Compare the Best CamcordersOctober 2018

Although VHS players are long gone, everybody still wants to preserve their best memories. Pictures are great ways to do that, but for many occasions you really need a video to put yourself in the moment again. Or perhaps you are a film maker looking for a professional camera that is not too bulky? Do you post video diaries on YouTube during your trips? Whatever you like to do, there's a camcorder for that.

Of course, this isn't 1997 anymore, and your choices are not limited to Super 8 and VCR. Before buying a camcorder, you need to look at what kind of video camera and quality do you need, how often you will use it and how you plan to watch the videos.

By knowing your needs and matching them to the options available, you will be able to shoot your family videos, that great football match, the concert ever of your favourite band and your YouTube blog too!

Key Camcorder Features

Resolution

The image resolution determines the number of pixels the image you shoot contains. In most cases, this is the most important factor to look at when choosing a camcorder. Today, a good camera will have a resolution between 1080p and 4K. These are also known as Full HD (1920 x 1080 pixels) and Ultra High Definition (3840 x 2160 pixels). Although a 4K camera sounds attractive, it is only worth the higher cost if you have the ability to view the result on a 4K screen. TVs and monitors that work at 4K UHD are becoming more widely available and 4K recording will become more widespread in the future too.

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

Being able to connect to your camcorder wirelessly opens up a lot of possibilities which you may or may not find useful. WiFi can allow some cameras to connect to a smartphone, which can then be used as a remote control.

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

These are the workhorses of the family. Here you will find the camcorders that pack all the basic features, can record footage at good quality and will serve the regular home user very well. Examples here include the low-ends of the Canon VIXIA, Sony CX and Panasonic V ranges. Despite being relatively simple, most mainstream camcorders will work for sport events, concerts, family videos and much more while having a lower price tag than other options. These are the best choice unless you have more specific requirements.

Advanced & Professional Camcorders

At some point the good old family camera may not make the grade, and then comes the time to look for models that pack in some high-end features. You will only be in this situation if you have specific requirements for which the good old mainstream camcorder wasn't made for. This includes very low light capture, 4K capability, image stabilisation, HD audio and other specific features. Each advanced camcorder has a different range of features, but most will give you high end results that can benefit both professional and demanding amateur users.

Pocket Camcorders

These small camcorders allow you to take them with you wherever you go without having to take a bag, and they are usually very affordable too. One of the downsides are a usually a compromise in image quality. While you can still find good options in this range, there are physical limitations to the size of sensor that can be built into a small camera. For the usual blogger who just needs a basic camera with low-end HD options, this will do. If you need more options or features (including handles), look at mainstream camcorders instead.

Wearable/Action Camcorders

If you are planning to attach your camera to something that will move, shake, turn or swim, you definitely need an action camera. The most popular and recognised camera in this niche is the GoPro series, but there are alternatives from Sony and other brands too. Most action cams are waterproof making them ideal for surfing, swimming, snowboading and diving.

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.

Camcorder Prices

Camcorders range in price from $28 to $10,835 and in total we found prices for 198 camcorders. On average, a new video camera costs $1,075 and 80% of camcorders are priced between $55 and $2,998. The most expensive camcorder that we found is the Panasonic AG-HPX500 at $10,835, and the cheapest is the Canon Camcorder at only $29.

Video Camera Brands - Price Range

The average price of Blackmagic Design video cameras is $2,241 which is the highest average price of all video camera brands. Blackmagic Design video cameras start at $722 and their most expensive video camera costs $3,700.

The average price of Sony camcorders is $1,912 which is the second highest average price of all video camera brands. Sony camcorders start at $50 and their most expensive video camera costs $7,499.

Panasonic camcorders start at $176 and their most expensive video camera costs $10,835. The average price of Panasonic camcorders is $1,667 which is the third highest average price of all video camera brands.

Camcorder Brands - Average Ratings

We have evaluated 2,761 expert reviews and 36,535 user reviews for video cameras and used this information to determine the average rating for each brand of video camera. Canon is the top rated camcorder brand with an average rating of 87%. Sony is the second best brand with 85% and Panasonic is the third best brand with 82%.

Biggest Camcorder Retailers

We found 141 current offers for camcorders from Amazon US making it the biggest video camera retailer. That is significantly bigger than the second biggest retailer, eBay for whom we found 113 current offers for camcorders. The third biggest retailer is Adorama with 56 current video camera offers.

When Are Most New Video Cameras Released?

Over the last 3 years we couldn't see any obvious trend in the release month for new camcorders. Last year most new camcorders were released in January, with 12 new camcorders released that month. In October 2016 25 new video cameras were released making it the biggest month that year for new video camera releases. September was the biggest month in 2015 for new camcorders, with 27 new camcorders released that month.

How Fast Do Video Camera Prices Drop After Release?

New video cameras drop in price by an average of 6% in the first 6 months after they wer first released. That means that on a typical camcorder costing $1,075 you could save on average $60 by waiting 6 months before buying.

Optical Zooms

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

Across the range of camcorders, the optical zooms range from 1x to 78x. The optical zooms of most video cameras range from 1x to 7x. The video camera with the biggest optical zoom is the Panasonic SDR-H100, which is a 70x optical zoom video camera and sells for $391.99. The camcorder with the smallest optical zoom is the ION The Game ActION, which is a 1x optical zoom camcorder and can be purchased for $172.42.

Weights

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

Comparing all camcorders, the weights range from 50g to 7.4kg. The weights of most video cameras range from 0g to 400g. The Blackmagic Design URSA EF, which sells for $3,700.00, has the heaviest weight and is a 7.4kg video camera. The camcorder with the lightest weight is the Bushnell 8MP Trophy Cam, which is a 50g camcorder and can be purchased for $99.00.

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).

Across the range of camcorders, the total megapixels range from 0.3MP to 50MP. The total megapixels of most video cameras range from 0MP to 3MP. The video camera with the biggest total megapixels is the Sony PXW-X160, which is a 50MP camcorder and can be purchased for $3,789.97. The camcorder with the smallest total megapixels is the VTech Kidizoom Action Cam 180, which is a 0.3MP camcorder and is on sale for $30.00.

Max Video Resolutions

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 popular max video resolution amongst new video cameras. We found 480 video cameras that are camcorders that have a resolution of 1920 x 1080 (Full HD) pixels. We found 59 video cameras that are camcorders that have a resolution of 3840 x 2160 (4K) pixels, making this the second most frequently found max video resolution amongst new video cameras.

Which Are the Cheapest Retailers for Video Cameras?

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 video cameras. 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. 63 of their camcorder prices were the cheapest that could be found anywhere.

Proportion of Camcorders 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 video camera prices more likely to offer the greatest number of cheapest prices. The chart below considers the proportion of each retailer's video camera prices that are the cheapest compared to other retailers. The cheapest retailer that we found using this approach was eBay. 55.8% of their video camera prices were the cheapest that could be found anywhere.