The VP-MX10 offers an adequate (if somewhat average) performance for the asking price. If you’re after a bargain-basement camcorder that’s tiny and easy to use, the VP-MX10 should fit the bill. Otherwise, go for something a little more expensive.

The DCR-DVD610 is far from great, but at this price it's kind of hard to go wrong. If you want a DVD camcorder that will do the basics and would prefer to spend as little as possible, it will get the job done.

The MV920 records poor quality video, but this is to be expected from a camera at this price point. If you simply want something to point and shoot with and aren't really concerned about the quality of the footage, this may be a good choice, but for a little more cash you can get something better.

The DC310 is a solid DVD offering let down by the limitations of its format. Casual users who want quick access to their home movies will be quite satisfied. Everyone else, on the other hand, should stick to flash memory or MiniDV.

The GR-D750 is a solid little performer that punches well above its weight; offering impressive image quality for entry-level users. If you're on the lookout for a cheap miniDV camera, you could certainly do a lot worse than this.

The Sony DCR-HC38 is a low-end, standard-definition handycam with an assortment of design glitches. Nevertheless, if you're after a cheap camera that can capture adequate looking footage, you'll probably be able to live with its faults.

The Panasonic SDR-S7 is clearly not for everyone, but if you're looking for a cheap, user-friendly and highly portable camera, this is one of the better buys on the market. (It looks ferociously cute, too.)

With only a 0.8 megapixel CCD sensor, the MD120 isn't a camera for those who want high quality images. However, it's ease-of-use and relatively low price should appeal to beginners.