5.1 channel surround sound ready Digital Camcorders

The Bottom Line: There are better choices than the Sony Handycam DCR-DVD305, a so-so DVD camcorder.

Specs: Camcorder, Advanced HAD CCD, 12 x, DVD-R (8cm), DVD+RW (8cm), DVD-RW (8 cm), 0.69 megapixels, 1.1 lbs

The Bottom Line: The Sony Handycam DCR-DVD405 is a solid DVD camcorder, as long as you don't mind fiddling with a touch-screen interface on a too-small display.

Specs: Camcorder, Advanced HAD CCD, 10 x, DVD-R (8cm), DVD+RW (8cm), DVD-RW (8 cm), 2.05 megapixels, 1.3 lbs

The Bottom Line: 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.

Specs: Camcorder, CMOS, 10 x, DVD-R (8cm), DVD+RW (8cm), DVD-RW (8 cm), 1.1 lbs

The Bottom Line: The Sony Handycam DCR-DVD203 is a solid performer with many of the features that impressed us in the more expensive DCR-DVD403.

Specs: Camcorder, Advanced HAD CCD, 12 x, DVD-R (8cm), DVD+RW (8cm), DVD-RW (8 cm), 0.9 lbs

The Bottom Line: Attractive and compact, the Sony Handycam DCR-PC1000 MiniDV camera offers excellent image quality for its class and brings CMOS technology to the world of camcorders. But its overly clever user interface doesn't do its feature set justice.

Specs: Camcorder, 3CMOS, 10 x, Mini DV, 0.9 lbs

The Bottom Line: The Sony Handycam DCR-DVD403 is the first DVD camcorder we've seen that doesn't force you to compromise on features or quality--much.

Specs: Camcorder, Advanced HAD CCD, 10 x, DVD-R (8cm), DVD+RW (8cm), DVD-RW (8 cm), 1.4 lbs

The Bottom Line: If you're ready to make the move to 16:9 videography or want to shoot a lot of romantically lit scenes, look no further than Sony's top-of-the-line single-chip Handycam.

Specs: Camcorder, Advanced HAD CCD, 10 x, Mini DV, 0.9 lbs

Specs: Camcorder, Advanced HAD CCD, 25 x, DVD-R (8cm), DVD+RW (8cm), DVD-RW (8 cm), DVD+R DL (8cm), 15.5 oz

Specs: Camcorder, Advanced HAD CCD, 10 x, Mini DV, 0.9 lbs

Specs: Camcorder, ClearVid CMOS, 10 x, DVD-R (8cm), DVD+RW (8cm), DVD-RW (8 cm), DVD+R DL (8cm), 1.3 lbs