Definition

• The most important question that will determine if you need a 1,080p camcorder over a 720p camcorder is whether you have the capacity to playback 1,080p videos. 1,080p, which is often referred to as full high definition, is nearly double the quality of 720p. You will only notice the difference between the two formats if your TV is capable of playing video at 1,080p. Some HDTVs can only play 720p. Video from a 1,080p camcorder will still play on a 720p TV, but it will appear at the same quality as video from a 720p camcorder. If you have a standard definition television, both 720p and 1080p video will appear at the 480p standard definition resolution.
  
  

Storage

• Higher quality video leads to larger file sizes. 1,080p video takes up roughly twice as much digital capacity as 720p video. This requires a larger storage device in your camcorder, otherwise 1,080p video will fill up the available storage twice as quickly as 720p video. You will need a larger hard drive on your computer, or more portable media, to store your video once you remove it from your camcorder. If you want to save space with option of highest resolution, most 1,080p camcorders can shoot in 720p resolution.
  
  

Price

• The price of full HD 1,080p camcorders has become more competitive with the price of 720p camcorders. The 720p camcorder, on average, is still less expensive. Additionally, you may need to purchase a larger memory card for your camcorder and more storage capacity for your computer if you plan to shoot a lot of 1,080p video.
  
  

Workability

• The 720p video format is a simple format to work with on a computer, especially compared to 1,080p video. Due to its smaller data size, 720p video transfers more quickly from your camcorder to your computer, or from your computer to an external storage device. The lower resolution format also requires less processing power to edit. Older or less powerful computers, such as laptops, will generally work better with 720p video. Less powerful computers can handle 1,080p video, but overall performance will diminish.