From Emily Price,
Your Guide to Camcorders.
FREE Newsletter. Sign Up Now!

Digital camcorders are a popular choice for both consumers and professional videographers. Digital camcorders typically have a much higher resolution and video quality than their analog camcorder counterparts, and can be easily connected to a computer for video editing. Digital camcorders include Digital 8, Mini-DV, DVD, DVC Pro, and Hard Drive camcorders.

Digital 8 Camcorders

Digital 8 is a format only used in Sony camcorders. Digital 8 camcorders record a digital signal onto a 8mm style tape. Digital 8 camcorders are a good choice for consumers who have previously used an analog 8mm camcorder and would like to go digital while still being able to play their old camcorder tapes.

Mini-DV Camcorders

Mini-DV is currently the most popular camcorder format. Mini-DV camcorders record digital video onto a small digital video tape. The video shot on a Mini-DV camcorder can be exporter via firewire or i-Link onto a computer and be edited. Many Mini-DV camcorders also have a DV-in option that allows users to convert old VHS tapes to a digital format when the camcorder is connected to a VCR.

DVD Camcorders

DVD camcorders record digital video onto a small DVD. DVD camcorders typically record video in mpeg-2 and can be played back in a consumer DVD player immediately after recording. DVD camcorders are good for consumers who want to be able to instantly watch their video after recording and are not interested in editing the video.

DVC Pro Camcorders

DVC Pro camcorders work under the same principle as Mini-DV camcorders but create broadcast quality digital video. DVC Pro camcorders are typically only used by professional videographers shooting video for broadcast television.

HDD (Hard Disk Drive)Camcorders

Hard Disk Drive camcorders record video directly onto an internal hard drive on your camcorder rather than onto a video tape. HDD camcorders can typically record 7 hours or more onto their drives which make the camcorder ideal for people who need to tape longer events and do not want to switch out video tapes. Items on a hard disk drive camcorder can be deleted and moved around within the camcorder allowing camcorder users the ability to easily organize their video.