5 comments about Canon Optura 300 MiniDV Camcorder.

1. I bought this camera as a supplement to by TRV80 to use on hiking trips in the southwest when space and weight are a factor. I love the picture quality and the 2 megapixel shots are definitely better than sony's although not quite as good as a dedicated digicam at the same resolution. As for why I chose this unit over the Sony's 330, it was largely due to price. I could buy two of these cameras for the cost of the sony and since I do not need the hotshue or the minor increase in still resolution, I felt the Canon was more cost effective. I should point out that the rest of this review will focus on problems I had with the unit. I can't be sure if these negatives are common with vertical compacts like this or if the issues are Canons alone so I will let you be the judge. Also, if you are planning to use a tripod or have a way to brace this camera while shooting, most of what I am about to say will be irrelevant. However, if you are using it on the go and will be taking action shots or using it at maximum telephoto range, you may be disappointed.

   Location of Microphone - It is located on the top of the viewfinder (by the way, the viewfinder is fixed and cannot be adjusted). Up until now, I did not notice that I breathe heavily as it never factored into my other videos. This unit had me holding my breath while I shot so I did not ruin the scene.

   Location of Zoom - This problem will vary with the size of someone's hands but I found it to be difficult to operate and hold the camera steady unless I used my pinky to control the zoom. My hands are small and I needed the top three fingers to steady the camera while I moved it. This problem is further exacerbated by tendancy of the zoom too move to quickly if not properly controlled.

   Photo/Tape switch - A seperate switch is used to move between the SD card and the Tape. Sony integrates this function on the start-up dial switch which makes it easier to remember to turn to the desired setting when turning the camera on. As it was, if I had last used the photo setting and turned the camera off and then wanted to shoot video, I almost always screwed-up and started recording in MPEG format on the SD. Not a terrible problem but it wastes time and may cause you to miss quick moving wildlife scenes.

   In fairness to the mechanical functioning of this unit, it probalby deserves four stars and not three. However, if you do not need the still camera feature, there are better cameras out there for your money and I just can't excuse the location of the microphone.




2. I bought this goodie for less than $700 bucks from onecall.com, an authorized canon dealer so this qualifies me to a get a free 128MB SD card.
   PROS: Really compact compared to lot of other cameras i compared with that had the same features, it really fits in my jacket pocket. Out door videos are amazingly great, had to be with 1.3MP of video quality, the other option i was looking at was sony 330 but that was way too pricey for me.
   Still shots are exceptional although you cannot compare it with a stand alone digital still.
   Menus are not complicated, even my wife can use it without hassels.
   I had read reviews about the motor noise from the tape but i found that it had absolutely no noise when you record at the desired sound level in a quite atmosphere.
   I know lot of reviews state that the microphone placement is bad as it sits right on top of the view finder but i didn't find this to be a serious problem as it picks up the subjects sound very well. The only problem with the mic placement is the sound variation when you speak vs. the subject speaking.
   Zooming capability is amazing, the zoom is really smooth when compared to sony.
   Image stability is excellent as long as you stay with in the optical zoom, once you hit the digital zoom(beyond 40X) you need to be really still, the manual provides you with few tips to increase the stability. Also, i rarely go to the digital zoom as 10X optical is more than enough for my use.
   lots of predefined shooting modes.
   This goodie provides a lot of digital effects.
   The previous review said that s/he acciendtly recorded MPEGs instead of DV, but the on screen icons give you a clear indication of the media you are recording on, so no problem their as long as you see the on screen info.
   LCD resolution is fantastic and i liked the fact that it is not too big, there by minimizing my battery drain.
   The best feature i personally like compared with sony pc101/105/109 is that this one has all its control on the body, sony has a touch screen menu option and you could mess up your screen if you are not really careful.
   Cons: The most outstanding problem i found with optura 300 is the low light recording. This provides 3 various low light recording but in the dark the super night shot mode any moving images create a drag effect and the recording resoultion is also grainy. Having said that the indoor + low light mode is adequate when shooting inside a home with no day light. The only problem is when it is pitch dark sony seems to be doing better.
   Battery life is terrible, the battery provided with canon lasts 30-40 minutes, so i had to go in for an upgrade on the battery.
   but i guess all camcorders have the same problem.
   Overall it is a great camcorder for indoor and outdoor use.



3. I would highly recommend this camera to anyone who is in the market for a camcorder. I purchased the optura 300 several months ago and have been utilizing it heavily ever since. The camera takes excellent movies of both indoor and outdoor events. I could not be happier with my choice. I did purchase a longer-lived battery which has worked out well. I keep the standard battery charged as a backup, but the larger battery has never died on me even during days that I shot a significant amount of footage.

   I would like to point out of few issues I have had with it:
   1) The instruction manual leaves much to the imagination, especially with how to download the recorded motion pictures onto a PC. There are many other gaps in the manual.

   2) This camera is not for the technologically challenged. I would guess that this is not limited to this specific camera, but is an issue with the entire class of cameras. To burn DVDs and do any kind of editing, the user must have a video capture card & firewire installed on their PC. In addition, downloading movies onto a PC requires LOTS of hard drive space. I installed a 2nd hard drive for this purpose. In addition I needed to install a DVD RW drive so I could burn DVDs. I also upgraded my RAM. Although all of these are easy installs in newer PC's, it can be a daunting task just for a person to figure out what is actually needed not to mention knowing how to actually install it. Combined with shortcomings in the manual, I could see this being fatal for some users. If you are technologically challenged, I would recommend the cameras that burn directly to DVD.

   3) At the extreme end of the zoom, the camera seems to have trouble focusing and is very shaky. This is not that big of an issue as long as the user keeps this in mind while framing the video.

   4) I am not really happy with the quality of the still images captured by this camera. These images can be saved onto a flash card or onto the digital tape. With perfect lighting, the images are good, but I have found that when the flash is needed, the images are completely over exposed. The red-eye reduction feature does not work at all to reduce red eye.

   Please do not let these negatives taint my review. I love this camera but I wanted to put all the issues that I have found with it out there.




4. I bought this camera just a day before my trip to Alaska and it worked out great. Since there was not much time to read the thick manual, the controls were intuitive enough to operate. The video quality was great.
   Pros:
   - Great size. Very compact
   - Great video quality with 2 Mega Pixals
   - Easy to operate.

   Cons:
   - Still pictures come better in light. Not good if the light is less
   - Red eye reduction does not seem to work well for still pictures
   - In the video, the sound recording seem to pick up wind and other noises more than you actually hear.
   - Some times still pictures are not in focus.




5. I bought this camcorder in the fall of 2003 (it is Jan 2005 as I write this). We bought it to take with us on our trip to Disney World. It replaced our Sony 8mm Steady Shot camcorder that we bought back in 1994. I wanted a camcorder that was small enough to pack into a belt pack. The old 8mm required a good-sized camera bag that was a pain to lug around places like Disney World.
   
   I really liked the fact that the camera could take still pictures too, as it meant there was a chance we wouldn't have to lug our Olympus D510 (2MP camera).
   
   It worked quite well for that trip. An added benefit of it being so small was the fact that I could bring it along on long hikes. I took it with us the next year when we went to South Dakota to hike the Black Hills & Badlands.
   
   Outdoors, this camera is excellent. The still photos are OK, I wouldn't recommend getting this camera to replace a camcorder AND digital camera, you won't be satisfied.
   
   Inside and in low-light, however, the camera leaves a lot to be desired. It is understandable, the small lens can only gather so much light. I would say that our older 8mm camera performs better in low light. For indoor shots, I usually try to make sure we have ample lighting. The lack of an acessory shoe on this camera prevents you from attaching one of those [annoying] video camera spotlights.
   
   The swing out LCD is the right size for viewing, it rotates around completely so you can use it for self-portraits, or just getting some really odd-angled shot (my relatively new Canon A85 has a similar LCD, though much smaller).
   
   The one thing that I find is the most useful as of late is something I did not research as a requirement when shopping for a camcorder. The Analog->Digital pass-through feature blew away two other Analog Video capture cards. My old Dell (4550) came with a video capture card that would drop numerous frames. I bought an ATI All-In-Wonder card to import all my old analog and it didn't even compare to the pass through on the canon. Now I connect my old 8mm to the Optura 300, set the video mode to pass through and capture the video through the 1394 port, storing as .avi (on a nice big drive).
   
   I've never used any of the funky digital effects. I would suggest saving your $$ and not making the inclusion/lack of effects part of your criteria for choosing a camcorder. You can do everything you need in your video editing software (I use Adobe Premiere Elements 1.0 now).
   
   Somehow I have become a Canon-Fan over the past few years. When I bought this camcorder it was the only Canon gadget I owned. This past year I added the Canon A85 and the Digital Rebel to my collection of digital toys. To add to that last note, I am 'looking' at another camcorder and am only looking at Canon models (the Optura Xi to be exact).
   
   I realize it might be late in the game to be rating this camera as the Optura 400 & 500 are out now. If you are researching those please take my experiences with Canon & the Optura line as positive notes on their offerings.

2 comments about Panasonic PVGS55 Ultra-Compact MiniDV Camcorder w/10x Optical Zoom.

1. WHAT I WAS LOOKING FOR:
   I bought this camera mainly because it was one of the most compact miniDV cameras on the market. It isn't probably as fancy looking as some of the other models, but any mathematician or scientist will tell you that boxy shapes maximise the internal volume while minimising the external dimensions. I.e. this camera isn't tall and thin like the sony cameras, and it doesn't have any lenses and viewfinders that stick out and waste space like the canons.
   
   I will be travelling around the world with this video camera, and all my stuff IS going to fit in a small 23 litre daypack. Sure, there are smaller cameras out there, but I wasn't keen on having one of vertical-styled microMV cameras, and the DVD cameras are relatively expensive and bulky (and I have read enough reviews about people who lost their entire footage when they finalised the disc - if that ever happened to me I would become enraged). Also, I found thath the 3CCD cameras on the market had a much shorter battery life compared to single CCD cameras. So all things/features considered, I chose this model...
   
   This is my first video camera, but I have taken probably about 3000 photos with my SLR film camera, so I'm hoping some of the same skills come in handy.
   
   I have used the camera for about 4 days. It has taken about three days to absorb all of the features, by reading through the manual with the camera on my lap. I'm sure the features are overwhelming for most people, but I urge you to study the manual to get the most out of it. At least know what all the symbols mean, as they can be very handy, for example: the time remaining on the tape, and generally knowing what modes and options you have selected. Probably the best way to learn how to use all the features is to pick it up and start playing with it... then go through the manual and see what you missed! That way you don't need to read how to do the easy stuff, which is tedious! The manual has lots of information, and I didn't find the menu system confusing as others have said.
   
   WHAT YOU GET IN THE BOX:
   - Video camera!
   - Cradle type charger + battery
   - Remote control
   - Stick style "remote" (mainly for audio dubbing)
   - AV cables
   - S-video cable
   - USB connection kit --- USB cable & USB driver & SD viewer --- this only downloads the pictures and videos from the SD card, so you will need a firewire card AND video editing software for capturing what's on the tape to your computer
   - Shoulder strap
   - Head cleaning tape + lens cap + cleaning cloth
   
   TECHNO-JARGAIN:
   ~ You can shooting low-resolution movies straight onto the SD card- for e-mailing, and sharing on the internet. A 512Mb card will hold well over 1 or 2 hours of footage @ 320x200 pixels
   ~ You can copy both stills and video from a tape to the SD card (but you get better results by recording either straight to the card).
   ~ You can take snapshots to the SD card while simultaneously recording to the tape.
   ~ You can shoot progressive snapshots onto the SD card.
   ~ The camera can be used as a webcam.
   
   LCD & VIEWFINDER:
   ~ When the LCD panel is flipped around 180 degrees (facing forward), the image inverts itself automatically! You can also select the recording to appear as a mirror...
   ~ The LCD panel also flips back more than 90° to something like 120°. This really helps you to access the menu buttons underneath, and I couldn't live without this feature!
   ~ Power LCD function... pressing this makes the LCD even brighter.
   ~ The viewfinder extends out from the camera... it took me 2 days to figure this out.
   ~ For 0 lux shooting, the LCD becomes a white panel which supplies light. It works okay for distances up to about a metre. (2-3 feet)
   ~ It has an electronic image stabiliser which works well to some extent.
   
   SPECIAL EFFECTS:
   ~ The colour nightshot function really brightens things up, albeit with a "time-lapse" sort of style.
   ~ You can manually set the shutter speed, exposure and/or focus... although it's probably easier to use auto focus mode.
   ~ You can have the option of having a time-lapse or stroboscopic modes. There are also mirror, stretch, slim, pixellate and multi-picture modes, although honestly, I don't find them to be useful.
   ~ Has mix & fade effects... learn how to use these... they are easy enough. But the wipe mode is too slow.
   ~ You can record with either B&W, negative, sepia or solarised effects.
   ~ You can focus as close as 4cm from the lens!! (<2")
   ~ "Tele macro" mode
   
   OTHER STUFF:
   ~ The palm grip belt can be unclipped and worn as a hand loop strap around your wrist, like a bracelet.
   ~ The red recording light on the front can be turned off.
   ~ All the sounds can be turned off, even the fake SLR shutter sound when taking still shots.
   ~ Quick start feature, although this sucks battery juice. While on the subject, the playback and recording menus use more power than the SD card menus, even when not playing or recording, as I can hear sounds coming from the unit. ;-)
   ~ The AC adapter works between 110-240V AC.
   
   NOT SO GOOD:
   ~ You can't charge the battery at the same time as using the camera under mains power.
   ~ You can't use the "still advance" function during playback without using the remote control.
   
   MORE INFORMATION:
   * The auto white balance doesn't always give the most faithful colour reproductions... I achieved better results by changing to the programmed A.E. modes. Especially indoors at night, change to manual mode, select "low light" for the programmed AE mode & "indoor lighting" for the white balance. This makes the colours appear vibrant and true to life... I was extremely pleased with the quality of the results!
   
   * Don't forget to load the audio codec which is included on the installation CD (bottom right option). Otherwise, you won't be able to view the videos on the SD card, or you'll end up hunting around for the appropriate codec on the internet for over half an hour like I did.
   
   * While the stills are only 640x480 resolution, this is adequate for internet usage, such as email and selling things on Ebay. I was quite impressed with the quality of the still shots, but the CCD does get a bit overwhelmed when the contrast is too high (the brightest regions sometimes wash out). It all depends where you are standing in relation to the light source. Regardless, the quality was good enough for what I want. When I want ultra-good photos, I'll use my trusty SLR film camera. (BTW some types of slide film are equivalent to 45megapixels!!!). Prior to this, when I wanted to sell something or send a quick photo to someone over the internet, I had to develop film.
   
   NOTE: This review applies to the Panasonic NV-GS55, which is the PAL equivalent of the PV-GS55 NTSC compatible video recorder.
   
   BOTTOM LINE: This is a terrific little camera, it has many features that I need, hardly any that I won't use, and they are all intuitively placed. I reckon it's a good compromise between size & quality. I have read other reviews of this camera; all I can say is there must be some extremely fussy & insatiable cameramen out there, especially in terms of low-light performance. Every still photographer knows you can't have your cake and eat it when it comes to low light situations.
   
   I hope this review was very helpful to you... don't forget to vote as I'm trying to become a top 5000 reviewer!



2. I bought this item used after a lot of research, and it was a bit of a gamble. After all, there's not a lot of info on it, as it seemed that it probably was only around for a year, and it was not an expensive camera at the time, but a somewhat budget 1-ccd camcorder.
   
   It has exceeded all of my expectations.
   
   First of all, I was worried about tape noise. I had a Sharp DV camcorder and the tape noise on the recordings was obnoxious. I almost bought a new Elura 100 or a new Optura 50, but I was put off by reviews which said that their tape noise was somewhat "to be expected on any DV camera." Well, this Panasonic has zero tape noise.
   
   Second, I was worried about indoor lighting. I use the camcorder mainly for indoor recording: family get togethers around the dining room table or family shots in the house, and also filming in a ballroom dance studio during lessons with the lights turned down. I rate the indoor performance EXCELLENT. I have no complaints about family filming indoors. In fact, the camera has a handy button right next to the LCD which says "Backlight" (not some icon!) and if you press it, it boosts the gain (I think), which is handy in the studio when the performer goes in front of the windows, totally backlighting them. This leaves me wondering what all the talk of indoor lighting on 1 ccd cameras is all about --are people talking about filming a scene lit only by 1 60-watt bulb? In such cases, I'd expect graininess.
   
   Third, I was concerned that the camera's technology would be surpassed by the last two years of camcorder development. I don't see how. When I tested the newer Panasonics and Canons at a local retailer, I couldn't see any difference, except that the newer models seemed a bit grainier and less intuitive in the interface. The one thing I have sacrificed by buying this camcorder instead of a newer one is widescreen recording. What I have gained, however, is a/d passthrough (and I've been amazed how often I've been using that, to record old vcr tapes through the camcorder to the computer -- works perfectly and the way to do it is just to remove the tape and leave it hooked up to the computer while you plug the vcr in) and a "hot" microphone shoe. For me, this is well worth it, as I actually use these. Also, the camcorder is as compact as the newer ones, and I love the way it fits around your hand.
   
   Battery life is only so-so, with the standard battery lasting around 50 minutes. That said, the extended battery, available here on Amazon from a variety of manufacturers very cheaply, lasts for hours, so for a very modest extra expense, this issue has been eliminated for me.
   
   Finally, I was worried it might not work as a webcamera. Just the opposite. Whether I have it plugged in using a USB cable OR using a firewire cable, it pops right up (without any discs needed) in WinXP as DV Camera and you can immediately view yourself on screen and even record LIVE in WindowsMovieMaker or cam in Messenger. For Skype, it did not work as a webcam initially, and I had to download a free utility called SplitCam and then it worked flawlessly in Skype.

5 comments about Panasonic PVGS12 Digital Palmcorder MultiCam Camcorder w/20x Optical Zoom.

1. I bought this Camera for my 13th Birthday and I was happy until i tried to put the video onto the computer. I you realy want to edit video on the computer then you NEED to get Firewire for your computer.After I got Firewire The video worked fine, but I suggest you get a good editing softwear like Adobe. windows is ok to start but has very low video capture. When you burn it on to a DVD using windows is is all blury but can still make out picture. So a Great Camera but you have to get firewire to make it better. Firewire is only like 25$.I love this camera and I hope you will to.



2. This camcorder is absolutely wonderful. Though I don't think I'd pay top dollar for it. While it works great recording and playing back, there is minimum software availible ( Id didnt recieve any) and figuring out how to download it to the computer to burn to a DVD took a while. Though I only paid $195 for this camera that also came with a brand new camcorder bag and additional battery. I kinda wish I would have spent the extra money to invest in a DVD camcorder. But, if you are willing to take the time to learn how to burn to DVD, then this is a great camera!



3. This camcorder is good but not great. Sure its not expensive but with this amount of money you can get a much better one on ebay. 1/6 in ccd is average for this price range. It has no mic input. But it does last a good amount with the battery, has acceptional quality under lighting when i use two or more lights...for my movie aspire which is a musical. During shots that have fast sequences, you can tell as it looks jagged and not smooth. This had to be fixed in post, which, if you're only paying 250 for this cam, you probably won't waste your time fixing this in post. The manual white balance is nice.



4. I know the frustration of wanting some software with this product. Yes its a nice little camera and all but if you want to get some actual video out of it to be put on your computer you could use video capturing software like snag-it which has a free download and trial. Granted the video will not be the best of quality but if you absolutely have to have this on video on your computer snag-it will give it to you but at low quality. You can also snap still images from the videos using it too. Hope this helps



5. After using the Palmcorder brand for 6 years, I just purchased a second one to use for a 2-camera setup (both running at different angles since I produce martial arts instructional videos). For those new to digital camcorders, my opinion is that this is a great camera. For those who are intermediate and advanced, naturally you already know that you will want to spend a bit more for a bigger, better camera to meet your needs.
   
   The Palmcorder takes good video but you should have additional lighting available. They say it's good in low-light conditions, but admittedly I've never found that to be true, even with a LOT of experimentation. Outdoors, though, or indoors with normal lighting? You will find a good video result.
   
   The audio is passable but connecting an external mic, you will hear a slight "buzz" in the background (removable in post). A pain but still passable for the price.
   
   Zooming in and out finds zero noise, but I rarely zoom much anyway. If I need a closer shot, I get the camera closer since the pixelation is always noticable to some degree when zooming. It's not "too" bad zooming in just a bit, but beyond 1/3 of the bar you see will find a lot of pixelation.
   
   Tape change is great vs. Canon (Canon tape door is at the bottom and you have to remove it from the tripod, whereas Panasonic and most others are on the side). Battery life is 1 - 2 hours depending on the age of the battery. My first one is over 6 years old and I just had to change it last month. 5 years isn't bad.
   
   Manual controls could be improved but passable. Automatic controls work well for new users and you will probably not even need the rest. If you want to learn it, though, it's a simple process.
   
   For best shots, I recommend a good tripod to keep the camera steady (for all cameras, too), particularly if you zoom in. There are lots of techniques for holding the camera steady when zoomed in but the Palmcorder must lose it's mind after zoomed in too far. It comes out with a lot of pixelation. Read that as "don't zoom in unless you absolutely have to and you'll be fine."
   
   I've used my Palmcorder in all sorts of weather and conditions, and it's worked like a dream. Good video, good audio, good battery life and easy controls. The only "bad" thing you might encounter is that in humid weather, you need to acclimate the camera for 15 - 30 minutes or so. But since you have to do that with every camera, anyway, it's not Panasonic's fault so no biggie there.
   
   All in all? This is a great camera for the price, as well as being a solid piece of equipment that you will enjoy. It's good to learn with as well as being a good backup camera or using as a 2-camera system.

5 comments about Panasonic Pro AG-DVC30 3-CCD MiniDV Camcorder w/16x Optical Zoom.

1. A camcorder with features found only on more expensive models and resonably easy to operate by a beginner. The quality of the picture was very good and the zoom operated very smoothly. Overall I felt it was a product that was well thought out in design and well made.



2. I'm by no means an expert, but I really wanted a reasonably priced video camera that could produce the highest quality picture for the price. I did a TON of research and landed on the AG-DVC30 after much agonizing over "to HD or not HD" as well as brands and features. Based on all the reviews I read, this camera seemed to offer the most features and the best video for the money. I have not been disappointed. On my first outing, I took the cam to the Grand Canyon and Sedona. Wow! What incredible color and clarity! I also really love the 16x zoom. It's smooth and powerful. I got great shots of the Colorado River from the rim of the Grand Canyon. I'll agree with all reviewers that the audio is not great. It is not super sensitive so you lose sound if not quite close to the subject. If you're interested in good audio, I'd suggest an optional mic. If you just want great video, awesome color, and ease of use, this is your camera. At the price (plus the rebate) you really can't beat it.



3. To my knowlege, there simply isn't a better equipped camera for the professional investigator. It's IR-sensitive mode (nightshot) is in B&W (rather than cheeseygreen), far superior quality-wise to anything Sony's got, and it's the only 3CCD that I know of with a low-light mode. The image stabilization is exceptional and the image quality is production grade. Time/Date stamps can be "burned in" so they xfer via firewire - again, the only camera I'm aware of with this feature. The audio can be turned off which we know is a must. And best yet, you can disable the sleepmode so it won't turn off eliminating missed money shots waiting for the camera to cycle back on. It's built like a tank and feels substantial in the hand, but it's still lightweight thanks to an alloy frame. Finally, it's totally silent even with the tape transport in full swing.
   
   The ONLY downside so far as I can tell is it's size - It's a big camera compared to the handicams I've had, and wouldn't be well suited for close-proximity work. However, the black casing dosn't print/siloutte terribly, and the 16x optical lets you set back quite a bit.
   
   Highly recommended!



4. Does anybody know why this camera got so expensive again from 1,700 USD just few months ago to almost 3,000 USD now??? :(



5. I can't believe they are asking $4790.00 for this cam. I bought mine 3 years ago(with xlr adaptor) for just under $2,000.
   
   
   Nice camera but not good in low light. I've ended up buying oncamera and off -camera lights.
   
   is the extreme price(what you would pay for an HD cam these days) because they don't make them anymore? Can't believe it. Because it is 1/4" 3CCD, the cam is kind of obsolete at this point.

5 comments about Sony DCRPC109 Compact MiniDV Digital Handycam Camcorder w/10x Optical Zoom.

1. I replaced a 7 year old Canon HI8 camcorder with this one. I've had the 109 for a couple of months now and here are my comments.

   GOOD:
   Size: It is really small and compact. Well built and solid.
   Motor noise: My camera has no motor noise. Absolutely none. I have seen some reviews that say their camera has motor noise. My suggestion is, if you get one that does, replace it. Perhaps you got an early one or a gray market?
   Battery life: I get about 2 hours with the standard, tiny battery. Interestingly, the same reviewer that said he had motor noise claimed to get less than an hour with his battery. There must be something wrong with his camera.
   Low light: Seems to be pretty good and better than competition.
   Simplicity: It is very easy to use as a point and shoot. There are only a few buttons. The LCD screen doubles as a touch screen for the menu.
   Docking station: Makes it convenient to plug-in to the computer because the docking station is always connected to the computer, and to a wall outlet for charging.

   BAD:
   Small LCD screen: I guess this is a tradeoff with the small camera size (but if you have seen Sony's new T1 still camera, they know how to put a large LCD on a small camera). Also, the LCD can wash-out in sunlight, like most other cameras.
   Docking station: Although convenient, the only way to recharge the battery is to plug the camera into the docking station. This means, for trips, you have to take the camera, the cord, and the docking station with you. This is inconvenient and bulky. Sony could have easily made the cord plug into both the camera and the docking station for recharge, but Sony instead has elected to release an optional "compact" battery charger for around $70. Typical Sony. Similarly, the camera itself has analog video outputs. To get digital outputs, you have to go through the docking station.
   Microphone: It is placed on top of the camera, so it does pick up some non-directional noise (from places other than directly in front of the camera). It seems to be somewhat directional though because it doesn't really pick up noise from the shooter.




2. I've owned so many Sony products, this one is a dud. Someone already mentioned the horrible placement of the power in, the little rubber flipper gets in the way of everything. The PicturePackage software is a complete joke. SonyCopy.exe crashes every time I try to open my pictures. The lens cover is not automatic, and needs to be open no matter what you want to do. If its not open, it screams 'cover not open' at you until you MANUALLY open it. The device shows up as Camcorder 2 in Windows XP, you cannot browse your memory stick thru windows explorer. The resolution of the still shots is HORRIBLE. Do not buy this camera. Ugh. I'm stuck with it because I bought it at a retailer that won't take it back after 14 days.



3. I've had this little guy for about 9 months now, and I have no major complaints. While this camcorder suits the needs of those who want good performance in filming normal activities, it may fall short of higher expectations.
   
   I bought this camcorder because it is small, compact, good-looking, and has a touch-panel feature (highly amusing and useful). The 1.0 Megapixel picture quality becomes pretty obvious during playback, though. Again, for those who just want to film family, school, and random events, I doubt anyone would complain about this small setback. But for those who want to make quality movies or semi-professional documentaries, the features and pixels may not be enough.
   
   I use this camcorder recreationally and it is a blast to use. I guess one word to describe my experience with it is: Complacent. If you want to film on a more professional level, I recommend the Sony DCR-HC85. It has 2.0 Megapixels, a built in flash, a 3.5 inch touch-panel LCD, and among other great features. It is slightly bigger and heavier, but it is nonetheless an excellent camcorder for more demanding purposes.
   
   Recreational: Sony DCR-PC109. More serious filming: Sony DCR-HC85.
   Overall, you can't go wrong with the DCR-PC109.



4. After I recorded a few tapes using this brand new camcorder bought from Amazon, it got snowflake-like noise all over LCD screen. Since I did not use it for the first month after I got it, I could not return it and had to send it to SONY repair center for service. After I got it back, it constantly complains about dirty video head and I have to use a cleaning tape each time it does that. My worst experience with any electronics I ever had.



5. I found this on clearance today on the Sony website.
   Limited quantity. $ 549.

5 comments about JVC GRDX77 MiniDV Digital Camcorder w/12x Optical Zoom.

1. I was happy with this one until it showed this problem. It automatically zooms in to the maximum. So now basically I can't use it any more. I initially thought maybe it's due to my operation somehow although I'm sure I'm gentle on it. However, after I searched online, I found that I'm not the only lucky one. Some poor dude said if he wants to use it, he has to put one finger on the "zoom out" button all the time in order to cancel out the automatic zoom in. I called JVC, and they said this is not a recognized defect for them, and they will charge me just for an "evaluation". I'd rather just throw away this junk.



2. I bought this about an year ago. It worked fine till about a month ago. The first thing that I noticed is that the camera would zoom in all by itself. I had to have my finger firmly holding the zoom out button so that it would not zoom in. Reading about it now, I find out that this is a common problem with this particular camcorder. Wish I had read reviews from people who had been using this for a while. Most of the reviews (when I bought it) were from people who were happy with it and had it for less than couple of weeks.
   
   It was good while it lasted. But I would never buy JVC again.



3. I have exactly the same problem as you guys are having. After a year of ownership hardly using the thing it starts zooming out of control. Contacted jvc and got the same response denying a problem. My friend has the dx97ek and it has exactly the same problem. "Trash" and "can" are words that spring to mind.



4. I am experiencing the same zooming trouble as everyone else. When I called JVC they denied the problem. Judging from the reviews here on Amazon.com, there seems to be a very real problem. I bought the camera because it was simple, afforadable, and I'm not much of a techno person. I used it well for over a year when the zoom problem started. Being in the military, you don't get much pay, so I was hoping this camera would serve me for a long time- I was wrong. I will not buy JVC products again! Anyone for a class action lawsuit?



5. I purchased a JVC GR-DX77us last july and to be fair, its video-taping capabilities are good, and the resolution is good. However, I have not been able to get the video capture feature to work on the camcorder. I tried both the USB and the 1394 firewire, and they both kept losing contact with various computers--turns out the problem was the plug board is pretty loose and either the plugs or the board loses contact regularly, playing havoc with your computer. I was not able to download one minute of footage.
   Dont expect any great help from JVC customer support either, every inquiry or request to them turned into an escalation to buy something else, 4 out of 5 times it was for accessories that were supposed to have been included in the camera kit.
   stay away from this model, and JVCs in general.

3 comments about Sony DCRHC65 MiniDV Digital Handycam Camcorder w/10x Optical Zoom.

1. My initial impression of the HC65 are generally very favorable. I like the feel and balance of it, and the controls are laid out nicely. The LCD display at 3.5" is very nice, and the touch screen is nice as well, being reasonably intuative and requiring only a light touch which minimizes camera movement while filming. I tried some filming outdoors first, close to sunset, and had great results in the Easy mode. The focus and exposure adjust very quickly and give a good picture. The colors are vibrant, and the image is clear.
   
   The manual focus is a nice feature as well, using a focus ring on the front of the lens, and also showing the focus distance on the LCD display. The zoom works quite well; easy to control the speed, and the button is well placed, although I wish it had just a little more than 10X. The 10X should be sufficient for most applications, and I would reccomend a telephoto lens adapter and tripod if you need extra magnification.



2. I bought the DCRHC65 after trying out the DCRHC30 thinking the larger CCD unit would make a difference in low-light conditions. But I wasn't able to see any difference.
   
   The design of this camera sux. The input / output cable ports are located in difficult spots. The tethered lens cap is ridiculous. Too heavy. Consumes battery too quickly.
   
   If you're considering this camera, compare it with the DCRHC30. The only big difference is the pixel memory and CCD size. Both do analog to digital pass-through. But the DCR-HC30 is hundreds less.



3. I got this camera for $430 at circuit city. I don't think its worth $800, but it has some great features if you can find it for a good price, since it is last year's model. I love the big touch screen. Its really easy to use. The supernight shot plus works great. This camera can see better than me in the dark. Picture quality is good and if you get an upgraded battery (only $20 on ebay) the camera can run for a long time. It doesn't have the built in lens cover, but I just keep my lens cover in a camera bag when I'm using the camera. The camera is a little bigger than some other models out there, but I think it makes it easier to hold and have control.

5 comments about RCA CC9370 AutoShot Compact Digital Camcorder.

1. I purchased this camera in July 2001 and generally it has worked very well. It took great movies and I had no trouble connecting it to my firewire card to download movies. However, since we purchased it we received intermittant e04 errors that we could not always correct by resetting the camera. The RCA website is no help, in fact it will not even allow you to register a camcorder as a product! Overall the it did take great movies, however I have been very dissatisfied with the camera's reliability and with RCA's support of it.



2. I just got one of these camcorders off of this same site. When I got the camera there was no battery pack and or charger. its been about six months and I still cant find one anywhere not even on this site. Ive wasted about a hundred dollers on differnt chargers that dont even work. now the camera sits in my room with no use to it because I cant find a battery. also its to late to return it so now im stuck...... ...............THANKS TO WHO EVER I BOUGHT THIS FROM



3. I picked this camcorder up for a song. I've had it 3 years now and it still has not given me any problems. It is solid for the light use I give it without sacrificing quality.
   I have yet to be disappointed by anything other than the still photo function. No built in memory makes for a weird playback sensation as a still shot stops the video and then fades from a still shot to the moving video again. My recommendation is to use this as a dedicated video camera and buy a good still camera.
   All in all, this camera has been a good buy. I have used it in the Caribbean, Europe, Canada and across the USA with none of the pesky dew problems panasonic has or the mechanism problems of the jvc.



4. FYI, the two cameras the RCA 9360 and RCA 9370 are the same, only the 9370 comes with a battery charger (A cost saving idea). Causes some grief because with the 9360, you actually use the camera as a battery charger. Not really obvious. It is also important to remove the battery if you are not using the camera (you can charge the battery and forget to remove it, and it will be dead when you need it). Recommend buying a battery charger for the 9360.
   I really like the camera. It has a lot of abilities. I use Pinnacle studio, and it works great. Had a problem with Ulead, it doesn't seem to work - The camera doesn't connect. Once the Pinnacle downloaded the movie, it was simply amazing. Of course, then you are in another world of editing. Wow. Then, you get to buy a bigger hard drive and DVDs, etc, etc. Expensive, but totally wonderful.
   I also got a Panasonic digital video camera at the same time - It is really wonderful, too, but has no video light. The RCA requires you to then figure out how to work on a movie with a video light, but with the Panasonic, you need to stop.
   The manual for the CC9370 can be used for the CC9360, and the 9370 manual is available on Amazon at:
   http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B00004Z583/104-4032710-9364765?v=glance
   Thanks Amazon...
   Do a google search for the 9370 or 9360 by searching "rca cc9370 manual", to find batteries, the manual, and accessories.
   I think it is great.
   Using the firewire with the RCA camcorder was a learning experience also. If I remember correctly, there was a $50 firewire cable available, but then I found a firewire card at FRYs in Anaheim with a free cable for $20 on sale. Using the cheapo cable, I was able to do my movies. What fun. Was using my HP laptop with no built-in firewire, but with a firewire card stuck into it. Then USB 2 came around, and ruined it for the firewire guys, but the camera has a firewire port anyhow, so use it. Gotta get with it, guys, you don't want to get lost. Buy, buy, buy.
   Anyhow, just want to say that the RCA camera is really a great unit, and I have had a lot of fun with it.



5. I just purchased this camcorder and so far am pleased. There is a port on it called a service port which is labeled in the manual but does any body know the purpose of this port and what connects it to what?

No comments about Canon XL-H1S 3CCD HDV High Definition Professional Camcorder with 20x HD Video Zoom Lens III.

5 comments about JVC GRDF430U MiniDV Camcorder w/15x Optical Zoom.

1. I bought my camera 09/2005, I used the camera and it worked great through christmas and new years. I packed the camera in the case I bought for it and did not use it until this year Christmas. I took the camera out and got the "lens cap" error on Christmas morning. I did call JVC after seeing the recall on their website, however my camera is not on the list. The customer service employee told me I could pay for it to be shipped and fixed at the nearest service center to my home in Houston,TX, which was in Lawrenceville, Georia. I personally will not purchase another JVC product. I recently bought a new television and I was considering JVC, I am greatful now that I went with a Samsung.



2. My model is JVC GR-D33U. It works great before I got the famous Lens Cap problem. I filled in a request at their customer support web page. To my surprise, a week later I received an email and JVC offered to fix it for free even it passed the support period. After sending out my camcorder for one week and receiving no feedback at all, I received the camera through UPS and the problem was fixed. JVC didn't bother to follow up.
   
   I encourage everyone with similar problem do the same thing and maybe JVC can fix yours for free as well.



3. We bought this camera in January 2006, and love its color quality, ease of use and size. We bought it to replace our bulky, but reliable five-year old JVC camcorder. This new one worked perfectly until a week before Christmas, when we got the lens cap error problem. We made it just in time (under a year) for the parts warranty, but had to spend $100 in labor to repair the camcorder. We still love the camcorder, but hesitate to recommend it to anyone now that we've learned that JVC has ongoing cap error problems with several of their camcorder models.



4. Hardly used the camcorder. No longer works. It doesn't register a signal and shows a lens cap error even when the lens cap is off. What a disgrace. My last JVC product.



5. I have been using this camcorder for two years. I did have the universal "lens cap error" malfunction. I went to my local authorized repair facility and had to pay $150 to get it fixed. That was a major bummer. However, otherwise the camcorder has been excellent to say the least. I love how small and light it is. It is comfortable to use for extended periods. The ergonomics are very good. I almost always use manual mode and set white balance manually, which produces superior results. I use automatic mode when I tape in varying light situations and it works reasonably well. Optical quality of the lens seems to be very good. Sound quality is good and it has a mic input, which is a plus. I have taken absolutely no precautions when handling this camcorder and besides some paint that wore off due to rough handling it has been very durable. Overall, while irked by having to pay to repair a known mass defect for which there should have been a service campain, I am quite happy with my JVC camcorder.