The XR160 is one of Sony's entry-level high-def camcorders, and judging by last year's models, we think it'll be a great value for anyone who wants a solid HD shooter without a whole bunch of bells and whistles. It captures 1080i AVCHD-format video (which can play back at 1080p) and 3-megapixel stills. The Exmor R CMOS sensor should give it a leg up in low-light situations, and the 30x optical zoom (plus optical image stabilization) will prove to be be very versatile. It's a bit on the pricey side at $600, though it does record to a spacious 160GB hard disk. If flash memory is more up your alley, check out the CX160, which records to 16GB of built-in flash memory, or the CX130, which records exclusively to media cards.

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