Sharp VL-NZ100U

The Sharp VL-NZ100U has a slightly different look from the other camcorders we've seen: While most manufacturers put the screen on the side of the case (where a user can flip it out for viewing), Sharp located this model's screen on the back. This positioning gives the VL-NZ100U a slightly more compact feel in comparison with other models, though it also means you can't protect the screen by folding it away. There is also no viewfinder; you have to look at the screen when capturing video.

The downside of the design is that it feels awkward and requires two hands to operate. While you can run other models for the most part with one hand, this Sharp requires you to use both hands to stabilize it when you're adjusting the controls. When holding the camcorder, we also found that our right fingers tended to end up either directly over the buttons (which could result in accidental presses) or over the microphone (which could lead to rustling noises that obscure the sound you really want to record).

The VL-NZ100U does have a good selection of features, though, such as a Secure Digital card slot for storing still images; the camcorder comes with an 8MB card that can hold between 50 and 200 images (depending on the quality setting). There is also a very effective image-stabilization system that helps to negate the effect of slight movements by the person holding the camcorder. This system is particularly useful at higher zoom settings, where small movements can be amplified.