The DVD camcorder is the latest and hottest method of recording video. Dads who are really into camcorders like the DVD models because (a) they record onto mini DVDs that can be put directly into DVD players or drives and (b) dads can randomly access scenes on the DVD rather than waiting for tapes to rewind or fast forward. Check out these recommendations from dads who know before buying a DVD camcorder for your family.
1. Panasonic HDC-DX1 Mini DVD HD Camcorder
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This top rated camcorder is a favorite of dads because it records in high definition. The optical zoom is only a 12x zoom, but the quality of the videos outweighs the zoom limitation. The DX1 uses a Leica Dicomar lens that that prevents light reflection and glare, causing color bleeding and ghosting. It records on all DVD formats and on an SD card. This camcorder gets the top rating from the dads I surveyed. It is a little pricier than others, but well worth the cost.
2. Sony DCR-DVD108 DVD Camcorder
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This is a favorite among dads I know because of the 40x optical zoom which lets you get great close-up shots from far away. It also records directly to a variety of DVD media and has slots for memory sticks and a USB port. The best feature is Sony's Super NightShot feature that makes taking high quality pictures and videos in the dark or at night a snap.
3. Sony DCR-DVD308 Mini DVD Camcorder
A smaller DVD camcorder than the others we have listed thus far, the DVD308 is compact and convenient. It has a 2.7 inch LCD screen and a 25x optical zoom. With this camera, you can record on all DVD media and memory sticks. A high quality mini camcorder option for your family.4. Samsung SC-DC575 DVD Camcorder
For ease of use, this Samsung model is hard to beat. Samsung says you can start using this camera ten seconds out of the box, and that is pretty close to accurate. I like the digital image stabilization feature that really helps smooth out transitions between shots. The LCD screen is a little smaller than many, but it has a 26x optical zoom. For dads who are a little camcorder-impaired, this is a great choice.5. Canon DC220 Mini DVD Camcorder
The DC220 is another camera made for dads who don't want to take the time to learn a lot about a camera. The interface is very intuitive and made for a dad like me that wants to take great videos without being a real expert. It features a 35x optical zoom and records on all DVD media and a miniSD card. A great camcorder option for the dads who are looking for a unit that is simple to operate.6. Samsung SC-DC173 DVD Camcorder
Another compact camcorder model, the DC173 is a little lower price than other DVD camcorders, but offers some excellent features including a 34x optical zoom, recording on all DVD media, an SD card and a USB port. The only concern I have heard expressed is that the auto-focus feature seems a little slow to adjust, but not all dads even noticed it. This is a good one to check out.7. Panasonic Palmcorder VDR-D230 mini DVD Camcorder
The smallest DVD camcorder on our list, this Palmcorder packs great features into a very small package. While it only records on Mini DVD-R, Mini DVD-R DL, Mini DVD-R/RW, Mini DVD-RAM, and SDHC cards, it has some features you would only expect in a larger, more expensive camera. Thumbnail previews, a wide-recording mode and a zoomable stereo microphone make this one a top choice among camcorders.8. Hitachi DZHS300A DVD-HDD 8GB Hybrid Digital Camcorder
This camcorder is a dual unit that records on either an 8 GB hard drive or a mini-DVD disc. It has a 2.7 inch LCD screen and a 25x optical zoom. I really liked the convenience of having a small hard drive in addition to the DVD recording capability. It also has a relatively simple menu system and a wide-recording mode. And it is priced very competitively with cameras with fewer features.9. Hitachi DZHS500A mini DVD/ 30GB Hard Drive Hybrid Digital Camcorder
This is the step up camcorder from the 300A variety. It has all the features of the 300A but with a 30 gigabyte hard drive to store more video and still shots on board the camera. About $175 more than its smaller-capacity cousin, it is a good camera for extended recording.10. Sony Handycam DCR-DVD205 DVD Digital Camcorder
Another palm-sized camcorders that records on DVD media and with wide-recording features, the Handycam 205 is a convenient and easy-to-use camcorder. It has a Carl Zeiss Vario-Tessar lens which is used by higher-end cameras, and is lightweight. The dad who liked this camera best thought the manual was well written and easy to read (which is a plus among camcorders).