Exposure compensation Digital Camcorders

The Bottom Line: If you can get past the DC50's sticker shock, you'll find a very nice, simple DVD camcorder that can produce some surprisingly good snapshots.

Specs: Camcorder, CCD, 10 x, DVD-R (8cm), DVD-RW (8 cm), DVD-R DL (8 cm), 5.39 megapixels, 16.9 oz

The Bottom Line: Generally mediocre video quality holds back the Hitachi UltraVision DZMV750MA.

Specs: Camcorder, CCD, 16 x, DVD-R (8cm), DVD-RW (8 cm), DVD-RAM (8 cm), 1.1 lbs

Specs: Camcorder, CCD, 16 x, DVD-R (8cm), DVD-RAM (8 cm), 1.1 lbs

The Bottom Line: The Hitachi DZMV780A is a budget DVD camcorder that visibly compromises on video quality.

Specs: Camcorder, CCD, 10 x, DVD-R (8cm), DVD-RAM (8 cm), 0.9 lbs

The Bottom Line: The Hitachi DZGX20A is a reasonable contender for your first DVD camcorder.

Specs: Camcorder, CCD, 10 x, DVD-R (8cm), DVD-RAM (8 cm), 1.1 lbs

The Bottom Line: While it has real limitations, this pocket-size hybrid camera can produce excellent photos and video under the right circumstances.

Specs: Camcorder, CCD, 5.8 x, Flash card, 0.4 lbs

The Bottom Line: You'll get better video from a DV model, but this pocket-size camcorder offers a surprisingly broad feature set and looks really cool.

Specs: Camcorder, CCD, 5.8 x, Flash card, 0.4 lbs

The Bottom Line: This well-constructed and -designed camcorder fits into a coat pocket, but it delivers less than stellar low-light video.

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

The Bottom Line: As the only single-chip consumer high-def camcorder, the JVC GR-HD1 is the ultimate for amateur videographers with HDTVs. But pros should look for an HD camera with more advanced features.

Specs: Camcorder, CCD, 10 x, Mini DV, 2.9 lbs

The Bottom Line: A true video/still hybrid it's not, but the 200MC is a capable, compact camcorder with above-average photo capabilities.

Specs: Camcorder, CCD, 10 x, Mini DV, 1.1 lbs