MiniDV (Digital)

MiniDV, the most common type of digital camcorder, records video using the standard DV-format. It's the preferred format for broadcast-quality video, and it is also highly regarded for its high audio and still image quality. This is all delivered on a cassette that's 1/12th the size of a standard VHS tape. Tapes come in lengths of 60 and 80 minutes at standard speed (SP), with use of lower speed mode (SP) increasing time to 90 and 120 minutes while reducing resolution.

· All MiniDV camcorders

Digital8

Digital8 camcorders are the most affordable way to get started with digital video. They record digital data onto high-band 8mm tapes, and many Digital8 models can still view tapes from your old 8mm or Hi-8 camcorder (though some newer models are not backward compatible). However, because of the larger tape size, Digital8 camcorders tend to be a bit bigger in size and weight than MiniDV models. A 120-minute Hi-8 tape will capture 60 minutes of digital video.

· All Digital8 camcorders

MicroMV (Digital)

Because its tapes are 70-percent smaller than MiniDV tapes, MicroMV camcorders are the smallest models in the market. And with a 64K memory in each cassette, you get features not available on any other tape format such as thumbnail images of recorded scenes, scene searching, and electronic scene titling. A proprietary format currently only offered by Sony, MicroMV uses the compressed MPEG2 recording system instead of the more accepted DV-format standard.

· All MicroMV camcorders

Digital Tapeless

Tapeless camcorders make use of the compression power of the MPEG-4 file format (often called the MP3 of video) to allow you to record directly to memory cards, dispensing with the need for tapes altogether. They may require slightly more computer savvy than other formats, but are more user-friendly than you might expect, and, without the need for a tape mechanism, allow for the most compact camcorder body sizes ever made.

· All Digital Tapeless camcorders

DVD (Digital)

DVD camcorders record video directly onto DVD discs, using the compressed MPEG-2 format. There are two disc formats to which DVD camcorders record data--DVD-RAM from Panasonic and Hitachi and DVD-R/RW from Sony--and you should choose the format that will best fit your needs: DVD-RAM/R are require a DVD player with RAM playback or a PC with a DVD-RAM drive, but can record up to 120 minutes, and let you record and erase scenes up to 100,000 times. The more popular DVD-R/RW format offers better compatibility with DVD players and PC DVD drives, but let you record only once.

· All DVD camcorders

VHS-C (Analog)

The most affordable camcorder format--and still quite popular--VHS-C format tapes are simply smaller-size VHS tapes (The C is for compact). You can play your tapes in any VCR with the included cassette adapter. However, VHS-C tapes offer some of the shortest recording times (40 minutes) and lowest video resolution of analog formats.

· All VHS-C camcorders

8mm and Hi8 (Analog)

Offering better sound and video resolution than VHS-C, 8mm and Hi8 camcorders are more compact thanks to their smaller tape format. A higher-quality version of 8mm (270 lines of resolution), Hi8 offers the best video and audio quality outside of the digital range (400 lines of resolution). If you don't plan on burning video to CDs or DVDs or editing your masterpiece on a PC, either an 8mm or a Hi8 camcorder is a great choice for recording family memories. Hi8 and 8mm tapes have recording times of 120 minutes (SP) or 240 minute (LP).

· All 8mm and Hi8 camcorders

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