TOP 5 FULL HD Best Camcorders under $500 for 2011

In our video camera reviews of 2011, looking for the best camcorder worthy of our TOP 5 list of Best Camcorders under $500, we found the best new features of camcorders this year include models recording at 1920×1080 Full HD 60p AVCHD high optical zoom choices, large LCD touch screens and the choice of recording format between internal flash drive and 2 flash memory SD card slots for virtually unlimited recording times.

Nowadays camcorder video camera reviews are riddled with bunches of letters and abbreviations, some of which we will describe here first:

You may wonder about the differences between SD, TM and HS in the model names, and these are best described as an SD card recording only to an external flash drive SD memory card which is inserted into a slot or sometimes 2 slots in the camcorder. TM means twin media when the video camera has an internal flash drive as well as one or two SD card slots, and HS records to a hard drive and possibly SD cards. You may also see the letters SD/SDXC/SDHC/SD cards, and the variation in letters indicate the speed of the card.

Optical image stabilization is shortened to OIS and CMOS (Complementary metal–oxide–semiconductor) is the image sensor chip which used to be CCDs (charge coupled device). CMOS is better in lower light. Video cameras under $1000 usually have just one CMOS chip but top end camcorders usually have 3 CMOS chips.

Bit rates are nothing to sweat over, but Full HD, 1920 x 1080, and AVCHD are the best picture qualities to look out for. The p in 1080p is for progressive which is better than 1080i for interlaced.

AVCHD is used exclusively by JVC, Sony, Canon and Panasonic and more commonly found in top end Consumer camcorders, Prosumer camcorders and Professional camcorders.

Compact camcorders have taken a giant leap forward this year both in features, value for money and picture quality with the BIG 4 Brands, Canon, JVC, Sony and Panasonic setting the standard.

In our search for the best video camera with the features above for under $500, our TOP 5 selection of best HD camcorders all come just under the $500 maximum, and like our TOP 5 lists of 2010 we start with number 5 and work down to the best:

#5 on the TOP 5 list is the Fujifilm FinePix Real 3D W3 Camcorder

If 3D technology really floats your boat and you can accept 720p HD resolution instead of Full HD, you may like to check out the Fujifilm FinePix Real 3D W3 camcorder which has a rating of 4.5 stars out of 5 from 71 owner 3D camcorder reviews.  Who can argue with impressive reviews such as these?

The Fujifilm FinePix Real 3D W3 video camera has no internal flash memory, but captures 10 mp photos and video only to an SD card (SD memory card not included) with a dual 10-megapixel CCD and lens system which can be viewed instantly in 3D technology with no glasses required.

The 3.5-inch 1.15 million dot resolution widescreen auto stereoscopic LCD screen displays photos and video in 3D instantly through two 10-megapixel sensors and two Fujinon 3x optical zoom lenses. Auto or manual shutter speed and aperture for instant control in both 2D and 3D.

4^th of the TOP 5 is the Panasonic HDC-SD90K 3D 2011

Just like the Panasonic SD 10 video camera chosen as the number 3 best camcorder under $500 of last year, the Panasonic HDC-SD90 3D best camcorders record only to SDXC/SDHC/SD flash drive memory cards at 28 Mbps High bit rate, recording Full-HD 1920 x 1080p.

With a 3″ LCD touch screen, Intelligent 40x Zoom, Hybrid O.I.S. a 28mm wide-angle lens and a new zoom mic with wind noise canceller linked to the video camera zoom action the HDC-SD90 compact camcorders have 2D & 3D video capture capability. Note that 3D video can only be recorded with the optional Panasonic VW-CLT1 3D camcorder lens costing almost $200.

Number 3 on our TOP 5 list, the Sony HDR-CX160 2011

Eight buyers of the Sony HDR-CX160 2011 Best Camcorders which is 3rd of our TOP 5 have seen fit to write video camera reviews of their experience with this camcorder, and all 8 awarded video camera ratings of 5 stars out of 5!

With 16gb flash drive internal memory for up to 6 hours of recording, a 3.0” LCD touch screen, 30x optical zoom & 42x Extended Zoom, back-illuminated “Exmor R” CMOS sensor for superb low-light video, wide angle G lens, OIS with 3-Way shake-cancelling, built-in LED light and built-in USB 2.0 cable and intelligent auto with 90 different scene combinations, the Sony HDR-CX160 camcorder records 1920x1080p FULL HD video and 3MP still images.

Number 2 on our TOP 5 list is the JVC GZ-HM670BUS BUNDLE 2011

Just being pipped to the top spot of our TOP 5 list is the JVC GZ-HM670BUS video camera, and we recommend the bundle because it’s just $15 extra to the camcorder alone. Similar features to the Canon camcorder below at number one, with a 32GB built-in flash memory and just one SD card slot for SD/SDXC/SDHC/SD, a smaller 2.7″ “Frameless” Touch Panel LCD screen, 40x optical zoom and  Advanced OIS  recording AVCHD & standard definition dual format with 24Mbps High bit rate recording. The kit contains a useful 8GB flash drive SDHC Memory Card and wallet, Carrying Case w/Strap, a mini table top tripod, a pack of LCD touch screen protectors and a lens and LCD screen cleaning kit.

Last year our number one choice of Best Camcorders for under $500 was a Canon camcorder, the Canon HF R100 video camera, and it’s a Canon camcorder that takes top spot again this year:

Drum Roll please: Our number one choice in the TOP 5 FULL HD Best Camcorders under $500 for 2011 is the Canon VIXIA HF R21 2011 Model

UK readers note that Canon UK name their camcorder range the Canon LEGRIA, not VIXIA as in the US, and to complicate matters further when looking to compare camcorders, they have changed the name of the R21 as reviewed here to the R28. So for Canon VIXIA HF R21 in the US, please read Canon LEGRIA HF R28 in the UK. Same camcorder, different country!

A 3 inch LCD touch screen and Smart Auto lets you check the action clearly and a genuine Canon HD video lens with 28x advanced zoom gets close to the action while dynamic OIS stabilizes a wide range of movements for smooth, steady video.

With a 32GB internal flash drive and 2 SDXC memory card slots you could record forever almost with the Canon R21. Record for up to 12 hours with the internal flash drive before changing automatically with relay recording to external flash drives for another 12 hours with each 32GB SDHC card.

A Canon DIGIC DV III image processor with Canon 3.28-megapixel FULL HD CMOS image sensor records your video at 24Mbps video in the highest bit rate in AVCHD. Canon camcorders have gone the extra mile and over delivered with features previously found in Prosumer camcorders costing twice as much as this Canon VIXIA HF R21 2011 video camera model with a microphone terminal giving manual audio level control and a headphone terminal, focus assist, HD-to-SD down-conversion and much more. Without doubt, this is the best Canon video camera at under $500 and a worthy winner of our TOP 5 FULL HD Best Camcorders under $500 for 2011.

The camcorder reviews 2011 in this TOP 5 selection are obviously only summaries, and all camcorders are priced at under $500 at the time of writing these video camera reviews. Some of these TOP 5 camcorder deals are discounted by as much as 33%, so if you are ready to buy now, don’t hang around as prices go up again.

All of these TOP 5 video cameras have many more features worth checking out, and you can read full information of these and over 200 more camcorders at http://www.uscamcorderreviews.com.

UK readers can do likewise at http://www.ukcamcorderreviews.co.uk. There are also video reviews of many camcorders on those sites, or from our Youtube Video Review Playlist goo.gl/rMMVh where you can subscribe to be notified as new video cameras are added.

By: Art Speck

For a family/consumer HD digital camcorder  in 2010, look no further than Sanyo, Samsung, Panasonic, JVC or Canon, for the best video camera brands, and all with new models for 2010 costing under $500, making them the best camcorder deals available.

The cheapest of these is the Sanyo VPC-CS1 HD digital camcorder and 8 MP Camera costing an astonishing low price of $272, and with a high spec, and rating highly in video camera reviews.

This is claimed to be the world’s thinnest and lightest Full HD Dual HD digital camcorder   with 10xOptical Zoom, full HD 1080 60i HD video (1920×1080), video and photo image stabilizer, a really great 38mm angle of view and a it records to the latest MPEG-4 AVC/H.264 movie recording format, making it among the best video camera models for the pocket or purse, and at this price, another of the best camcorder deals in 2010.

Coming in at about the same price as the Sanyo VPC-CS1 HD digital camcorder, one of the best camcorders mentioned above, are the new for 2010 Samsung F44 HD video cameras.

With 16GB of built-in SSD Memory, 65x Intelli-Zoom/52x Optical Zoom, a remarkable battery life of over 4 hours between re-charges thanks to the lack of any internal moving parts, time lapse recording and IntelliStudio 2/0 (Built In plug in and play PC Software) supplied for editing, this best video camera from Samsung deserves your serious consideration, as endorsed in video camera reviews and camcorder deals.

Panasonic has a brilliant low priced HD digital camcorder  for under $400, the Panasonic HDC-SD10K Full HD Camcorder. This has been on the market since June last year and always gets a very good write up in video camera reviews and one of Panasonics best camcorders.

This little beauty records also records directly to SD/SDHC memory cards which are now very cheap, capturing 1080 progressive HD video.

Intelligent Auto mode takes the guess-work out of recording, and allows anyone to record picture perfect moments, while a 16x Optical Image Stabilized zoom with Active mode anticipates your movement to correct jitters and shakes and allow smooth movement when recording, all enclosed in a Super-compact design; weighs only 1/2 pound.

The JVC GZ-HD500 HD digital camcorder is another of this video camera reviews website camcorder deals for 2010 coming in at just under the $500, with a big 80GB Internal Hard Disk Drive for up to 33 hours of Full HD recording, as well as providing a micro SD/SDHC Card Slot for extra recording time.

Recording bit rate is a high 24Mbps, Time-Lapse recording is possible, and the zoom is 20x Optical Zoom and 200x Digital, yet another of the HD video cameras new for 2010

They say to leave the best till last, and here it is, just within our $500 budget, the Canon Vixia HF R100 HD digital camcorder. Canon VIXIA HF R100 Dual Flash Memory Camcorder. a favorite in video camera reviews and at this price one of the best camcorders
you will find from all camcorder deals in 2010.

Canon has always had great respect from still photographers, but their reputation for making a HD digital camcorder has been established for a few years now.

The Canon Vixia HF R100  HD digital camcorder records crisp high definition video directly to removable SD memory cards, which seems to be the best recording format in 2010, in an Ultra-Sleek, Compact and Lightweight Design which allows you to take your camcorder with you anywhere.

Canons own DIGIC DV III Image Processor as fitted to these HD video cameras provides the ultimate in color and imaging performance with a genuine Canon 20x HD Video Lens delivering unsurpassed image quality, while a Canon 2.39-Megapixel HD CMOS Image Sensor captures video at 1920 x 1080 resolution.

The HD CMOS Image Sensor is becoming very popular too, as they are easier and cheaper to produce than the traditional CCD image sensors, so this best video camera from Canon in this price bracket is just about as future-proof as you can get right in 2010, and completes our video camera reviews of the best camcorders under $500.

So, which one would be your choice? I would really like your feedback to help me write future articles.

About the Author

Art Speck is an experienced videographer having worked for 30 years in the business.

Being retired now gives me time to enjoy my passion for video cameras and in particular high definition camcorders.

The year 2010 is digital HD Camcorder year, with every major manufacturer bringing out new, low cost HD camcorders with an enormous amount of new technology which lots of folk do not understand, so I have decided to write lots of articles like this one to explain the choices between features, brands and formats.

For a quick access to over 100 new HD Camcorders view this website.

(ArticlesBase SC #2182269)

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/ – 5 Top Hd Video Cameras Under $500 For 2010

By: Art Speck

We are all looking for a cheap camcorder, but we want one of the Best Camcorders for our bucks, so what are the best cheap video cameras for 2010?

Aiptek Action HD GVS 1080P High Definition Camcorder
The Aiptek pocket digital camcorder may not be so familiar to readers as say Panasonic, Canon or Sony, but as compact pocket cams they are well worth considering if you are looking for full high definition resolution.

2010 is the year of the HD camcorder, and most buyers are demanding full 1080 HD  resolution to match the resolution of their HD television sets.

The Aiptek range of pocket digital camcorder delivers stunning 1080 resolution.

Aiptek Action HD GVS 1080P cheap video cameras provide the video enthusiast with a full 3-inch color LCD.

Record at 30 Frames per second at 1080P or 60 frames per second at 720P with advanced H.264 technology, depending on your project.

Shoot stills too, and get stunning 5MP images.
Despite being a cheap camcorder, the Aiptek pocket digital camcorder has a good  macro lens for high-quality close ups, and a 5x Optical zoom with auto focus, as well as a 4x digital zoom.

Optical image stabilization is one of the key components to look for now, and the Aipteks have this in the form of a Superior Gyroscopic Stabilization for un-match stability while recording video.

Aiptek A-HD+ 1080P High Definition Camcorder
These great little cheap video cameras are very similar to the camcorder above, but only have a 2.4 inch screen.
They record directly from TV, DVD player or VCR and accept 32 GB SDHC memory cards for extended recording.

Aiptek A-HD Pro 1080P High Definition Camcorder
Like the two models above the Aiptek A-HD Pro 1080P records 1080P High Definition Video at 30 frames per second at 1080P with advanced H.264 technology but it too has only a 2.4 inch display, but gives a still image resolution of 8 MP.

All three of these Cheap camcorder models from Aiptek have CMOS Optical Sensor Technology, which is the way forward from the CCD recording optical image sensors, and in my opinion and are among the Best Camcorders to buy for a  pocket digital camcorder.

About the Author

Art Speck is an experienced videographer having worked for 30 years in the business.

Being retired now gives me time to enjoy my passion for video cameras and in particular high definition camcorders.

The year 2010 is digital HD Camcorder year, with every major manufacturer bringing out new, low cost HD camcorders with an enormous amount of new technology which lots of folk do not understand, so I have decided to write lots of articles like this one to explain the choices between features, brands and formats.

For a quick access to over 100 new HD Camcorders view this website.

(ArticlesBase SC #2133712)

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/ – Hd Camcorder Review Of The Aiptek Pocket Digital Camcorder Full 1080 Range In 2010

In keeping with my recent announcement to spend increasingly more time with my renewed interest in all matters relating to video camcorders and video editing, I have developed an HD camcorder website, to inform about all the latest developments in camcorders.

You can read many camcorder reviews and research which are the best camcorders most suitable for your own purpose at http://www.uscamcorderreviews.com/

There you can read reviews written by people like yourself who have actually bought a camcorder recently, giving their honest opinion about the camera you are interested in.

Check all the options for camcorders in your price range with just one click, search the site by brand name, or read about products from all the leading camcorder manufacturers.

Panasonic, JVC, Sony, Canon, Samsung, Sanyo, Aiptek and Flip Video, they are all here on the one site for you.

Finally, there is a list of featured camcorders with a more in-depth review.

This HD Camcorder review site is updated often, as the pace to make better and better camcorders gathers momentum like never before, so mark it in your favorites and keep checking back for the latest reviews.