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Falling prices and rising capacities have made flash memory a very tempting alternative to an internal hard disk. Flash memory is smaller, lighter, more power efficient, and less prone to data loss if you drop the camcorder. However even the HF10's 16GB of storage can't match up to 40GB hard disk models, but with three hours of

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recording time on the highest 17Mbit/s quality setting, it's still easily sufficient for most users. If not, then you can supplement the internal memory using an SDHC memory card.

One downside of both flash and hard disk camcorders is that you have to archive the footage from the camcorder when you're finished. Sony's hybrid models can use their built-in DVD drive for this purpose, but with the Canon HF10 you'll need to use your PC to burn the footage to DVDs, alternatively there's a one-touch DVD burner available, the DW100.

The HF10, and the memory card only HF100, are both AVCHD camcorders that can record full 1080p footage at either 24 or 30 frames per second. We should see both these models on sale over the next couple of months, but UK prices have yet to be confirmed.

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