Camcorders are smaller and more portable than they have been in the past. (Canon FS200 shown above)

The who, what, and where of finding the right camcorder

Today's digital camcorders are smaller and more capable than ever before. They come in all shapes and sizes, and there's a camcorder to fit almost any need or budget — from a basic entry-level camcorder to higher-end models that record high-definition footage. When shopping for a camcorder, you'll want to ask yourself three questions:

1. How much control do you want over your footage?
2. What features are important to you?
3. Which format makes the most sense for you?

To help you answer these questions, we'll go over the issues of camcorder controls and features. Then we'll briefly talk about which format is right for you. Finally, on the next page we'll talk about some of the extra conveniences that'll make your filming experience even better.

Get control over your home movies...or not

The kind of camcorder you choose will mostly depend on what you want to do with it. If you just want to shoot short clips or post videos on a website, then a basic camcorder will do. However, if you'll be filming important events to save for your children or distribute to friends, or if you want dabble in amateur film making, then you'll need a little more control. Once you figure out what you want to use your camcorder for, then you'll have a pretty good idea of where to start.

Fully-automatic or manual — how much control do you want?

As simple as point and shoot
Every camcorder does a pretty good job in automatic mode, which lets you turn the camcorder on and start shooting right away. This can be especially helpful when you won't be the only person using the camcorder. If that's the case, look for a camcorder with an "Easy" recording mode. This lets novices (even kids) capture video without getting lost in a confusing menu or accidentally turning the picture blue.

Let your creative side loose
If you want to get more creative, be sure to check for manual controls. Most camcorders offer some manual options, but higher-end models offer finer setting choices — from selectable exposure (aperture) and shutter speeds within the menu to manual focus dials and rings located on the lens barrel. You might also consider a camcorder that lets you expand your shooting possibilities. For example, some models come with an accessory shoe or input that lets you connect an external microphone or a video light.

What's important to you?

Now that you know how you want to use your camcorder, it's time to figure out which specific features you want. This will help you narrow down your search even further.

Get in close with plenty of zoom
If you'll be filming children on the move or clips of wild animals on your next camping trip, you may want to consider a camcorder with a high-powered optical zoom. This will let you get close to your subject without interrupting them. If you think you'll be doing a lot of closeups, then also look for a camcorder with optical image stabilization. This feature will help keep your video steady as you zoom in, even if your hand is shaking.

Capture the action in low-light
Think about possible recording locations, too. Do you plan to record video only during the day, or at dawn and dusk, too? For low-light scenes, you may want to check out a camcorder with a night mode and/or video light. You won't be able to film in complete darkness, but some cams can help you get a sharper, clearer picture in dimly lit situations — like the very last inning of a Little League game on a summer night.

Use your camcorder to snap photos as a backup
A digital photo mode will let you take still images without switching to a camera. While it's no substitute for a digital camera, it'll let you get a quick snapshot when you need one. Some camcorders offer a separate photo mode and video mode, while others also offer a combined mode. This "simultaneous" video and photo mode is usually the most convenient for taking photos.

Web-friendly camcorders are designed to help you easily shoot and post video clips on the web. (Kodak Zi6 shown above)

Post your videos on YouTube™ or Facebook®
If you want to quickly capture and post videos to file-sharing websites like YouTube™, then look for a "web-friendly" camcorder. These camcorders record video in a format and size that's compatible with most sites' standards. Some regular camcorders also offer a web mode in addition to a standard recording mode, as well as software for posting videos on the web.

Get the best video quality
Higher-end camcorders typically deliver the best image quality. That means high-quality materials, lenses, and internal processors, as well as better image sensors that make high-def filming possible. A high-definition camcorder will give you the best video quality available from today's consumer camcorders. High-definition camcorders record in impressive widescreen 1920 x 1080 resolution, which is comparable to most high-def TV programming that you'll view these days. So if sharing your memories on your new HDTV sounds like something you might want to do, then it's worth it to check out a high-def camcorder.

Testing, testing...can you hear me now?
A cam's built-in mic is often overlooked, but it's very important if you want to get great sound. Most basic camcorders will record in mono, while mid-range camcorders tend to give you stereo sound. Either will suffice for most people, but if you've got a nice home theater system, then consider a higher-end camcorder that records in surround sound. It'll really add oomph to the video of your kid's baseball game when you can hear the cheering in the bleachers behind you.

Geo-tagging — the traveler's best friend
One of the newest camcorder features worth checking out is built-in geo-tagging. Camcorders with this feature use a built-in GPS system to tag your videos with not only the date and local time of your recording, but also the location of where you shot the video. So when you get home from your month-long trek around Europe, you won't have to spend multiple hours sorting through your videos just to find one 2-minute clip that you took at the Eiffel Tower.

Breaking down the camcorder formats

Camcorders can be categorized by their "format," or the media they use to store video. You have four main options: tapes, discs, memory cards, or built-in memory. Below is a quick chart to help you get a general idea of the differences between these cams, and who they're best for. Click on each camcorder format for more detailed information on that type of cam.

* Transfer of photos or movie clips stored on a memory card may occur via USB, but transfer of video occurs via i.LINK.

Whether you're buying a camcorder to try your hand at amateur film-making, or you just want to record your daughter's ballet recital, there are a few accessories that you should consider to make your experience that much easier.

The essentials:

Camcorder bags don't just protect your camcorder — they give you a place to store and organize your accessories.

• Extra memory — Even if you're going for the highest capacity hard drive camcorder you can find, you'll still want to carry a spare memory card around. You never know when you could run out of memory, and if you're out camping or on a trip overseas, then you many not be able to find the right memory card at an affordable price. The same goes for blank tapes and discs — never leave home without a few extras in your bag.
• A spare battery — Maybe your memory card can hold six hours of footage, but that doesn't mean your camcorder's battery will last that long. That's why it's a good idea to carry a spare battery charged up and ready to go for those long trips away from home. It's also good idea to look for a portable charger if your camcorder doesn't already come with one, since it'll generally take up less room in your suitcase than the charger that came with your camcorder.
• A camcorder bag — Unless you plan on storing your camcorder in the box it came it, you're going to need a camcorder bag to stow and protect it. Look for a bag with ample padding and a weather-resistant material to keep your camcorder safe, as well as enough pockets to organize your memory cards and spare batteries.

Add-ons to improve your video:

External mics can pick up more sonic detail, giving you a more engaging video.

• A tripod — Built-in image stabilization has come a long way, but it still can't beat the stability you gain by using a tripod. It's a great thing to have if you're planning on filming long events, like a soccer game or high school graduation. Most tripods these day are compact enough to easily carry around, but expand to provide the height and stability that you'll need.
• A video light — Not all camcorders come with built-in video lights, and those that do may not provide the illumination you need. Adding a larger, external light will help boost your ability to record in dimly-lit settings, and also give you more natural lighting in general.
• A microphone — The microphone built into your camcorder will suffice for most people, but if you really want to record detailed sound then check out an external mic. They're usually larger, and sit on top of the cam where they can record more sounds with better detail.
• Lens attachments and filters — Some higher-end camcorders let you add different lenses to your camcorder. For example, a wide-angle lens might help you capture more people in a group shot or more players on a field, while a telephoto lens will give you about twice the zoom power for better long-range shooting. You can even add different filters to your lens for better color and contrast.

Helpful tools to enjoy your video:

Many camcorders offer a number of different video outputs.

• The right audio/video cable — While most camcorders come with some kind of A/V cable in the box, it may not always provide the best-quality connection for your gear. Most high-definition camcorders that output video via an HDMI connection don't come with a cable in the box, and you'll need to purchase a mini HDMI-to-HDMI cable separately to enjoy your high-def video on your HDTV. If your camcorder outputs video via a component video connection, then consider getting a higher quality cable than the one that came in the box. You can also read our article on cable quality to help you choose the best connection for your TV.
• Editing software — Just about every camcorder on the market comes with some sort of video editing software, but can you make all the edits that you want with it? And better yet, is it compatible with your computer's operating system? If you plan to do a lot of video editing, then consider checking out some other types of software that may better satisfy your needs. Our article on watching, sharing, and editing your footage can help you get started.
• An external hard drive — After you've shot and edited your video, and then shown it to friends and family, what do you do with it? You could put it on your computer's hard drive, but computers fail eventually. That's why it's a good idea to buy an external hard drive as a back up — it'll save space on your home PC and protect your footage if you get a computer virus.