HD Camcorder

HD camcorders allow you to record video in High definition format. Most HD camcorders can record 1080 horizontal lines of an image and offer a huge increase in image quality compared to standard definition camcorders that can only record 400-600 horizontal lines.

A HD camcorder will look no different to standard camcorder in it's appearance but will have better sensors inside able to record a more detailed image.

As more and more televisions (in fact nearly all new televisions) are able to display HD video then it seems the sound choice if you are buying a new camcorder to buy a HD camcorder an enjoy the extra quality your TV can offer.

www.hdcamcorder.org.uk have hand-picked a dozen or so of the latest HD camcorder models from a range of manufacturers including Sony, Panasonic and Canon.

Currently our most popular camcorder is the Sony HDR-TG3E. This camcorder is current the worlds smallest and is proving to very popular this year. Other top models from Sony include the HDR-CX6E, HDR-SR10E and HDR-SR12E.

Canon produce a quality range of HD camcorders such as the HV30 and HF100.

Another contender is Panasonic with their HDC-HS9, HDC-SD9 and HDC-SX5.

Choose from the HD Camcorders below

HD Camcorder - Mini Guide

Recording format
One of the most important things to consider when choose a HD video camera is the different HD camcorder formats available. There are a few options to choose from including Mini-DV, DVD, memory card and HDD.

Zoom
Zoom allows you to get closer to your subject without moving your feet. These days all HD camcorders have a zoom function but the amount of zoom they offer varies from model to model. As a rule of thumb a x10 optical zoom will be sufficient for most budding film maker’s needs. Although, if you’re planning on filming lots of things in the distance, e.g. wildlife then you will probably benefit from a more powerful zoom. But bear in mind, the more you zoom in on a subject the more you will notice the smallest of movements if you hand shakes. This can be negated by using a tripod.

Image stabilisation
Some HD video cameras now come with image stabilisation. A shaking effect can be seen when filming if you hand or arm moves and this can be noticed even more when you are zoomed in. Image stabilisation should remove some of the shakiness from the recording.

Size
Size may pay an important part in your choice of HD camcorder. Size varies wildly between models, some are a more traditional size (the size of a shoe or bigger) and others are available that are not much bigger than a mobile phone. HD camcorders that record onto memory cards tend to be the smallest and those that record directly onto DVD or Mini-DV tapes are larger since they have to accommodate the recording media.

Video lamp
Some HD camcorders feature a video lamp that can help to illuminate what you are filming. This feature can be ideal for close-up work and is kind of similar to a still camera flash. Although using this feature for prolonged periods of time can drain the battery faster than normal use.

Recording in low light conditions
HD video cameras can struggle to record a quality image in low light conditions both outdoors and indoors. However, many camcorders now come with features to improve the image quality. Some HD camcorders even have a special night mode which will give you a brighter picture.

Sound Quality
The sound quality from a camcorder recording can vary model to model. Some higher end HD camcorders allows you to attach an external microphone. An external microphone should offer a large improvement in sound quality compared to the camcorders own built in microphone.

Still photos
Many HD camcorders offer the option to take still photos. If you are filming something and spot a nice photo opportunity you can snap the picture from you camcorder rather than having to get you separate still camera out it’s bag. This feature can be useful but the quality is no where near the quality you would expect from a standalone digital camera.

HD Camcorder Formats

Any important choice to make when choosnig a hd video camera is the format it uses to store video.

HD HDD Camcorders
A HD camcorder with an internal hardrive is ideal for those who don't want to be changing tapes or DVDs often. HD video camera models are available with harddrive sizes range from 30GB to 120GB and beyond. This is enough capacity for over 15 hours of continuous HD video. Find out more about hd hdd cameras.

HD DVD Camcorder
Like the idea of shooting HD video, taking the disk out and putting straight in your DVD player to show your friends/family? Then seriously consider a HD DVD camcorder

HD SD Camcorder
Looking for the small range of hd camcorders available? Try a
HD SD Camcorder. Thier small memory card format menas they can be designed much smaller than most HD video cameras ensuring you can take it everywhere with you to capture that those spontanious moments.

Sony HD Camcorders

Sony HDR-TG3ER - The smallest 1080i HD Camcorder available!

The HDR-TG3ER is the smallest most compact high definition video camera available. HDR-TG3ER compare prices. Recording 1920x1080i HD video directly onto a Memory Stick means Sony could keep the size down to a minimum. Even though the TG3ER is small on size it is big on features including a Carl Zeiss Vario-Tessar lens with 10x optical zoom / 120x digital zoom. There is a large 2.7-inch Clear Photo LCD Plus which also doubles as a touch panel for your viewing shots and controlling the cameras functions. HDR-TG3ER more information...

Sony HDR-CX6E - 1080i High Definition Memory Stick Camcorde

The HDR-CX6E features Sony's ClearVid CMOS Sensor for enhanced image quality. HDR-CX6E Compare Pricesx.v.Colour and Carl Zeiss® Vario-Sonnar®T lens ensure the all the footage you record will be of the highest quality no matter the conditions. The HDR-CX6E can records almost 3 hours of 1080i High Definition AVCHD movie on a removable 8GB Memory Stick media. Browsing through your recordings is made easy with clever functions such as Film Roll Index, Face Index and Highlight Index HDR-CX6Emore information...

Sony HDR-SR10E - Full HD Camcorder with 40GB internal HDD

The HDR-SR10E offers the best ever picture quality format available shooting footage with a Full HD 1920x1080 resolution. HDR-SR10E Compare Prices. The HDR-SD10E can also take still photos of up to 4 megapixels. The 40GB internal harddrive can record up to 15 hours of HD video footage ensuring you never run out of space on your holiday. We like the clevel Face Detection feature which makes shooting friends and family a dodle. HDR-SR10E more information...

Sony HDR-SR11E - Full HD Camcorder with 60GB internal HDD

The HDR-SR11E has a internal 60GB hard drive which can store up to 22 hours of full high definition footage. HDR-SR11E Compare Prices. There is also a hybrid memory stick option to allow you to record to a memory card for easy sharing. The ClearVid CMOS sensor with Exmor derived technology provides a superb picture quality with high sensitivity to detail and and low noise levels. The Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T* lens with offers a 12x optical zoom and the camcorder can zoom to a staggering 150x with it's digital zoom. HDR-SR11E more information...

Sony HDR-SR12E - Full HD Camcorder with 80GB internal HDD for up to 48 hours of recording time.

The HDR-SD12E can record up to 48 hours of full HD video footage on it's internal 80GB hard disk drive. HDR-SD12E Compare Prices. Record quality video has never been easier with Super Sony's SteadyShot Optical Image Stabilisation which improves still image and video stability, especially in those low light conditions. The SD12E also has x.v.Colour mode for vivid, lifelike colours in your recordings. You can also use it to shoot still photos of up to 10 megapixel recording them onto the internal HDD or removable a Memory Stick. HDR-SD12E more information...

Sony HDR-SR5E - 1080i High Definition Camcorder with 40GB HDD

The HDR-SR5 is Sony's ultra-compact, stylishly-designed Handycam with 40GB internal HDD. HDR-SR5 Compare Prices. It has a ClearVid CMOS Sensor and features x.v.Colour and a set of Carl Zeiss® Vario-Sonnar®T lens. The HDR-SR5's internal 40GB hard drive can record up to 15 hours of 1080i high definition movie footage. HDR-SR5 more information...

Sony HDR-SR7E - 1080i High Definition Camcorder with 60GB HDD

The Sony HDR-SR7E can record up to 22 hours of 1080i High Definition video footage (AVCHD Format) on it's internal 60GB HDD, so no need to change tapes, DVD or memory cards. HDR-SR7E Compare Prices. The SR7E has a clever Smooth Slow recording mode for advanced slow motion footage and a ClearVid CMOS Sensor for ensure optimum picture quality when you are recording. It can also record still images of up to 6.1 Megapixel or up to 4.3 Megapixel while recording movies simultaniously recording movies. HDR-SR7E more information...

Sony HDR-HC9E - 1080i High Definition miniDV Camcorder

The HDR-HC9E features Sony's ClearVid CMOS Sensor for enhanced image quality and Carl Zeiss® Vario-Sonnar®T lens ensure the all the footage you record looks stunning.HDR-HC9E Compare PricesThe HDR-HC9E records HD video onto miniDV tape for low cost and convenience. There are a range of connectivity options including HDMI, USB and a connectors for attaching a separate microphone to the camcorders accessory shoe. HDR-HC9E more information...

Panasonic HD Camcorders

Panasonic HDC-HS9 - Full-HD 1920 x 1080 progressive video camcorder

The HDC-HS9 can record full-HD 1920 x 1080 progressive video (25 frames per second) to perfectly capture footage with a richness and colour depth simply not possible with previous consumer video cameras. HDC-HS9 Compare Prices. The HDC-HS9 has a 17-Mbps bit rate which helps to capture the superb image quality and motion response available. Hgih compression ratio algorithms allows a full hour of recording onto a single 4GB SD Memory Card at full-HD resolution. HDC-HS9 more information...

Panasonic HDC-SD9

Like it's brother the HDC-SD9 can record full HD 1080p video at 25 frames per second. HDC-SD9 Compare Prices A range of features including Face Detection and the Intelligent Shooting Guide make life easier when it's vital to shoot mistake-free shots and footage. The HDC-SD9 will record onto both SD and SDHC Memory Cards making extremely small and portable. Since SD Memory cards require no form of transport mechanism the SD9 is resistant to external impact such as knocks and shakes. HDC-SD9 more information...

Panasonic HDC-SX9

The HDC-SX5 is capable of recording Full HD 1920x1080 video onto both Memory card and DVD discs. HDC-SX5 Compare Prices. The flexibility to record onto both types of media is a big advantage with recording HD footage as it provides up to 4 hours of storgage. The clever double media system also makes it possible to record video from the memory card onto the DVD ready to watch in your home DVD player. HDC-SX5 more information...

Canon HD Camcorder Models

Canon HF10 - Dual Flash Memory Full HD Compact Camcorder

The HF10 is the ultra-stylish, incredibly compact HD camcorder from Canon. HF10 Compare Prices. The HF10 records video footage at a Full HD resolution of 1920x1080 and offers the versatility of Dual Flash Memory recording. The 16GB of internal flash memory provides up to 6 hours of continuous shooting. If that isn't enough then you can insert SD/SDHC cards for increased capacity. HF10 more information...

Canon HF100 - SD Flash Memory Full HD Compact Camcorder

The HF100 can record video at 1920x1080 Full HD resolution. HF100 Compare Prices. Recording to SD memory cards means you can share your videos with family and friends quickly and easily. Also becuase the HF100 records onto memory cards, there are no moving parts or mechanisms to be affected by sharp movement or knocks, making it the ideal camera for the more active. A 2.7" multiangle LCD screen with a wide 135-degree viewing angle makes it easier to shoot footage from any angle. HF100 more information...

Canon HG10 - HDD Full HD Camcorder

The HG10 records onto an internal HDD making running out of storage space a thing of the past. HG10 Compare Prices. The HG10 emloys Canon's DIGIC II processor specifically designed for HD recording. Iintuitive navigation controls provides quick and easy access to the camcorders key functions. Playing back your recordings is effortless, simply scroll through the list of footage or select a recorded scene from the thumbnail view to instantly review movies on the large 2.7" Multiangle LCD screen. HG10 more information...

Canon HR10 - Full HD Direct to DVD recording

The compact Canon HR10 records video at 1920x1080 Full HD with the convenience of recording directly to DVD. HR10 Compare Prices. The HR10 uses Canon’s Full HD CMOS video chip which was specifically developed exclusively for Canon camcorders. A 2.96 Megapixel sensor captures High Definition images and is filtered using advanced noise reduction technology to provide a sharper cleaner recording. HR10 more information...

Canon HV30 - Full HDV1080i MiniDv Camcorder

The Canon HV30 is the awaited successor to the multi award-winning HV20. HV30 Compare Prices. The HV30 derives brings together all the benefits of the Canon high definition video Camera System - Special Canon HD Lens, A Full HD CMOS sensor and Canon's DIGIC DV II processor to produce outstanding HDV1080i footage. HV30 more information...

JVC HD Camcorders

JVC GZ-HD6 Full HD Camcorder with 3 CCD sensors

The JVC GZ-HD6 is an ultra-compact Full HD 1920x1080i camcorder with it’s own 120GB internal hard disk drive. JVC GZ-HD6 Compare Prices. The GZHD6 offers amazing image quality with it’s FUJINON HD lens and superior colour reproduction thanks to it’s 3 separate CCD which record each of the 3 primary colours separately. The GZ-HD6 features a 20x optical zoom and a massive 200x digital zoom making recording those hard to reach subjects a doddle. JVC GZ-HD6 more information...

JVC GZ-HD5 Full HD Camcorder with 3 CCD sensors

The JVC GZ-HD5 is just like it's brother the HD6 and records Full HD 1920x1080i onto it's 60GB internal hard disk drive. JVC GZ-HD5 Compare Prices. The GZHD5 also poduces a stunning quality image thanks to it's FUJINON HD lens and 3 separate CCD sensors. The GZ-HD5 also has a 20x optical zoom and a huge 200x digital zoom ensuring those hard to reach subjects seem that little bit closer. JVC GZ-HD5 more information...