For the past few years, camcorders are not as popular as it was once, thanks to, the revolution of smartphones with built-in quality video cameras. However, dedicated camcorders still have a lot of features to offer in our homes. Also, camcorders allow you to capture videos in stunning qualities, including HD and 4k camcorders to help you capture video, whether it’s for your YouTube channel or house opening party.
Camcorders or video cameras are the best types of equipment to capture your memorable moments and immortalize them as home movies for future generations to watch. And why many younger users recognize them with different names, quality video-capable cameras are very important for YouTubers and streamers who want to capture themselves with the best equipments. Webcams are known to be camcorder’s biggest rival.
However, what are the vital features to look for in the best camcorders, and why are they preferable over the decent cameras of your smartphones? Its true phones perform a great job of recording videos, but they’re multifunctional devices that aren’t focused on videography and won’t be compared to camcorders. The best camcorders tend to have high-quality sensors and lenses to help you record stunning videos at high-quality framerates. Of course, high-quality features comes at a high price too, so you’ll need to check your budget before going for one.
If you want to pick up a decent camcorder, you can find one for as low as ₦150,000. These budget camcorders are the best for personal use, and for beginners who are new to videography.
You can also Read our Best 10 devices for Vloggers 2021
| Brand | Resolutions | Dimensions | Price in Nigeria (₦) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Panasonic HC-X2000 | 3840 × 2160 pixels | 5.08 x 6.26 x 10.1-in | ₦1,570,000 |
| Sony HDR-CX405 | 1920 × 1080 pixels | 2.1 x 2.3 x 5.0-in | ₦155,000 |
| GoPro Hero8 Black | 4k 60p | 2.4 x 1.3 x 1.8-in | ₦345,000 |
| Sony FDR-AX700 | 3840 × 2160 pixels | 4.6 x 3.5 x 7.7-in | ₦890,000 |
| JVC GZ-560B | 1080 pixels | 7.3 x 3 x 3.6-in | ₦200,000 |
| Panasonic HC-VX1 | 1080p 60fps | 2.7 × 3.0 × 5.6-in | ₦207,000 |
| Sony PXW-Z190 | 1080p | ₦2,480,000 | |
| Sony ZV-1 | 4k 30p | 105.5 x 60.0 x 43.5mm | ₦297,000 |
| Canon PowerShot G7 X Mark III | 4k 30p | 105.5 x 60.9 x 41.4mm | ₦300,000 |
| Sony A6600 | 4k 30p | 120 x 66.9 x 59mm | ₦932,000 |
Panasonic HC-X2000
Resolutions: 3840 × 2160 pixels | Image sensor: 1/2.5 MOS | Dimensions: 5.08 x 6.26 x 10.1-in | Weight: 3.31ibs with battery and handle | Price in Nigeria: ₦
The Panasoy HC-X2000 is our pick for the best camcorder. Though it’s quite expensive, this is what’s called the consumer’s model – striking the lines between professional quality and consumer usability. This camcorder performs the job well, offering up to 4k image quality at 60 fps to 24× optical zoom. Also, you can easily enjoy easy handling with a removable handle which is accompanied by a useful LED light that offers a professional lighting finish even in a rush.
Fortunately, there’s a five-axis hybrid optical image stabilization which makes this a very amazing camcorder even to those who are new to this level of technology. Also, there’s a 1/2.5 MOS sensor that works alongside a Leica Dicomer lens for optimal quality. On the audio department, there’s an attached microphone option in the handle and dual XLR pro mic inputs. You can also use the 3.5-inch touchscreen panel to view and control recordings and also two SDcards for storing your numerous files.
Sony HDR-CX405
Resolutions: 1920 × 1080 pixels | Image sensor: Exymor R CMOS | Dimensions: 2.1 x 2.3 x 5.0-in | Weight: 0.42ibs | Price in Nigeria: ₦
The Sony HDR-CX405 is the best budget option for every videographer who can manage a 1080p video quality and wants a portable but compact camera. Notwithstanding its compact factor, this camcorder offers up to 30× optical zoom with the Carl Zeiss Vario Tessar lens. Also, you’ll get some amazing features like Intelligent active mode and optical SteadyShot to offer a smooth finish.
Fortunately, the camcorder is equipped with onboard editing software by using the highlight movie maker. You can also save this in the SDcard with both XAVC S and AVCHD recorded accordingly if you wish to. The USB cable can be used for charging as well as also easy transfer of files and a built-in microphone with 5.1 audio.
GoPro Hero8 Black
Resolutions: 4k60 | Image sensor: 12-MP | Dimensions: 2.4 x 1.3 x 1.8-in | Weight: 0.28ibs | Price in Nigeria: ₦345,000
When it comes to the best action camera with a sturdy built that can withstand shocks and knocks, you can’t go past the GoPro Hero8 Black. Inside that black shell is a powerful sensor that can capture up to 4k footage at 60 fps. This camcorder comes with one of the best image stabilizers out there and offers lots of interesting modes that’ll surely suit your filming.
Unfortunately, the only slide back of this camera is the absence of a touchscreen control panel though there are voice controls, but they aren’t reliable. However, the supporting app is excellent for swift transfer, sharing of footage, and video editing. Also, there are triple microphones, GPS, and a 1220 battery capacity all sums up a complete video solution in an affordable package.
Sony FDR-AX700
Resolutions: 3840 × 2160 pixels | Image sensor: 1.0 Exmor RS CMOS | Dimensions: 4.6 x 3.5 x 7.7-in | Weight: 1.3ibs | Price in Nigeria: ₦
The Sony FDR-AX700 is an amazing camcorder that takes a lot of flagship specs and squeezes them into a small but mighty sized shell. Among the FDR-AX700 features include HDR and 4k resolution which will bring out its best colors when played on top-end TV. Fortunately, that can be easily done, thanks to the built-in Wi-Fi that makes video exporting done in a flash. Also, this is the best camcorder for beginners as it comes with clear menus, spot-on ergonomics, and use physical buttons.
Interestingly, this portable camcorder still manages to feature dual SDcard slots, a 3.5-inch viewfinder, and a built-in microphone. Similar to other flagship Sony cameras expect a sharp and crisp image, thanks to the equipped BIONZ X image processing smarts paired with a 14.2-megapixel sensor.
The Sony FDR-AX700 can also record both HDR and SDR contents using Hybrid Log-Gamma (HLG) format, thanks to its Exymor RS CMOS sensor backed by XAVC S. This means you can shoot 120 fps when in 1080p quality and can get 100 Mbps at 4k resolution.
JVC GZ-560B
Resolutions: 1080 pixels | Image sensor: 1/5.8-inch 2.5MP CMOS | Dimensions: 7.3 x 3 x 3.6-in | Weight: 1.47ibs | Price in Nigeria: ₦
The JVC GZ-560B, though not popular, but offers one of the best zooms in a palm-sized camcorder that’s rarely found at this price segment. This camcorder provides a massive 40× optical zoom and can enhance it to a whopping 60× zoom quality. However, the camcorder is only limited to 1080 pixels, but it comes with a Quad Proof, meaning it can survive in five meters depth water, shock resistance, dust proofing, and cold toughness.
Amazingly, the battery life is very impressive with up to 5 hours of constant video recording duration after a full charge. The attached microphone can get audio even at a very far distance. Also, image stabilization works perfectly to smooth out video quality, while the LED light can lighten any environmental condition more clearly.
Panasonic HC-VX1
Resolutions: 1080p 60fps| Image sensor: 1/2.5-inch back-illuminated MOS | Dimensions: 2.7 × 3.0 × 5.6-in | Weight: 1.95ibs | Price in Nigeria: ₦207,000
The Panasonic HC-VX1 is one of the best affordable cameras with a good image quality that’s better than average low light performance and UHD 4k recording. With loads of LED lights, the image quality of the HC-VX1 is very outstanding, especially for its small sensor. Also, there are three optical image stabilizer systems and 25mm to 600mm zoom. The 1/2.5-inch back-illuminated MOS sensor brings out amazing image capture even at 12 decibels (dB) of gain.
Finally, with a massive resolution of UHD 4k at 30 fps, coupled with the ability to capture up to 26-MP still, the HC-VX1 offers a lot of value to make it into our best list.
Sony PXW-Z190
Resolutions: 1080 pixels | Image sensor: 1/3-type 3CMOS | Dimensions: — | Weight: 1.47ibs | Price in Nigeria: ₦2,480,000
The Sony PXW-Z190 is one of the few camcorders that are equipped with a 25× optical zoom, meaning it has a 35mm equivalent focal length of 28.8mm to 720mm. Also, this camcorder can capture up to 8-bit 4k video at 60 fps and 10-bit HD 4:2:2 to SD cards. Fortunately, Sony decided to include their electronic variable ND filter first released in the FS5.
Meanwhile, one of the best features of the PXW-Z190 is the ability to assign each one of the two record buttons to a different microSD card. Also, you can record or capture 4k and HD proxy contents in the dual SDcard slots. In addition, the built-in 2.4/5 GHz Wi-Fi allows you to wirelessly transfer files from the camera to other devices.
Sony ZV-1
Resolutions: 4k 30p | Image sensor: 26.1-MP EVF | Dimensions: 105.5 x 60.0 x 43.5mm | Weight: 294g | Price in Nigeria: ₦297,000
The Sony ZV-1 ticks all rights for your videography needs, all in a pleasantly compact package. Sony’s all-time best Eye AF systems will keep you in focus as you move around the frame, while the large 1-inch sensor delivers crisp, clear, and attractive images even in bokeh mode, something that’s rare to find on compact camcorders.
There’s a touchscreen control, though is a little limited and Sony equipping a micro USB rather than the trending USB-C port is a major drawback to this camcorder.
Canon PowerShot G7 X Mark III
Resolutions: 40k 30p | Image sensor: 20.4-MP EVF | Dimensions: 105.5 x 60.9 x 41.4mm | Weight: 304g | Price in Nigeria: ₦300,000
The Canon PowerShot G7 X Mark III is a great lightweight polycarbonate compact camcorder. This camcorder is a great interchangeable lens camera focused on offering crisp, bright, and clear recording sessions. It also sports many impressive video specs including the option of shooting 4k videos at 24 fps, 1080p video capture, and a bit-rate of 237Mbps.
However, one feature we’d love to have seen on this camcorder is a headphone jack for real-time audio monitoring and a slightly larger handgrip to make video shooting more comfortable. However, neither of these backslides prevent the PowerShot G7 X Mark III from being incredible equipment for video making.
Sony A6600
Resolutions: 40k 30p | Image sensor: 24.4MP Exmor EVF | Dimensions: 120 x 66.9 x 59mm | Weight: 503g | Price in Nigeria: ₦932,000
There are lots of camcorders available in the market, but not all can give you the features of the Sony A6600 at a very cheap price. Among its many impressive specs is an in-body image stabilization (IBIS) which smooth out shooting notwithstanding the lens you’re using. Also, there’s an excellent Real-time Eye AF for movies, plus mic and headphone ports all sums up to make the A6600 a great camcorder.
Meanwhile, there’s a strong battery life that’s second to none which will give you more than enough power to record your favorite moments. However, one issue with this Sony camcorder is the tiny buttons and convoluted menus which will be frustrating to use. But, aside from these few quibbles, the Sony A6600 is one of the best camcorders you can get at an affordable price.
