Digital camcorders get smaller, lighter and less expensive every year. While the MiniDV format remains popular, more and more manufacturers are producing hard disk drive (HDD) camcorders, continuing the progression to a tapeless camcorder future. Whether you're looking for a hard-disk camcorder, a DVD unit or a MiniDV model, the latest digital camcorders have a range of features to match every budget.

Canon ZR850

Canon's ZR850 MiniDV camcorder is typical of 2007's trend toward more compact and lightweight units. The redesigned ZR models are aimed at budget-conscious shoppers seeking point-and-shoot simplicity, and the superior performance of the ZR850 flagship makes it the pick of the series. Despite the reduction in size, the ZR850 still offers a 1-megapixel CCD, a significant upgrade over last year's ZR700, the camcorder it replaces. This MiniDV unit also features an improved optical zoom of 35X magnification, as well as a larger 2-7/10-inch widescreen LCD to accommodate the true widescreen recording option.

We're disappointed that Canon omitted such features as analog-to-digital conversion, an accessory shoe and an external microphone input, but we're impressed by the new user-friendly navigation system. While the lower-end ZR830 and ZR800 are available at less than $300, with a recommended price tag of just $329, the Canon ZR850 still represents an excellent value.

Canon ZR850

Sony DCR-SR300

The Sony DCR-SR300 is another top-of-the-line model that caught our eye. The flagship of Sony's 2007 line of hard-disk camcorders offers exceptional performance and impressive optical specifications. The DCR-SR300 isn't the smallest HDD camcorder available, and it doesn't offer the largest memory. However, the DCR-SR300 represents a significant improvement in image quality over first-generation HDD models, particularly with its dazzling digital stills capability.

The DCR-SR300 boasts a 3-megapixel ClearVID CMOS sensor, along with a Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T 10X optical zoom lens that delivers crystal-clear video, especially in the widescreen recording mode. We'd like to see more manual control options in a digital camcorder priced at almost $1,000, but we can't fault the excellent automatic controls of the Sony DCR-SR300.

JVC Everio GZ-MG27

Near the other end of the HDD camcorder spectrum is the JVC Everio GZ-MG27. This entry-level model in JVC's Everio line is compact and lightweight, and it features a 20GB internal hard disk that can store up to 25 hours of video recordings.

Unfortunately, even at the highest quality setting and in good lighting situations, the GZ-MG27 delivers merely average video performance. In less-than-ideal lighting conditions, the quality of the video images is extremely disappointing. Of course, the convenience of the HDD format has much to recommend it, but for a digital camcorder priced at $700, we expect images that are superior to what the GZ-MG27 is able to produce. However, if you are in the market for a lower-price hard-disk model that will get the job done at family gatherings, the JVC GZ-MG27 may work for you.

JVC Everio GZ-MG555

The GZ-MG555 is a high-end hard-disk camcorder in JVC's Everio series, and when compared to the GZ-MG27, the expression "night and day" comes to mind. For a suggested price of $900, or $200 more than the low-end model, the GZ-MG555's 5.37-megapixel CCD imager and new GigaBrid processing engine give you substantially improved video performance, particularly in low-light situations.

The GZ-MG555 produces clean and sharp images with accurate, vibrant colors. This digital camcorder also captures 5-megapixel digital stills, and it sports both a pop-up flash for stills and a built-in light for video. Handling is also much improved, and the revised menu system is effortless to navigate. This is a true hybrid digital camcorder and digital stills camera and certainly one of the most impressive HDD camcorders we've seen. If you were considering the GZ-MG27, we would definitely advise investing the extra dough for the JVC GZ-MG555.

Canon DC50

At the top of Canon's new line of DVD camcorders is the DC50. Building on last year's DC40, Canon delivers a digital camcorder that offers excellent video and stills quality, as well as the convenience of the DVD format. The revised joystick control has improved menu navigation, the low-light performance shows significant improvement over the previous model and the optical image stabilization is a welcome upgrade.

Within 1 second of powering up from sleep mode, the DC50 is ready to start shooting. In addition to impressive video, this DVD camcorder also captures 5-megapixel stills to miniSD card. There is even a built-in flash, as well as a video light. The absence of an accessory shoe restricts the expansion possibilities of the DC50, although we doubt most users will require more than this feature-rich DVD camcorder packs into its compact frame. At a suggested price of $800, the Canon DC50 combines excellent performance with great value.