Sony's DVD201E HandyCam is a good example of how far DVD cameras have come and what a bit of commonsense can do when selecting the right format. Unlike some of the earlier DVD cameras which opted for the unpopular DVD-RAM rewritable format, Sony elected to go with the more common DVD-RW format.

New HDR-TG1 Handycam weighs in at 280 grams - or less than two iPod Classics. Add a titanium body and 10x optical zoom and we're drooling.

The Sony HDR-XR200VE mini cam uses gyros to provide image stabilisation, and has an inbuilt GPS receiver

Good things often come in small packages and that's the case with Sony's PC108E. It is only fractionally larger than the JVC GR-DX77 (the smallest camera in the lab) but weighs in 65 grams lighter. Sony has kept it compact by providing a separate docking station that contains the USB, DV and S-Video ports. There also are AV and additional microphone connectors on the camera itself.

JVC's handycam-shaped 707 comes with a good LCD and handles changes in light well – particularly when shooting from shade into sunlight. The general image quality is good, although the camera suffers the JVC plague of poor zoom. It's fine to about 5x but falls away from there. It offers a selection of three resolutions for still photos with the highest being 1,280 x 960.

Canon grabs the crown for the most fully featured HDV camcorder for under $1500

One thing that never ceases to amaze me is the size and performance of this digital format. The cameras are a fraction of the size of the old camcorders we used to lug around the countryside, the batteries last longer, the tapes get smaller and, the quality gets better.

Latest full HD effort from Sony comes rocking smaller frame, plus GPS, geotagging and Map Index

Although it takes great footage directly to a hard drive, it's being held back by a few problems.

It was a hard choice not to include this camera in the short list, especially considering the price. The 190MSi is a well-appointed handycam that uses a 0.8-megapixel CCD, 12x optical zoom and records still pictures. While the images weren't as good as those from the higher priced cameras, it performed well, and would make a great purchase.

Easily one of the cheapest 60GB hard drive cameras, but its image quality is cheap too.

One beautiful camera, with one awful flaw.

HD camcorders enter the mainstream once and for all. With image quality like this, there’s little reason to spend more.

Impressive and free antivirus and antispyware package

Sony aims to save the day with smarter remote control. Which is great -- as long as you genuinely adore Bravia TVs.

Sony has showcased more than 3000 products for its retail partners at its second Experience More event at Fox Studios in Sydney.