... After quite a bit of research for a compact, non-HD video camera, I settled on the JVC Everio. Its solid-state recording (using SDHC cards rather than a hard drive) makes it really light-weight and more durable.
It is loaded with features and provides great video. (Don't really use the still photo feature.) However, please read the other reviews that reference the free conversion software you need to edit 16:9 video.
The controls all are convenient with one-handed operation, the viewfinder highly visible and the anti-shake mechanism provides really good "jitter-free" takes (I recorded my wife on horseback for almost an hour and, despite my arm feeling like jelly, the images were rock solid).
For the money, this camera performs flawlessly. Only HD could improve it, and then only if you needed that degree of performance. Personally, I'm very happy with the standard def version - on my 65-inch HDTV, the picture blows you away! ...
Check Amazon Price and Read More Reviews on JVC Everio S GZ-MS100 Flash Memory Camcorder with 35x Optical Zoom
... The camera itself is really quite good, with proper lighting the unit is capable of recording high quality stills and moving footage. The microphone is also above average. Essentially this is a really good unit, but it is susceptible to an extremely devastating single point failure. If the ac adapter breaks the unit essentially becomes an expensive paper weight. This is due to the fact that one cannot find replacement parts for this camera, so I would recommend a different unit. ...
Check Amazon Price and Read More Reviews on Canon FS100 Flash Memory Camcorder with 48x Advanced Zoom (Silver)
... Flip MinoHD Camcorder, 60 Minutes (Black)
I can watch the movies on the little screen on the Flip but so far haven't been able to load it to the computer. The sound is there, but no picture,just a question mark where the movie should be. I also can't see it on TV, maybe because I have Direct TV and there's no input buttons on it . I'll get someone in that knows more about computers than I do and see if they can load it to the computer. If they can, then I'd give it 5 marks for the clarity of the pictures and the ease of handling it,. ...
Check Amazon Price and Read More Reviews on Flip Mino Camcorder, 60 Minutes (White)
... Great piece, plus inexpensive. Took to Europe. Easy to use, easy to view and delete. Good battery power. Small and easy to store. Would recommend. ...
Check Amazon Price and Read More Reviews on Creative Labs Vado Pocket Video Camcorder (Silver)
... I've had this camcorder for 7 months now and have been somewhat pleased with it overall. The reason I only gave it 4 stars is for some annoying issues I have with it.
First off, you can only transfer your video clips if you have the power cord attached. This is inconvenient if you want to get one or two clips onto your computer and have a fully charged battery on the camcorder. Also, once you have your camcorder connected to your computer (via USB cable), you cannot turn the camcorder off unless you disconnect the USB cable. I'm guessing Canon felt it was necessary to protect interruptions during transfer of your video clips. But who would be dumb enough to disconnect or turn off their camcorder in the middle of a transfer?
Another issue I have is that if you don't want to use ImageMixer 3 SE software program to access your video files via your computer you'll have to follow this path from your hard drive: G:\ (or whichever drive it's assigned to) PRIVATE\AVCHD\BDMV\STREAM\00000.MTS. If you use the ImageMixer 3 SE software it basically adds another set of steps in order to view your clips on your computer. Because once you copy your video files using ImageMixer software, you must open the ImageMixer 3 SE Player if you want to view your video. Another step. The ImageMixer 3 SE Player doesn't display which video file you're viewing. That is such a simple thing to have showing that I wonder why it was left out. So you click File then Select File. Choose a file and click Open. The files are number like this example: 20090622091442 (Year, month, day, hour, minutes, seconds). That's great if you can remember which clip number among many is showing in the viewer. Note: the long number is automatically generated from using the ImageMixer software to copy the video to your computer. If you go directly to your hard drive (see above path) then you won't get the data (long file number). It will just be 00000, 00001, 00002.MTS, etc.
From here I must give this camcorder a big plus. I've dropped this camcorder twice. It was on a tripod and the tripod fell down on a ceramic floor. The camcorder still worked and with no visual scars. Then it fell off a handle bar mount on a bicycle and tumbled into the street. It's scratched up but it works fine. I think good construction and a little luck kept if from imminent death.
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Check Amazon Price and Read More Reviews on Canon VIXIA HF11 AVCHD 32 GB Flash Memory Camcorder w/12x Optical Zoom
... After looking over the various models of Canon FS series camcorders, the Canon FS 11 appears to be one of the best. Coming with 16 GB of internal memory, this camera will record up to 10 hours and 25 minutes of video (LP - 3 mbps). By comparing to other top models on the Canon website, this model is arguably the best model that Canon makes.
Use the link below to do side-by-side comparisons of various Canon camcorders on the official Canon Website.
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Check Amazon Price and Read More Reviews on Canon FS11 Flash Memory Camcorder with 16GB Internal Flash Memory and 48x Advanced Zoom
... Not sure what the other reviewer is talking about, but I have this camera and it definitely comes with a USB port and cable. It is very easy to use and takes great pictures. ...
Check Amazon Price and Read More Reviews on Canon DC410 DVD Camcorder with 37x Optical Zoom
