The Best Camcorder

Buying Guide

Sure, you can shoot video with your smartphone, but if you want high-quality footage that you can watch on a larger screen, you need a camcorder. Today’s video cameras pack in plenty of features that make it easy to get your videos to your other devices, while also being portable and easy to use.

But the problem is, there are so many camcorders on the market, it can be tough to narrow it down to one. What you need will likely be different from what another customer needs, so you have to narrow it down to the one that best checks off all the boxes on your “must-have” list.

The first thing to look at is how you’ll be using your camcorder. If your goal is to capture your family vacations and your children’s best moments, the camcorder you choose may be different from one chosen by someone who is shooting independent features to post online or building a successful YouTube channel. But there are some basic features that can help no matter what you’ll be using your camera to do.

Audio varies in quality from one camera to another. You may not need the highest-quality audio, at which point the quality of the built-in mic won’t be as big a deal. However, if you’re showcasing your singing talents on YouTube or shooting a great indie feature you hope will get you discovered, the microphone is essential. Look for a camera that has a high-quality microphone, typically found in the form of a large microphone you can see mounted on the camera itself.

But perhaps the most important feature in a camcorder is the quality of the video it records. This is particularly important if you’ll be hooking your camera up to a big-screen TV or a computer to display on a large monitor. A camera that provides 1080P high-definition video recording will ensure you have the quality you expect.

• How will you get your video from your camcorder to your computer or TV? Make sure you have HDMI and USB cables on hand before you’re ready to view the video you’ve shot.
• The length of the zoom is an often overlooked, but very important, feature on a webcam. Having a longer zoom will give you the ability to capture a faraway object without sacrificing quality.
• Camcorders typically run on batteries, but those batteries will have a limited runtime. Check to see how much video you’ll be able to record on a fully-charged battery to avoid any unpleasant surprises.
• Some webcams allow you to expand your battery’s lifespan by purchasing a higher-capacity battery and swapping it for the one that came with the camera. Pay attention to this option and make sure there are batteries available that will give you the runtime you think you’ll need.
  Some cameras also come with a backup battery that you can take along with you. Just switch out the battery when the first one runs out and keep going.
• Anti-shake technology keeps your footage steady even when you don’t have your camera on a steady surface. This can keep you from hauling a tripod around, as well as supporting you when you’re shooting while in motion.
  If you feel like you might use your camera to capture still photos, make sure the camera you choose supports that feature.
• The weight of the camcorder also comes into play. Whether you’re taking it along on vacation or you’re shooting a movie with your friends, a weightier camera can cause fatigue after a while.
• Camcorders usually don’t come with flashes, which means if you’re shooting in low light, you may find that video quality suffers. A camera with night vision can free you up to shoot at night or in dimly-lit rooms.