A camcorder is a portable device for recording audio and video using a built-in recorder unit. These were actually designed for television broadcasting. The modern age camcorders come with latest advanced technology with advanced features. Camcorders contain 3 major components: imager, lens, and recorder. The final component lens gathers and focuses light on the imager. The imager section is the eye of the camcorder Imager section converts light into an electronic video signal through an elaborate electronic process. The recorder section is responsible for writing the video-signal on to a recording medium.

Therer are several types of storage devices are used in Camcorders such as VHS, Video8, Betamax, Digital8, miniDV, DVD, Hard drive and solid-state (flash) semiconductor memory etc. Among these VHS, Video8, Betamax are the analog storage media and rests are digital. The highest-quality digital formats have the advantage over analog of suffering little generation loss in recording, dubbing, and editing.

Most other digital consumer camcorders record in HDV or DV format on tape and transfer content over FireWire to a computer, where the huge properties files can be edited, converted, and also recorded back to tape. There are also compact recording devices out there in the market which supports the HDD format and memory stick duo card slot. A mini DV cassette is also used as storage media in some brands..

Latest camcorders come with the features like the noise reduction, built in speakers, touch screen control, progressive shutter system, auto power save etc. The cameras are also equipped with advanced shooting modes like frame movie, spotlight, beach and snow, digital photo and manual. They have built-in special effects like auto fade, mirror, mosaics, art, slim stretch and tracer. By using these special effects the images can be effectively faded as black, overlap and window wipe.

If you are looking for a compact sized camera with all the required features then the pocket digital camcorder is the best option. These kind of light weighted cameras come with a good viewfinder instead of LCD display the cameras come with. The cameras have integrated memory and video input too. These cameras have a sensor resolution of 5 pixels. In these camcorders the multi media card and secure digital card can be supported. The special effects also include sepia, black and white and negative.

Users favour portability, ease of use and affordable price, the camcorder manufacturers emphasis these features more than raw technical performance. There are manufacturers like Sony, Panasonic, Samsung, Philips are there in the market which produces superior quality camcorders. Among all these manufacturers Sony Camcorders are one of the best selling camcorders across the world. The Samsung Camcorders are also in the fray for the top slot.