Canon's DC230 is a good choice for those after a mid-range digital video camera that combines good quality video with a strong feature-set and the convenience of DVD recording.

Above average video quality is countered by a lack of an SD card slot and poor quality stills on this DVD camcorder. A good option for the buyer on a tight budget.

With its 30GB hard drive, SD card slot and 42x optical zoom, the SDR-H40 is a versatile little performer. If you're on the lookout for an affordable standard-def camera for casual use, it is definitely one of the better buys on the market.

Although the VDR-D150 offers heaps of functionality at a reasonable price, the quality of its video footage is a letdown.

Sony's DCR-DVD708 is an impressive camera. Despite its clunky interface and shortcomings in sound capture, it delivers great video quality and a fantastic 25x zoom for its price.

The FS11 might be slightly expensive for an entry-level camcorder, but it offers an impressive array of features to make up for it. With its versatile recording options and powerful 37x optical zoom, it will suit anybody in need of a point-and-shoot camera.

The GR-DF430 is recommended for users looking for an easy entry into the world of digital video recording.

The Xacti VPC-C5 is miles better than Sanyo's previous efforts and we won't be surprised when other manufacturers emulate the camera/camcorder hybrid formula. But remember, if you want a straightforward digicam, you'll find better elsewhere.

While it has a good range of features, the VP-DC165Wi is let down by poor quality video.

If you are willing to forgive the sub par visuals, the DCR-SR42E is a pretty decent camera; especially for inexperienced users. However, there are plenty of similarly priced non-HDD cameras on the market that will give you a superior performance.

Despite offering an average video performance, this is a fairly solid hybrid device that we have little hesitation in recommending to casual users.

The GZ-MG345 may lack some of the bells and whistles found on its pricier siblings, but it remains a solid performer nonetheless. If you require an affordable camcorder for fuss-free video, you could do a lot worse that this standard-def HDD offering.