Analog camcorders record video and audio signals as an analog track on video tape (VHS, 8mm, Hi-8, etc.), and the media is cheaper to buy than digital. Unfortunately, every time you make a copy of a tape, it loses some image and audio quality. Also, analog camcorders tend to have fewer extra capabilities than digital camcorders. Analog camcorders record between 200 to 400 lines.

Digital camcorders differ from analog camcorders in that they record information digitally, as "bytes." Digital video can also be downloaded, edited and played on a computer and posted to the Web. It can be recorded onto Flash Memory, Digital8 and MiniDVs, as well as other digital media. Digital video has a much better resolution than analog video, typically 500+ lines.