A good price coupled with outstanding image quality – a good budget alternative to the Panasonic HDC-HS9

High resolution stills and laudable quality for the money, but image stabilisation isn’t the best

It may not be a looker, but in all other respects this Panasonic is a stunning camera

Huge storage for the money, but quality can’t match the more expensive models in this group

Good quality optics and lots of storage, but not the most portable of camcorders

Impressive optical quality and storage space, though a touch expensive

Great image quality and plenty of enthusiast features for a very reasonable price

A good price for an HD camcorder, but poor design makes it awkward to use

The smallest, cheapest camera on test, but unsurprisingly, it also has the poorest image quality

Cheaper than the HF10, although you need to factor in the cost of storage cards

No match for Sony’s SR12 on features, but incredibly easy to use and an ideal ‘my first HD camcorder’

A capable cam that'll take the knocks and matches it rival, the Panasonic HDC-SD1. It can’t quite better Canon’s HV20 on sheer performance though

The marker has been laid down. Sony's pulled off another AVCHD stunner that will be hard to beat this year

Great video, tons of features, easy to use... if only there was a PAL-friendly version

It's a mini adventure with the S10. A go anywhere, shoot anything cam that won't break the bank and delivers well for its size

This Panny 'corder can shoot stills at a resolution of 4-megapixels, which makes it a match for a still camera

The SD1 looks stunning, and performs even better. If this is what AVCHD delivers, then we’re totally sold

Not exactly a hi-def holiday shooter, but the Action Cam is perfect for creating your ‘when skiing goes wrong’ home video

3CCD has yet to prove it’s worth the premium. If you want a hard-disker, go for one of the cheaper Everio models

Creative’s Vado is brilliant value for money and a fine little friend to fans of web video