best hd camcorder2011
Best HD Camcorder 2012
Purchasing a good quality HD (High-Definition) camcorder shouldn't be a hasty decision. Manufacturers have introduced a huge range of camcorders for the current season, but which ones fit the bill of an average consumer? Let's check those options.
- CCD (Charge-Coupled Device): They collect light and convert it into electrical signals for image processing but consume more energy.
- CMOS (Complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor): CMOS offers flexibility because it caters to each pixel individually thereby improving the overall picture and video quality.
- MOS (Metal-oxide-semiconductor): These sensors guarantee to achieve a high-quality image and video while keeping energy consumption down.
- Hard Drive: Camcorders with hard drive are extremely easy to use as there is no need to remove the drive for data transfer. The hard drive allows the user to record videos for hours and the data can easily be transferred to a computer or an external hard drive.
- Flash Memory: Other than the hard drive, flash memory is also a common data recording medium. A flash memory is further classified into three types - the internal memory of the camcorder which has a capacity of almost 32 GB (seen in most camcorders), the SSD (Solid-State Drive) which boasts a capacity of greater than 64 GB and finally the memory card which has a range of 2 GB to 32 GB.
- Optical Zoom: 10x
- Digital Zoom: 200x
- Camcorder Sensor Resolution: 2.37 megapixels
- Effective Video Resolution: 2.07 megapixels
- Supported Resolution: 1080p
- Min Shutter Speed: 1/2 sec
- Max Shutter Speed: 1/2000 sec
- Optical Sensor Type: HD CMOS Pro
- LCD: 3.5 inches
- Face Detection: Yes
- Digital Video Format: AVCHD
- Operating System: Windows XP, Windows 7 and Windows Vista
- Price: $1300
- Outstanding video even in dim light conditions
- Two memory-card slots
- Multiple options are provided for shooting HD videos
Cons
- High price
- No 60p and a little bulkier
- No 3D
- Optical Zoom: 25x
- Digital Zoom: 300x
- Camcorder Sensor Resolution: 1.5 megapixels
- Effective Video Resolution: 1.31 megapixels
- Supported Resolution: 1080i with Projector
- Min Shutter Speed: 1/8 sec
- Max Shutter Speed: 1/10000 sec
- Optical Sensor Type: Exmor R CMOS
- LCD: 2.7 inches
- Face Detection: Yes
- Digital Video Format: MPEG-2, AVCHD
- Operating System: Windows XP SP3, Windows 7 and Windows Vista
- Price: $450
- Geotagging photos through GPS
- Touchscreen panel
- Built-in projector
Cons
- Standard video quality
- Touchscreen controls are too small on the 2.7 inch screen
- Video recording in low light is not impressive
- Optical Zoom: 25x
- Digital Zoom: 30x
- Camcorder Sensor Resolution: 1.5 megapixels
- Effective Video Resolution: 1.31 megapixels
- Supported Resolution: 1080p
- Min Shutter Speed: 1/8 sec
- Max Shutter Speed: 1/10000 sec
- Optical Sensor Type: Exmor R CMOS
- LCD: 2.7 inches
- Face Detection: Yes
- Digital Video Format: MPEG-2, AVCHD
- Operating System: Windows XP SP3, Windows 7 and Windows Vista
- Price: $300
- Low price and light-weight
- 1920x1080 resolution and a powerful zoom
- Integrated USB cable
Cons
- Limited functionality and no internal storage
- No touchscreen, headphone or microjack
- No 25p or 50p mode
- Optical Zoom: 40x
- Digital Zoom: 200x
- Camcorder Sensor Resolution: 1.5 megapixels
- Effective Video Resolution: 0.56 megapixels
- Supported Resolution: 1080i
- Min Shutter Speed: NA
- Max Shutter Speed: NA
- Optical Sensor Type: BSI-CMOS
- LCD: 3 inches
- Face Detection: Yes
- Digital Video Format: AVCHD
- Operating System: Windows XP SP3, Windows 7 SP1 and Windows Vista SP2
- Price: $280
- Wi-Fi
- Advanced Image Stabilizer
- Inexpensive
Cons
- Slow software update
- Low battery life (i.e. it drains fast in this case due to its small battery)
- Minimum video resolution
- Optical Zoom: 52x
- Digital Zoom: 130x
- Camcorder Sensor Resolution: 5 megapixels
- Effective Video Resolution: 0.92 megapixels
- Supported Resolution: 720p
- Min Shutter Speed: NA
- Max Shutter Speed: NA
- Optical Sensor Type: CMOS
- LCD: 2.7 inches
- Face Detection: Yes
- Digital Video Format: MPEG-2, AVCHD
- Operating System: Windows XP SP3, Windows 7 and Windows Vista SP2
- Price: $250
- Built-in studio editing software
- Lightweight and inexpensive
- Built-in speakers
Cons
- No night scene recording
- Average video recording in dim light conditions
- Optical Zoom: 63x
- Digital Zoom: 100x
- Camcorder Sensor Resolution: 1.5 megapixels
- Effective Video Resolution: 0.56 megapixels
- Supported Resolution: 720p
- Min Shutter Speed: 1/25 sec
- Max Shutter Speed: 1/8000
- Optical Sensor Type: BSI MOS
- LCD: 2.7 inches
- Face Detection: Yes
- Digital Video Format: H.264, iFrame
- Operating System: Windows XP SP3, Windows 7 SP1 and Windows Vista SP2 and Apple Mac OS X 10.6.3
- Price: $220
- Great video quality
- Excellent zooming features
- Compact body and light weight
Cons
- Low battery life (i.e. it drains fast in this case due to its small battery)
- Minimum video resolution