Buyer's Guide: The Best Camcorders

The 6 best camcorders of the moment: the best all-rounder, the best-value camcorder, the best budget option, the best choice if money is no object.

Updated: May 3, 2013 2:19 PM
By Edouard Maire / Renaud Labracherie

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Editor's choice

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STORES	$
Amazon	999.99
Amazon mark...	1239.00
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Panasonic HC-X920

This Panasonic HC-X920 is a high-end camcorder packed with all the firm's latest technology. It has Wi-Fi, NFC, 5.1 audio, headphones and mic sockets, a viewfinder and a nice big lens ring for manual settings. The lens is great quality and digital noise is kept in check effectively, ensuring great picture quality in the majority of situations.

Best of the rest

Experts and Pros

Sony NEX-VG20
The NEX-VG20 is a Full HD camcorder with an APS-C sensor and a 18-200mm zoom lens with autofocus. Image quality in 50p resolution is very good and 5.1 audio is a nice addition. There's even a swivel viewfinder/screen! All that's missing is a motorised zoom.

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STORES	$
Rakuten.com...	2198.00
Amazon mark...	2599.99
Rakuten.com...	2699.95
Rakuten.com...	2729.95
Rakuten.com...	3066.99
Ielectronic...	3299.99
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Top Value

Panasonic HC-V700
With 50p resolution, a wide-angle lens and a superb LCD screen, the Panasonic HC-V700 has plenty of strengths, including an exceptionally sharp image. The price of this excellent camcorder has come down a lot since it initially launched, making it an even better buy!

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STORES	$
Amazon mark...	599.99
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Budget Option

Sony HDR-CX190
For just under £200, the Sony CX190 camcorder films Full HD video with a very effective stabilisation system (that even works when you're walking around) and a powerful 25x zoom. You'd be hard pushed to find a better option at this price!

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STORES	$
Buydig.com	176.99
Amazon	180.77
Amazon	209.00
Amazon mark...	209.09
Rakuten.com...	209.98
Sears	229.99
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Two alternatives

Tough Cookie

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GoPro Hero3 Black Edition
The GoPro Hero3 Black Edition is easily the action cam with the biggest range of features right now. It gives great image quality (for a pocket camcorder) and comes with good accessories.

STORES	$
Cabela's	399.99
Backcountry...	399.99
Backcountry...	399.99
Competitive...	399.99
Dogfunk.com	399.99
Amazon mark...	496.50
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Movie Maker

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Sony HDR-PJ650VE
While some manufacturers are turning to Wi-Fi, Sony has decided to make a range of camcorders with built-in projectors. You can therefore watch back your home movies with friends and family no matter where you happen to be!