The Best Camcorder for You

Panasonic's .6-second Quick Start (also available in the model above) starts recording as soon as the screen is opened, so every last moment is captured. What further sets the HDC-SD9 apart is its ability to shoot high-definition video, plus an Intelligent Shooting Guide that alerts you to poor conditions (a bad angle, say, or panning too fast), letting you fix it right away. (Rechargeable battery; records on SD/SDHC memory cards; $800, panasonic.com)

"The video-editing feature is useful, especially when you're waiting for your two-year-old to do something cute."
-- Johna Jackson, mom of Ian, 5, and Luke and Owen, 2, Union, WV