5 Best 1080p Camcorder | Sony HDRCX405 vs Canon VIXIA HF G20

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The G20 gives you professional-quality video in low light that other camcorders at this price simply cannot touch.

This is the camcorder for you if you film in dimly lit rooms, like weddings, band performances, or evening family events. It uses a larger 1/3-inch HD CMOS Pro sensor that captures 24 MP stills, while the Canon VIXIA HF R800 has 3.28 MP effective still resolution. The sensor delivers visibly cleaner video when the lights go down, and an 8-blade iris (the shutter inside the lens that controls light) creates a more natural blur in the background. Unlike the Sony HDRCX405 below, this one gives you both a microphone input and a headphone jack so you can monitor audio while recording.

Owners mention that the “Canon renewed camcorder works like new” and describe it as “compact, easy-to-use hi-def camera with good picture and audio.” The 10x optical zoom range (30.4mm-304mm equivalent) is shorter than the 30x zoom on the Sony models, so it is better suited for controlled indoor shots than distant wildlife. It also includes 32GB of internal memory, which means you can start recording immediately without buying a memory card first. One honest reviewer cautions that their refurbished unit had audio issues, so inspect the sound on arrival.

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The R800 packs a 32x optical zoom that pulls distant subjects into clear view without the digital grain.

If you film sports from the bleachers or your child’s school play from the back row, this is the camcorder you want. It uses a 32x optical zoom instead of the Canon VIXIA HF G20’s 10x lens, and it pairs that with a 57x advanced digital zoom versus the G20’s 40x. The Super Range OIS image stabilization helps keep your footage steady when you are zoomed all the way in, which is crucial because any hand shake gets magnified at long focal lengths.

Buyers like that it “fits nicely in hand and very lightweight” and call it a “great first camcorder” with “excellent zoom with auto-focus.” Still, the effective still resolution is 3.28 MP, while the G20 delivers 24 MP, so the video will not look as sharp in dim light. It is a straightforward machine — automatic exposure control, no touchscreen — that prioritizes reach over bells and whistles. One note: it does not come with a battery, so you will need to buy an LP-E6 battery pack separately.

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A surprisingly capable entry-level camcorder that includes a microphone jack and headphone output for serious audio.

The R600 is the most affordable way to get into a dedicated camcorder that still lets you attach an external microphone and monitor audio with headphones — a rare combination at this tier. The 3-inch touchscreen makes navigation simple, and the 57x advanced digital zoom lets you get closer than any other camcorder here on paper. But remember, this zoom is digital, not optical, so the image will look grainier the further you push it compared to the optical zoom on the Sony models.

Customers note it “has been great for school video class” and call it a “nice beginner to intermediate type camera.” The effective video resolution is 1080 Pixels, versus 1920 x 1080 on the Sony HDRCX405. It uses SD memory cards (not included), and one reviewer received a unit that was “very scratched up and well used,” so check the condition carefully when it arrives. If you want optical zoom without the digital grain, the R800 is a better step up.

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A pocket-sized camcorder that gives you 30x optical zoom and optical stabilization, but no microphone input.

The HDRCX405 is built for travel and everyday family moments where you want good zoom without carrying a heavy bag. It records Full HD 1080p at 60 frames per second using the XAVC S codec (a modern video compression format that saves more detail, similar to a high-quality video file type) at 50Mbps so you get smooth, detailed video. The 30x optical Zeiss lens with 26.8mm wide-angle lets you capture both wide group shots and zoomed-in action. Its Optical SteadyShot stabilization in Active mode reduces the shake from walking much better than the standard stabilization on budget camcorders.

Unlike the Canon VIXIA HF G20, this Sony lacks an external microphone input, so the built-in mic is your only option. The effective still resolution is 9.2 MP, which is lower than the G20’s 24 MP but higher than the R800’s 3.28 MP. For content creation and on-the-go recording, this is a very capable small package, but pass on it if you need top audio quality.

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The HDRCX440 adds Wi-Fi and live-streaming to the same compact 30x zoom body that made the CX405 popular.

If you want the portability of the Sony HDRCX405 but need to stream live on Ustream or transfer footage wirelessly, this is your pick. The core hardware is nearly identical — a 30x optical Zeiss lens, 60x Clear Image Zoom, Optical SteadyShot stabilization, and a 2.7-inch Clear Photo Plus LCD display. The add-ons here are Wi-Fi and NFC, which let you connect to your smartphone for remote zoom control and instant file backups. It also has a built-in HDMI micro port to play video directly on a TV.

Reviewers point out it is “lightweight” and “easy to use” with “great wedding footage,” though one buyer notes the body “feels cheap but works well.” The effective still resolution sits at 9.2 MP, and the effective video resolution is 1080 Pixels. Unlike the G20, there is still no microphone jack, so audio quality depends on the built-in mic. One reviewer points out that it uses a manual lens cover and has no dedicated on/off switch — the screen opening and closing controls the power. For the convenience of wireless transfer and remote control from your phone, it is a sensible step up from the CX405.