The Kodak Zi8 ($199 MSRP) is an ultracompact camcorder with some impressive specs: Full 1920 x 1080 HD recording, a 5 megapixel still image capability, and a 3.5mm external microphone jack. Even with these strong specs, however, we found the camcorder to be more of a disappointment than anything else. 

February 2, 2010 – Canon announced today the development of a new MPEG-2 Full HD recording codec. The codec uses 4:2:2 color sampling and it is expected to be implemented on yet unannounced file-based professional camcorders from Canon. The new codec will be capable of 50Mbps bitrate recording, can capture full 1920 x 1080 HD video, and offers two times the color data of the HDV compression system.

February 2, 2010 – Today, JVC announced one more addition to its high definition camcorder lineup: the Everio GZ-HM340. The HM340 is now the top-of-the-line offering for mid-range flash memory camcorders at JVC. It joins the GZ-HM300 and GZ-HM320, announced last month at CES. The HM340 has 16GB of built-in flash memory and will be available later this month for an MSRP of $499.95.

The Vixia HF S21 ($1399 MSRP) is the new-and-improved flagship camcorder from Canon. With 64GB of internal flash memory, two SD/SDHC memory card slots, and a brand new touchscreen LCD, Canon appears to have put in quite an effort in revamping last year's HF S11.

The Panasonic SDR-S26 ($269 MSRP) is a standard definition camcorder with a killer 70x optical zoom lens—the longest optical zoom in the consumer marketplace. Unfortunately, the camcorder's video performance and handling leaves a lot to be desired, although it does offer an impressive amount of manual controls.

The Kodak Playsport Zx3 represents a big upgrade over last year's Zx1 from Kodak, and it also poses a significant threat to the ultracompact camcorder market currently dominated by the Flip. The Zx3 offers Full 1920 x 1080 HD video, 5-megapixel still image capability, HDMI-output, and an SD/SDHC card slot—oh yeah, it's also waterproof (up to 3 meters).

The JVC Everio GZ-HM1 is the company's new flagship camcorder. This model borrows heavily from the excellent features found on last year's GZ-HM400, while introducing a couple new ideas for 2010. Among the numerous improvements you'll see this year are an Advanced Image Stabilizer and back-illuminated sensor.

The HF S21 is Canon's flagship camcorder for 2010. The camcorder has the same lens and sensor as last year's HF S series from Canon, but this new model includes an impressive 3.5-inch LCD touchscreen, as well as a handy electronic viewfinder. The HF S21 also features—for the first time in AVCHD—a native 24p record mode.

Panasonic really went to town updating the internal specs for its new mid-range HD camcorder line. The HDC-SD60 features a larger, 1/4.1-inch CMOS sensor, and it includes a 25x optical zoom lens (up from 16x on last year's models).

January, 6 2010 – Sanyo announced two new members of the Xacti camcorder line today at CES in Las Vegas. The first is a slim, upright HD camcorder called the VPC-CS1, which Sanyo bills as the smallest Full HD camcorder to offer an optical zoom lens (10x zoom). The second is the VPC-SH1, which has more of a traditional design and is meant to be held horizontally. The VPC-SH1 has a 30x optical zoom lens and features 10-megapixel still image capability.