Movies Made Easy

Digital video cameras now come in more flavors than ever, ranging from $30 disposables to pricey models that record to DVD instead of digital tape. But for artful documentation of family fun, the sweet spot belongs to midrange cams, priced as low as $300. Thanks to tech advancesand free editing softwareany kid or parent can indulge a filmmaking jones at modest cost, with great results. Our director's guide:

STICK WITH SIMPLICITY Basic models from top brands like Sony, Canon and JVC deliver color quality that's just as good as higher-end alternatives. Forget costly features like internal storage or...