Nowadays, various digital devices such as basic digital cameras, smartphones, and tablets can capture video footage. But if you’re looking to shoot longer clips with higher video resolution and better audio quality, then it’s probably time to invest in a dedicated camcorder.
What is a camcorder?
Before we dive into the list of budget camcorders, let us define what a camcorder is. A camcorder is a video camera with a fixed lens that almost always has a wide ranging and quiet internal zoom lens. Sometimes camcorders have optical as well as digital zooms that allow you to capture objects that are very far away.
As sensor technology has improved, so have the camcorder’s abilities to capture higher resolution and imagery while getting into an ever smaller form factor. Most camcorders have rotating flip-out screens, image stabilization, and fit comfortably in the palm of your hand. They are perfect for the video enthusiast who wants an uncomplicated video recording experience, such as recording a child’s performance in a play or taking it to the beach to get imagery of wildlife at a distance.
What is the difference between a video camera and a camcorder?
Where a camcorder differs from a video camera is in ease of use and portability. Most camcorders make the complicated decisions, such as focusing, white balance, and exposure, for you. They basically are made to be used with the camera handling and adjusting all these settings automatically. Video cameras give you more control over these functions. But to adjust these requires a bit more knowledge and only with experience can you modify these settings quickly. While video cameras have shrunk in size, camcorders are almost always the more compact option.
Camcorder vs DSLR vs Smartphone
Aside from the fact that camcorders are specifically built for shooting video, there are a few other benefits to using them compared to a DSLR or smartphone. For one, camcorders are ergonomically designed to provide optimum comfort for hours of handheld shooting. They can also capture videos at higher bit rates and come with useful features such as in-camera image stabilization and high-quality optical zoom.
If you’ve already decided to buy one for your video needs but don’t want to spend thousands of dollars on the more professional consumer camcorders that have 4K video recording and impressive low-light capabilities, we’ve listed down some of the best camcorders under $300. Not only are they affordable, but they also offer various features that you can use for any occasion.
Best Budget Camcorders:
If you’re looking for the best cheap entry-level camcorders that still offer some great features and specifications for near-professional video capture, here are our picks:
Sony HDR-CX405
Despite being the cheapest among Sony’s Handycam line of camcorders, the HDR-CX405 does not disappoint. Armed with an Exmor R CMOS sensor, this camcorder captures full HD video and 9.2MP still images with enhanced image clarity, reduced noise (particularly in low light environments), and soft background defocusing for a more professional look. It also has a 26.8mm wide-angle lens to allow you to fit more into the frame.
For shooting distant subjects or scenes, the HDR-CX405 boasts of a 30x optical zoom and 60x Clear Image digital zoom—both of which ensure clear, sharp, and high-quality footage. Camera shake is usually more pronounced when using the zoom, but you won’t have to worry about unwanted blur thanks to Sony’s Optical Steadyshot image stabilization w/ Active mode, which keeps footage stable throughout the entire zoom range.
Other features include Intelligent Auto mode, which automatically selects the right settings for your video out of 10 distinct scene modes (with 60 different combinations); Highlight Movie Maker, which automatically creates a short highlight movie using your own footage with added transition effects or music; automatic Face Detection; and Dual Video recording in XAVC S or AVCHD and MP4.
Key Specifications:
- 1080p Full HD Video & 9.2MP Still Image Resolution
- 1/5.8in Exmor R CMOS Sensor
- Bionz X Image Processor
- 26.8mm Wide-Angle Carl Zeiss Lens
- 30x Optical Zoom & 60x Clear Image Digital Zoom
- Optical Steadyshot Image Stabilization
- XAVC S Recording, AVCHD, and MP4 Dual Recording
- Intelligent Auto Settings and Scene Modes
- 2.7in Flip-Out LCD Display (Approx. 230K Dots)
- Compatible with Memory Stick Micro & Micro SD/SDHC/SDXC
- 1x Micro-HDMI (Type D) / 1x USB 2.0 Type A
Panasonic HC-V180K
Capturing your subjects in full HD resolution, whether they’re far away or up close, is made easy with the Panasonic HC-V180K. Its 28mm wide-angle lens can fit more into the frame when working in tight spaces, plus it offers up to 50x optical zoom and 90x intelligent zoom—a combination of digital zoom, sharpening, and advanced image scaling-up technology. Another useful feature is the camcorder’s two-channel zoom microphone, which is seamlessly synced to the camcorder’s zoom function and adjusts accordingly whenever you zoom in or zoom out to ensure clear audio.
The HC-V180K also features a 5-axis HYBRID Optical Image Stabilization+ (O.I.S+) technology to suppress blurring or jitters when shooting handheld.
Additional features include the Level Shot function (OFF, Normal, and Strong levels), which automatically corrects tilting; a backside illuminated sensor that gives this budget camcorder enhanced low-light capabilities with reduced image noise; and built-in Creative Control effects to add more personality and creativity to your videos.
Key Specifications:
- 1080p Full HD Video Resolution
- 1/5.8in BSI (Backside-Illuminated) MOS Sensor
- 28mm Wide-Angle Lens
- 50x Optical Zoom & 90x Intelligent Zoom
- 5-Axis HYBRID O.I.S+ and Level Shot
- Creative Filter Effects
- 2.7in LCD Touch Panel Display (Approx. 230K Dots)
- SD/SDHC/SDXC Memory Card Slot
- 1x Mini-HDMI (Type C) / 1x USB 2.0 Mini-AB / 1x A/V 3.5mm Mini-Jack
Zoom Q2n-4K Handy Video Recorder
Perfect for livestreaming and musicians, this budget 4K video recorder takes its audio recording duties very seriously with the ability to record sound at up to 24-bit/96kHz. The camera is also extremely well designed for concerts with a 150-degree lens that captures a very wide field of view. No more having to put the camera much further back to capture all the action. With HDR recording built-in, you will also get well-lit shots even under challenging lighting circumstances. This is truly one of the best quality cheap camcorders around.
Key Specifications:
- 4K Ultra HD Video Recording
- 1/2.3″ 16 M-flexible CMOS sensor160-Degree Wide-Angle Lens
- Fixed 120 deg. XY stereo mic10 Scene Modes and Auto Setting
- 1.77″ four-color LCD (160 x 128)HQ Web Video Streaming
- MicroSDHC/microSDXC (class 10 or higher, 256GB maximum)
- Combined headphone/line stereo mini jack and HDMI micro Type D
Minolta MN4K25NV 4K Ultra HD Camcorder with Night Vision
Aside from the normal excellent quality recording you get from the Minolta MN4K25NV, you also get a very rare feature found on hardly any cameras at all: the ability to capture night vision imagery. Using built-in infrared LED lights, you can illuminate things in very dark situations allowing you to capture images and video that other cheap camcorders simply wouldn’t be able to record. This would have definitely come in handy when I was on a beach in New Zealand filming blue penguins returning to their nests in the pitch black night.
Key Specifications:
- 4K UHD 24 FPS (H.264)
- 7.5mm, f/3.2 fixed focus lens
- 16x Digital Zoom
- Infrared LED (Night Vision)
- Weight of only 10.4 oz (294.8g)
Minolta MN80NV Camcorder with Nightvision
Saving you a little bit of cash and for those people who don’t need 4K recording, the Minolta MN80NV also offers you the ability to record night vision imagery as well as video. This could serve as the perfect camera for those people who like to record things at night such as nighttime forest scenes. Also, if you are interested in seeing trying your hand at night vision recording, you can’t get a better deal than this
Key Specifications:
- 1080p Full HD
- 7.5mm, f/3.2 fixed focus lens
- 16x Digital Zoom
- Infrared LED (Night Vision)
- Weight of only 7.05 oz (200g)
