Digital Video Camera & Camcorder Review

So here’s another interesting Camcorder that will surely attract “eyeballs” out there. The Hitachi DZ-HS300A which is priced at $599.00 MSRP right now features an emerging trend of dual media video recording that can go to both 8 GB HDD or into DVDs. This is so much helpful especially for those who have always dreamed a high definition camcorder that could record a whole day affair.

YOu can record to DVD, offering not only the usual sub-20 minutes of recording time at its highest-quality setting – but this Hitachi DZ-HS300A extends that recording time beyond 100 minutes and not only that you may also dub the video footage from the HDD to your preferred DVD in camera.

This camcorder is definitely for consumers who are looking for something to mash the DVD. However, the menus respond slowly, the camcorder offers only a basic entry-level feature set and control interface points awkwardly sideways.

Sad to say there are attributes that causes the resolution to get way below quality. But for many casual and amateur shooters who want a tase of DVD camcorders but would also like to have the flexibility of longer recording times, the DZ-HS300A should be a vert good option.

If you are a person who welcomes incovenience with open arms, then this is the camcorder that will suit your lifestyle. There are times wasted just switching back and forth between the convoluted menu button configuration and LCD or viewfinder. Deleting some clips could be a hassle as you have to press the disc navigation in DVD, HDD or the SD mode so you can just scroll through the thumbnails.
Hitachi, like this DZ-HS300A’s main menu and manual control interface is inside the LCD cavity which makes it difficult for the users to access it while shooting. This is one of the reasons why other camcorder manufacturers have moved away from such design. On the other hand, we can salute Hitachi’s menu structure as it is intelligently designeds since some controls are user friendly.

If this Hitachi DZ-HS300A is placed in non-stop full auto mode, its battery life can last 90 to 100 minutes. In order to connect the AC adapter/charger, the DZ-BP07PW battery pack must be removed from the sliding enclosure. So if you notice that your battery life is about to give up and you are in the middle of shooting your baby’s priceless moment, then you must power off, grab your extension cord, find the nearest outlet, plug again, and attempt to grasp the leftovers of a monumental cinematic experience. Whew!!

Buy the Hitachi DZ-HS300A @ Amazon

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The Panasonic HDC-DX1 Mini DVD HD Camcorder is one of the three DVD-based HD cams that is now available in the United States. The other two DX1 are created by Sony. This is a sure-buy digital camcorder as it has everything you wished a camcorder should have. As they say, “it’s meat on its bones.”

Here are some of the special features that may convince you in getting one:

• Scene Modes – This is a special feature of HDC-DX1 which allows special recording mode to automatically switch in order to shoot quality images and videos for specific lighting situations.Fades – this feature is found in the video menu and available in both black and white.
• Fades – this feature is found in the video menu and available in both black and white.
• Back Light Compensation - BLC for short can be found on page 1 of the joystick menu. This is easily recognized as the sun icon. BLC automatically brightens the overall exposure of the image to compensate for backlit subjects.
• Soft Skin Mode - This feature automatically lowers contrast in “skin-toned” regions of the frame, and helps in smoothing out wrinkles and blemishes.
• MagicPix – The shutter speed automatically drops below 1/60 in accordance with available light during shooting. This increases the light gathering ability of the camcorder although images recorded at slow shutter speeds will have a stuttered, slow shutter appearance.
• Tele Macro - This option simply moves the optical zoom to 12x telephoto mode and auto focuses on objects in the foreground.
• Dolby 5.1 Surround Sound - The Panasonic onboard mic supports Dolby 5.1 Surround Sound.
• Zoom Microphone - The sound is recorded at higher levels when the zoom magnification is high, and when its low, audio is recorded at lower levels.
• Wind Cut – This feature can be used in windy environments as it reduces the effects of wind noise on the built-in microphone by filtering out low frequency sounds.

This camcorder features three 1/4″ CCDS and each has 560,000 gross pixels that automatically reduces to a pixel count of about 520,000. It captures to a maximum of 13Mbps and great move from the tape era. The images taken by this camcorder have a lot of strength and character as it has 3000 lux.

If still pictures are the main concern, then there is no problem with the Panasonic HDC-DX1 as it provides superb results; however, it is also a camcorder and that is where it falls a little short. There are some afterimage trailing and this can be seen even if the motion was caught in bright light.

Professionals also observed that the HDC-DX1 produced approximately a vertical resolution of 600 lw/ph and a horizontal resolution of 600 line widths per picture height (lw/ph). The standard accessories are included upon purchase:

-VW-VBG260 Battery Pack
-AC Adapter
-DC Cable
-AV Cable
-Component Cable
-AC Cable
-Remote Control
-Button-type Battery
-USB Cable

Buy the Panasonic HDC-DX1 @ Amazon

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Some good things come in small packages and this holds true with Panasonic’s SDR-S10. The camcorder just weighs 0.40 lbs, black colored and believe it or not, it’s water resistant. The camcorder is also cheap as it only costs around $399.00. Like other what technology has done for other camcorders, this Panasonic SDR-S10 is also drop-protected from 4 feet to the floor. So no more worries if it fell off from a table.

Continue reading ‘Panasonic SDR-S10 Camcorder Review’

An update to the Sanyo HD1, the Sanyo Xacti VPC-HD2 is an original camcorder when it comes the tastes of the consumer market. Valued at $699.00, it is considered less expensive if you compare it with other camcorders with the same specifications and functionality.

See the HD2 at Amazon.

Among its special feature are:

• Image Stabilization (A-B)
• Flicker Reduction Mode
• Wind Noise Reduction
• Noise Reduction
• Non-Expandable Battery

Continue reading ‘First Impression on Sanyo Xacti VPC-HD2′

The Sony DCR-DVD108 DVD Handycam takes your video shooting experience to a new level. With its USB 2.0 connection1 and built-in Memory Stick Duo media slot you are able to show to your friends and family the video you have captured right after you have taken them. The Carl Zeiss Vario-Tessar Lens with 40x optical/2000x digital zoom helps any amateur user get into the action as if he’s very near. The quality of the resolution is undoubtedly superb with its Super SteadyShot technology and Super NightShot feature.

Continue reading ‘Superb Sony DCR-DVD108 DVD Handycam Camcorder’

Sony has introduced another camcorder gadget in their latest Consumer Electronics Show held in Las Vegas. The Sony DCR-HC48 which is said to be the answer to the HC-46’s imperfections (not so good low-light shooting and blue noise). Prospective buyers can go try the Sony DCR-HC48 and check out the LCD to make sure that it does not have any blue noise when played.

Continue reading ‘Latest than Ever: Sony DCR-HC48′

This newly released Canon ZR850 is the top model in Canon’s Mini DV line this 2007. Although there’s not much difference when compared to other Canon camcorders in the past this Camcorder is making it’s way to putting more of the output to DVD like other hard dive-based models. This Canon ZR850 showcases a palm-friendly design with an amazing and helpful zoom of 25x to 35x. Canon made it sure that users will be delighted with the color results including the resolution.

What is also very attractive with the physical design of this ZR850 is that all controls are easily reachable by the thumb. So there is no excuse in using both hands just to record special events. The menu is very easy to learn with just one press of the function button, all the options will appear. You can also have the digital effects only digital still cameras have before.

Continue reading ‘Quality that’s Easy on the Budget’

Panasonic is again in its optimum pride as it introduces the new VDRD150B. It has one of the world’s most powerful and aggressive zoom power with 30X optical zoom. And it is a sure high-quality performance with an SD slot, External charge, Super Image Stabilizer, with Multi-Format Recording DVD-RAM/-RW/-R, RAM and USB 2.0.

With its compatibility for three DVD-RAM/ - RW / -R there is an increased interchangeability for users of the camcorder. All there is to use is an existing AV equipment or a personal computer. This provides more usability, lack of restrictions and satisfaction for buyers even after they are done shooting.

Continue reading ‘The Action is Right in Your Hands with Panasonic VDR-D150′