Four great camcorders for summer

Sometimes pictures aren't enough to capture some of those special summer moments. Here's a rundown on four camcorders for any type of summer vacation and holiday:

1. Kodak Zx1 HD Pocket Video Camera: For a basic digital mini-camcorder, you can't beat the price of the Kodak Zx1 HD. Capturing video at 720p HD resolution, this pocket-sized camcorder takes decent video and has a rugged design for those looking for some adventure this summer. Plus, along with basic black and blue, its available in fresh summery colors yellow and red. Mac buyers, beware, because the video software is only compatible on Windows PCs.  (Lowest Price: $137.99)
2. Flip Video MinoHD: While you might be getting all excited for the Flip UltraHD, don't forget about the Flip Video MinoHD from last year. If you're going to be on-the-go this summer, but you still want people to follow your videos all the time, this might be the choice for you as this model has one-touch video uploading to YouTube, AOL, and MySpace. CNET reports it takes solid quality video at 720p, and it's ultra-slim, making it easy to pack when traveling. (Lowest Price: $209.00)
3. Panasonic HDC-HS300: If you're looking for higher-end, the Panasonic HDC-HS300 is fresh on the market. Digital Trends reports that this Panasonic model is a "solid all-around performer," with good color quality and it records in records in 1080p. However, the touchscreen is on the small side, which Camcorder Info also criticizes as annoying for advanced users, but just fine for beginners. (Lowest Price: $1049.00)
4. Sony Handycam HDR-XR520V: This would be the supreme summer travel camera, as the Sony Handycam HDR-XR520V has a small frame, built-in GPS system and 250GB internal hard drive. Plus, the video quality is great too, with full HD 1920x1080 resolution and improved CMOS sensor. But if you really like to direct and control your videos, you should note that there is no manual aperture/shutter control on this model, and there are conflicting reports (Videomaker, Camcorder Info) on how well the video shows up in low-light settings. (Lowest Price: $1059.00)