Should you hold out for a souped-up HD monster, or scrimp and save on last year's standard-definition old standby? Find out here.
We know you've been salivating over glisteningly tantalizing phrases like "1920 x 1080 Full-HD", "YouTube friendly", "Touch-Screen LCD" and "70x Optical Zoom". It's the New Year, and the tendency to throw your hard-earned Benjamins on a shiny new digital imaging device is dangerously strong. So, heed our advice before you splurge on last-year's antiquated, nearly defunct model. infoSync World is here to give you the skinny on the hottest and coldest new camcorders announced at CES 2009.
High-Definition All-Stars
 Our crystal ball foresees a radioactive force emanating from Canon this year in the form of the new Canon Vixia HF S10. A mutant 1/2.6" CMOS imaging sensor that gobbles up 9-megapixels lies within the belly of this hulking monster, promising intergalactic image quality.
 What about Sony's high-definition overlord? Well, the Sony HDR-XR520V is equipped with a new back-illuminated 1/3.15" CMOS sensor that pledges a 50% improvement in low light sensitivity. The Sony HDR-XR520V also offers GPS, allowing shooters to track exactly where a particular video clip was recorded via Navteq maps.
 And finally, Panasonic keeps charging the high-definition market like a rabid bull on a Rock Star energy drink. The company's new HDC-HS300 flaunts three 3-megapixel CMOS chips, offering a total resolution of 9-megapixels, with the ability to capture 10-megapixel native stills.
We command you to remove your hand from that American Express until these fierce gladiators hit the shelves. Otherwise, you'll be sorry!
High-Definition Wallet Assuagers
If you thirst for HD, but can't scrounge up enough dough for the latest primo model, we saw a few budget-friendly cams at CES that won't break your piggy bank. The Canon Vixia HF200 has a 3.89-megapixel 1/4" CMOS sensor, great manual controls and 24Mbps HD recording. Not too shabby for a super-compact HD camcorder. Sony's HDR-XR100 can capture native 4-megapixel stills, is equipped with SteadyShot OIS and packs an 80GB HDD in its slimmer frame.
 Alright, we're not seeing any monumental upgrades in this class so far. What does Panasonic have to offer? Well, the Panasonic HDC-SD20 is significantly cheaper than both aforementioned cams, but it records only to SD/SDHC cards. That's okay, because the Panasonic HDC-SD20 has a 16x optical zoom, advanced onboard microphone and adopts Panasonic's new touch-screen LCD. Lastly, JVC introduced the GZ-HM200, flaunting a blinged-out chassis and dual-SD/SDHC card slots. The JVC GZ-HM200 is the most compact and cheapest model in this pack.
We're not seeing a major push to hold out for these lightweight HD models, so feel free to abuse that plastic with vigor.
Standard Definition Soldiers
To be honest, we didn't really see any earth-shattering introductions within the standard-definition camcorder lineup this year. It seems as though most manufacturers funneled much of their time and effort into high-definition, leaving standard definition to wallow in a pool of mediocrity.
 Panasonic's 70x optical zoom was perhaps the most exciting and scary addition to this lot. The Panasonic SDR-H80 can zoom farther than any voyeur or spy can dream for, but its Optical Image Stabilization effectiveness at such a profound magnification is questionable. Sony answers with a 60x optical zoom, which is still pretty impressive/frightening and an 80GB HDD with the new DCR-SR87.
We've also got the Canon FS22, which hypes smallness, rather than any magnificent new features. JVC seems to be our only hope in this lukewarm lineup, but all we get is more smallness and flashy colors with the new GZ-MG680, which offers a 120GB HDD and MicroSD card slot. The JVC GZ-MG680's HD up-conversion via an HDMI mini jack is nifty, but it only accommodates playback on an HDTV. Ho-hum, yawn, zzzzz… Oh, sorry, we fell asleep.
If you're a devious zoom freak, the new standard-definition lineup will suit your sordid needs. Otherwise, we recommend springing for last year's standard definition models.
Internet Troopers and Oddballs
 This year we saw vibrant colors attacking the Internet cam market with Crayola-grade ammunition. Sony's new MHS-CM1 is tiny beyond belief for a horizontal construction. We also dig the Sony MHS-PM1's ultra-compact body and innovative swivel lens design for those hard to reach places. The best part? They're both HD! Add YouTube compatibility via built-in Picture Motion Browser software, and we're eager to get the Sony MHS-CM1 and MHS-PM1 in our labs.
 If Sony's not your bag, JVC offers the JVC GZ-MS130, which features dual SD/SDHC slots and built-in software that allows shooters to batch upload to YouTube. Panasonic added color to their rugged SDR-SW21 and plunged the waterproof distance down to 6.5 feet. Samsung's HMX-R10 is a strange sight, resembling a space capsule from the 50's, and Panasonic's SDR-S26 rocks the hottest color scheme we've seen this year.
This sideshow is worth paying to see, so let's wait it out, shall we?
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