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Cheap HD Digital Camera Comparative | Best Inexpensive Digital Video Camcorders HD

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Did you ask for inexpensive HD video?

Then you found the right place and you will be able to choose the best cheap HD camcorder suitable for your demands.

The ability to record video in high definition (HD) has become a standard feature on most camcorders on the market. Including some nice HD video recording starting from less than $100.

The purpose of this hub is to compare several affordable HD digital video camcorders from different brands.

If in the end you decide that these models are not good enough for what you want from them, then I would suggest you take a look at my other hub on HD digital video cameras.

Flip UltraHD Video Camera - White, 4 GB, 1 Hour
The new Flip UltraHD video camera combines Flip Video's signature shoot-and-share simplicity with amazing HD. Simply power on and press record to start capturing up to 1 hour of incredible HD video. When you're done recording, just connect the flip-out USB arm to a PC or Mac and use pre-loaded FlipShare software to organize, edit and share your videos.
Amazon Price: $119.50
List Price: $79.00
DXG 569V HD Digital Video Camera
DXG 569V HD Digital Video Camera

DXG 569V HD Digital Video Camera

The new 569V HD video camera will record in HD up to 1280 x 720 at 30fps.

It also comes equipped with a 5MP CMOS sensor and can take both still pictures as well as video.

But unfortunately the still pictures are not that great.

There is about 8M of memory and it will also support high capacity SD memory cards.

it includes a nice packet of software from ArcSoft so you can edit and create your own movies.

The fact that it doesn`t come with a lens cover is perhaps the worst thing about this camera.

JVC GC-FM2 Picsico
JVC GC-FM2 Picsico
JVC Picsio GC-FM-2 Pocket Video Camera (Black) NEWEST VERSION
GC-FM2 Full HD Pocket Cam featuring 3" touch panel operation, improved low-light performance, and new built-in software for easy editing and sharing.
Amazon Price: Too low to display
List Price: $179.95

JVC GC-FM2 Picsico

With a 3-inch touch screen to occupy most of one side this is in many aspects a different proposition from a video camera.

the GC-FM2 Picsio and its compact form follows a minimalist concept: the body has only one button to turn on and off.

Everything else is run through the fixed screen.

Loading is done by a retractable USB connection and all the other connections are covered on one side.

The minimalism prevails also in the screen content with simple and very graphic menus. There are few settings and they are quite intuitive.

When shooting the unit can be used horizontally or vertically.

This device enables direct uploading to YouTube and Facebook via integrated software.

However, Picsio has no internal memory, the lens has no protection and the zoom is bad.

Looking at the features available it is most suitable for the initiated user. This equipment can effectively have all that is essential to be used with one hand.

While the concept is interesting and captivated by the simplicity or by design looking like a cell phone it still takes a lot to improve overall quality.

Sony MHS-PM5 bloggie
Sony MHS-PM5 bloggie
Sony MHS-PM5 bloggie HD Video Camera (Violet)
Amazon Price: $137.75
List Price: $169.99

Sony MHS-PM5 bloggie

Many would say that Sony Bloggie resembles more with a web camera than an ordinary HD digital camcorder.

Sony's Bloggie joins the growing ranks of pocket camcorders offering a resolution of 1920 x 1080.

Paired with a 5-megapixel 1/2.5-inch CMOS sensor, the Bloggie delivers excellent video quality for a pocket camcorder.

The still camera functionality on the Bloggie is not as impressive: the camera is not terribly responsive and in low light the camera had trouble focusing.

It comes with a dual card slot for use with both SDHC cards and Memory Stick Pro Duo cards.

The lack of an HDMI cable and slightly cumbersome design can be pointed as its major flaws.


Demonstration of the new Sony Bloggie MHS-PM5

Toshiba Camileo S20
Toshiba Camileo S20
Toshiba Camileo S20 Full-HD Camcorder Bundle - Silver/Black
Amazon Price: $149.99
List Price: $179.99

Toshiba Camileo S20

Another quite cheap HD camcorder this time from Toshiba.

The Camileo S20 is certainly very portable but somehow unbalanced because of its shape and the 3 inches screen which make it difficult to grab without covering the lens with your finger.

Although having a non a tactile display screen that opens and turns this camera has a flattened format which reminds an iPhone.

This Camileo has four video resolutions but you can only switch between two without resorting to menus (FH and WSD).

The FH (higher resolution) does not allow to use the zoom while in WSD that's possible - though not desirable because the zoom is bad enough.

Positive factors are the menus having few elements which fits the initiated user.

If you want a portable and inexpensive HD camera, able to download content without complications and easily capable of uploading videos. 

But beware: the image quality is reduced.

Sanyo Xacti VPC-CG20

Another video camera high definition with an unconventional format.

Sanyo Xacti VPC-CG20 really deserves the classification of compact and it has all the elements properly arranged with all the commands methodically concentrated in a small area accessible with the thumb.

Sanyo approach is reminiscent of the Toshiba Camileo S20 but this is a model with a less flat and more adapted to the human hand - almost like a gun from Star Trek.

The available menus are complete and functional, allowing for intuitive operation.

The level of achievement on captured videos is quite disappointing - especially when recording inside or applying zoo.

The poor quality touch screen and slow start are the main drawbacks.

It comes with a minimum internal memory but allows high capacity SDHC memory cards.

It is also fully compatible with the next generation SDXC memory cards.

Conclusions

This machines are intended for beginners with no major requirements and they make a good job capturing videos to the Net.

But if you want longer-lasting memories and share moments in high definition quality then you should consider investing on a device with more features and better quality.

Best Digital Video Camcorders HD

It will worth the investment!

Comments

Micky Dee 18 months ago

Great write funride. I'm kind of in the market. I may get a helmet cam. God bless Brother!

funride 18 months ago

Hey Micky, thanks for stopping by. My favorite helmet cam is the HD Go Pro (you can find it on top of my "Digital Video Cameras" hub) because of its versatility. Also like the ContourHD video helmet cam (this one is on my "HD Digital Camcorders" hub) but this one doesn`t come with viewfinder which make it difficult to use.

I can`t wait to watch your riding videos in the future ;)

ethel smith 18 months ago

Useful especially as the festive seaon approaches

funride 18 months ago

No doubt, Ethel. These HD camcorders could make great Christmas gifts.

Thanks for stopping by :)

agusfanani 18 months ago

Thank you for this product review, It's useful for me. I think Sanyo Xacti VPC CG20 gives more comparative values that other brands.

funride 18 months ago

Hey agusfanani, thanks for commenting. It`s not easy to choose one of them... they are all very similar but the Sanyo sure is a good choice ;)

WannaB Writer 14 months ago

You did not mention if the software in these cameras is compatible with a MAC. My Flip died after only 15 months, and I'm quite disappointed. I'm not sure what the life of one of these is supposed to be, but the warranty was only a year. I guess I didn't expect it to die right after the warranty did. I do have a MAC I want to process my videos on, and I'm used to the Flip and want something as easy to use to replace it, and something almost as compact because I like to take it everywhere. I did a lot of looking tonight, but almost every thing I liked had software incompatible with my MAC.I need to get a new camera within the week. There was a Sony I liked for about $300 with a great 60x optical Zoom, but the software would not have worked on my MAC. I really need something more than the 4x digital zoom on the Flip. Any suggestions? I will also ask this as a question.

funride 14 months ago

Hi WannaB, sorry to hear about your Flip :(

You should look over the Samsung HMX-H100 camcorder... I believe it fits your request ;)

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