Which camcorder

Buy now. The VX1 features 5-axis hybrid optical image stabilization, resulting in smooth, stable footage - great for the adventurous types, or just those who like to record and walk at the same time. As well as basic automatic functions, those with a little more expertise can delve into the various manual options available, too.

A good option for those who like to take a fair amount of stills, as well as video. Full HD video recording at up to fps is also available. The built-in lens is sadly not interchangeable as a DSLR one would be, but it gives you 10x optical zoom, which should be more than enough for most scenarios. As well as Full HD, there are also slow ad fast motion recording options, which can be great fun on family trips.

It comes with a 32x optical zoom lens, while the inbuilt optical image stabilization does a fine job of keeping things nice and steady. One great bonus of this camcorder is the ability to record in MP4 format, making uploading to Facebook and other social networking sites nice and easy.

This inexpensive video camera is another great camcorder choice for those who just want to make family videos, without too much complication. Both work together to produce lovely sharp content that looks great and should be more than enough for those not too bothered by 4K. Error: Javascript is disabled in this browser. This page requires Javascript.

Modify your browser's settings to allow Javascript to execute. See your browser's documentation for specific instructions. Which Camcorder Is Right for Me. Long battery life means more filming time. Higher resolution gives you better picture quality. The Mevo Start lets you go live through your local WiFi, or even through your smartphone. Whether you plan on livestreaming your outdoor adventures, your gaming sessions, or simply your 9 am meetings, the Mevo Start has you covered.

This single device is designed to function as all the camera equipment you might need for a production studio: it has microphones that can pick you up clearly from even 10 feet away, a wide-angle camera that connects to a remote control app on your smartphone, and the ability to stream directly to popular platforms, such as Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, Twitch, and more. This camcorder has a six-hour battery life, and can livestream using your at-home internet connection, or the internet connection on your phone; that means you can stream high-quality footage with simplicity anywhere that you receive cell phone service.

Here, one feature is absolutely key. The DJI Pocket 2 is a camcorder and gimbal all in one. DJI has also designed a lot of accessories for this product, so no matter how you plan on using the camera there is likely a tool to help you properly and safely mount, protect, and control your new device. A lot of the best camcorders can be relatively expensive—even on the most affordable end, you can expect to pay a few hundred dollars.

There are plenty of amazing products even within that lower price range and, at the end of the day, many of them use identical pieces of essential hardware. It has optical stabilization to keep your camera steady, and an LCD display that can face you from behind the camera, or in front of it. The biggest setback with this camera will be its low-light shooting. It has a relatively closed aperture, and may not always shoot clear footage at night or indoors.

The main question you should ask yourself when deciding if a camcorder would be ideal for your upcoming shoot is how much control you will need over your depth of field. This is simply because camcorders often have a fixed lens with a higher aperture, and because they often have smaller sensors. Your camcorder may also be equipped to use AC power—meaning that it can be plugged into a wall while shooting rather than having to maintain its own charge. The rate at which the zoom changes depends on how hard you press the switch.

Optical zoom: Typical optical-zoom ratios range from to about —or are described as having 10x optical zoom or 50x optical zoom. Digital zoom: Many camcorders also include a digital zoom to extend the range to or more, but at a lower picture quality than optical zoom gives.

Some camcorders can capture 3D photos or video, or both. To do this, the camcorder may capture two different images or use software to create them , representing the different perspectives of the left and right eye. The differences between those two images create a sense of depth. Some models include built-in projectors also known as pico projectors. The feature is now incorporated into some HD camcorder models from Sony.

Each includes a tiny projector embedded on the back of the flip-out LCD, which Sony claims will be able to project a inch diagonal image. Although most newer camcorders do not have this feature, some higher-priced models will have an electronic viewfinder that lets you compose a shot without needing to use the display. This conserves battery life and is helpful in bright-light situations that wash out the LCD.

The number of camcorders with WiFi is growing. It allows you to wirelessly transfer photos and video to your computer, quickly back them up on a hard drive, or upload them directly to a social networking website.

Some models even also allow you to wirelessly connect and transfer video and photos to mobile devices or control the camcorder remotely from an app on a smartphone or tablet. Some camcorders also include near field communication NFC , which makes connecting to mobile devices quick and easy. Models that are rugged and waterproof have bodies that are claimed to resist moisture and withstand falls.

A camcorder with 4K resolution x pixels offers four times the resolution of a full HD camcorder x pixels. Because of the higher resolution, these new types of camcorders can provide finer detail, but you need an Ultra High Definition 4K TV to see that detail.

Consider the type, size, weight, controls, and features: In the store, try different camcorders to make sure they fit your hand and are comfortable to use. Most are designed so that the most frequently used controls—the switch to zoom in and out, the record button, and the button for still photos—are readily at hand.

Make sure that the controls are convenient and that you can change recording media and remove the battery without any trouble. More models are also including WiFi features. Check the LCD. Most measure about 3 inches on the diagonal, but some are larger.

However, few action cams have any type of display. Some displays on full-sized models suffer from too much glare, making them difficult to use outdoors in bright sun. But note that most LCDs look fine indoors. In full, midday sunlight, viewing performance will vary greatly from model to model.

Think about lighting. Using the default mode, we found that models varied in quality when shooting in dim light. Most full-sized HD camcorders captured at least good-quality video in low light, but some had excellent quality. Note that many camcorders have settings that can improve performance but can be a challenge to use. Consider audio quality.

We look at how accurately the built-in microphone records and whether the sound file is free from noise or hiss.