Yamaha Home Theater
(Oct 12, 2009)
Lori Grunin
Senior Editor
HD's higher resolution, broader color space, and advanced compression algorithms have opened the door for a substantial improvement in video quality, even for the most prosaic of home movies. Though prices for consumer models hover well above the budgets of many wanna-haves, as more units trickle into the market in 2007 we expect the prices to drop into mainstream territory. And pros need HD capabilities to stay competitive: even if you're not quite ready to go HD-only, some of the entry-level pro models are priced reasonably enough to merit an educational investment.
Canon Vixia HF S11
An excellent flash-based prosumer HD camcorder, the Canon Vixia HF S11 has the advantage of an excellent image stabilizer but it disappointingly lacks an eye-level viewfinder.
Price: $1,209.00 - $1,399.99 (check prices)
Review date: Oct 2, 2009
Excellent
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Canon Vixia HF200
While it's more expensive than its sub-$600 competitors, the Canon Vixia HF20 and Vixia HF200 deliver a more extensive feature set for the extra money. The HF200, which lacks internal memory, is probably a better buy than the HF20, though the HF20's all-black body is a bit classier looking.
Price: $549.00 - $869.95 (check prices)
Review date: Apr 20, 2009
Excellent
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Canon Vixia HF S100
An excellent flash-based prosumer HD camcorder, you may nevertheless pass on the Canon Vixia HF S100 because it lacks an eye-level viewfinder. It's probably a better buy than the identical--but more expensive, because it has 32GB built-in memory--Vixia HF S10.
Price: $769.00 - $1,099.99 (check prices)
Review date: Apr 7, 2009
Excellent
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Canon Vixia HG20
Like its cousin, the flash-based HF11, Canon's Vixia HG20 delivers excellent HD video quality and performance albeit in a slightly larger, heavier package. However, you do get more storage space and a lower price.
Price: $649.99 - $899.95 (check prices)
Review date: Sep 29, 2008
Excellent
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Canon Vixia HF100
One of a pair of Canon's first flash-based camcorders, the Canon Vixia HF100, delivers excellent HD video quality and performance in a tiny package.
Price: $499.99 - $1,729.00 (check prices)
Review date: Apr 16, 2008
Excellent
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Canon Vixia HF10
Canon's first flash-based camcorder, the Canon Vixia HF10, delivers excellent HD video quality and performance in a tiny package.
Price: $499.95 - $725.99 (check prices)
Review date: Mar 3, 2008
Excellent
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Canon Vixia HV30
An extremely minor upgrade from the HV20, the Canon Vixia HV30 remains a quality HDV camcorder with a couple of performance issues.
Price: $599.95 - $1,499.99 (check prices)
Review date: Feb 25, 2008
Excellent
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Sony Handycam HDR-XR500V
Though their geotagging capabilities are mostly novelty and their interfaces could use a complete overhaul, the top-notch video quality, performance, and consumer-friendly feature sets of the Sony Handycam HDR-XR500V and HDR-XR520V make them worthy camcorder options. Both are overpriced, but since 14 hours of recording time is plenty--especially if supplemented with flash media--the HDR-XR500V is the better deal of the two.
Price: $984.95 - $1,219.95 (check prices)
Review date: Jul 2, 2009
Very good
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Panasonic HDC-TM300
A very good prosumer HD camcorder, the Panasonic HDC-TM300 nevertheless has an annoying touch-screen interface.
Price: $1,063.00 - $1,299.95 (check prices)
Review date: Jun 2, 2009
Very good
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Sony Handycam HDR-CX100 (black)
You can tell where Sony cut corners on this compact, flash-based HD camcorder. While it's decent, there are better options for the money than the Sony Handycam HDR-CX100.
Price: $379.00 - $599.00 (check prices)
Review date: Mar 30, 2009
Very good
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