MPEG-2 Digital Camcorders

The Bottom Line: The JVC Everio GZ-MS130 is a nice little flash-memory-based standard-def camcorder.

Specs: Camcorder, CCD, 35 x, Flash card, 8.6 oz

The Bottom Line: The JVC Everio GZ-MS130 is a nice little flash-memory-based standard-def camcorder.

Specs: Camcorder, CCD, 35 x, Flash card, 8.6 oz

The Bottom Line: The Sony Handycam DCR-DVD650 offers an all-in-one, on-the-go way to capture standard-def video and burn it to a DVD, but hard-disk-drive and flash-memory models are otherwise a better option.

Specs: Camcorder, Advanced HAD CCD, 60 x, Flash card, DVD-R (8cm), DVD+RW (8cm), DVD-RW (8 cm), DVD+R DL (8cm), 13.8 oz

The Bottom Line: If internal flash memory, zoom range, and a touch-screen LCD are on your list of needs before video quality, check out the Sony Handycam DCR-SX41.

Specs: Camcorder, Advanced HAD CCD, 60 x, Flash card, 8.8 oz

The Bottom Line: If internal flash memory, zoom range, and a touch-screen LCD are on your list of needs before video quality, check out the Sony Handycam DCR-SX41.

Specs: Camcorder, Advanced HAD CCD, 60 x, Flash card, 8.8 oz

The Bottom Line: If internal flash memory, zoom range, and a touch-screen LCD are on your list of needs before video quality, check out the Sony Handycam DCR-SX41.

Specs: Camcorder, Advanced HAD CCD, 60 x, Flash card, 8.8 oz

The Bottom Line: While it's a perfectly serviceable HD camcorder, the Sony Handycam HDR-XR100 should deliver a little more of everything for the money.

Specs: Camcorder, Exmor CMOS, 10 x, Flash card, Hard disk drive, 11.6 oz

The Bottom Line: 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.

Specs: Camcorder, Exmor R CMOS, 12 x, Flash card, Hard disk drive, 18 oz

The Bottom Line: 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.

Specs: Camcorder, Exmor R CMOS, 12 x, Flash card, Hard disk drive, 18 oz

The Bottom Line: Though its video isn't perfect, the Canon FS200 is one of the better standard-definition consumer camcorders available.

Specs: Camcorder, CCD, 37 x, Flash card, 7.9 oz