Sony HDR-SR1

Throw your tapes, mini-DVs, blank DVDs and whatever unruly and annoying recording media you wrestle with out the window. Sony's HDR-SR1 comes with a 30GB hard disk, when combined with their realtime video capture and compression technology, allows you to store 4 hours of HD video. Storage isn't the only nifty feature on this Handycam as the multifunction lens ring lets you adjust 4 independent controls manually. Alongside the mic input and headphone jack, the Sony HDR-SR1 provides a professional feel for an amateur price.

The Sony HDR-SR1 is the first generation of Sony's HDD camcorders, which is itself a very young category, so be prepared to deal with some teething and growing pains. Editing software is the biggest issue right now with Sony's own technology being the only one that can handle the AVCHD format.