At long last we can finally get rid of all those annoying tapes that take up so much room! Now we have the technology to record directly to hard disks that are built into hard disk camcorders.

This innovation is very popular not only because it saves space but because moving the information from the hard disk camcorders to either your computer or DVD is exceptionally easy which really is a good thing.

Another advantage is the hard disk is normally large meaning you can record a vast amount before having to transfer the information elsewhere. Being able to move the video to your computer makes it far more easy to use with some of the latest video creating software.

Hard disk camcorders can vary in price and features, they can range from $400 – $1000 depending on the specification and model you choose.

An example of some of the hard disk camcorders available:
JVC Everio GZ-HD5 – This hard disk camcorder uses 3 charge coupled devices to record high definition video to a built in hard drive. The hard drive can hold 60GB of decent quality video.

The JVC Everio GZ-HD5 is one of the smaller hard disk camcorders. The dimensions are (WxHxL) 78 x 73 x 130mm, Weight: 480 g.

This camcorder has a wide range of features including:
3CCD with Pixel Shift Technology
Mic Input
CyberLink BD Solution for Editing and Archving
Full HD 1920×1080i Recording
HD Gigabrid Engine
HDMI(TM) (V.1.3 with x.v.Colour(TM))
FUJINON Professional HD Lens
Optical Image Stabilisation
Focus Assist Function
1080/50P Output
4 Recording Modes
1440 CBR* Recording Mode up to 5hours
Wide Range of Manual Controls
Multiple Digital Interfaces including HDMI(TM), i.LINK, and USB
HDV compatible stream via i.LINK
60GB Internal Hard Disk Drive for up to 12 hr. of HD recording
5 hr. of Full HD recording
10x Optical Zoom / 200x Digital Zoom
Memory Card Slot for microSD

Sony Handycam HDR-SR12E
The Sony HDR-SR12E is one of the many hard disk camcorders which offer the best ever picture quality with Full HD 1920×1080 video shooting and still photos up to 10 mega pixels.

The Camcorder has a hard disk drive which is 120GB and can record video for up to 48 hours. It has a 150 x digital zoom and built in red eye reduction. This is one of the lighter hard disk camcorders weighing in at 0.56g.

The analogue video format is PAL and the media type is hard disk drive flash card. It is a very popular camera and has a wide range of shooting programmes including sunrise, beach, snow, portrait, fireworks and many many more.

Hard disk camcorders are increasing in popularity and more and more people are discovering the benefits of a tape free camcorder.

The canon zr500 is a mini DV camcorder with 25x optical zoom. It is highly desirable bit of kit and would make a perfect gift for anyone looking for a camcorder. It has true widescreen recording and the 25x optical zoom on the canon zr500 is extremely powerful.

The canon zr500 has a clear and sharp 2.7 inch widescreen LCD which is fantastic for playing back your videos and showing your friends. The color and clarity of the video is exceptional due to the digic DV image processor.

One of the best features of the Canon zr500 mini Dv camcorder is the zoom control. This control is remarkably smooth preventing annoying jerkiness when zooming in and out.

At a compact size of 4.5 x 1.9 x 3.6 and weighing only 2lbs, this lightweight camcorder can be taken where ever you go ready to capture that perfect moment.

The canon zr500 has a multitude of extras including a useful button which allows you to switch from the standard 4:3 to 16:9 widescreen HR.

Whether or not you are standing at the back of a crowd or right at the front, the canon zr500 800x digital zoom and 25x optical lens allows you to always have the perfect shot for any occasion.

Another good feature is the auto exposure mode. Here you can select from a variety of scene or exposure modes to create the best results possible in any situation or difficult lighting environments.

You can choose from beach, sunset, fireworks, night, sports, snow, portrait and many more making the Canon zr500 perfect in any conditions.

The Canon zr500 also has the added bonus of having a firewire or iLink allowing you to share your videos with extreme ease. The firewire allows you to connect your camcorder to your computers DV terminal with virtually no loss of audio or video quality.

Transferring your videos to your computer not only allows you to view your footage on your pc, but it also allows you to back up your special moments somewhere safe.

The Canon zr500 is a great little camera for someone that wants something small and compact. It suits both amateurs and more experienced camcorder users.

This is because it not only offers a wide amount of pre set settings for a newbie it hosts a multitude of adjustable settings should you wish to manually configure are own conditions.

If you already own a high-tech camcorder and feel the canon zr500 is a step backwards you couldn’t be more wrong. This camcorder is a fantastic back-up to an expensive alternative as it is small, affordable and you can still receive perfect results. It’s simply great to throw in your pocket for a trip away where you maybe concerned about damaging a more costly camera.

Sony has once again created a robust high-definition camcorder that is not only light weight, weighing in at less than 3lbs, it is also compact enough to fit inside a coat pocket so is perfect for travel.

The HVR A1U is suitable for both DV (digital Video) shooters and HDV (high definition video). It has numerous professional features and of course has superb image quality.

The HVR-A1 not only has XLR inputs it also has independent control of channel 1 and channel 2 audio. The HVR A1 can record an SD video signal to DVCAM tapes as well as HDTV video and DV video.

Because the HVR A1U features a newly developed 1/3 inch C-MOS imager it is capable of creating 3 mega pixel still images which is perfect if you do not want to carry both a camcorder for filming and camera for still images when you are on the go.

General Information About The HVR A1U
Product Type – Camcorder
Optical Sensor Type – CMOS
Min Illumination – 7 lux
Max Shutter Speed – 1/10000 sec
Microphone Operation Mode – Stereo
Microphone Type – Built- in
Wide Screen Video Capture – Yes
Camcorder Sensor Resolution – 3 mega pixels
Camcorder Effective Video Resolution – 1.2 mega pixels
Camcorder Effective Still Resolution – 2.8 mega pixels

The HVR A1U also offers a whole host of additional features including DV input, digital still camera function, RGB color filter, analog to digital conversion with pass through, built in speaker, Color bar, Histogram and backlight compensation.

The HVR A1U has precise image acquisition and superb detail and clarity due to the 14 bit A/D and DXP digital extended processor.

When you are looking to buy a camcorder, you are buying something that gives you the ability to record memories in both picture and sound. Although the image quality is undoubtedly the most important aspect of a camcorder, the audio side which is often overlooked is just as vital as the video.

Having a camcorder with good sound quality can make a huge difference when you play back your videos, its sets the mood as well as helping the viewers know what is going on in the video.

The HVR A1U offers excellent sound and video quality so is perfect in every way. Although this may not be the cheapest camcorder around you really are getting what you pay for. With everything considered this camcorder is not only great value it is a handy small camcorder that is perfect for mounting in your car or on your motorcycle.

This is a great camcorder for anyone starting out or wanting to upgrade, the menus are extremely easy to use and are predominantly touch screen making it simple to understand and save settings.

The Panasonic PV GS500 camcorder is continuing to grow in popularity in the camcorder market. It is also referred to as a digital palmcorder and offers a wide range of facilities for both still and moving video.

Because the Panasonic PV GS500 has 4 mega pixel still picture recording the pictures are fantastic, they are exceptionally life like, vivid and can be enjoyed both printed and viewed on your TV

You can also use the Panasonic PV GS500 as a web cam. Simply connect the PV GS500 to your computer via a USB cable and fire up windows messenger or what ever software you are running and turn on. This is an especially handy addition if you also want to use the camcorder for video surveillance or even teleconferencing.

The Panasonic PV GS500 is a small digital camcorder at an affordable price. It offers superior images and facilities and can be used in a multitude of ways. It is simple to set up so is suitable for both armature and more experienced camcorder users.

Panasonic PV GS500 Specifications
Main Features
Color Support Color
Camcorder Sensor Resolution 1 mega pixels
Camcorder Effective Still Resolution 4 mega pixels
Media Type Mini DV Lens System
Still Image Format JPEG
Supported Flash Memory SD Memory Card

Product Type Camcorder
Digital Zoom 700 x Optical Sensor
Size 1/4.7
in Optical Sensor Type 3CCD
Portrait mode Exposure Modes Manual, Program,
Webcam Capability Yes
Min Illumination 5 lux
Image Stabilizer Optical Min Shutter Speed 1/2 sec
Max Shutter Speed 1/8000 sec
Shooting Modes Digital photo mode
in Optical Sensor Type 3CCD
Shooting Programs Low light , Spotlight , Sports mode , Surf & snow ,
Portrait mode Exposure Modes Manual, Program,
Automatic Camera Flash Built-in flash
Widescreen Video Capture Yes

The PV GS500 is excellent in low and normal lighting conditions and has bright accurate color with plenty of fine detail. It is solidly constructed and unlike a majority of lightweight camcorders the PV GS500 has a tough metal frame that really does the job when it comes to protecting the camcorder.

The Panasonic PV GS500 offers a wide range of additional features including backlight compensation, built in edit capability, built in light, built in speaker, macro focus, PC connection, Self timer, self demo mode and view finder.

With all the features this camcorder has to offer and because it is so simple to use it really makes it ideal for armatures as well as experienced users and would make a perfect gift for an older child, the price is affordable and the camcorder is tough enough to be suitable for the younger generation.

Canon offers a wide range of HD camcorders and with over 50 years experience in the imaging industry you will not find it hard to unearth the perfect canon HD camcorder for you.

When choosing a canon HD camcorder you should consider where you are most likely to be using the camcorder. Knowing exactly where the HD camcorder will be used will mean you can ensure the camcorder has the right settings to suit your needs.

A few of the most popular canon HD camcorders include:
HF10 – This is a very stylish compact camcorder. It has dual flash memory recording and its internal memory will provide an amazing six hours of continuous shooting.

The canon HF10 is so compact you can easily slip it into your pocket and take it where ever you go. Because this canon HD camcorder has Instant AF and super range optical image stabilizer (OIS) focusing errors and camera shake are non existent when recording in HD.

HG20 – The Canon HG20 offers a massive 22 hrs of HD (60Gb HDD) it has dual recording, instant AF, super range OIS, Microphone input and manual audio control, Flexible system and software with blu-ray disk support.

Because most of canons HD camcorders have a dual recording system you can choose how you record. When there is no spare media to hand, you can store movies on the HDD.

On the other hand shoot to SDHC memory cards: cards are great for sharing and are also an easy way to add extra capacity.

XH A1s – This canon HD camcorder is best suited to the more experienced film maker. It offer a wide selection of features, including:
- 1080i HDV recording (50i, 25F, optional 24F/30F/60i modes)
- Improved ease of use
- Enhanced audio functions
- 1/3- 1.67MP 3CCD
- 20x L-series HD Video Lens with simultaneous three-ring control
- Full image control
- Canon CPS Video Support

The Canon XH A1S delivers 1080i HD recording with selectable frame rates of 50i and 25F. If you choose 50i you will be shooting with ultra-crisp realism, or if you prefer the for the traditional look of film. 24F/30F/60i shooting modes are available via an optional upgrade, for truly global recording capability.

HF 100 – This Canon HD camcorder is very stylish, it offers 1920×1080 Full HD. The Canon HF100 has the convenience of recording straight to memory cards. Which means it is easy to capture incredible footage via the Canon HD camera system, then share it swiftly and effortlessly.

The Canon HF 100 has many features including: the ability to record HD movies directly to a memory card, it has excellent connectivity, an instant AF and super range optical image stabilizer, Multiangle vicid Lcd and software for sharing.

The size of this HD camcorder is small, making it very handing to slip into your pocket ready to capture those memories where ever you go.