Camcorders are fascinating piece of hardware with choices aplenty in the market. Starting from the medium that they can record on to the resolution they can record in. Not only that - they come in all kinds of shapes and sizes - starting from small hand held models that weigh less than 200 grams to bigger HD camcorders that have more than one sensor for better results.

Getting confused is easy. Follow the steps below to make the task easier.

1. Identify your need: To start off, think of what would you be doing with the camcorder. Would you want something that is portable and can be used at a moment's notice to shoot your kid's first steps, or capture the antics of your kids on a family holiday; or would you want something that can give you better results while shooting at night; or a professional camcorder that would let you adjust all the controls manually. 
2. Plan your budget: The next thing to consider is the price - though we all may want a Ferrari - we generally have to make do with the best that we can afford. If you want best of the breed in your category - be prepared to shell out a bit more that the mainstream camcorders. This is the time when you prioritize what you are looking for. You may have to let go of some features in order to ensure that the product is in your budget. 
3. Available storage options – types of camcorders
   • HDD based camcorders: HDD camcorders use an internal hard drive instead of the more primeval tapes. This type of camcorder allows direct copying or moving of video from the camcorder to your computer or DVDs. The drawback being that you do not have any removable storage - thus if you exhaust the storage on the camcorder you would need to transfer the data to another device before you start shooting again. Also, hard disk drives are not the most durable medium. They are fragile and can crash any time. Thus, these camcorders are more prone to failure.
   • Mini DV camcorders: Mini DV camcorders usually store the data in digital format on a tape. These can be a viable choice if you're planning to buy a digital format camcorder at a lower price range. However, Using mini-DV tapes too often increases the risk of wear and tear on your camcorder. Transferring the data on to a DVD is a better option.
   • Solid State Memory/ Flash Memory based: These type of camcorders are gaining ground in the market.They consist of a rewritable flash memory chips that make recording and transferring of video to the PC easier. They are a lot more portable than other media and are easily replaceable. Thus, they are one of the most feasible options for camcorder media.
   • Optical Disc/ DVD camcorders: They can be directly accessed from computer or a DVD player, and provide users the option of direct plug and play. DVD camcorders are better off than HDD camcorder because of the option of removable storage. On the flip side-these are generally restricted with a low memory and correspondingly less recording time. Also, the DVD writing lens on these devices is prone to alignment and dust related issues.
4. Compare features – salient features include:
   
   • Resolution: While choosing a camcorder, the resolution is extremely important. A high definition camcorder invariably has better picture quality as compared to its standard definition options; but at the same time high definition video takes up a lot more storage space than standard definition video. The optical resolution of a camcorder basically depends on the detector array size and the pixel field of view. Therefore, it is highly recommended to assess these factors before making any choice.
   • Video capacity: You might not be amused with the fact that while shooting some of the most memorable moments of your life, your camcorder blurts out "No Space". Thus a camcorder should necessarily have video capacity in accordance with the resolution and the recording time. If you are shooting using memory cards, you should ideally be able to shoot at least 60-90 minutes of video per memory card. Thus shooting in high definition may require you to have a 16 GB card.
   • Night shooting mode: While shooting in outdoors, one might have to take some shots in night, or in a low visibility conditions. This is where the option of night shooting mode comes into play, this mode utilizes ensures that you can get some pictures even in low light conditions. You may need to check the 'lux' rating of the camcorder for night shooting mode. In this case a lower rating is better with 0 Lux being the best.
   • Tripod capability: Tripod capability is another important factor. Some camcorders, leave the tripod compatibility out to reduce the size of the device. But, at times, you may need to use the tripod when you want to be in the shot with your family while the camcorder records your antics.
   • Video format: The type of video formats available with a tripod should always be cross-checked to avoid further format compatibility errors. One must go for most widely accepted and compatible video formats.
   • Lens type: Lens type may differ according to the type of camcorder. The different types of lenses available are:
     Wide angle lens: This type of lens possesses a wider angle of vision , and is therefore capable of focusing on both foreground and background visions. These lenses are highly suitable for comparatively larger and widespread landscapes, which involve a wider focus area. Wide angle lenses are not a viable option, if you're a beginner and are generally not prevalent in consumer models. 
     Zoom Lens: You might have come across scenarios where, while zooming through a particular file or a portion results in formation of a blurred impact. This is primarily due to the breaking down of pixels onto a larger context while working on a digital zoom mode. But don't confuse yourselves with camcorders boasting of high digital zoom, an optical zoom is the factor that actually enhances the image and video quality. A smaller field of view corresponds to a better magnification, and therefore, an equally effective optical zoom is a must.
     Telephoto Lens: A telephoto lens is a type of zoom lens, but instead of magnifying the image, it brings the subject closer to the lens. Thereby, it enables better visibility and hence better captures. This lens is generally suitable for outdoor shootings which require constant zoom in and zoom outs.
   • Minimum illumination rating: The minimum illumination corresponds to the minimum amount of light required to generate a useful image, and is generally expressed in lux. It generally varies with certain parameters including video levels, shutter speed, focal number etc. Lesser the lux rating, more is the capability of the camcorder to capture quality images in low lit and dark areas. Therefore a camcorder with low lux rating, offers a greater advantage.
   • Focus Controls: Focus control involves adjusting the distance between the lens and the image to control the focal length in the required manner. A focus control enables the user to adjust the focus either manually or automatically to suit his/her requirements at the time of shooting.

Finally, consider the warranty on offer. Camcorders are extremely complex devices and can be difficult and expensive to repair, thus, the warranty of the camcorder is one of the most important things to consider before you make your choice.