Top 10 DVD and HDD Camcorders

PC World Staff

10. VDR-D210 DVD-RAM CAMCORDER (SILVER)
Bottom Line: This novice-friendly model offers optical image stabilization, but its battery life is weak, and the lack of a USB port and a memory card slot limits its appeal.
PC World Rating: 72 (Good)
32X optical zoom
2.7-inch wide-aspect LCD screen
No video assist light
Mini DVD-RAM/-R/-RW/-R DL
Price when reviewed: $380
Last Rated: May 19, 2007

9. Hitachi DZHS300A
Bottom Line: This hybrid camcorder allows you to dub video from its hard drive to a mini-DVD disc without a PC. Low photo quality and mediocre battery life hurt its standing, however.
PC World Rating: 72 (Good)
25X optical zoom
2.7-inch wide-aspect LCD screen
Built-in video assist light
8GB hard drive, Mini DVD-RAM/-R/-RW, SD Card
Price when reviewed: $570
Last Rated: May 19, 2007

8. Panasonic VDR-D210
Bottom Line: This novice-friendly model offers optical image stabilization, but its battery life is weak, and the lack of a USB port and a memory card slot limits its appeal.
PC World Rating: 72 (Good)
32X optical zoom
2.7-inch wide-aspect LCD screen
No video assist light
Mini DVD-RAM/-R/-RW/-R DL
Price when reviewed: $380
Last Rated: May 19, 2007

7. Sony DCR-SR42 Handycam
Bottom Line: This HDD camcorder has a touch screen and a powerful zoom, and it delivers long battery life; however, you don't get a video light or white-balance calibration.
PC World Rating: 74 (Good)
40X optical zoom
2.5-inch wide-aspect LCD touch screen
No video assist light
30GB hard drive, Memory Stick Pro Duo card
Price when reviewed: $540
Last Rated: May 18, 2007

6. Panasonic SDR-H200
Bottom Line: Another three-CCD model, the SDR-H200 scored well with optical image stabilization and a good software package, but it carries a hefty price tag.
PC World Rating: 76 (Good)
10X optical zoom
2.7-inch wide-aspect LCD screen
Built-in video assist light
30GB hard drive, SD/SDHC Card
Price when reviewed: $270
Last Rated: May 18, 2007

5. JVC Everio GZ-MG555
Bottom Line: Dedicated buttons make DVD burning and file copying a breeze, and you get a microphone jack.For the high price, however, video quality was subpar.
PC World Rating: 79 (Good)
10X optical zoom
2.7-inch wide-aspect LCD screen
Built-in video assist light
30GB hard drive, SD Card
Price when reviewed: $900
Last Rated: May 18, 2007

4. Panasonic VDR-D310
Bottom Line: This three-CCD DVD-baased model has optical image stabilization, supports DVD-RAM, and comes with a microphone jack, but it lacks a full manual mode and a video light.
PC World Rating: 79 (Good)
10X optical zoom
2.7-inch wide-aspect LCD screen
No video assist light
Mini DVD-RAM/-R/-RW/-R DL, SD/SDHC Card
Price when reviewed: $630
Last Rated: May 18, 2007

3. JVC Everio GZ-MG155
Bottom Line: This model delivers high video quality and has dedicated buttons for burning DVDs without a PC and for copying files to a computer. Photos were disappointing, however.
PC World Rating: 82 (Very Good)
32X optical zoom
2.7-inch wide-aspect LCD screen
Built-in video assist light
30GB hard drive, SD Card
Price when reviewed: $600
Last Rated: May 17, 2007

2. Canon DC50
Bottom Line: The DC50 supplies optical image stabilization, top-notch image quality, and many specialized controls, though operation isn't always intuitive.
PC World Rating: 82 (Very Good)
10X optical zoom
2.7-inch wide-aspect LCD screen
Built-in video assist light
Mini DVD-R/-RW/-R DL, Mini SD Card
Price when reviewed: $720
Last Rated: May 17, 2007

1. Sony DCR-DVD408 DVD Handycam
Bottom Line: This sturdy, well-designed model offers easy one-handed operation and a touch screen for menu navigation, but it lacks white-balance calibration.
PC World Rating: 84 (Very Good)
10X optical zoom
2.7-inch wide-aspect LCD touch screen
Built-in video assist light
Mini DVD-R/-RW/+RW/+R DL, Memory Stick Pro Duo card
Price when reviewed: $630
Last Rated: May 17, 2007