Shop for 2011 Video Cameras by Budget

Shop by Budget:

• Budget Buys: Under $200
• Mid-Range: $200-$500
• High-end: More than $500 

Budget: Under $200

Economical solutions priced under $200 give buyers several options for basic video recording. Choices range from add-ons that upgrade the video capabilities of smartphones to ultra-compact camcorders and digital cameras. Depending on your creative aspirations, one of these may be all you need.

iPhone 4 Wide Angle Lens Case
HD Hat Video
$99.95
This snap-on lens kit with case equips Apple’s iPhone 4 with a 14 mm ultrawide-angle lens, effectively doubling how much of a room or exterior of a home you can fit into one frame. The case includes two tripod mounts for use when shooting horizontally or vertically. Versions are also available for other smartphones, some cameras and camcorders, and the iPad 2.

HMX-P100
Samsung USA
$149
A no-frills version of the pocket-sized point-and-share camcorders now offered by several manufacturers, this product captures 720p or 1080p video to Micro SD cards and takes 5 MP still images. It has a fixed-focus lens, a 5-lux rating, and a 3-inch LCD monitor. A one-touch sharing feature simplifies uploading videos to the Web when connected to a PC.

Looxcie 2
Looxcie Inc.
$179.99
This wearable camera with a fixed-focus lens slips over your ear like a Bluetooth headset. It records whatever you see, so you can record tours as you move through the house. Up to five hours of video can be captured at 320p or 480p resolution. Video can be transferred to an iPhone or Android smartphone through a Bluetooth connection and easily shared on Facebook, YouTube, and Twitter, or as an e-mail attachment.

Camileo P100
Toshiba America
$179.99
This compact camcorder is distinguished by its pistol-grip design, 5X zoom lens, and swiveling 3-inch LCD. Video is recorded on SD cards at 1080p HD resolution; the camera also captures 8 MP stills. An Internet upload button simplifies transferring video from the camcorder to the Web when connected to Windows PCs.

Playsport Zx 5
Kodak
$179.99
This compact HD camcorder is dust-proof, shockproof, and waterproof up to 10 feet deep. There’s a fixed-focus lens, 4X digital zoom, and 2-inch LCD with adjustable glare shield. It records HD video at 720p or 1080p and captures 5.3 MP stills. Content can be saved to internal memory or SD cards. A share button simplifies the process of uploading content to the Web or distributing it by e-mail.

Budget: $200-$500

Priced between $200 and $500 are smartphones that also record video, as well as hybrid digital cameras and camcorders with the memory and features to handle all your imaging needs in one device.

Flip MinoHD 8 GB
Flip Video
$229.99
Although parent company Cisco has discontinued the Flip line of compact digital video camcorders, they are still in stores and available online, and they remain popular in this space. This top-of-the-line model has 8 GB for recording up to two hours of digital video at 720p. Digital image stabilization is built-in, and FlipShare — software for organizing, editing, and uploading video to popular Web sites — is pre-installed.

FinePix Z900 EXR
FujiFilm USA
$279
This model has a 5X wide-angle zoom lens and a 16 MP image sensor, and its video mode records HD 1080p video. Pixel Fusion Movie Technology improves recording quality in poorly lit rooms. Its Facebook/YouTube upload button simplifies uploading stills and video to the Web.

iPhone 4 32 GB
Apple
$299
As more real estate professional carry smartphones like this latest version of the iPhone, they’re relying on its recording capabilities. Its front-facing camera has a 5 MP sensor for capturing stills or 720p HD video at 30 frames per second. For low-light settings, the unit has an LED light. Movies can be edited on the phone with the iMovie app, available through iTunes.

Vixia HF R200
Canon U.S.A.
$379.99
This model records to SD cards. It has a 20X optical zoom, 3.2 MP sensor, 3-inch touch-panel LCD, image stabilization, and a “Smart Auto” setting that automatically adjusts recording features based on the subject and lighting conditions. Records HD 1080 video at 24 or 30 fps and captures 3 MP stills. Compatible with Eye-Fi SD cards for wireless transfer of videos to computers.

Budget: $500+

Above the $500 mark, choices include digital SLRs for photos and videos and products boasting some of the latest innovations, including capturing 3-D video.

HTC EVO 3D
HTC
$549.99 list price; available through Sprint for $199.99 with two-year service contract
This Android handset could be a harbinger of what’s ahead in mobile video capture. A full-featured smartphone, it’s first in the class to capture stills and video in 3D with stereo sound. These recordings can be viewed on the phone’s 4.3-inch HD touchscreen display or 3D capable monitors, or in 2D on other displays. It’s also a 5 MP digital camera for capturing stills, and clips and photos can be stored on the unit’s 4 GB of internal memory or Micro SD cards.

GZ-HD520
JVC
$549.95
Highlights of this compact HD camcorder include its 40X zoom lens and 120 GB internal hard drive for recording up to five hours of video. It captures HD 1080p video and has auto image stabilization, a swiveling 2.7-inch LCD monitor, and Windows-compatible Everio Media Browser software for editing footage and easy upload of clips to the Web.

Lumix G3
Panasonic
$699.99 with 14-42 mm zoom lens
This compact model can be used as a high-resolution camera and HD camcorder. It’s compatible with Micro Four Thirds interchangeable lenses. It has a 12 MP image sensor, 3-inch LCD monitor, and both fully automatic and manual settings. As a camcorder, it records video at 480p, 720p, or 1080p on SD cards.

D5100
Nikon Inc.
$899.95 for camera body with 18-55 mm Nikkor lens
This full-sized digital SLR provides serious photographers with one system for capturing stills and video to SD cards. It has a 16 MP sensor, a high-resolution 3-inch swiveling LCD monitor, and fully automatic or manual settings. Tapping its Movie button activates its camcorder mode, recording HD video clips up to 20 minutes long at 720p or 1080p with autofocus. Video editing and file compression for uploading to the Web can be done on the camera.

HDR-TD10
Sony
$1,499.99
Here’s a model boasting current state-of-the-art features in consumer camcorders. With its dual lens and sensor system, it can record HD 1080p video in 3-D for viewing on its 3.5-inch monitor or compatible televisions and monitors or in 2-D on other displays. Features include a 12X optical zoom, 64 GB internal memory, an SD card slot, and a built-in flash for still photography. It also captures 7 MP stills.

This is not intended to be a comprehensive list of the products in this category. NAR doesn’t evaluate or endorse these products and isn’t responsible for changes in product info. Prices are the vendors’ suggested retail prices and are subject to change.