At first glance, Sony's HDR-HC1 HDV 1080i Handycam Camcorder looks like a regular mild-mannered digital camcorder. Don't be fooled by the disguise; the HDR-HC1 is the first consumer high-definition (HD) camcorder, and this is a watershed moment in home video. Sony still has some kinks to work out, but the video quality is absolutely breathtaking and dramatically better than any other consumer camcorder we've seen. -PC Magazine
The Canon Optura 30 is a great general-purpose camcorder that you can take just about anywhere, and its 2-megapixel still photos will pass muster if you don't like carrying both a camcorder and a camera. It's a pleasure to use for shooting home movies, after-school sports, family reunions, and baby's first steps--all the events that are the raison d'κtre for a consumer MiniDV camcorder. --Cnet
