JVC DVL-300

Though there is little technical difference between Digital 8 and MiniDV theoretical capability- the smaller size of the MiniDV cassette and its wide acceptance as a standard are huge positives.

To choose the JVC 300U, I tested it versus 10 other "consumer" camcorders on a monitor. What my eyes told me was that when it came to natural, crisp image quality- the JVC "entry-level" 300U was dramatically better than much pricier offerings from Sony, Panasonic, and Sharp.

Where accessories like batteries are expensive for Sony's, for example- JVC 2 hour batteries can be had for under $50, another plus. The bundled software gets you going quickly with movie making right away.

Compared to my Sony D8 TRV103, this camcorder gives stunning video, at far less than I paid for the Sony.