Rating of the best camcorders

Despite the proliferation of smartphones, digital cameras and other similar devices, the importance of full-fledged video systems cannot be overemphasized. Therefore, it is useful to familiarize yourself with the rating of the best camcorders. And in order to better understand it, you will have to study the additional nuances of the choice.

The description of the list of popular brands will not be entirely accurate if you ignore the special division of video cameras. They are divided into amateur, professional and semi-professional classes. Action cameras are displayed in a separate category. Any self-respecting manufacturer offers products for all major groups of video equipment.

The Japanese manufacturer, however, cannot boast of excellent amateur models. However, in the professional segment, few can compete with him. Even film companies and video studios are eager to purchase Canon cameras. This technique is very efficient and easy to operate. But the top also includes other manufacturers of camcorders.

It is worth noting quite good products of the JVC brand. Like other companies, she started with the VHS format, and now she actively uses recording on external media. Important: today this brand is the property of Kenwood Corporation. But even in a modified form, it maintains a stable position in the market. Experts believe that JVC will be able to remain among the leaders for a long time to come.

The third company that cannot be ignored is Panasonic. It has also provided good merchandise for photography enthusiasts for decades. A number of famous filmmakers started their career using just such cameras. But Panasonic engineers do not rest on their laurels, but actively create new modifications of their products. Despite being diminutive, the cameras of this brand are well balanced and stabilized.

Sanyo brand sought after by some users not so long ago it ceased to be independent and became part of the Panasonic concern. But this did not affect the structure of the division itself and the quality of products. Mainly, under the Sanyo brand, they sell non-standard configuration amateur camcorders.

The electronics giant Sony cannot be ignored either. He managed to outflank his Japanese competitors in a number of ways. According to other criteria, the manufactured products will be “somewhere on a par”. So, in Sony devices, peak-type projectors are actively used - with their help, you can direct the image to any flat plane.

JVC Everio R GZ-R445BE is among the inexpensive amateur camcorders. The 40x optical zoom looks very impressive even in 2020. A matrix with a resolution of 2.5 megapixels is provided. Video files can be recorded on SD cards. However, they won't be needed for a long time thanks to the 4 GB of internal memory.

Also worth noting:

• weight 0.29 kg;
• electronic stabilization;
• excellent level of protection against water and dust;
• resistance to immersion up to 5 m in water;
• display with a diagonal of 3 inches;
• manual white balance;
• not a very convincing picture with a lack of light.

Another good camcorder for hobbyists is the Panasonic HC-V770. Its optical zoom, however, is only 20 times, and its weight is 0.353 kg. But there is a Wi-Fi module. The matrix with a resolution of 12.76 megapixels pleases when shooting, and the files will be recorded on standard SD cards. It is not necessary to count on shooting in 4K, but the quality is generally acceptable.

Important properties are noted:

• the ability to record on media SDHC, SDXC;
• manual setting of exposure and focus;
• compact body;
• ease of use.

This cheap camera can be charged using a USB adapter from external batteries.

Wind protection is provided. There is no viewfinder, and the battery lasts only 90 minutes of shooting.

In the segment with guaranteed good quality, there will definitely be Panasonic HC-VXF990 camera... It allows you to use 20x optical zoom. 4K video recording is available. The information is stored on SD cards. The device weighs 0.396 kg and has a built-in Wi-Fi module.

The model is great for hobbyists and semi-professional users. Tilt viewfinder included. A Leica lens is simple and reliable. Key post-processing options are provided. HDR mode can help improve the sharpness and detail in your images.

A good alternative to this version can be Canon LEGRIA HF G50... The optical 20x zoom is pretty good. You can record 4K video. The 21.14 megapixel matrix helps to fix it. An optical stabilizer is provided, and the operating time with a fully charged battery is up to 125 minutes.

The mass of the chamber is 0.875 kg. If you shoot a video not 4K, but Full HD, you will be able to raise the frame rate from 20 to 50 per second.

Like other expensive cameras, Canon has a variety of manual video options.

More favorable price Sony HDR-CX900 model... But this is largely achieved due to weaker hardware capabilities - the optics enlarges the picture only 12 times, and the matrix resolution is 20.9 megapixels. The limiting video resolution is 1920 x 1080 pixels. In many ways, however, these shortcomings are compensated for by a slightly longer battery life - 2 hours 10 minutes. Supports SDHC, SDXC, HG Duo cards.

Inside the camera weighing 0.87 kg, wide-angle optics from Carl Zeiss are hidden.

The compactness of the case is convenient for tourists and novice operators. In digital mode, the picture is enlarged up to 160 times. There are a lot of image settings, USB, HDMI connectors are provided; Wi-Fi and NFC are also supported.

A worthy representative of modern cameras will be Zoom Q8... This device can shoot Full HD video. Its mass is 0.26 kg. The 3 megapixel matrix is ​​not very impressive in 2020, but it still works at the level of matrices in elite smartphones. Noteworthy is the support for sound recording on a mic capsule with windshield with fur.

At the highest resolution, 30 frames per second will change. Lowering it to 1280x720 pixels, they reach 60 FPS. A USB port is provided for connecting to a PC or laptop. Digital zoom is only 4x. Provided 3 scene modes with the expectation of different lighting and an adapter for connecting to the holders of action cameras.

Missing:

• viewfinder;
• optical magnification;
• image stabilization.

Not necessarily expensive equipment falls into the category of the best camcorders. So, the average price Canon XA11 reaches 85 thousand rubles. The optical magnification of 20x is decent, but hardly striking. But the video recording at the Full HD level and the built-in matrix with a resolution of 3.09 megapixels are somewhat discouraging. There is an optical stabilizer, and the weight of the device is 0.745 kg.

Nevertheless, this model made it to the list of the best cameras of 2020. It has an amazing signal-to-noise ratio. There are a number of shooting modes, including Sports Event, Snowfall, Spotlight, Fireworks. Data recording is accelerated through the use of SDHC, SDXC cards. Also worth noting:

• lack of Wi-Fi;
• programming of individual buttons;
• mount for a microphone;
• recording on 2 memory cards at the same time (but only at minimum resolution).

Panasonic AG-DVX200 is much more expensive. This camcorder magnifies the image up to 13 times. Its weight is 2.7 kg. Thanks to the 15.5 megapixel matrix, you can record 4K video. There is also an optical stabilizer.

Provided manual focus control; the same mode is available for increasing the aperture. The choice of file format is implemented - MOV or MP4.

Deserves attention and Blackmagic Design Pocket Cinema Camera... This stylish device can record up to 1 hour of video at 1080p. A mini XLR microphone input is provided. Phantom power is supported. Bluetooth helps to control the camera remotely.

Technical specifications:

• ISO 200 to 1600;
• crop factor 2.88;
• RAW DNG supported;
• color rendition meets the most stringent requirements;
• decent shooting even at dusk;
• glare of the screen in sunny weather.

For shooting slow-motion video, an out-of-competition very cheap one is ideal. AC Robin Zed2 camera... When recording Full HD video, the picture quality is brilliant. You can replace your webcam or car recorder with this device. A motion sensor is provided. The included accessories are sufficient for most practical applications; the only weakness is the very small capacity of the battery.

Making recordings in slow mo mode will help and Xiaomi YI 4K Action Camera... It cannot boast of a special bundle. But the developers have tried to optimize the hardware and expand the functionality. The 2.2-inch screen is covered by a special Gorilla Glass. The battery confidently holds a charge of up to 1400 mAh, thanks to which two hours of high-definition video recording is possible.

Effective slow motion is achieved using 1080p 125fps. These advantages are pretty overshadowed:

• not strong enough plastic;
• the objective lens protruding beyond the contour;
• inability to connect an external microphone;
• fast filling of memory cards;
• the need to additionally buy any accessories.

You can judge the quality of video cameras from different points of view. It depends not only on the resolution of the matrix, but also on stabilization, on how sensitive the camera is. Other nuances, such as clarity of color reproduction and dynamic range, can be safely bypassed. Rather, they can also be significant, but rather for professionals.

Resolution is a measure of image detail. Determine it by shooting a special test chart. The areas where the lines "merge into a lump" are just what is important. The number of converging "TV lines" is very different. 900 lines - an average level for Full HD, there must be at least 1000 lines; 4K cameras have a minimum indicator - from 1600 lines.

In any case, you will have to pay money for high-quality equipment. The flagship models Sony and Panasonic can boast of the best resolution. But JVC and Canon products are already quite good competition for them in this indicator. But nothing definite can be said about the products of little-known brands. Among it there are both quite solid and frankly "garbage" models.

The importance of the sensitivity of a video camera is especially strongly recognized when there is a lack of light. A good picture, even in semi-darkness, is always saturated with light tones and soft details. There should be very little noise in the image.

Mechanical stabilization frees up processor resources and works efficiently in any image. The problem is that the electronic stabilizing device, taking away the processor resource and experiencing failures in some cases, is still more powerful in general. In addition, the "mechanics" can suffer from shock and vibration (shaking), and from high or low temperatures. Hybrid stabilization is the best possible option. The best way to find out the real information in each case is to read the reviews.

Zoom from 12 units is needed not only for novice videographers (for which amateur photography is only a stepping stone). This indicator is also relevant for tourists, both traveling along warm beaches and walking through the taiga and tundra.

Therefore, a very large increase inevitably harms both the resolution and sensitivity. Having dealt with these points, you will still need to study:

• weight of the structure;
• battery life and the ability to recharge it;
• standard software and its functionality;
• remote control mode;
• formats of cards for recording information;
• built-in memory capacity;
• strength and anti-vandal properties;
• resistance to cold, moisture.

Review of the Panasonic AG-DVX200 camera in the video below.