OTHER TECH

Sound Advice One area where there wasn't a big difference between the camcorders was in their sound-recording capabilities. Because its optical disc-based system eliminates the whirring noise of a rotating video head, recordings made with the Hitachi were dead quiet, which gave it the best audio dynamic range of the bunch. The tape-transport noise was noticeable on the Sony and Sharp models. With the Sony, you can solve the problem by using an external microphone attached to the cam's accessory shoe. The Sharp lacks a microphone input, however, so you'll need the optional zoom-mike attachment to eliminate the faint whirring from your recordings.

SHARP VL-Z7U

KEY FEATURES • Compact design • Analog line-in recording INPUTS/OUTPUTS FireWire, USB 1.1, composite- and S-video, stereo audio; headphone output DIMENSIONS (WxHxD) 3 1/4 x 3 3/8 x 4 inches WEIGHT 1 1/8 pounds (without battery) PRICE $900 MANUFACTURER Sharp, Sharp Plaza, Mahwah, NJ 07430-2135; www.sharpusa.com; 800-237-4277

The Final Cut Most people would probably think I'm crazy to walk the streets of New York toting seven camcorders. But not only did the cams and I come through the experience unscathed, it gave me a good perspective on what to look for in a camcorder. Given the small size of these models, any one of them would be perfect to lug along to a Little League game or on a family vacation. Beyond that, there's a lot to be said for each one. The Canon and Sony cams' excellent performance and numerous manual features make them great options for serious video buffs. And Hitachi's DVD-R/RAM recording system speaks for itself - no other cam here lets you call up images that you've captured so quickly and easily. Samsung's intriguing two-in-one design lets you capture high-resolution digital stills along with video, Panasonic's price-busting three-chip cam records images with richly saturated color, and Sharp's highly portable mini-cam is perfect for people on the go. Last but not least, the JVC offers a better-than-average optical zoom and good low-light performance at a very affordable price. Forget cellphones, PDAs, and all those other electronic gizmos. This Christmas, tell Santa you want a digital camcorder.

SONY DCR-TRV70

KEY FEATURES • Controlled via touch-sensitive viewscreen • Network capable • NightShot infrared system recording • Analog line-in recording INPUTS/OUTPUTS FireWire, USB 1.1, composite- and S-video, stereo audio; microphone input, headphone output DIMENSIONS (WxHxD) 3 1/2 x 2 7/8 x 6 7/8 inches WEIGHT 1 3/8 pounds (without battery) PRICE $1,300 MANUFACTURER Sony, One Sony Dr., Park Ridge, NJ 07656; www.sonystyle.com; 888-217-7669