Samsung SC-HMX10
Packing 8GB of built-in memory, this model is the sports car of high-def camcorders: light, fast and sexy. It shoots in 720p high definition (one of three high-def resolutions) and, thanks to its barrel-shaped frame, fits snugly in the palm of your hand with a silky 10x zoom rocker that effortlessly closes in on your subjects. It has a 2.7-inch touch-screen LCD and powers up in under three seconds, which means you’ll never miss a beat with this camcorder by your side. Should you need more recording space, the SC-HMX10 also sports a SDHC/MMC card slot (a 4GB SDHC card will run you about $50). You’ll need to use the included software to view your videos on a PC (sadly, it’s not compatible with Macs), but alternatively, you can dump your computer and watch them directly on a flat-screen TV via the built-in HDMI port. Samsung.com; $800.

Sanyo Xacti HD700
Weighing an anemic 7.5 ounces, this pistol-grip camcorder was meant for the road. Yet despite its compact size, the cam packs enough muscle to record in 720p. It has half the zoom power of the HMX10, but still manages to house a full-size, 2.7-inch LCD with face-tracking technology, so you’ll never record a blurry image again. Videos and stills are saved onto SD/SDHC cards and the included docking station has all the outputs (including HDMI) needed to connect the camera to your TV. As a bonus, the HD700 is the only unit of the three programmed to work with Macs. Sanyodigital.com; $600.

Canon HG10
Aspiring directors looking for a feature-film camcorder will flock to Canon’s HG10. This cam dwarfs the Samsung and Sanyo, both in size and capacity. Under the hood it houses a 40GB hard drive that can store an epic five hours and 30 minutes of 1080i high-definition video. Clips can be viewed on the HG10’s 2.7-inch LCD or on your TV via the unit’s HDMI port. And whether you’re shooting at dusk or dawn, the HG10’s built-in video light ensures you won’t end up with grainy footage. Usa.canon.com; $1,100.