The Canon Vixia HF R40 (MSRP $399) is an HD camcorder that delivers quality video on the cheap. It’s an updated version of the HF R30, one of last year’s best value camcorders. Sitting squarely in the middle of Canon’s entry-level lineup, the R40 comes with a slightly redesigned look, more Wi-Fi integration, and a new 1080/60p recording mode. It has good image quality in daylight and excellent battery life, plus ample extra features.

Smartphones may be eating away at the market share of camcorders like this one, but anyone upgrading from smartphone-caliber HD video will appreciate the HF R40’s image stabilization and mighty 32x zoom. There’s also the matter of expandability — instead of robbing your phone of precious internal space normally used for apps and music, the R40 includes 8 GB of built-in storage, plus an SDXC memory card slot.

This camcorder’s minimal design is definitely geared toward casual users who are happy to rely on automatic modes — this is not for videographers who want manual control. That said, there are some smartphone-esque extra features that add utility. It supports Canon’s CameraAccess app for iOS and Android. It basically turns your phone or tablet into a remote control for the HF R40, and also allows video streaming straight to your phone or tablet of choice. The app is a little slow to respond, but tolerable. Also new to the HF R40 is Remote Browse, which lets you wirelessly download videos to your computer, or play them through a Web browser.

If you find that you shoot a lot of video, making the move to a Canon R-series camera is a no-brainer. It’s an excellent choice for the beginner videographer who wants to capture priceless memories without overtaxing their smartphone.