Camcorders

SANYO has introduced the world's first waterproof camcorder, the Xacti E1. The E1 can record video and 6-megapixel stills under water to a depth of five feet for up to one hour at a time. Easy to use with only one hand, it's perfect to take to the beach or lake or to use in the backyard pool or water park.

Completely tapeless, the device records both video and still images to a standard SD memory card or SDHC card. Users can record 10 hours of full-motion 640 x 480 pixel, 30 frames-per-second video on a single 8-gigabyte SDHC memory card (not included). Read more

The DZHS500A and DZHS300A hybrid camcorders from Hitachi feature an internal hard drive, perfect for when you want to grab a lot of footage but not carry around DVD discs, or for recording long events where you plan to produce highlight reels from the footage. The internal hard drive (8GB on the DZHS300A, 30GB on DZHS500A) also makes downloading footage to a computer for editing a snap as well as performing basic in-camera editing when no computer is available. The 1-Touch Easy Dubbing feature lets you quickly burn footage stored on the hard disk drive to DVD for playback on most home DVD players. The Hitachi hybrid camcorders also feature a drop-proofing system that automatically detect falls, suspends read/write activity and cushions the hard drive for impact. Read more

One of the world’s smallest High Definition Camcorders is the world's smallest and lightest HDV camcorder on the market. The Canon HV10 is a truly portable HD camcorder with a wide array of features. With its 10x optical zoom, it’s lightweight and has superior Optical vs. digital image stabilization. One of its best features is a built-in mini light for less light. www.usa.canon.com. Around $1000.00.

With HDTV sets now available for less than $1000 and HD programming widely offered by cable and satellite providers, many consumers are ready to take the plunge. There's no denying that HD is here to stay.

What many people may not realize is that the transition to HD isn't limited to HDTV sets and broadcast programming. In fact, new technology is making it possible to capture and record your own home movies in HD. To get started, you'll need a high definition camcorder, sometimes referred to as an HDV camcorder. With HDV camcorders commanding around $1,500, they're not exactly inexpensive, but as with all new technologies, prices quickly fall. Read more

For those photographically challenged, the best camera is often a simple one, with no bells, buzzers, or gadgets to complicate the picture. The less there is in terms of plugs, buttons, and controls, the easier it is to capture the moment. The same goes double for camcorders—no matter how much they seem to improve, some are still just too complicated to use. Pure Digital has a solution to that problem, though: their new Point & Shoot Camcorder.

With one-touch recording and zoom buttons, capturing the special moment is a snap. The 1.4” color screen is perfect for viewing those precious moments—and easily deleting the bits you don’t want to keep. Up to 30 minutes can be recorded on the Point & Shoot Camcorder in one continuous recording, or many smaller ones. Then, the camera can easily be snapped into a TV or PC for easy viewing or sending of files. Read more

The CVS One Time Use Digital Camcorder is under $30 and perfect for capturing Easter moments with your family at a special dinner or an egg hunt or with the Easter bunny. While it is no replacement for your standard digital camcorder, it is perfect for times when you forgot to bring along your personal camcorder for a special event or if -- at the last minute -- you realize the battery has died in your camcorder. It is easy to pack on a trip or to toss in your bag for quick use (it's a little thicker than an iPod, but about the same size). This little camcorder is easy to use, light-weight and durable. Read more