Best Camcorders 2014

Counting the user feedback, internet reviews, and doing our own grade based evaluation and extensive tests on many of the year's models, we created definitive list for the best camcorders of the year. Some of our choices are carry-overs from 2013, either because the update wasn't worth the money or they haven't been replaced yet, but we'll continue to update this list as the year goes on. And we acknowledge some enthusiasts out there probably won't agree with all our choices (if any), so feel free to let us know what your best choices are.

GoPro HERO4 Silver

GoPro has become a household name for action cams. The GoPro Hero4 Silver takes a few of the line's faults—like the lack of a screen—and turns it around. The first GoPro with a touchscreen, the Silver also has a more attainable pri...

Grade: A- Price: $243.00

GoPro HERO4 BLACK

The GoPro HERO4 BLACK is likely the best mountable camera on the market in terms of video quality--though, albeit, the most expensive. Introduced with the GoPro HERO4 SILVER, which is the only GoPro to include a touchscreen, it has the highest vid...

Grade: A- Price: $189.00

Sony AS20

Sony's highly reputable action cam line has seen it's latest addition with the Sony HDR-AS20, a $200 1080p HD camcorder that packs in quite a few features for the price. Among the list of features is a battery that can record up to 150 min...

Grade: B Price: $100.00

Panasonic HX-A500

4K has taken the world by storm--and now it's coming to wearable camcorders. The Panasonic HX-A500 shoots in 4k video at 30 fps (The Go Pro Hero 3+ shoots at just 15 fps in 4K). But perhaps even more exciting (especially if you don't own a...

Grade: A- Price: $520.00

Panasonic W850

There aren't too many camcorders out there that can be described as unlike any other camcorder, but the Panasonic W850 may just fit the bill. That's because it's not a camcorder—it's two. The W850 has a secondary lens to reco...

Grade: B Price: $961.00

Panasonic V750

Panasonic has made some pretty substantial updates to their already solid V720 with the V750. The 2014 model now uses a back-side illuminated (BSI) sensor, which enhances the low light performance. On top of that, Panasonic says the new processor ...

Grade: A- Price: $600.00

Sony FDR-AX100

When Sony released their first 4K Handycam last year, we were pretty impressed with the video quality, but the AX1 is huge and it doesn't just have a 4K resolution, it has a 4K price tag too. Now, the power of 4K resolution comes in a much sma...

Grade: A- Price: $1,498.00

Canon VIXIA Mini X

The Canon VIXIA Mini X has seen a few updates over the first of the manufacturer's camcorders designed for bloggers and others that record videos of themselves. Probably the most notable of these changes is the upgrade in audio quality with Li...

Grade: B- Price: $399.00

Canon VIXIA HF R52

Another $50 can get you a whopping 32 GB of built-in memory in Canon's top 2014 HF consumer model. With the same 1/4.85” sensor, fast processor and f1.8-45 lens as the HF R500 and HF R50, the HF R52 has the most built-in memory, and like...

Grade: B+ Price: $375.00

Sony CX900

Sony's popular 1" sensor has arrived in their camcorders--and it's a big deal. Camcorders typically have smaller sensors than still cameras; the sensor on the CX900 is about eight times the average size. Larger sensors mean better res...

Grade: A Price: $1,298.00