This is pretty good value given it offers 720p image quality, thats the lower of the hi-definition ranges but considerably better than DVD quality camcorders. Video is much sharper.
Its very easy to use and the battery lasts 3 hours 20 minutes before it needs recharging.
Downsides - Poor in low light. Focusing is slow, it can take ages to get the video in focus sometimes which is annoying.
3 stars then but the focusing is a problem. 2nd problem is at full zoom the image stabiliser stutters, so you're best using less than 10x optical if possible.
The quality is similar to many compact cameras that now offer an HD video mode and I found it nearly identical to my panasonic ZX1 for quality apart from the extra zoom which was useful at time, but the panansonic was much quicker to focus.