Quality: Full high definition
Optical Zoom: 10x
Storage: SDHC (not included)
Weight: 311g (inc battery)
Price: £500

Verdict: An incredibly small and compact full HD (1920×1080) camcorder that doesn’t compromise on features.  Image quality is excellent, particularly for its size.  It produces pin-sharp recordings, even in low light, and can shoot at up to 60 frames per second.  The only real downside is the recording format - Sanyo’s own - which can complicate off-camera editing.

8/10

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Quality: Standard definition
Optical Zoom: 10x
Storage: SDHC/SD cards (not included)
Weight: 224g (without battery)
Price: £300

Verdict: The SDW20 is waterproof to 1.5m and tough enough to survive being dropped from 1.2m.  It has a simple menu system, a thumb-wheel to switch between modes and Quick Start feature when the 2.7in LCD screen is opened.  On the downside, it’s not HD, so image quality is limited.

6/10

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Quality: Standard definition
Optical Zoom: 2x
Storage: Flash (2GB)
Weight: 94g (inc battery)
Price: £125

Verdict: The pocket-sized Flip is arguably the easiest to use camcorder on the market, although image quality is low at 640×480 and there’s no manual focus.  However, it records in MPEG4 AVI format with just one press of a button and editing is a breeze thanks to its built-in software and connectivity via fold-out USB arm.  If all you want is quick, convenient camcording to post to YouTube or Facebook, this is the machine for you.

6/10

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Quality: Standard definition
Optical Zoom: 2x
Storage: Flash (2GB)
Weight: 90g (inc battery)
Price: £79

Verdict: Less toy-like than the Mino, with a surprisingly solid feel.  It captures VGA video (640×480) using one-button recording and its two-inch LCD screen allows viewing in all but the brightest sunlight.  The non-expandable built-in memory can store up to two hours of video.  The Vado also has built-in mic and a speaker for on-the-spot playback.  Connectivity is via a built-in USB connector.

6/10

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Quality: High definition
Optical Zoom: 3x
Storage: SDHC/SD cards (not included)
Weight: 206g (inc battery)
Price: £150

Verdict: The Camileo is a 5MP stills camera, voice recorder, MP3 player and camcorder in a pocket-sized bundle.  It captures images at 720p, rather than 1080p, but that’s still a vast improvement on standard definition.  It struggles in low light and the build quality could be better, but if you want entry-level HD, at this price it’s a good deal.

4/10

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Quality: Standard definition
Optical Zoom: 3x
Storage: SD/MMC cards (not included)
Weight: 165g (without battery)
Price: £119

Verdict: The 7300X is a stills camera, voice recorder, webcam and MP3 player.  The standard definition images are poor, particularly in low light - although they are adequate for use on the web.  Audio quality isn’t great either.  Fine if you want multi-functionality, but other requirements reveal its weaknesses.

4/10

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