First things first: There's a lot to like about a high-def camcorder that shoots 720p and 1080p video and sells for around $185. So my first impression would be to like the DXG-595V. And I do—though with a slew of reservations. For a price like this you assume there are compromises and limitations. And there are.

The DXG-595V is a hand-sized camcorder weighing a little more than half a pound. That is a blessing and a curse; I took it on a hike up Sleeping Giant Mountain one afternoon—just shoving it into my pants pocket. But small also means it's difficult to hold steady. Without the mass of a heavier and larger shooter, there's little you can do to keep it from bobbing and weaving, especially when you're zoomed in.

Read our full, hands-on preview on Gearlog.com.

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