Left: Most of the weight of compact camcorders is supported by the right hand on the hand-grip, leaving the fingers and thumb clear to operate the on-off and power-zoom buttons.

Compact video camera case holds compact camcorder, digital or 35mm camera and accessories.

A four-conductor version is often used in compact camcorders and portable media players, and sometimes also in laptop computers and smartphones, providing stereo sound plus a video signal.

In all, the video capabilities are an improvement over the iPhone 3GS, and will likely replace a compact camcorder for some users.

You can find some incredibly sophisticated features in these compact camcorders: 30X zoom, image stabilization, big screens, long battery life, zero-light filming, built-in video lights and brilliant, spectacular color.

The tests also covered special high-performance tapes intended for Super-VHS recorders, as well as cassettes for compact camcorders.

The chief advantage of this format is that manufacturers can produce more compact camcorders, sometimes small enough to fit in a coat pocket.

Most compact camcorders now operate in the 8-millimeter format.

In a class by itself is the ultra-sophisticated Canon L1 ($2,999), the first compact camcorder with interchangeable lenses and near-professional capabilities.

Despite their astounding capabilities, compact camcorders of either format are still shunned by many buyers who favor the cumbersome models that accept full-size VHS cassettes.