Best Budget Camcorders

Kodak's Zi8 is a high definition pocket camcorder. It delivers 1080p HD recording in a slim, compact form. At $179, it's attractively priced for an HD camcorder and is extremely easy to use, with few features to get lost in. However, don't expect a full feature set. To hit the $179 price point, the Zi8 has no internal memory (you'll need an optional SDHC card). It doesn't have an optical zoom and no controls over how your video will look other than the ability to change recording resolution. This model also topped our list of Best Pocket Camcorders.

Sony's DCR-HC52 is a MiniDV-tape model that retails for $279. You'll find a long 40x zoom, manual focus, picture effects, a 2.5-inch touch-screen display and Sony's "Easy Handycam" button for simplifying the camcorder's operation. For consumers who want to skip the computer and want a more "traditional" experience with their video camera, MiniDV tape still delivers a lower-cost alternative to flash memory and hard disk drive camcorders. Full specs here.

The Flip UltraHD ($199) from Pure Digital is another excellent pocket camcorder. While its 720p video resolution is lower than the Kodak Zi8's 1080p, the Flip UltraHD is even simpler to use. It basically has no features, just an on/off and record button. If this kind of stark simplicity appeals to you, the Flip UltraHD provides enough internal memory for two hours of recording and a flip-out USB plug for easily connecting to a computer.

JVC's Everio GZ-MS120 is a standard definition flash camcorder that records to SDHC memory cards. The $299 camcorder features a 35x optical zoom lens, a 2.7-inch laser-touch LCD display, and several one-touch buttons for automatically uploading videos from the camcorder to YouTube or for importing videos to the PC. This lightweight model provides more optical power than a pocket camcorder but at a slightly higher price. You'll also get a choice of body colors: red, blue and black. Full specs here.

Don't mind the funny-shaped lens, the $279 Samsung SMX-C14's design actually makes long hours of video recording much easier on the arms. It's a standard definition model that features 16GB of internal memory for packing up to 6.5 hours of video at the highest quality setting. You can boost recording time with an SDHC card. The C14 is compact and light weight, perfect for carrying everywhere. It's outfitted with a good array of features including face detection, manual focusing, and time lapse recording. This model also made our list of Best Flash Camcorders.

Samsung also offers the less expensive SMX-C10 for $199. It has most of the features of the C14 except the 16GB of internal memory. Instead, it records to an SDHC card.

If you're in the market for a low-cost DVD camcorder, Panasonic's VDR-D50 ($329) is a standard definition model that packs a long 42x optical zoom with image stabilization, a 2.7-inch display and manual controls over focus and iris to tweak the look of your videos. Full specs here.

Canon's FS200 is standard definition camcorder with a powerful 37x optical zoom lens and a 2.7-inch LCD. While not technically a pocket camcorder, it's so lightweight and compact that it's easy to slip into pocket and purse. Keep in mind that there's no built-in memory in the FS200, so you'll have to use an optional SDHC card. But the overall video performance and feature set make the FS200 a good value for the $329 price tag.