Camcorders

The bottom line: Convenient, well-designed camcorders that look pricier than they are, models in the Canon FS series--FS11, FS10, and FS100--nevertheless deliver typical budget video in line with their budget price tags.

Price: $404.95 - $618.20

The bottom line: A solid hard-drive based HD camcorder, the Canon HG10 nevertheless has its share of annoying quirks.

Price: $499.99 - $819.00

The bottom line: Canon's first flash-based camcorder, the Canon Vixia HF10, delivers excellent HD video quality and performance in a tiny package.

Price: $629.00 - $1,068.77

The bottom line: An extremely minor upgrade from the HV20, the Canon Vixia HV30 remains a quality HDV camcorder with a couple of performance issues.

Price: $569.00 - $998.99

The bottom line: Despite some minor flaws, Pure Digital's Flip Video Mino is the best mini camcorder for straight-to-Web video currently available--but it also costs more, and it can't match the features of a video-savvy point-and-shoot camera.

Price: $152.58 - $179.99

The bottom line: Despite its trio of CCDs, the video quality and performance of the Panasonic HDC-SD9 are a bit too inconsistent.

Price: $499.97 - $799.95

The bottom line: Delivering high-quality MiniDV footage and decent still images, the Panasonic PV-GS320 should appeal to advanced amateurs searching for a tape-based camcorder.

Price: $450.00 - $699.44

The bottom line: Sony's Handycam HDR-SR11 and SR12 60GB hard-drive-based AVCHD camcorders deliver top notch performance and image quality.

Price: $724.00 - $1,099.99

The bottom line: Canon's XH A1 and XH G1 are excellent camcorders for entry-level professionals and independent filmmakers, with hard-to-beat prices for what they offer.

Price: $2,699.00 - $4,212.59

The bottom line: With its AG-HVX200, Panasonic raises the bar again, bringing us professional HD versatility and quality at a lower price than ever.

Price: $2,649.00 - $4,999.72