Best Rated Low Light HD & 4K Camcorders (2017-2018) * Comparison & Reviews

Best Low Light HD Camcorders (2017-2018) – This is a roundup of camcorders that are best suited for low light conditions. Poor performance in low light is the number one complaint when using a camcorder. There are several factors that help in low light conditions. One is the size and type of imager (the chip(s) that light hits inside the camcorder). The other is the Lens. For imagers, larger is better. Sony and Canon for 2017-2018 has introduced a 1-inch imager, the largest imager on a consumer 4K camcorder. Fast bright lenses can help bring more light to the imager. Panasonic for 2016-2017 has designed a new lens just for that purpose. Below are the top low light HD camcorders for comparision , review and useful features such as external microphone jacks. Sony has introduced a breakthrough technology, Balanced Optical SteadyShot™, which will greatly reduce image shake in low light conditions. Available on the Sony FDR-AX53 (2016-2017) and Sony FDR-AX33 4K Camcorders.

Panasonic HC-V770 HD Camcorder	Panasonic HC-WXF991K 4K Ultra HD Camcorder	Sony Handycam FDR-AX100 4K Camcorder	Sony Handycam HDR-CX900 HD Camcorder
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20x optical zoom Flash Memory High Definition 24.0 megapixels 1/2.3″ MOS Imager 3.0-inch screen External Mic Jack f/1.8-3.6 Lens Built-in WIFI 1080p @ 120fps 1080p @ 60fps 2016 Model	20x optical zoom Flash Memory 4K Ultra HD 18.9 megapixels 1/2.3″ MOS Imager 3.0-inch screen External Mic Jack f/1.8-3.6 Lens Built-in WIFI 1080p @ 24p,60p 4K @ 30p 5 Axis OIS EVF Viewfinder 2016-2017 Model Infrared Night Mode High Dynamic Range	12x optical zoom Flash Memory 4K Ultra HD 20.1 megapixels 1-inch Imager 3.5-inch screen External Mic Jack f/2.8-4.5 Lens Built-in WIFI 29mm Wide Lens 1080p @ 24p, 30p, 60p 4K @ 24p, 30p Optical Steadyshot® EVF Viewfinder 2015-2016 Model Infrared NightShot®	12x optical zoom Flash Memory High Definition 20.1 megapixels 1-inch Imager 3.5-inch screen External Mic Jack f/2.8-4.5 Lens Built-in WIFI 29mm Wide Lens 1080p @ 24p, 30p, 60p – – – Optical Steadyshot® EVF Viewfinder 2015-2016 Model Infrared NightShot®

Canon Vixia HF G40 Camcorder (2016 Model)	Panasonic HC-X920 Camcorder	Sony Handycam FDR-AX53 4K Ultra HD Camcorder	Sony Handycam FDR-AX33 4K Camcorder
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20x optical zoom Flash Memory High Definition 3 megapixels 1/2.84-inch Imager 3.5-inch touchscreen External Mic Jack f/1.8-2.8 Lens – – – 1080p @ 30fps 1080p @ 24fps – – – EVF Viewfinder Built-in WiFi 2016-2017 Model Wide Dynamic Range	12x optical zoom Flash Memory High Definition 20.4 megapixels 3MOS 1/2.3-inch (3 x 12.76mp) 3.5-inch touchscreen External Mic Jack f/1.5-2.8 Lens 1080p @ 60fps 1080p @ 24fps 3D Ready EVF Viewfinder 2014 Model Built-in WiFi	20x optical zoom 4K Flash Memory High Definition 8.2 megapixels 1/2.5-inch Imager 3.0-inch screen External Mic Jack f/2.0-3.8 Lens Built-in WiFi 4K @ 24,30fps 1080p @ 60, 120fps 1080p @ 24fps – – – – – – Balanced Optical SteadyShot™ EVF Viewfinder 2016-2017 Model Infrared NightShot® 100Mbps bit rate Time Lapse	10x optical zoom 4K Flash Memory High Definition 8.2 megapixels 1/2.3-inch Imager 3.0-inch screen External Mic Jack f/1.8-4.0 Lens Built-in WiFi 4K @ 24,30fps 1080p @ 60fps 1080p @ 24fps – – – – – – Balanced Optical SteadyShot™ EVF Viewfinder 2015-2016 Model Infrared NightShot® 100Mbps bit rate

Canon XA30 Professional Camcorder (2016 Model)	Canon Professional XA10 Camcorder	Panasonic HC-X1000 4K Pro Camcorder	Panasonic AG-DVX200 4K Pro Camcorder
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20x Optical Zoom Flash Memory High Definition 1/2.84-inch imager 3.5 inch OLED Native 24p XLR audio out Infrared Night Vision HDMI out f1.8 – 2.8 Lens 26.8mm – 576mm 1080p @ 24p, 30p, 60p – – – Built-in WiFi MP4 Recording 2016 Model Wide Dynamic Range	10x Optical Zoom 64GB Dual Flash High Definition 1/3-inch imager 3.5 inch LCD Native 24p XLR audio out Infrared Night Vision HDMI out f1.8 – 2.8 Lens 30.4mm – 304mm 1080p @ 24p, 30p, 60i – – –	20x Optical Zoom Flash Memory 4K Ultra HD 1/2.3-inch BSI 3.5 inch LCD Native 24p XLR audio Infrared Night Mode HDMI out f1.8 – 3.6 Lens 29mm – 600mm 1080p @ 24p, 30p, 60p 4K @ 24p, 30p, 60p 4K 150Mbps bit rate WiFi & NFC	13x Optical Zoom Flash Memory 4K Ultra HD 4/3-inch imager 3.5 inch LCD Native 24p XLR audio out Infrared NightShot® HDMI out f/2.8 – 4.5 Lens 29.5 to 384.9mm 1080p @ 60p, 30p, 24p 4K @ 60p, 24p, 30p 150 Mbps Bitrate 5-Axis Hybrid O.I.S. EVF Viewfinder ND Filters Timecode: In / out Audio: 2 x 3-pin XLR 2016 Model Cinematic 4K (4096×2160) Dual SD Cards

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Glossary of Terms

Optical Zoom = This is the maximum zoom using the lens of the camcorder. A 10x zoom brings the action in about 10 times closer at its maximum. 4K Ultra HD & Cinema 4K = 4K is a new video standard which will be quickly replacing HD in the HDTV and Camcorder market. 4K has roughly four times the resolution of Full HD. 4K is 8 megapixels versus 2 megapixels for Full HD. The resolution of 4K is 3840 x 2160 pixels. This is the same resolution as 4K TVs have. With 4K you are future proofing your video. There is another 4K standard that is used in movie theaters with slightly more resolution. This is Cinematic 4K which has a resolution of 4096 x 2160 (slightly wider). Some 4K cameras and camcorders have both types of 4K. Movie theaters now have 4K projectors, so the latest camcorders that record at Cinema 4K will have the same resolution as the movie theater. Related: Best Rated 4K Ultra HD Camcorders Flash Memory = This refers to the way the camcorder records video. Flash memory camcorders normally record to memory cards (SDHC or Memory sticks if a Sony). There are some that have no card, and just have a fixed amount of internal memory such as the Flip Camcorders. Dual Flash = This type of camcorder has both internal memory and can also record to memory cards. Imager = This refers to the Imager of the camcorder, where the light hits from the lens. This is like the retina of the eye. The larger the imager, the better the quality of the video and better low light performance. High end camcorders generally have a larger imager. Larger is better. A 1/2.6-inch imager is double the size of a 1/5.2-inch imager. Low Light Lenses = Larger and faster lenses allow more light in for greater low light sensitivity. Lenses with low f stop specifications are considered fast lenses. The camcorders on this page all have fast low light lenses with an f stop of f1.8 or lower (lower is better). Infrared Night Vision = This feature will allow you to video in complete darkness, or minimum light. These are the same type of camcorders used for ghost hunters TV programs. Many of these camcorders also have infrared lights to illuminate in complete darkness. Related: Best Rated Camcorders with Infrared Night Vision Megapixels = This refers to the camera function in the camcorder. This is the amount of megapixels available to take a snapshot picture while using the camcorder. 1080p 720p 60i 24p 60p video = camcorders can record video at various resolutions. Many can record at several different rates. 1080p is the current highest (blu-ray quality). 720p has about half the resolution of 1080p. Also keep in mind the frame rate of the video. Normal video is shot at 30fps (frames per second). 1080@60i is 60 interlaced frames, which is roughly equivalent to 1080p@30fps. Movie film is shot at 24fps (24p). Some camcorders can shoot at 60fps (60p) which will make the movie silky smooth and can be used for slow motion as well. P2HD Flash = This refers a new flash media P2 Cards that are used on professional camcorders to record High Definition videos. External Mic Jack = This means that this camcorder is equipped with an external microphone jack or terminal to input an external microphone. There are a wide range of external microphones to choose from including wireless, surround sound, and others. An external microphone will improve the sound recording of your video. It bypasses the built in microphones. 3D Ready = This means that this camcorder is capable of recording either normal HD video (2D) or can record in 3D with the use of an optional 3D Lens. Video can be played back on a 3D TV with 3D glasses. Sony Balanced Optical Image Stabilization (click for video) Balanced Optical SteadyShot™ = Sony for 2014-2016 introduced a new type of image stabilization that claims to be 13 times better at dampening camera shake than previous models. The sample footage looks extremely steady. This will allow you to zoom in on subjects without the typical bounce you see in videos, and can help in low light situations. It may replace a Steadycam for some situations. , and we feel it is a feature that will be much appreciated for handheld shots, especially in low light. Available on the Sony FDR-AX53 (2016-2017) and Sony FDR-AX33 (2015-2016) 4K Camcorders. EVF Viewfinder = Most camcorders today do not have a viewfinder, but use their LCD screen to compose video. However, some high end camcorders do have an Electronic Viewfinder (EVF). The advantage of having an EVF is to use the viewfinder in bright sun, where the LCD may be hard to see. Related: Best Rated Camcorders with EVF Viewfinder Built-in WIFI = This feature allows your camcorder to send video over your WIFI network to the internet, transfer files, and on some models control the camcorder from a smart device such as a SmartPhone, tablet, or laptop. Related: Best Rated Camcorders with Wireless WiFi Connectivity

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