Samsung HMX-R10 HD (silver)

The Samsung HMX-R10's plentiful shooting features and fine-quality HD video for its class--at least in good lighting--make it a very good compact HD camcorder. However, its design definitely isn't for everyone.

Samsung HMX-R10 (black)

The Samsung HMX-R10's plentiful shooting features and fine-quality HD video for its class--at least in good lighting--make it a very good compact HD camcorder. However, its design definitely isn't for everyone.

Sony HDR-CX500V

The geotagging capability remains mostly a novelty, but the top-notch video quality of the Sony Handycam HDR-CX500V and HDR-CX520V make them worthy options. Because internal memory is overpriced, the HDR-XR500V is the better deal of the two, though you may want to opt for a 2010 model that supports SD cards rather than Sony's Memory Stick.

Sony HDR-CX520V

The geotagging capability remains mostly a novelty, but the top-notch video quality of the Sony Handycam HDR-CX500V and HDR-CX520V make them worthy options. Because internal memory is overpriced, the HDR-XR500V is the better deal of the two, though you may want to opt for a 2010 model that supports SD cards rather than Sony's Memory Stick.

Sony Bloggie MHS-CM5 (purple)

The Bloggie CM5 isn't as compact as competing models from Flip Video and Kodak, but it delivers an above-average feature set and video for the money.

Creative Labs Vado HD 3rd Gen (120 minutes, white)

Though the Creative Vado HD 3rd Gen doesn't do quite enough to distinguish itself from the competition, it does offer some nice improvements over earlier Vado HD models that keep it relevant in the pocket camcorder space.

Creative Labs Vado HD 3rd Gen (120 minutes, black)

Though the Creative Vado HD 3rd Gen doesn't do quite enough to distinguish itself from the competition, it does offer some nice improvements over earlier Vado HD models that keep it relevant in the pocket camcorder space.

Creative Labs Vado HD 3rd Gen (120 minutes, purple)

Though the Creative Vado HD 3rd Gen doesn't do quite enough to distinguish itself from the competition, it does offer some nice improvements over earlier Vado HD models that keep it relevant in the pocket camcorder space.

Creative Labs Vado HD 3rd Gen (120 minutes, cyan)

Though the Creative Vado HD 3rd Gen doesn't do quite enough to distinguish itself from the competition, it does offer some nice improvements over earlier Vado HD models that keep it relevant in the pocket camcorder space.

Creative Labs Vado HD 3rd Gen (120 minutes, red)

Though the Creative Vado HD 3rd Gen doesn't do quite enough to distinguish itself from the competition, it does offer some nice improvements over earlier Vado HD models that keep it relevant in the pocket camcorder space.