HITACHI DZ-MV208E

Like the others in Canon’s MV500 series, the MV530i is about twice the size of Canon’s MVX2i mini cam, but is still comfortable to hold and use.

At just on $4,400, the 500A cannot really be considered a consumer DV camera, however, it is no doubt a camera a lot of consumers would like to own. However, the price and some annoying little problems stopped this camera from being the Labs Winner this month.

Despite having a 1.02-megapixel CCD, the 820 still suffered similar poor optical zoom performance of its little brother, with image pixelation at high zoom. The image stabilisation was only average and that put you off seeking any sort of magnification while filming moving objects. The improved CCD does provide better stills, and the 820 can use MPEG-4 to compress video clips.

The GX7A uses a 1.23-megapixel CCD and records stills to memory card. While general image quality was good, the optical zoom was only fair and the electronic image stabiliser was not as good as on some cheaper cameras. The optical zoom produced grainy images before reaching maximum magnification and the sound track was affected by wind noise more than some of the lower priced cameras.

The JVC cameras all rely solely on digital zoom – and as long as we didn't use the zoom, the 520 performed well enough. However, as soon as you want anything more than 2x or 3x magnification, the quality deteriorates quite rapidly. It uses a 0.8-megapixel CCD and records stills to the memory card. While the specs are similar to Canon's MV530i, the performance was not.

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.

A nice little camera that uses a 0.8-megapixel CCD compared to the 1.3-megapixel of the MVX2i. As a result, it does not offer the same near-broadcast image quality. Having said that, there is little wrong with the images it produces. The MV5i has eight shooting modes; records still images; and comes with a comprehensive range of software.

This is a top of the range DV camera that packs a ton of features into a camera half the size of many of its competitors without compromising on quality at all.

At just under $1,800, the TRV18e is well priced for what it offers. Like others in its price range it uses a 0.8-megapixel CCD, which produces surprisingly good quality images. It handles low light and water reflection well and has one of the better LCDs, making it a good all round DV camera at a reasonable price.

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.

Sony has done a good job of packaging a top quality camera into such a compact size. While it's not the smallest of the Sony range, it'll appeal to those who don't want anything too bulky.

Despite the $600 price gap there are only a few small but important differences between the 238E and the 270E. For example, the 238E has a smaller LCD display; a black and white viewfinder; and no S-connector input. Apart from that, the technology is essentially identical: both have the same 1.16-megapixel CCD as well as 12x optical zoom. As a result, the quality of the images is similar.

The problem with making a camera too small is that they can become difficult to handle; the DCR-IP55e overcomes this by swinging the battery holder down to form a pistol grip.

If you've ever fancied kitting yourself out for a bit of illicit spying, you might want to try the PenCam.

While $200 doesn't seem much in the overall scheme of things it can make a big difference for the consumer. The extras you get for it – higher optical zoom and a colour light up button – are not enough to make this your first choice ahead of the 530i. However, the performance of the two cameras is almost identical and that says a lot for the quality of the 550i.

DVD is said to be to movies what CD was to music. Well-filmed DVD movies are better in all respects than those recorded on VHS, so the idea of a digital video camera recording direct to DVD disc would appear sound.