Like it or loathe it, the PMW-EX1 represents a turning point in the video camera industry; a gradual but indomitable shift away from the comforting familiarity of digital tape. If you're an industry professional, this is where your future will eventually lie.

The Canon HR10 is a decent enough DVD camera, offering impressive high-def visuals at a relatively affordable price. However, there are several competing models on the market which offer a superior performance.

Serious users will find plenty to love about the X-M2, which combines plenty of premium features with a price tag that most people can afford. It might be getting a little long in the tooth, but this is still one of the best MiniDV cams on the market.

The Lifecam NX-3000 performs its primary function -- and little else -- to middling effect. If your notebook is already equipped with an inbuilt camera there's very little reason to consider this purchase.

While the NSC-GC1 cannot hope to compete with a dedicated camcorder, it provides an affordable introduction to video sharing over the Internet. If you plan to screen your video creations exclusively online, you won't be disappointed.

The Lifecam VX-7000 offers a reasonable performance in most areas, but $150 is a pretty big ask for a webcam; particularly when some of its premium features don't work properly. Only consider buying if you're a Windows Live fan.

The GZ-HD3 is a solid HDD camcorder that will satisfy in most of the areas that count. Despite a few design issues, it offers a respectable performance for the asking price.

Despite the presence of superior alternatives on the market, the HD1000 remains an impressive and affordable HD option. As a sweet bonus, it also happens to be one of the coolest looking gadgets you'll ever own.

The VP-D371Wi is a low quality MiniDV camera that fails to impress on a variety of fronts -- but then, what do you expect for $399? Provided your family isn't a bunch of snobby videophiles, it should prove an ideal stocking-stuffer come Christmas morning.

Falling somewhere between the professional and high-end consumer markets, the XH-A1 is an outstanding high-definition camera that should suit anyone who is career minded about video.

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.

Being almost identical to the cheaper GZ-MG135, this is a fairly pointless addition to the Everio family. When judged on its own merits however, it is a fairly solid introduction to HDD video, offering a slightly above average performance across the board.