New Camcorder Ratings: One standard-def model stands out

The Canon FS200, now in our Ratings.
[Photo: Courtesy of Canon]

We've just added several models to our camcorder Ratings (available to subscribers), including four HD models and three SD models. Of the newly introduced models, we found one, the Canon FS200, $330, which stood out among the many SD models. If you don't want to shell out enough for an HD model but still want better quality than pocket camcorders offer, the FS200 may be a good choice.

For starters, it's moderately priced. You can find other well-rated miniDV tape or DVD format camcorders that are cheaper, but the FS200 was one of the few SD models offering very good image quality, decent audio and image stabilizer in a flash-memory model, which makes it light and compact. It's also one of the few SD models with a microphone input and headphone output.

You can check out how well all the latest models fared in our Ratings.—Terry Sullivan