Compare the Best CamcordersSeptember 2020

Key Camcorder Features

Resolution

Sensor Size

The larger the resolution on a camera, the larger the sensor needs to be in order to capture the video in good quality. While most cameras with the same output resolution will have a similar sensor size, sometimes there are differences. Some 4K cameras for example use 1” sensors but others used 1/2.3” sensors. While a smaller sensor will work for average recording conditions, a larger sensor will show its worth in low-light scenes as it allows it to capture more light.

Bit Rate

In terms of image quality, the bit rate is usually the third item to look at when comparing two cameras that have the same resolution and sensor size. The bit rate describes the amount of data that is generated by the camera when it records. The more data it produces per second of film, the better the image quality will be. A difference between a 24 MBPS (megabytes per second) camera and a 28 MBPS one will be very subtle, but still noticeable. The bit rate is also important for another reason: file storage. At 25 MBPS it takes about one hour to fill up a 16GB card. Recording at a higher bit rate means your memory card will fill up more quickly.

Image Stabilisation

Unless you are filming from a tripod or have very steady hands, having a camera with good image stabilisation is essential to prevent your recordings turning blurry, particularly when using zoom. There are two main types: optical and digital image stabilisation.

Zoom

A good optical zoom can make a big difference when you are recording. If you are shooting sports, wildlife, airplanes, concerts and anything else, which is a considerable distance away, a minimum of 25x optical zoom is recommended. Filming people only a few metres away can be done with 10x or even 5x zoom. Optical zoom is always preferred to digital zoom because it captures the full frame at the highest quality. Digital zoom simply crops and enlarges a portion of the image reducing the resolution of the result.

Aperture

This is especially important if you are going to shoot in low-light environments like concert halls, caves and at night. The aperture of a camera defines how big the opening in the camera lens is which allows light in. The larger the opening, the more light is allowed in and the higher the quality of a low-light image will be. Aperture is measured in f-stops, with a smaller number representing a larger opening. For example, f1.8 is great for low-light settings whereas f5.6 and higher might result in an image that is too dark.

Audio Quality

Good quality audio is essential to capture the atmosphere of a football match or the music of a concert. It is important to check the quality of the built in microphone when buying a camcorder. Most budget options will have a mono microphone, which records only one channel. This can make the audio feel lifeless and flat and a high quality stereo microphone will be a much better option. If you are after the highest sound quality, using an external microphone will give the best results.

Memory

Most cameras will offer a certain amount of internal memory. Some camcorders used to have and internal hard disk drive (HDD) but this is now becoming less common as flash memory has become cheaper and takes up less space.

The internal memory can be extended by inserting an SD card. If you use your camera for short scenes or are downloading files to your computer frequently, a relatively small SD card will be sufficient. To shoot hours of video at a time will require a large SD card or even multiple cards that can be exchanged when full.

WiFi

Battery Life

If you plan to record for a long time, or be outside and away from a plug, a long battery life is essential. Battery life can vary between camcorders so it is worth checking the manufacturer’s specifications before making your decision. Batteries can be replaced on some camcorder models allowing to extend recording times. You can replace the camcorder battery with a spare one when it runs out and continue recording straight away.

Camcorder Types Explained

After checking the specifications, you probably have an idea of what you need in a camera. This brings us to the next step: finding the type of camera that has all the features you need. Most camcorders fall into one of four categories:

Mainstream Camcorders

Advanced & Professional Camcorders

Pocket Camcorders

Wearable/Action Camcorders

Finding the Right Camcorder for Every Situation

Home Videos

Taking home videos of your children and family can be done in reasonable quality with a less expensive camcorder but you might still prefer Full HD resolution to less detailed alternatives.

Sports

If you like filming sports, particularly ones played in arenas and other settings where lighting may not be ideal, a camcorder with a good low-light performance is crucial. Look for a long zoom lens and optical image stabilsation to make sure you can capture the action without losing focus.

Video Blogging

If you tend to record mostly at home, a pocket camcorder might be all you need. This is an inexpensive way to get started. You could even consider using a good quality webcam. If you plan to film outside you might require more features like a good optical zoom and image stabilisation.

Film & Documentaries

With YouTube, Vimeo and other online streaming services allowing Ultra High Definition Uploads, a 4K camcorder might be worth considering to make sure you achieve the highest possible quality and prepare for the future. For the best results, look for good image stabilisation, a big aperture and a large sensor that can handle low-light shots. A powerful zoom wouldn't go amiss either if the action is happening further out. Alternatively, if you are working on a set where you have the ability to adjust the lighting and prevent unexpected camera movement, a high-end 1080p camera on a stable mount might be adequate.

Video Camera Prices

In total we found 174 video cameras ranging from $26 to $7,549. On average, a new video camera costs $924 and 80% of video cameras are priced between $44 and $2,495. The most expensive camcorder that we found is the Sony PXWX200 at $7,549, and the cheapest is the Vivitar DVR783HD at only $27.

Video Camera Brands - Price Range

The highest average camcorder price out of all brands is JVC camcorders with an average price of $1,654. JVC camcorders range in price from $499 to $3,912.

The second highest average video camera price out of all brands is Panasonic camcorders with an average price of $1,532. Panasonic camcorders start at $225 and their most expensive video camera costs $5,750.

Blackmagic Design video cameras start at $799 and their most expensive camcorder costs $1,995. The third highest average camcorder price out of all brands is Blackmagic Design video cameras with an average price of $1,304.

Video Camera Brands - Average Ratings

We have analysed 296 expert reviews and 1,715 user reviews for video cameras and used these reviews to determine the average rating for each brand of video camera. Sony is the top rated camcorder brand with an average rating of 83%. Canon is the second best brand with 73% and JVC is the third best brand with 66%.

Biggest Video Camera Retailers

The biggest video camera retailer by number of products currently for sale is eBay. We found 100 current video camera offers from eBay. The second biggest retailer is Walmart with 95 offers. That means eBay is slightly bigger than Walmart when it comes to camcorders. Adorama is the third biggest retailer with 85 current offers.

When Are Most New Camcorders Released?

Over the last 3 years we couldn't see any obvious pattern in the release month for new video cameras. Last year most new camcorders were released in July, with four new camcorders released that month. April was the biggest month in 2018 for new camcorders, with six new camcorders released that month. The biggest month in 2017 for new camcorder releases was January, with 12 new camcorders released that month.

How Fast Do Video Camera Prices Drop After Release?

In the first 6 months after release, camcorders drop in price by 5% on average.

If you are prepared to wait then you could save an average of $42 on a typical $924 new camcorder by waiting 6 months before buying.

Optical Zoom

An optical zoom lets you enlarge the subject without having to move closer to it.

The optical zoom of video cameras range from 1x to 78x. The optical zoom of most video cameras range from 1x to 7x. The camcorder with the biggest optical zoom is the Panasonic HCV380K, which is a 50x optical zoom camcorder and can be purchased for $279.00. The video camera with the smallest optical zoom is the Cobra CDR855BT, which is a 1x optical zoom camcorder and is on sale for $99.99.

Weights

'Weight' denotes the weight of the camcorder, including battery.

Comparing all video cameras, the weights range from 50g to 7.4kg. The weights of the majority of camcorders range from 0g to 400g. The camcorder with the heaviest weight is the Panasonic HCX1, which is a 4.4kg camcorder and can be purchased for $3,298.00. The camcorder with the lightest weight is the ION SnapCam Lite, which is a 50g video camera and is on sale for $54.41.

Total Megapixels

A megapixel (MP or Mpx) is one million pixels, and is a term used not only for the number of pixels in an image, but also to express the number of image sensor elements of digital cameras or the number of display elements of digital displays. For example, a camera that makes a 2048 1536 pixel image typically uses a few extra rows and columns of sensor elements and is commonly said to have "3.2 megapixels" or "3.4 megapixels", depending on whether the number reported is the "effective" or the "total" pixel count (as opposed to the 2048 1536 = 3,145,728 finished image pixels).

Comparing all video cameras, the total megapixels range from 0.3MP to 50MP. The total megapixels of most camcorders range from 0MP to 3MP. The camcorder with the biggest total megapixels is the Sony PXWX160, which is a 50MP video camera and can be purchased for $3,524.95. The camcorder with the smallest total megapixels is the Canon G1000E, which is a 0.3MP camcorder and is priced at $234.02.

Max Video Resolution

Video resolution is the amount of pixels that make up each frame of the recorded video.

1920 x 1080 (Full HD) pixels is the most common max video resolution amongst new video cameras. We found 474 video cameras that are video cameras that have a resolution of 1920 x 1080 (Full HD) pixels. The second most popular max video resolution amongst new camcorders is 3840 x 2160 (4K) pixels. We found 71 camcorders that are camcorders that have a resolution of 3840 x 2160 (4K) pixels.

Which Are the Cheapest Retailers for Camcorders?

The chart below helps you decide which retailer is normally cheapest for buying camcorders. For each retailer it shows the total number of camcorders where they currently have a market leading price. The chart below helps you decide which retailer is normally cheapest for buying camcorders. For each retailer we took all of their prices and looked at what proportion of those prices where the cheapest on the market. The cheapest retailer that we found was eBay. 70 of their video camera prices were the cheapest that could be found anywhere.

Proportion of Video Cameras for Which Each Retailer is Cheapest?

Assessing how cheap each retailer is for camcorders by counting the number of cheapest prices for that retailer, makes the retailers that offer the greatest number of camcorder prices more likely to offer the greatest number of cheapest prices. The chart below considers the proportion of each retailer's camcorder prices that are the cheapest compared to other retailers. The cheapest retailer that we found using this approach was eBay. 70% of their video camera prices were the cheapest that could be found anywhere.