Sony Handycam HVR-A1E Camcorder - Black

This is the smallest camcorder on the market that allows broadcasting quality production. It is ideal for independent documentary makers and journalists. It has limits and wouldn't be useful in a multicamera studio situation, but there just isn't anything else on the market that is so small and solid and yet produces image and sound quality that is this good. Perfect if you want to film professionally while pretending to be a tourist taking amateur footage. The design is fairly comfortable so it's easy to use in awkward situations, whether you are on the back of a pick up jumping on a bumpy dirt track or running away form danger. Add a simple monopod and large battery and you have the basic essential to produce good documentary material. I wish it had zoom, focus and aperture as three rings on the lens, but one can't have everything!

A very compact model suitable for in-the-midst-of-the-action shots although the downside to this is that it is a little too small to brace steadily hand-held.
Excellent functionality hidden in the touch screen menu, assignable buttons & XLR inputs. As with most HD of this price range the Lux rating lets it down but overall a great on the fly camera.