what is the best video camcorder that is reasonably priced for a beginner in film making?

Though its limited manual controls might disappoint some enthusiasts, reviewers say the Sony Handycam HDR-XR520V delivers great-looking video with a minimum of fuss and effort. This camcorder is also feature packed, including a specially designed low-light sensor, an upgraded hand-shake stabilizer and a GPS receiver that will geotag your clips. The 240 GB hard drive can hold more video -- 29 hours of best-quality HD, or 168 hours of low-quality -- than any other camcorder, though some reviewers call that much capacity overkill for most consumers. For those who agree -- and have a smaller budget -- the Sony Handycam HDR-XR500V (*Est. $1,075) has a still generous 120 GB drive and is otherwise identical. If you demand more control over your videos, the Canon Vixia HF S10 (*Est. $1,105) has a fuller lineup of manual controls and shoots video that's maybe just a touch nicer. However, the Canon falls short when it comes to low-light performance, and its internal memory and swappable memory cards can't hold as much footage.(Consumer Research)


Best budget HD camcorder
pros

    * Good HD video overall
    * Small and light
    * 15x optical zoom
    * Good features

cons

    * Low-light performance not the best
    * HD video not as rich as pricier camcorders'
    * Memory card not included
    * Costs more than others in its class


Best HD camcorder overall
pros

    * Great HD video
    * Extensive manual controls
    * Stores three hours of best-quality video

cons

    * Grainier low-light video than rivals
    * No viewfinder or lens ring
    * Expensive