What's Hot

Panasonic camcorder makes tape loading easy

I tend to like Sony and Canon camcorders, but the Panasonic PV-DV73 MiniDV camcorder ($700) ranks right up there with some of its competitors in its price range.

The DV73 comes with an 8-megabyte SD memory card (it uses a Multimedia memory card as well) for still photographs. The lens is a 10X optical lens for decent close-up work. And surprise of surprises, there is a built-in light under the lens that you can turn on in a pinch - something available only separately on its competitors.

Images were never as good as on the Sonys or Canons in this camcorder's price range. But the images were good enough for family filming for transfer to VHS videotape or the Internet.

What I liked most about the DV73 was that the tape compartment is inside the camera opposite the 3.5-inch LCD screen rather on the bottom of the camcorder. On some camcorders, you need to remove the device from a tripod in order to switch tapes - an annoying inconvenience if you're trying not to miss too much of an event you're taping.

Information: 800-211-7262 or www.panasonic.com