Need a cheap replacement MiniDV camcorder to play back your old tapes? If you want a Canon, you'll soon be SOL. Canon has gone all flash -- no more MiniDV, no more DVD, no more hard disk drive. All Canon's new camcorders are all flash-based. The only non-flash model left is the HV40, the company's superior HDV (high-def) MiniDV-based camcorder.

All nine of the company's new HD camcorders have a touch LCD screen and focus follow -- identify a subject, and the camcorder keeps it/them in focus as long as it/they are in the frame -- smart auto exposure like in its digital still cameras, Dynamic SuperRange optical image stabilization that compensates for hand shakes even when zooming close, 2- , 4- and 8-second video snapshots that you can create a video slide show out of, and all have both built-in memory and an SD card slot. If your card gets filled, the camcorder keeps recording onto the built-in memory.

The bargain of the lot is the entry level model, the HF R100, priced at just $500. They'll all go on sale in March or April.