1. JVC GZ-MG505 - RECYCLE YOUR TAPES
The MG505 records directly to an internal 30GB hard drive that stores up to seven hours of high-resolution wide-screen video. No tapes or discs needed. There are cheaper hard-drive-based camcorders on the market, but none matches the 505's video quality. The secret is a three-chip sensor that splits the incoming signal into three channels of light—red, green, and blue—and records each color separately. Once the drive is full, you download, edit, and store footage on your computer. Bonus: A still mode lets you capture five-megapixel photos on the hard drive or a memory card. $1,300; jvc.com
2. Nikon D200 - SHOOT LIKE A PRO
Trickle-down technology seems more like a flood in this digital SLR, which comes with professional-level features typically found on models that cost three times as much: a high-resolution 10.2-megapixel sensor, a dust-sealed magnesium-alloy body, five-frames-per-second shooting speed, wireless capabilities, a sophisticated 11-area autofocus system, and a battery "fuel gauge" that helps you avoid power failures at critical times. Cameras with this much going on can feel bulky in the hand, but the D200 is amazingly ergonomic and sleek. $1,700 (body only); nikonusa.com
3. Kodak EasyShare V610 - GET CLOSER
Save room in your cargo shorts for this wildlife- and travel-friendly digicam. The 6.1-megapixel V610 takes advantage of a unique dual-lens design to offer the equivalent of a 10x optical zoom, which yields higher quality than a digital zoom and reaches out to an astounding 380mm (film equivalent)—easily enough to capture hippos from a safe distance. Despite its slim, lightweight design, the V610 comes with smart upgrades like a larger-than-average 2.8-inch LCD screen and built-in Bluetooth technology for wireless image transfer. $400; kodak.com
