Looking for the most recommended HD Camcorders on the market today? BestHDCamcorders.net is your source for reviews of the best HD camcorders online.
Affordable home camcorders have come a long way. From the large expensive analog home VHS models to medium sized 8 MM brands all the way up to the more compact digital types. But today you can purchase a Ultra High Definition Camcorder that will provide realistic professional movies that compare to TV shows such as Discovery HD Channels “Planet Earth” or an inexpensive HD camcorder that can record very nice high definition digital movies, is smaller than a cigarette package and cost less the two hundred dollars.
We recommend you purchase an HD camcorder dependent upon whether you are looking to create high end professional movies or if you are intending to make high quality home movies. Which ever you decide, please remember to come back to our site for more reviews or to post a comment on the product that you purchased. There are many extremely top end, intermediate and beginner model types available. We will first start with our recommended five star easy to use inexpensive HD camcorder.
Best HD Camcorders For 2010
Flip UltraHD:
Suggested Retail Price
$179.99 – $214.99
Get It Here Starting At $109.99
If you are looking for a great Valentine’s Day Gift the Flip Video UltraHD is a small pocket sized compact HD camcorder that is inexpensive and easy to use. It delivers crisp clean high definition movies at 720p with 30fps. There are no battery packs needed since it is rechargeable through its flip out USB port. Just plug it directly into any personal computer or laptop (you can also simply install standard AA alkaline batteries if no computer is available). It requires no cables to download your high definition movies to your computer. The USB port not only charges this extremely portable camcorder but also is used to transport your videos. If you want to edit your movies to create home DVD’s or to upload to You Tube the included software is already installed on the device. Just plug it in, Windows will start the application and you’re ready to edit, upload or burn your movies to DVD instantly. You can also plug it right into to your HDTV with the provided HDMI port for watching your movies, live recordings or watching and/or streaming live HD broadcasts. The Flip UltraHD was one of the hottest selling Christmas gifts this year. There is always one gadget that sells extremely well in stores each holiday season and we believed the Flip Video UltraHD was it and we were rite!
Video Review of the Flip UltraHD
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Other features of the Flip UltraHD:
- 2.0 inch transflective LCD display that lets you see what’s on the screen even in bright daylight.
- Comes with a set of AA-size NiMH rechargeable batteries which you charge by simply connecting the camcorder through its trademark flip-out USB connector.
- 8GB of internal memory allows you to record 2 hours of video.
- Adjusts to low and high level light automatically and features a 2x digital zoom.
- Included FlipShare software. Email videos, edit individual clips, produce custom movies, capture still-image snapshots, and instantly upload video to Facebook, Mpace, and YouTube.
- Child Safe” mode to prevent accidental deletions of clips and Silent mode for recording in sensitive situations.
- Tripod mount for any standard tripod.
- Navigation controls have responsive touch-sensitive buttons embedded
Canon Vixia HF200:
Suggested Retail Price
$549.00 – $869.95
Get It Here Starting At $439.00
If you need a camcorder with a little more pop we recommend the Vixia HF200. This camcorder scored an Editors’ Choice Award and is the top rated lowest priced mid range HD camcorder on the market. This model records at 24 Mbps and its image quality surpasses all other mid range models for its price. It has an excellent image sensor, and a powerful zoom lens. It sports a 2.7-inch 211,000-pixel LCD which includes camera and playback controls along the bottom pane. In addition the Play/Pause, Stop and Play lists are also in this pane along with Record and Zoom In and out which is extremely handy (no others camcorders have this feature). The Vixia HF200 also has Dual Shot mode, allowing shooters to capture video and still images without the need to shift modes and records at 1920 x 1080i Full HD video. It has a 15x optical zoom which is rare for a small high definition camcorder like the HF200. For one of the most compact, lowest priced, mid range HD camcorders Cannon went all out with this High Definition model and it is packed with features previously only reserved only for the bigger, more expensive professional models.
Video Review of the Canon Vixia HF200
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Other features of the Canon Vixia HF200:
- Record HD Video Directly to Removable SDHC Memory Card
- 24Mbps Recording
- 24p Cinema Mode
- Ultra-Sleek, Compact and Lightweight Design
- Genuine Canon 15x HD Video Lens
- Canon Exclusive: 3.89 Mega pixel Full HD CMOS Image Sensor
- Canon Exclusive: DIGIC DV III Image Processor
- Canon Exclusive: Genuine Canon Face Detection
- 1920 x 1080 Full HD Recording
- Canon Exclusive: SuperRange Optical Image Stabilization
- Canon Exclusive: Instant AF (Auto Focus)
- Advanced Auto Exposure System
- 30p Progressive Mode
- Canon Exclusive: 2.7″ Multi-Angle Vivid Widescreen LCD
- Mini Advanced Accessory Shoe Terminal
- Video Snapshot Mode
- Superb Shooting Control
- Intelligent Lithium-ion Battery
- Built-in 3.3 Megapixel Digital Camera
- HDMI Terminal
- Microphone Terminal with Manual Audio Level Control
- Includes Pixela ImageMixer 3SE Software
Canon XH A1:
Suggested Retail Price
$3,999.95 – $4,999.95
Get It Here Starting At $3,339.00
If you’re looking to make Ultra High Quality HD movies then Best HD Camcorders recommend the thoroughbred of all home HD camcorders, the Canon XH A1. It is half the price of its Professional Rivals and packs the same punch. It can serve the cinematography needs of any independent filmmakers. It has an unlimited amount of incredible features. This baby records in 1080i at 30F or 24F frame rates. It includes a Digic DV II processor, Super-Range Optical Image Stabilization, 20x zoom lens and a wider-angle view: 32.5mm-to-650mm equivalent. If you want HD SDI, Gen Lock, and Time Code, then this is the Best HD Camcorder is for you. These cameras are a derivative of the more expensive Canon XL-H1 HDV camcorder, with the same high quality 1/3″ CCDs. But has a better smaller compact design, for videographers that require tighter budgets, but still need the professional features. The Canon XH A1 surpasses expensive ENG cameras in many respects. The Manual control is excellent and you can lock in quickly. If you are looking to make high quality professional looking movies at half the cost of the bigger models then this recommended HD camcorder will deliver. And with a quality camera manufacturer such as Canon, you can’t go wrong.
Video Review of the Canon XH A1
Other features of the Canon XH A1
- 72MM Filter Thread: Any filters with the 72mm thread size can be screwed directly on the front of the lens, even with the lens hood attached.
- Electronic Focus Ring: The focus ring is an electronic adjustment that turns continuously. There is no definitive “start” or “stop” point.
- Electronic Zoom Ring: Similar to the focus control, the zoom ring turns continuously and allows for quick adjustments to the focal length of the lens.
- Neutral Density Filter Ring: With the push of a button and a counterclockwise turn, you can activate either of the two neutral density filters.
- Super-Range Optical Image Stabilizer: While all camcorders offer some sort of image stabilization to smooth out handheld shots, the Canon system delivers a superior optical solution that does not degrade the image in any way.
- Position Preset: This feature allows you to set either a focus pointer a specific focal length, and then execute a “rack-focus” or a “zoom” to that pre-selected point during the shot.
- AF/MF (Auto Focus/Manual Focus): You can choose Auto Focus or Manual Focus on the lens itself, regardless of which mode the camera is in.
- 20x HD Video Zoom Lens
- 1/3″ Native 16:9 CCDs
- Super-Range Optical Image Stabilization
- DIGIC DV II
Over-All Best HD Camcorders
The three HD camcorders listed above have the best rating in reviews among most websites on the Internet today. Any one of them would be a great choice to purchase depending upon your recording niche. They are the top choices for the Best HD Camcorders in each of there categories respectively.
Category one: Inexpensive and Ease Of Use; top choice is the Flip UltraHD
Category Two: Mid Range Price with Added Features; top choice is the Canon Vixia HF200
Category Three: High end Price with Professional Features; top choice is the Canon Xh A1