Best Budget Camcorders / Camcorder HQ's Buyer's Guide
Last updated on 03/20/2013
Now that pretty much every kind of gadget is a capable camcorder -- mobile phones, tablets, even digital still cameras -- the appeal of low-end stand-alone camcorders is a bit limited. But manufacturers are still finding ways to keep budget-friendly video cameras relevant with impressive zoom ranges and creative interfaces. Below, you'll see our favorite affordable camcorders.
The E200 is a quality basic camera for the budget-minded. It features a nice 40x zoom, as well as face detection and a 3 inch touchscreen. JVC has also added the ability to shoot stills, but the quality isn't very impressive at just 1.5 megapixels. Still, this is a quality model for shooting family memories on a budget.
Tougher, Faster, Better
Kodak isn't making camcorders anymore, but for the shopper on a budget, picking up a model that isn't the newest on the market is often a smart way to go. This little guy shoots 1080p video, plus it also resists water, shock and dust. Kodak had a good reputation for their pocket cams, which is probably why they are still on the market despite being a few years old.
Best Budget Camcorders / Camcorder HQ's Buyer's Guide Comments & Questions (write your own!)
Rolyat (03/22/2012)
Not my comment but from: squidoo.com/sanyo-xacti-cam... VPC-CG20 High Definition Camcorder & 10 MP Camera
* Excellent picture quality even under low light
* Good audio quality
* Smooth digital zoom
* Image stabilization works well when you shoot while on the move
* Good still-image quality (though it's a certainly not a replacement for a good digital still camera)
* Rich in features
* Small size
* Good price
Cons
* Only one hour of battery life using the included 700mAh battery
* LCD screen doesn't do well in bright light
* Not meant for people with large hands
Reviews
This is byfar the best camcorder I have ever purchased. The build quality is great. The thing that surprised me the most is that the pictures, when developed, look better than my 400 Sony Cybershot Cam.
I bought this camcorder mainly because I wanted a smaller more portable camcorder besides my $1000 Canon Vixia. I was stunned when I connected both camcorders to my 56 Inch Samsung LED TV and the Sanyo looked more crisp, and also worked better in dark conditions. If you dont like the "pistol grip" design I would tell you to go with the Kodak ZI8. But, I personnaly think this one takes better videos as well as pictures. Overall, if your reading this review, and looking into purchasing a new camcorder, dont make the mistake so many people do, and purchase other camcorders, like the much "overrated" flip line of camcorders. Purchase the CG20, or for that matter any Sanyo Product.
Sanyo is truely a pioneer in creating technologies like the Xacti camcorder that take amazing pictures aswell as amazing videos. But most of all they save you money. I don't know what I would do without my CG20, saying I love it is an understatment. Since purchasing this awesome little camcorder I have since sold my Vixia because I have relised that this is all I need. Purchase this camcorder, I swear you wont regret it. Whether your taking this on your tour of Italy or Filming your medaterainian cruise or talking home videos or even filming your son hitting his first home run, Sanyo is simply the best out there.
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* Excellent picture quality even under low light
* Good audio quality
* Smooth digital zoom
* Image stabilization works well when you shoot while on the move
* Good still-image quality (though it's a certainly not a replacement for a good digital still camera)
* Rich in features
* Small size
* Good price
Cons
* Only one hour of battery life using the included 700mAh battery
* LCD screen doesn't do well in bright light
* Not meant for people with large hands
Reviews
This is byfar the best camcorder I have ever purchased. The build quality is great. The thing that surprised me the most is that the pictures, when developed, look better than my 400 Sony Cybershot Cam.
I bought this camcorder mainly because I wanted a smaller more portable camcorder besides my $1000 Canon Vixia. I was stunned when I connected both camcorders to my 56 Inch Samsung LED TV and the Sanyo looked more crisp, and also worked better in dark conditions. If you dont like the "pistol grip" design I would tell you to go with the Kodak ZI8. But, I personnaly think this one takes better videos as well as pictures. Overall, if your reading this review, and looking into purchasing a new camcorder, dont make the mistake so many people do, and purchase other camcorders, like the much "overrated" flip line of camcorders. Purchase the CG20, or for that matter any Sanyo Product.
Sanyo is truely a pioneer in creating technologies like the Xacti camcorder that take amazing pictures aswell as amazing videos. But most of all they save you money. I don't know what I would do without my CG20, saying I love it is an understatment. Since purchasing this awesome little camcorder I have since sold my Vixia because I have relised that this is all I need. Purchase this camcorder, I swear you wont regret it. Whether your taking this on your tour of Italy or Filming your medaterainian cruise or talking home videos or even filming your son hitting his first home run, Sanyo is simply the best out there.
Lj Ratliff (05/14/2011)
What is the best and least expensive HD camcorder with an external microphone jack and good low light filming? I will mainly be interviewing people and need good sound and film quality for indoor filming but don't really need other fancy things. thanks!
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by James DeRuvo (05/26/2011)
Kodak makes a ZI8 pocket camera that a lot of people use for that purpose. But you have to get one of the older ones from last year as the new 2011 version seems to have omitted the external jack. Cost is about $150 or less. Quality is really good, for the money.
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tweetybird (04/29/2011)
want a camcorder that is easy to operate, good quality, and under $200.
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by James DeRuvo (05/07/2011)
pocket camcorders like the Kodak's Zi8 or the Flip (if available) work great. but todays smartphones are just as good.
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Doug (02/12/2011)
I am looking for a Camcorder that I can film How to videos, family & friends. I want good quality at a fair price. Is this a good deal ? The Canon VIXIA HF21 Dual Flash Memory Camcorder. I found it at B&H they say list at $799.00 and are selling at $449.00. Is this my best choice for that price. I also hope to take good stills but it only has 3.89mp. I need your help
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by James DeRuvo (03/05/2011)
I think that's about right. It's listed at Amazon for anywhere between $499 and above. As for the 3.89 mp, that's pretty standard for that model. If stills are more important to you, I'd suggest going the other way ... and getting a digital still camera that shoots HD video. The gap is really closing to the point where I can't help but wonder if Camcorders aren't long for this world.
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(01/11/2011)
I need a budget camcorder for filming golf tips and then uploading to computer, editing and uploading to our clubs' website.
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need advice (TVT — 11/18/2010)
I'm looking to use some rewards points to get a camcorder and my choices are: Sony bloggie, Flip Video MinoHD, Flip Video UltraHD, JVC Picsio 8.0 MP, Kodak Pocket Video with 2.5 LCD screen, or Kodak PlayTouch High Def w/3" LCD Touch-Screen. Which one would use choose if you were looking for best bang for the buck, simplicity of use, reliability, and the ability to play back on a non HD-TV or computer.
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Liam McCabe (11/19/2010)
Not sure which Kodak pocket video that refers to, but if it's either the Zi8 or Playsport Zx3, definitely go with that one. Otherwise, either one of the Flips are great too -- the Mino is smaller, but otherwise similar to the UltraHD, and if it costs the same amount of reward points, the Mino might be nicer.
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Business Digital Camcorder (Kim — 11/04/2010)
Looking for a camcorder for my business to record How To video's and post to youtube and FB. We would need the ability to zoom, external mic, and super easy to use with automatic focus, lighting,sound, and some kind of a stabalizer -
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by James DeRuvo (11/05/2010)
The Kodak Zi8 has a great budget camcorder that has an external mic jack. But it only zooms digitally. Depends on what you're shooting.
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Advice? (Liz — 10/24/2010)
My husband is deploying and going to miss our daughters entire first year of life. I wanted to find a camera to take video of him reading her books, so she can watch and hear him for story time. I also want to take photos and videos of her to load onto thumb drives to mail to him since he will not have internet access. Any suggestions? We're on a budget and I can't spend more than 200$, but around 100$ would be a lot more comfortable.
Thanks.
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Thanks.
Liam McCabe (10/25/2010)
He'll be able to get by with a little pocket camcorder no problem, will be easy to transport, file sizes will be small, and easy to upload and edit. The Kodak Playsport might be a good option, around $140, and it has some weatherproof coating that might be helpful for a deployment. Flip camcorders are always solid too -- they just came out with new ones, so those prices are a little high, but I believe Amazon still has some of the older ones in stock (they'll have OLD MODEL in the product name) so you can save a few dollars there. Hope that this helps.
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(How do i transfer my movie from my panasonic video camera to mac) (sara — 10/18/2010)
Want see your own movie on youtube? Connecting <a href="applemacvideo.com/camera/co... video to youtube mac</a>
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Tim Roden (09/10/2010)
What would be the best budget camera for video taping youth football? Good resolution and ease of editing.
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by James DeRuvo (09/10/2010)
I think it depends on what you're going to use it for. I still like the Canon HV series because with it's miniDV format you have built in archival copies. But alas, it's soon going the way of the doo doo, so now may be the good time to get a deal on the HV40.
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Camcorder Search (Crystal — 07/07/2010)
We are in search for a camcorder to use to post to our business facebook page. If possible we would like it to take pictures but it is not necessary. The Price range we are looking at is $300 and below any suggestions
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Liam McCabe (07/08/2010)
You can get a Kodak Playsport for $150, same quality as the Zi8, a bit cheaper too.
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Help! (Heather — 06/25/2010)
What would be a good relatively inexpensive HD camcorder with an external microphone input?
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by James DeRuvo (06/26/2010)
The best, cheap HD camcorder I know of with an external mic jack is the Kodak ZI8. It's a pocket camcorder and uses digital zoom, but it shoots 1080p HD video and it's not too bad for the price. I've seen them for as low as $125.
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Denise (04/05/2010)
I'm looking for a reasonable cam for graduation..any suggestions?
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Liam McCabe (04/05/2010)
What's your budget? Pocket style or traditional style? Narrow down the specs a little bit and we can help.
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Windows Movie Maker (Penelope Zamagni — 03/01/2010)
What is the best reasonably priced (under $400) camcorder in the best format for editing in Windows Movie Maker. Great site!
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by James DeRuvo (03/03/2010)
Your best bet is the Sony Handycam HDR-CX100. But you may need Windows Ultimate in order to support AVCHD.
But if you don't need HD, then a good miniDV camcorder is a bargain.
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But if you don't need HD, then a good miniDV camcorder is a bargain.
lhsdiversmom (11/12/2010)
I disagree, Sony doesn't record in a format that can be edited in any software other than what they provide. I bought a $1200 Sony 4 yrs. ago, it records in proprietary Sony format. It will play in just about any player but Sony quit updating or supporting their editing software and drivers over a year ago for my model. So yes, I can record and play but NO way to edit after just 3 yrs. Needless to say I will NEVER buy Sony again, what a rip-off!!!
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Price Vs Brand (sunarendra — 01/29/2010)
Between sony & Sanyo the price difference is considerable.Is SOny really worht the rpice of $190 compared to Sanyo $159?
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Sanyo (Julie — 03/10/2010)
I haven't compared Sanyo to Sony since the old Hi 8 but Sanyo was definatly better
especially in low light. It's hard to find sanyo in US but if I found one with the specs I'm looking for I would choose it over Sony anyay!
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especially in low light. It's hard to find sanyo in US but if I found one with the specs I'm looking for I would choose it over Sony anyay!
