Holiday Gift Guide - Camcorders
Camcorders & Webcams
Flip UltraHD (2010, 2 hour, black)For that person on your list who's just crazy about showing personal videos to friends and family online, the latest Flip UltraHD offers excellent video quality and embedded software for easily going from shooting to sharing.
$179 - $199
Panasonic HDC-SD60K (black)If you want to give the gift of a decent HD camcorder but don't want to break the bank, the Panasonic HDC-SD60 is a good compromise. It's not cheap, but it's probably the least-expensive real HD camcorder you can buy with a zoom lens and video quality that really does look like HD.
$399 - $499
Kodak Playsport (blue)Mini camcorders are great for anyone who likes to capture all of life's moments in video. That is as long as they all happen on dry land. The Playsport fixes that, though, with a waterproof/dustproof body perfect for the slopes or the shore while still shooting very nice HD video. The embedded sharing software makes showing off clips simple, too.
$129 - $172
Panasonic SDR-H85 (black)If your recipient hasn't fully embraced high-definition video and values a long zoom lens and ample storage for hours of home movies, check out the Panasonic SDR-H85. This standard-definition camcorder has an 80GB hard drive for more than 18 hours of video and a whopping 70x optical zoom.
$242 - $368
Canon Vixia HF M300If you've got a budding videographer on your list, consider the Canon Vixia HF M300. It delivers good video quality, but perhaps more important, the robust set of manual exposure controls that are important to enthusiasts. I do recommend you let the giftee try it out before you buy, though, because the touch-screen interface isn't for everyone. And some enthusiasts may prefer the availability of an electronic viewfinder, like the one on the Panasonic HDC-TM700.
$348 - $679
Panasonic HDC-TM700It may not be sleek and shiny with a slick touch-screen interface, but for the serious videographer--and the gift giver who doesn't want to break the bank--the Panasonic HDC-TM700 hits the right blend of features and video quality that any shooter will appreciate.
$729-$999
Logitech C510 HD WebcamGrandma and grandpa may not have a laptop with a built-in Webcam, but adding the Logitech C510 to their existing PC will let them have easy Skype video chats with the grandkids.
$49-66
88Volts Dropcam Wi-Fi Security CameraKnow someone who likes to keep an eye on pets when they're not at home? Get them a Dropcam, and they can play voyeur via a Web browser or iPhone.
$199
WEBCAM C310 HD 720PIf the Logitech C510 is too expensive for your gift budget, the C310 offers many of the same features at an even more affordable price point.
$199
Microsoft LifeCam HD-6000If your gift recipient doesn't need Mac compatibility, the LifeCam HD-6000 from Microsoft is a worthwhile Webcam choice.
$37-59
Microsoft LifeCam HD-5000The LifeCam HD-5000 is the most affordable HD model in Microsoft's lineup--just be aware that it won't work with Macs.
$27-49