Best HD Camcorder

If you're going all out for quality, there's plenty of best HD Camcorder to choose from.

Toshiba Camileo S30: Best HD Camcorder for budget shooting

Price: $179 - toshiba.co.uk

This pocket camcorder is one of the best ways to get Full HD shots on a budget. The build might be plasticky and the gloss finish something of a fingerprint magnet, but those are small complaints when you're paying just north of $179. Images lack the crispness of those filmed on more expensive models, while the digital zoom could be much smoother and the touchscreen controls take some getting used to. Pictures can easily be transferred by mini USB, although if you have a card reader (SD/SDHC/ SDXC ) for your PC, you're just as well using that to download shots onto your desktop.

Sony Handycam HDRTD10: Best HD Camcorder for 3D filming

Price: $1298 - sony-style.co.uk

Yes, this camcorder is insanely expensive. But it's as bleeding-edge as things get, with two Full HD 1080p sensors enabling 3D recording. Images are stunning, with beautiful, sharp detail, even on shots taken with the 10x optical zoom maxed out. The dual-lens design does mean it's a touch bulky, but this does not hamper performance too much. It's a breeze to transfer content from the TD10's internal 64GB hard drive, although you'll need dedicated software to edit in 3D.

PanasonicHDC-SD90: Best HD Camcorder for beginners

Price: $449- panasonic.co.uk

The beautiful SD90 is one of the very best HD camcorders out there right now. As well as a stunning, brushed metal barrel design, it has an excellent 21 x optical zoom. That, coupled with the brilliant image stabilisation tech, means you get cracking, steady, home movies even when you're shooting extreme close-ups. Low light performance could be better though, and it doesn't quite stack up to the Canon in this regard. However, at £430, this is one of the best value camcorders currently available. That makes it a great proposition for first-time HD camcorder owners.

JVC EverioCZ-HD520BEK: Best HD Camcorder for uploading

£399 jvc.co.uk

With one-touch uploading to YouTube, this is a Full HD camcorder with pocket camcorder skills. While this feature is easy to use, it feels somewhat tacked on, especially as Full HD shooters are really about filming and editing quality video. There are no issues with picture quality; the images have great contrast and detail. The 40x zoom is almost double that available on the Panasonic SD90, although to get that close up and stay perfectly steady, you really need a tripod. The price makes it attractive though, especially as it undercuts the SD90 and M41.

Canon Legria HFM41: Best HD Camcorder for low light

£595 - canon.co.uk

Canon's camcorder credentials speak for themselves. And the HF M41 once again puts the imaging giant right at the top of the pile. Thanks to a large sensor, this camcorder is an absolute stunner when it comes to taking shots in low light. Images are brilliantly clean and sharp, while a viewfinder and accessories slot make this one for those looking to take a step up from the mid-range. It's certainly not cheap, especially compared to the similarly specced Panasonic HDC-SD90, and while files can be easily transferred, its chunky design isn't for everyone.