9 Best Video Camera Camcorders

Do you want to capture live video and still images? Are you looking for the best video camera camcorders available on the market? In this guide, we reviewed some of the best video camera camcorders and also discuss the features to consider when choosing one.

 

 

1. Sony – HDRCX405 HD Video Recording Camcorder

The Sony – HDRCX405 allows you to create great videos even in low light conditions. With a 27x zoom and wide-angle Carl Zeiss lens, you can get close to the action. With its SteadyShot image stabilization with Active Mode, you get smooth videos without any significant camera shake. Additionally, its 3-way Shake Cancelling adds electronic roll stability for smoother video capture.

The Sony – HDRCX405 distinguishes between children and adults with its face detection technology. It detects up to eight individual faces and adjusts flash, focus, exposure, and white balance to deliver crisp and clear images.

 

 

 

 

 

 

      What We Like:

• Face Detection Technology
• SteadyShot Image Stabilization

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2. Panasonic HC-V180K Video Camera Camcorder

The Panasonic HC-V180K is compact and lightweight. With 50x optical zoom and up to 90x intelligent zoom, this video camera camcorder brings faraway subjects closer. You can include more individuals in the videos thanks to its 28mm wide-angle lens. The Panasonic HC-V180K delivers low-light video image quality with its advanced BSI sensor.

Moreover, this video camera camcorder features a 5-axis image stabilizer that provides maximum handheld stability. This 5-axis image stabilizer suppresses unwanted shakes thereby allowing you to capture clear images. Its Level Shot function detects and provides compensation for distracting camera tilting.

 

 

 

 

 

       What We Like:

• Compact & Lightweight
• High-Resolution Video Capture
• Corrects Camera Tilting

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3. Sony HDRCX405 HD Video Recording Camcorder

The Sony HDRCX405 delivers crisp and clear images. It records full HD 1080p video and 9.2MP stills. With its 60x clear image zoom, this video camera camcorder brings the objects into focus. It also features a 26.8mm wide-angle Zeiss lens with 30x optical zoom that allows you to include many individuals in the videos.

Camera shake is not a problem thanks to its optical SteadyShot with intelligent active mode. With a 2.29MP 1/5.8-inch back-illuminated Exmor R CMOS sensor and a BIONZ X imaging processor, this video camera camcorder delivers high-quality images.

 

 

 

 

 

 

        What We Like:

• High-Resolution Images
• SteadyShot Image Stabilization

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4. Sony CX405 Video Camera Camcorder

The Sony CX405 creates 1080P high-resolution videos and 9.2MP still images. With its back-illuminated Exmor R CMOS sensor, this video camera camcorder delivers high-quality images in low-light conditions. It features 30x optical and 60x clear image zoom to get objects closer. Additionally, it features a 26.8mm wide-angle ZEISS lens that allows you to include many individuals or objects in your stills and videos.

The Sony CX405 also features Optical SteadyShot image stabilization with active mode to minimize unwanted shake. It also features face detection with voice enhancement and noise reduction.

 

 

 

 

 

 

       What We Like:

• Face Detection
• SteadyShot Image Stabilization
• High-Resolution Videos & Still Images

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

5. Panasonic HC-V770 HD Video Camera Camcorder

The Panasonic HC-V770 features a 20x optical zoom with a 4-drive lens system to deliver high-quality videos and images. You even get high-quality videos in low-light conditions thanks to its BSI sensor which also suppresses noise and delivers a quiet operation.

This high-definition camera camcorder features 5-axis hybrid image stabilization to suppress blurring. Tilting in images is detected and corrected with its Level Shot capability that can be adjusted to 3 levels. You have the ability to create videos that match the situation thanks to its range of filter effects such as Miniature Effect, 8mm Movie, Silent Movie, and Time Lapse Recording.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

      What We Like:

• Suppresses Blurring
• High-Quality Videos & Images
• Automatically Corrects Tilting
• BSI Sensor Minimizes Image Noise

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

6. Sony HDRCX440 HD Video Recording Camcorder

The Sony HDRCX440 creates videos with full HD/60p resolution. With a 26.8mm wide-angle ZEISS lens, you can include many individuals and objects in your videos. You can get up close to your subject thanks to its 30x optical/60x clear image zoom. You also benefit from image stabilization with its Optical SteadyShot image stabilization with Active Mode. It also provides electronic roll stability for smoother video capture with its 3-way shake canceling.

Additionally, the Sony HDRCX440 features face detection with voice enhancement and noise reduction. This allows it to distinguish between adults and children. Its face detection technology detects up to eight different faces and adjusts flash, focus, exposure, and white balance to produce clear and crisp images. It also features 7 picture effects for video and still images.

 

 

 

 

 

 

      What We Like:

• SteadyShot Image Stabilization
• Face Detection
• 7 Picture Effects

 

 

 

 

 

 

7. Sony FDRAX700/B FDR-AX700 4K HDR Camcorder

The Sony FDRAX700/B delivers high-resolution videos thanks to its Instant HDR2. You also benefit from corner to corner sharpness with its ZEISS Vario-Sonnar T* 12x optical zoom lens. This video camera camcorder also features a fast hybrid autofocus system using 273 focus points covering 84% of the frame.

This autofocus system takes advantage of the Phase Detection AF and the Contrast Detection AF. This video camera camcorder also features a large, 1″ back-illuminated Exmor RS stacked CMOS sensor that helps to deliver stunning images and videos.

 

 

 

 

 

 

      What We Like:

• High-Resolution Videos
• Fast Hybrid Auto Focus System

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

8. Sony HDR-CX405/B Video Camera Camcorder

The Sony HDR-CX405/B creates 1080p high-resolution videos and 9.2MP still images. With its 30x optical zoom and the 60x clear image digital zoom you can get your subject up close to you. The clear image zoom doubles optical zoom for closer photos and video.

You can include almost anything in your videos and still images with its 26.8mm wide-angle ZEISS lens. Camera shake is resolved with its optical SteadyShot image stabilization with the Active mode feature. Additionally, its 3-way shake-canceling provides electronic roll stability for smoother video capture.

Moreover, this video camcorder has the ability to detect adults from children. It detects up to eight individual faces and adjusts flash, focuses exposure, and white balance to deliver clear and crisp images. You can also get creative with 7 picture effects for videos and still photos.

 

 

 

 

 

       What We Like:

• 30x Optical / 60x Clear Image Zoom
• Optical SteadyShot Image Stabilization
• High-Resolution Videos & Still Images
• Face Detection

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

9. PANASONIC HC-V770 HD Camcorder Black

The PANASONIC HC-V770 features 20x optical zoom with a 4-drive lens system that helps deliver high-quality images. Its BSI sensor also works to deliver clear and crisp images. You benefit from image stabilization that suppresses any occurrence of camera shake.

 

 

 

 

 

       What We Like:

• High-Quality Images
• Image Stabilization

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

What To Look For In A Video Camera Camcorder?

1. Image Stabilization

Image stabilization minimizes camera shake while taking snapshots or creating videos. When choosing a camcorder, you should look at the stabilization that the camcorder provides.

 

 

 

 

 

 

2. Camera Sensor

The sensor is very important for any kind of optics. The quality of the video and images depend partly on the size of the sensor. When you are looking for a camcorder, pay attention to the size and the properties of the sensor. Usually, the bigger the sensor, the better. A large sensor gathers more light, hence, it produces better low-light images than a camcorder with a small sensor.

 

 

 

 

 

 

3. Zoom

The zoom of the video camcorder is also another important you should pay attention to. It is always better to choose a camcorder with optical zoom rather than one with digital zoom. It is common to find video camcorders with both an optical and digital zoom.

 

 

 

 

 

 

4. Autofocus

The autofocus feature is another important factor to consider when choosing a video camcorder. You want a camcorder that automatically autofocuses to deliver high-quality images. Some camcorders also offer a manual focus override which can come in handy.

 

 

 

 

 

 

5. WiFi

With technological advances every day, more camcorders are now built with WiFi capability. This allows you to transfer videos and images from one device to another.

 

 

 

 

 

 

6. Durable

When choosing a video camcorder, you want to make sure the one you choose is durable and built to withstand any kind of weather. A rugged and waterproof camcorder is more desirable as you may find yourself shooting videos or capturing images in wet weather.

 

 

 

 

 

 

7. 4K Resolution

When choosing a video camcorder, a 4K resolution camcorder offers more resolution than a full HD camcorder. It produces better-quality videos and images. Today, most video camcorders are designed with 4K resolution, however, make sure that the one you choose has that feature if you want the best quality for videos and images.

 

 

 

 

 

8. Lens Quality

The quality of the lens can’t be overstated. The quality of the image depends largely on the quality of the lens. The sharpness and detail of an image depend heavily on the quality of the lens. A fast lens (with a large aperture or low f-stop number) captures more light, which improves the camera’s performance in low-light settings. A larger aperture also allows you to focus on a small portion of the scene and blur the background for a soft, stylish effect.

 

 

 

 

 

 

9. Memory

The memory of the camcorder is another important factor to consider when choosing one. You always want a camcorder with adequate memory for all of your videos and images. Many high-end camcorders have built-in memory that has a lot of space to accommodate many large files.

 

 

 

 

 

 

10. Aperture

The aperture is another factor to take into consideration when choosing a video camcorder. The aperture refers to the opening that lets in light. You want to consider the aperture if you will be shooting videos and images in low light conditions. The aperture is measured in f-stops and the smaller the number, the bigger the aperture.

 

 

 

 

 

 

11. Audio

The quality of the audio is also another important feature of camcorders to seriously consider. High-quality audio is very important if you will record events like weddings and other formal events.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

12. Face Detection

Many camcorders today are built with face detection. It might be a feature that you may want to have with your camcorder.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Types of Camcorders

1. Full-Sized Camcorders

Full-sized camcorders allow you to do more with the video files. Most full-sized camcorders have at least 10x optical zoom.

 

 

 

 

 

 

2. Action Cams

Action cams are compact and lightweight although most full-sized camcorders are also designed to be small and lightweight. Action cams are well suited for individuals that are involved with outdoor activities like sports and other physical activities like surfing, biking, and snowboarding.

 

 

 

         Video Camcorder Accessories

• 1. Audiovisual Cables
  
• Audiovisual cables are used with the video camera camcorder.

 

 

 

2.  Video Camera Tripod

The video camera camcorder tripod allows you to place the camcorder on the tripod to capture your videos and images.

 

 

 

3.  Handle Grip Stabilizer

The handle grip stabilizer allows you to mount the video camera camcorder and capture videos.

 

 

 

4.  Video Camera Camcorder Bag

The camcorder bag stores the camcorder when it is not in use.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Bottom Line

With so many brands and models of video camcorders available today, it can be a little challenging to find exactly what you need. In this guide, we revied some of the best video camera camcorders to help you find the right one for your needs.

The Sony – HDRCX405 HD Video Recording Camcorder is a good choice as well as the Panasonic HC-V180K Video Camera Camcorder.