A camcorder is the perfect way to capture those family memories, but choosing the right camcorder can be tricky.

At one time there were only five brands worth choosing from - Sony, Canon, JVC, Panasonic and Samsung. Storage was on tape and DV (Digital Video) was the standard recording format, so the only real criteria to look for were specific features such as zoom capacity, battery life and whether you could go from auto to manual.

What to look for in Camcorders

Today the major differences to look for between camcorders are primarily storage type (hard disk, memory card, tape) and functionality. Mind you there are still only five real brands to choose from. This is assuming you're not looking for the video equivalent of a disposable camera. That is, you're serious about learning the basics of shooting footage, capturing what you've shot to a PC or Mac and then editing out "donkey footage" such as shots of feet and missing tops of heads. Finally you'll want to add some music and special simple effects and then burn your masterpiece to DVD.

If this sounds like you, you can rule out the lower end of the market. Footage from cameras such as the Flip and the Mino can be edited, as can footage from still cameras and mobile phones, but the electronics they use to process light, sound and imagery is simplistic. Prices for reasonable camcorders start at around $500 and the sky is the limit really.

The more you pay for a camcorder, the better the lenses, sensors, features, functions, speed and low light capability. For a hobbyist who wants to learn the basics of the craft, a recommended budget would be around $800+ and a camcorder which records to memory cards such as SD cards or Sony Memory Stick Duos. Look for inbuilt stabilisation to minimise shake - electronic is good, optical is best. An optical zoom (ignore digital zoom) of around 20x is optimal. And the wider the angle the lens can go, the better. That equates to 28mm or less.

For bigger storage, a hard disk can be built-in, but bear in mind you have to download all this data to a computer at some point. As you don't in many cases have the luxury of meaningfully naming files stored on the camcorder's hard disk, this can be a very frustrating exercise, and mean lots and lots of hours cataloguing your footage.

Finally, someone who is passionate about video will opt for a tape based camcorder. There are not too many left on the market as SD card and hard disk based camcorders are cheaper to make and use less power. Tape based camcorders are more expensive, but the rewards in quality of final footage is worth it. Look towards Sony and Canon for the lead here, but expect to pay in excess of $3000.