CANON MiniDV Camcorder XM2

I have had the camera for over two years and have used it regularly for corporate product/sales promotional work to dvd and a few weddings. It has never let me down. The sound quality is excellent and I often go with voice mode on the microphone for Vox Pop material - it shuts down a lot of the background noise. Best of all is it's portability - moving around and between people easily on a good lightweight tripod - particularly good for weddings where you don't want to be too conspicuous. The zoom is fantastic and more than adequate for all the filmwork - corporate or private. A great all-rounder which will deliver for most pro work on a budget and provide you with stunning home videos.

Stunning video quality with vivid colours. I had read reviews that complained of motor noise: I have noticed this once in quiet conditions, but it was easily overcome by reducing the volume on the (powerful!) microphone. The video footage looks almost broadcast quality on a TV screen. It is quite heavy and front-loaded: you have to get the knack of how to hold it and your wrist will ache pretty quickly if you hold like a "handycam". The still images are middling in quality, but you don't buy this camcorder for its stills features. I'm glad I bought it, and you'll be constantly trying to find excuses to go somewhere interesting to use it!

I use this camera to video weddings on a professional basis and it has never let me down after 5 years. Easy to use and perfect picture quality. Sound is great aswell. Only slight niggle is the zoom feature which has 3 speeds but tricky to stay at 1 speed zoom if required.