Best Low Light HD Camcorders – Comparison & Reviews 2011-2012

January 11, 2012 by SmartReview
Filed under Digital Camcorders, Digital Cameras, Featured Camcorder

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Best Low Light HD Camcorders- This is a roundup of camcorders that are best suited for low light conditions. Poor performance in low light is the number one complaint of people using camcorders. There are several factors that help in low light conditions. One is the size and type of imager (the chip(s) that light hits inside the camcorder). The other is the Lens. For imagers, larger is better. Canon, Panasonic, and Sony have some of the largest imagers available. Sony has a new light sensitive Exmor backlit imager, and Panasonic has 3MOS (3 imagers) made for low light. Fast bright lenses can help bring more light to the imager. Panasonic for 2011-2012 has designed a new lens just for that purpose. Below are the top low light high definition camcorders for comparision , review and useful features such as external microphone jacks.

Best Low Light HD Camcorders
(Best rated with the best features and largest imagers)

Panasonic HDC-TM900K	Panasonic HDC-HS900K	Canon Vixia HFS21	Sony Handycam HDR-CX560V
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12x optical zoom 32GB Dual Flash High Definition 14.2 megapixels 3MOS 1/4.1-inch (3 x 3.05mp) 3.0-inch touchscreen External Mic Jack f/1.5-2.8 Lens 1080p @ 60fps 1080p @ 24fps *3D Ready* 2011 Model	12x optical zoom 220gb HDD High Definition 14.2 megapixels 3MOS 1/4.1-inch (3 x 3.05mp) 3.0-inch touchscreen External Mic Jack f/1.5-2.8 Lens 1080p @ 60fps 1080p @ 24fps *3D Ready* 2011 Model	10x optical zoom 64GB Dual Flash High Definition 8.59 megapixels 1/2.6-inch Imager 3.5-inch touchscreen External Mic Jack f/1.8-3.0 Lens 1080p @ 30fps 1080p @ 24fps 2010 Model	10x optical zoom 64GB Dual Flash High Definition 12.0 megapixels 1/2.88-inch Imager 3.0-inch screen External Mic Jack f/1.8-3.4 Lens Built-in GPS 1080p @ 60fps 1080p @ 24fps 2011 Model

Best Low Light HD Camcorders
(Best rated with the best features and largest imagers)

Sony Handycam HDR-CX560V	Sony Handycam HDR-CX700V	Canon Vixia HFS30	Canon Vixia HFS20
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10x optical zoom 64GB Dual Flash High Definition 12.0 megapixels 1/2.88-inch Imager 3.0-inch screen External Mic Jack f/1.8-3.4 Lens Built-in GPS 1080p @ 60fps 1080p @ 24fps 2011 Model	10x optical zoom 96GB Dual Flash High Definition 12.0 megapixels 1/2.88-inch Imager 3.0-inch screen External Mic Jack f/1.8-3.4 Lens Built-in GPS 1080p @ 60fps 1080p @ 24fps 2011 Model	10x optical zoom 32GB Dual Flash High Definition 8.59 megapixels 1/2.6-inch Imager 3.5-inch touchscreen External Mic Jack f/1.8-3.0 Lens 1080p @ 30fps 1080p @ 24fps 2011 Model	10x optical zoom 32GB Dual Flash High Definition 8.59 megapixels 1/2.6-inch Imager 3.5-inch touchscreen External Mic Jack f/1.8-3.0 Lens 1080p @ 30fps 1080p @ 24fps 2010 Model

Mid-Range Low Light Camcorders
(Best rated with good low light performance)

Panasonic HDC-TM90K	Panasonic HDC-SD90K
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16x optical zoom Dual Flash 16gb High Definition 5 megapixels 1/4.1″ MOS Imager 3D Ready External Mic Jack *3D Ready* 2011 Model	16x optical zoom Flash Memory High Definition 5 megapixels 1/4.1″ MOS Imager 3D Ready External Mic Jack *3D Ready* 2011 Model

Best Low Light Professional Camcorders
(Best features, imagers, and lenses)

Panasonic Professional AG-HMC40	Canon XH-A1S	Panasonic Pro AG-HMC150	Panasonic Pro AG-HVX200A
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12x Optical Zoom Flash Memory High Definition 3MOS 1/4.1-inch imagers 2.7 inch LCD *Native 24p* Time code HDMI out XLR Audio option 10.6-megapixel f1.8 – 2.8 Lens 40.8 – 490mm 1080p @ 30fps 1080p @ 24fps 1080 @ 60i	20x optical zoom MiniDV Tape High Definition 3ccd 1/3-inch Imagers *Native 24p* SuperRange Optical Image Stabilizer DIGIC DV II HD Image Processor Custom Functions 1080 HD Capture with 60i, 30F, or 24F IEEE 1394 terminal Two built-in XLR Terminals Manual zoom ring 2.8-inch LCD f/1.6 – 3.5 Lens 32.5 – 650mm	13x wide angle 28mm Zoom Lens Flash Memory High Definition 3ccd 1/3-inch imagers 3.5 inch LCD *Native 24p* XLR audio Time code HDMI out f1.6 – 3.0 Lens 28 – 368mm 1080p @ 30fps 1080p @ 24fps 1080 @ 60i	13x wide angle 32.5mm Zoom Lens P2HD Flash or MiniDV High Definition 3ccd 1/3-inch imagers 3.5 inch LCD *Native 24p* XLR audio Time code HDMI out f1.6 – 2.8 Lens 30.3 – 394mm

Glossary of Terms

Optical Zoom = This is the maximum zoom using the lens of the camcorder. A 10x zoom brings the action in about 10 times closer at its maximum.
Flash Memory = This refers to the way the camcorder records video. Flash memory camcorders normally record to memory cards (SDHC or Memory sticks if a Sony). There are some that have no card, and just have a fixed amount of internal memory such as the Flip Camcorders.
Dual Flash = This type of camcorder has both internal memory and can also record to memory cards.
Imager = This refers to the Imager of the camcorder, where the light hits from the lens. This is like the retina of the eye. The larger the imager, the better the quality of the video and better low light performance. High end camcorders generally have a larger imager. Larger is better. A 1/2.6-inch imager is double the size of a 1/5.2-inch imager.
Low Light Lenses = Larger and faster lenses allow more light in for greater low light sensitivity. Lenses with low f stop specifications are considered fast lenses. The camcorders on this page all have fast low light lenses with an f stop of f1.8 or lower (lower is better).
Megapixels = This refers to the camera function in the camcorder. This is the amount of megapixels available to take a snapshot picture while using the camcorder.
1080p 720p 60i 24p 60p video = camcorders can record video at various resolutions. Many can record at several different rates. 1080p is the current highest (blu-ray quality). 720p has about half the resolution of 1080p. Also keep in mind the frame rate of the video. Normal video is shot at 30fps (frames per second). 1080@60i is 60 interlaced frames, which is roughly equivalent to 1080p@30fps. Movie film is shot at 24fps (24p). Some camcorders can shoot at 60fps (60p) which will make the movie silky smooth and can be used for slow motion as well.
P2HD Flash = This refers a new flash media P2 Cards that are used on professional camcorders to record High Definition videos.
External Mic Jack = This means that this camcorder is equipped with an external microphone jack or terminal to input an external microphone. There are a wide range of external microphones to choose from including wireless, surround sound, and others. An external microphone will improve the sound recording of your video. It bypasses the built in microphones.
3D Ready = This means that this camcorder is capable of recording either normal HD video (2D) or can record in 3D with the use of an optional 3D Lens. Video can be played back on a 3D TV with 3D glasses.

Related Article: Best MiniDV Camcorder Reviews and Comparison

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