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Another complaint is that there is no manual focus. I originally bought the camera, along with a 4 GB memory card, for $160. Users must rely on the automatic focus, which is often poor in low light conditions. It turns out it was well-spent cash.For non-professional and personal use, the camera does pretty much everything you could ask for. This is not to say the camera doesn't have limitations. The "DVD" version is pretty comparable to that quality, but is a bit larger. The camera has several different modes: Video camera, still camera, my files and an options menu.
The third format is High Definition, which is designed for viewing on HD TVs. All files are digitally recorded on the memory card and there is no tape.The "Web" mode shoots video designed for upload to YouTube and is a smaller format, allowing you to easily e-mail the file. When looking at this video on the computer, there isn't too much of a difference from the DVD quality, but the file is huge. It would also make a great gift for a younger person.
The headline pretty much says it all. All video and photos shot are available in the "my files" mode. The auto white balance works well, but I still prefer to do so manually (it only takes a second). As mentioned, though audio quality with the built-in microphone is good, it does not have a port to plug in an external mic. The flip-out LCD screen rotates so you can actually shoot video of yourself. It's inexpensive, but functional for the casual user. It shoots quality video in three different size versions. On that note, the camera tends to have trouble adjusting its iris and overexposes when there is a mostly dark shot with one or two hot spots (ex: sunlight coming in through a window).
The camera boots up quickly and holds a battery charge for roughly an hour when in video mode. I've actually self-produced several news standups in DVD mode that were usable for television, although the audio was not very good because the camera lacks a microphone input.Perhaps the best thing about this camera is its ease of use. The camera shoots its best video in moderate lighting conditions.Overall, I enthusiastically recommend the device. He or she could actually use the camera, and you won't be spending a fortune on it.
this piece of junk dosent pick up sounds very well,then ater 2 months it didnt pick up sounds at all,and it dosen't zoom in that good,then the joy stick broke,then the speaker cover fell off,no wonder this cam corder was only $100
Great hd picture and when used with lab studios its possible to get 1080i film quality videos with some filtering. A defenite must buy.
The mic on it is meant for indoors, don't expect good quality if you're outside even if it's quiet. This is a decent camcorder for the price. The other problem is the battery (btw Amazon does not stand behind their products, they refer you to the manufacturer). I like the way you can hold it and the fact that it uses SD cards, the quality is certainly NOT HD though. Its a little grainy. The battery quit holding a charge after 3 or 4 months, now it dies immediately after being charged. I hope a REAL company makes a similar camcorder as a similar price.
The camera detects static as a scene change and stops the capture so I am not able to import it with this camera, which is one of the things I was really hoping to do.As far as the loose battery goes, I put a little cardboard shim in there to hold it in place right off the bat. Also, I have a shaky hand, and the lack of image stabilization may ultimately be the undoing of this camera as a long term solution.I have been using it to try to import and capture some VHS footage, and I have been disappointed in that.
I'm using a macbook.I have had it for about a week and have shot a variety of subjects. I bought this camera to have something to take "quick and dirty" HD videos, like at family events of random topics.
Videos import easily into the macbook as the camera is recognized as an external hard drive, and the files are quicktime compatible and can be pulled into imovie easily.Shooting with most of the lights out or outdoors at night is not terribly productive. If the indoor subject is well lit the camera performs adequately.
Video ality in low light is better than it was with my fuji 6 MP P&S. I have a 4 year old video of my wedding that is reasonably poor in quality.
No problems there, even on a bumpy bike ride on my bicycle's tripod mount.For what I paid for it, I would buy it again, but I also got what I paid for.
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