First determine if you want to have HD qualit. I would strongly suggest purchasing a camera that shoots HD. Check the reviews for motor and or tape noise if you do go with a true DV tape camcorder. Also, when look into flash memory, larger is better! What size card does it read upto?
In decreasing order of importance:
- preferred storage medium (removable flash-memory/NO-moving-parts)
- best optical zoom lens range (largest X)
- best low light sensitivity (lowest Lumens/Lux)
- best resolution (greatest MegaPixels)
- best warranty/customer-service
- other features (like shock/water/weather-resistance, ...)
- cost/price
- preferred name-brands (like Sony, Panasonic, JVC, ...)
Personally, we went with a Sony MemoryStick hand-held/palm-sized model.