Sony DCR-PC9

As with much electronic gear, a lot of the news about camcorders regards digital. Still more expensive than analog models, digital camcorders have begun to push aside high-band analog camcorders, which once offered the best picture quality. In addition to very high-quality images, digital's advantages include superb sound, compactness, easy use, and lots of features. Most models range from cigar-box size to pocketbook size.

With the right hardware and software, it is relatively easy to connect a camcorder to a computer for editing. Your computer needs lots of hard-drive space and speed-1 second of video from a digital camcorder occupies 3 to 4 megabytes-but even computers costing less than US$1,000 are capacious and fast these days. You'll also need matching input (a FireWire port) at the computer end.

Putting off the purchase of a digital camera? The latest digital camcorders can fill this niche as well. Images are stored on removable memory cards (the same kind of cards that cameras use) for downloading to a computer. According to our tests, the best of the camcorders that can do this match what a very good one-megapixel camera can do-fine for snapshots not not state-of-the-art for this digital technology.

What's available
Sony dominates the camcorder market, with several models in a number of formats. Other top brands include JVC, Panasonic, RCA, and Sharp. Regardless of format, analog or digital, every camcorder expresses tape speeds exactly as you're used to seeing them on your VCR. Every model, for example, includes an SP (standard-play) speed. A few 8mm and Hi8 models have a slower LP speed, which doubles recording time. All VHS-C and S-VHS-C camcorders have an even slower EP (extended-play) speed, which triples recording time. Slower speeds worsen picture quality with analog camcorders.

Digital models come in two formats, with some models weighing less than 2 pounds.

MiniDV (digital)
With some models small enough to slip into a large pocket, MiniDV can record very high-quality images. MiniDV camcorders use a unique tape cassette, smaller than either a VHS-C or an 8mm cassette but more expensive - US$8 for a 60-minute tape. Typical recording time: 60 minutes at SP. You'll need to use the camcorder for playback-the camcorder converts its recording to an analog signal, so it can be played directly into a TV or VCR, but a TV or VCR with an S-video input jack will yield the maximum possible picture quality. Brands include Canon, JVC, Panasonic, Sharp, and Sony. Price range: US$800 to US$2,000.

Digital 8 (D8)
This format gives you digital quality on Hi8 or 8mm cassettes. Tapes are cheaper than MiniDV cassettes; a 120-minute 8mm tape is about half the price of a Hi8. This format can also play your old Hi8 or 8mm tapes. But D8 records with a faster tape speed, so a "120-minute" cassette onlu lasts 60 minutes at SP speed. Price range: US$700 to US$1,300. Analog camcorders come in four compact formats (8mm, Hi8, VHS-C and S-VHS-C), weigh around 2 pounds, and, like digital models, are designed to be easily held in the hand. Picture quality is adequate, though generally a notch below that of digital.

More formats

8mm
For this analog format, you also need the camcorder for playback. Picture quality of models recently tested varied from poor to fair; sound quality, good to very good. Cassettes hold a lot: The most common size, 120-minute, yields 2 hours at SP and 4 hours at LP and costs about US$3.50. Canon, Sharp, and Sony make models in this format. Price range: US$250 to US$500.

Hi8
This premium "high-band" variant of 8mm promises a sharper picture. (The top analog model in our most recent test uses this format.) For full benefits, you must use Hi8 tape and watch on a TV set that has an S-video input. Brands include Sharp and Sony. Price range: US$400 to US$800.

VHS-C
VHS-C uses an adapter to play in any VHS VCR. Cassettes most commonly hold 30 minutes on SP. JVC and Panasonic are among companies that make models in this format. Price range: US$300 to US$800.

Super VHS-C (S-VHS-C)
The high-band variation on VHS-C. (The similar S-VHS/ET-C subformat can use standard VHS-C tapes.) One tape yields 40 minutes at SP recording speed. Only JVC offers models of this format. Price range: US$500 to US$800.

Note: In addition to the formats discussed above, there are camcorders that uses 8cm DVD-Rs for recording. Sony has also released a digital video recording format called the MicroMV for its palm-sized network camcorder.