The Samsung HMX-R10 has one of the most unusual designs we’ve come across. The compact camcorder features a tilted lens, pointing upwards, so you can hold the camcorder more comfortably.  It also boasts a 1/2,33-inch CMOS sensor, shoots in full HD at 1080/50i and takes 9 Megapixel stills—the same as the GZ-X900—and records to SD & SDHC memory cards. It is also one of the best dual camcorders we have tested in 2009, and for £350 a nice and affordable mid-range camcorder.

Panasonic really went to town updating the internal specs for its new mid-range HD camcorder line. The HDC-SD60 features a larger, 1/4.1-inch CMOS sensor, and it includes a 25x optical zoom lens (up from 16x on last year's models).

The HF S21 is Canon's flagship camcorder for 2010. The camcorder has the same lens and sensor as last year's HF S series from Canon, but this new model includes an impressive 3.5-inch LCD touchscreen, as well as a handy electronic viewfinder. The HF S21 also features—for the first time in AVCHD—a native 24p record mode.

The JVC Everio GZ-HM1 is the company's new flagship camcorder. This model borrows heavily from the excellent features found on last year's GZ-HM400, while introducing a couple new ideas for 2010. Among the numerous improvements you'll see this year are an Advanced Image Stabilizer and back-illuminated sensor.

The Kodak Playsport Zx3 represents a big upgrade over last year's Zx1 from Kodak, and it also poses a significant threat to the ultracompact camcorder market currently dominated by the Flip. The Zx3 offers Full 1920 x 1080 HD video, 5-megapixel still image capability, HDMI-output, and an SD/SDHC card slot—oh yeah, it's also waterproof (up to 3 meters).

The Everio GZ-HM400 is JVC´s top camcorder, and a much more advanced version of the X900. Both have more or less the same specs, but the HM400 includes 32GB of internal flash memory and all the manual controls that were missing on the X900. There is even a magnificent control dial for focus and a stellar zoom rocker. The Laser Touch System continues to be frustrating for more advanced operation, but the HM400 is otherwise an impressive camcorder.