders | Compact camcorders | Prosumer camcorders

Budget camcorders

Camcorders	Editors' rating	Price	Summary
Canon Elura 100 Released: 04/30/2006	7.2 Very good	$375-$519 from 2 stores	With a big zoom, a small size, and a decent price, the Canon Elura 100 is a great choice if you plan on steering clear of low-light situations. Specs: Camcorder , CCD , 20 x, Mini DV , 0.88 megapixels, 0.9 lbs

Canon ZR400 Released: 03/15/2005	7.0 Very good	$699	The compact Canon ZR400 camcorder performs beautifully in the great outdoors, but Canon continues to drop the ball when it comes to low-light shooting. Specs: Camcorder , CCD , 14 x, Mini DV , 0.9 lbs

Canon Optura 50 Released: 02/17/2005	6.9 Good	$699	Canon's feature-packed camcorder shoots very good daylight footage but has reason to be scared of the dark. Specs: Camcorder , CCD , 10 x, Mini DV , 1.1 lbs

Canon ZR700 Released: 01/19/2006	6.8 Good	Email me when product is available	Canon's latest entry-level camcorder, the ZR700, is easy to use, affordable, and ideal for wide-screen moviemaking, but low-light performance remains a problem. Specs: Camcorder , CCD , 25 x, Mini DV , 680,000 pixels , 0.9 lbs

Sony Handycam DCR-HC32 Released: 02/15/2005	6.8 Good	Email me when product is available	Like many lower-end camcorders, the Sony Handycam DCR-HC32 has trouble keeping noise out of the picture. But that's the only real problem with this affordable, feature-packed model. Specs: Camcorder , Advanced HAD CCD , 20 x, Mini DV , 0.9 lbs

Canon Elura 80 Released: 03/15/2005	6.8 Good	$799	Compact and full-featured, the relatively inexpensive Elura 80 is an excellent choice if you don't shoot often in low-light situations. Specs: Camcorder , CCD , 18 x, Mini DV , 1.1 lbs

Canon ZR300 Released: 02/15/2005	6.7 Good	Email me when product is available	If you're looking for a competent, compact MiniDV camcorder, this is it--but smart buyers will drop $50 more on the ZR400. Specs: Camcorder , CCD , 22 x, Mini DV , 0.9 lbs

JVC GR-DF550 Released: 02/20/2005	6.6 Good	$487	JVC's GR-DF550 midrange camcorder may not have any standout features, but it's a video workhorse that delivers solid results. Specs: Camcorder , CCD , 15 x, Mini DV , 0.9 lbs

Panasonic PV-GS35 Released: 03/15/2005	6.4 Good	Email me when product is available	With its extreme zoom range and low price, the Panasonic PV-GS35 is an excellent choice when you can't get close to your subject. Specs: Camcorder , CCD , 30 x, Mini DV , 0.9 lbs

Samsung SC-D453 Released: 03/01/2005	6.0 Good	$219	The Samsung SC-D453 is a compact bargain if you're shooting primarily outdoors, but its indoor performance is extremely poor. Specs: Camcorder , CCD , 10 x, Mini DV , 0.9 lbs