Tag: Megapixel

The Best Video Cameras For Capturing Action In Low Light
by David Burgess on 0

The Best Video Cameras For Capturing Action In Low Light

It’s that time of year again. The weather is getting colder, the days are shorter, and the nights are longer. That can only mean one thing: it’s time to start thinking about the best video cameras for capturing action in low light.

There are a few things to consider when choosing a video camera for low light use. The first is sensor size. A larger sensor will be able to gather more light, resulting in better low light performance. The second is the lens. A faster lens (one with a lower f-stop number) will also gather more light and result in better low light performance.

Best cameras for low light

With those factors in mind, here are our picks for the best video cameras for low light:

Sony a7S II

The Sony a7S II is a full-frame mirrorless camera that features a 12.2-megapixel sensor. It’s capable of capturing 4K video, and it has excellent low light performance thanks to its large sensor and fast lens options.

Panasonic Lumix GH5

The Panasonic Lumix GH5 is a Micro Four Thirds camera that features a 20.3-megapixel sensor. It can capture 4K video at 60 frames per second, and it has excellent low light performance thanks to its large sensor and fast lens options.

Canon EOS 1D X Mark II

The Canon EOS 1D X Mark II is a full-frame DSLR that features a 20.2-megapixel sensor. It can capture 4K video at 60 frames per second, and it has excellent low light performance thanks to its large sensor and fast lens options.

Nikon D5

The Nikon D5 is a full-frame DSLR that features a 20.8-megapixel sensor. It can capture 4K video at 30 frames per second, and it has excellent low light performance thanks to its large sensor and fast lens options.

Sony Alpha a9

The Sony Alpha a9 is a full-frame mirrorless camera that features a 24.2-megapixel sensor. It can capture 4K video at 30 frames per second, and it has excellent low light performance thanks to its large sensor and fast lens options.

Tips to choose cameras for action sports photography

In fact, many professional photographers use mid-range or even entry-level cameras to capture amazing action shots. The key is to know how to use your camera and its features to get the most out of it.

Here are a few tips on how to choose the best video camera for action sports photography:

Look for a camera with a fast shutter speed. This will help you capture sharp images of fast-moving subjects.

Choose a camera with good low-light performance. Action sports often take place in low-light conditions, so a camera that can perform well in these conditions is essential.

Consider a camera with 4K video
capabilities. 4K video is becoming more and more popular, and action sports photography is the perfect genre to take advantage of this high-resolution format.

Look for a camera with built-in GPS. This can be helpful for tracking your location and adding GPS data to your photos and videos.

Choose a camera that is rugged and weather-sealed. Action sports can be tough on equipment, so a camera that can withstand the elements is a must.

Keep these tips in mind when shopping for a video camera for action sports photography, and you’ll be sure to find the perfect camera for your needs.

In fact, many of the best action sports cameras are actually quite affordable. That being said, there are still a few things to consider when purchasing an action sports camera. Here are a few tips:

Action sports cameras are designed to be durable and withstand a lot of abuse. They should be able to withstand being dropped, being submerged in water, and being exposed to extreme temperatures.

The camera should be able to record high-quality video. This is especially important if you plan on using the footage for professional purposes.

The camera should be easy to use. It should have a user-friendly interface and be relatively easy to operate.

The camera should be affordable. As mentioned before, many of the best action sports cameras are actually quite affordable.

Keep these things in mind when shopping for an action sports camera and you should be able to find a great camera that fits your needs and budget.

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The Best SLR Digital Cameras For Beginners
by David Burgess on 0

The Best SLR Digital Cameras For Beginners

In fact, many entry level DSLRs are quite affordable these days. But, what are the best SLR cameras for beginners?

Here are our top 5 picks for the best entry level DSLRs:

1. Canon EOS Rebel T6i / T6s

The Canon EOS Rebel T6i and T6s are great entry level DSLRs that offer excellent features and performance. They both have a 24.2 megapixel CMOS sensor, Full HD 1080p video recording, and a vari-angle touch screen LCD. The T6i also has built-in Wi-Fi and NFC connectivity for easy sharing of photos and videos.

2. Nikon D3300

The Nikon D3300 is a great entry level DSLR that offers excellent image quality and performance. It has a 24.2 megapixel CMOS sensor, Full HD 1080p video recording, and a fixed 3.0-inch LCD screen. It also has built-in Wi-Fi and NFC connectivity for easy sharing of photos and videos.

3. Pentax K-S2

The Pentax K-S2 is a great entry level DSLR that offers excellent features and performance. It has a 20 megapixel CMOS sensor, Full HD 1080p video recording, a vari-angle 3.0-inch LCD screen, and built-in Wi-Fi and NFC connectivity. It also has a weather-sealed body, making it ideal for shooting in all kinds of weather conditions.

4. Sony Alpha a6000

The Sony Alpha a6000 is a great entry level DSLR that offers excellent features and performance. It has a 24.3 megapixel Exmor CMOS sensor, Full HD 1080p video recording, and a fixed 3.0-inch LCD screen. It also has built-in Wi-Fi and NFC connectivity for easy sharing of photos and videos.

5. Canon EOS Rebel T6 / T6i / T6s / T7 / T7i

The Canon EOS Rebel T6, T6i, T6s, T7, and T7i are all great entry level DSLRs that offer excellent features and performance. They all have a 24.2 megapixel CMOS sensor, Full HD 1080p video recording, and a vari-angle touch screen LCD. The T6i and T7i also have built-in Wi-Fi and NFC connectivity for easy sharing of photos and videos.

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10 Best SLR Digital Cameras On The Market Today
by David Burgess on 0

10 Best SLR Digital Cameras On The Market Today

When it comes to choosing the best digital SLR camera, there are many factors to consider such as price, features, and brand. In this article, we will take a look at the 10 best digital SLR cameras on the market today.

1. Canon EOS 5D Mark IV

The Canon EOS 5D Mark IV is one of the best digital SLR cameras on the market, and it is perfect for professionals and enthusiasts alike. It features a 30.4 megapixel full-frame CMOS sensor, 4K video recording, and an advanced autofocus system. It is also compatible with Canon’s EF lens range, which gives you a huge amount of choice when it comes to lenses.

2. Nikon D850

The Nikon D850 is another excellent digital SLR camera, and it is perfect for both professionals and enthusiasts. It features a 45.7 megapixel full-frame CMOS sensor, 4K video recording, an advanced autofocus system, and is compatible with Nikon’s huge range of lenses.

3. Canon EOS 6D Mark II

The Canon EOS 6D Mark II is a great choice for those who want a full-frame digital SLR camera without spending a huge amount of money. It features a 26.2 megapixel full-frame CMOS sensor, Full HD video recording, and an advanced autofocus system. It is also compatible with Canon’s EF lens range.

4. Nikon D750

The Nikon D750 is another excellent choice for those who want a full-frame digital SLR camera without spending a fortune. It features a 24.3 megapixel full-frame CMOS sensor, Full HD video recording, and an advanced autofocus system. It is also compatible with Nikon’s huge range of lenses.

5. Canon EOS 80D

The Canon EOS 80D is a great choice for those who want a mid-range digital SLR camera. It features a 24.2 megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor, Full HD video recording, and an advanced autofocus system. It is also compatible with Canon’s EF-S lens range.

6. Nikon D7200

The Nikon D7200 is a great choice for those who want a mid-range digital SLR camera. It features a 24.2 megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor, Full HD video recording, and an advanced autofocus system. It is also compatible with Nikon’s huge range of lenses.

7. Canon EOS 77D

The Canon EOS 77D is a great choice for those who want a mid-range digital SLR camera. It features a 24.2 megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor, Full HD video recording, and an advanced autofocus system. It is also compatible with Canon’s EF-S lens range.

8. Nikon D5600

The Nikon D5600 is a great choice for those who want a mid-range digital SLR camera. It features a 24.2 megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor, Full HD video recording, and an advanced autofocus system. It is also compatible with Nikon’s huge range of lenses.

9. Canon EOS Rebel T7i

The Canon EOS Rebel T7i is a great choice for those who want a budget-friendly digital SLR camera. It features a 24.2 megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor, Full HD video recording, and an advanced autofocus system. It is also compatible with Canon’s EF-S lens range.

10. Nikon D3500

The Nikon D3500 is a great choice for those who want a budget-friendly digital SLR camera. It features a 24.2 megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor, Full HD video recording, and an advanced autofocus system. It is also compatible with Nikon’s huge range of lenses.

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Kodak Zi8 Camcorder Review
by Leland Richardson on 0

Kodak Zi8 Camcorder Review

Kodak’s Zi8 is a high definition pocket camcorder that records 1920 x 1080p video at 30 frames per second (fps) in the H.264 format. The Zi8 competes with products such as Pure Digital’s Flip UltraHD and Sony’s Webbie HD. Kodak’s pocket camcorder has a few tricks that the others don’t – such as digital image stabilization, face detection, and an external microphone input.

Kodak Zi8 At a Glance

The Good:[ Excellent video quality, easy to use, strong feature set, large LCD screen.

The Bad: Slightly clumsy user interface, little internal memory.

Video & Photo Quality

Using a 1/2.5-inch, 5-megapixel CMOS sensor, the Zi8 records 1080p HD video.This is one of the first 1080p pocket camcorders on the market and the video quality is definitely impressive for a model in this class.

If you want to extend recording times, you can opt for one of three lower resolution settings: 720p/60fps mode (the faster frame rate is good for shooting motion), a 720p/30fps mode or a WVGA mode.

A nice addition to the Zi8 is face detection, which, when activated, can improve exposure around a face it detects in a frame. This function can be disabled as it will draw down the battery faster when it’s used.

The Zi8 also snaps 5-megapixel still photos when set to photo mode (it can’t snap them while you’re filming).

You shouldn’t expect much from these stills – with no flash and a fairly slow performance, it’s not going to wow you.

Design

Like other models in the pocket camcorder category, Kodak kept the functionality and buttons to a minumum. Four dedicated buttons on the back of the unit let you access menu settings, delete videos and still photos, return to filming and play back stored videos.

The menu, and quality settings, are navigated using a joystick at the center of the unit. All-in-all, a very intuitive design that just about anyone can figure out in short order, even if the buttons could stand to be a bit larger.

The Zi8 weighs in just shy of a svelte five ounces with battery. At 2.4 × 4.5 × 0.9 inches, it’s the size of a nice, lean point-and-shoot digital camera. You’ll have your choice of red, black and blue.

Removable Battery

Another nice design touch is a removable lithium ion batter (accessed by removing the unit’s faceplate). For longer trips where you can run low on battery, you have the option of swapping in a new one rather than finding a spot to recharge. You can charge the battery when the Zi8 is connected to a PC via its flip-out USB connector or by using the supplied AC adapter.

Menus

The menu in the Zi8 consists of nine icons for switching off image stabilization, engaging face detection and accessing other functions. Unfortunately, while Kodak had ample room to add some descriptive wording above each menu icon, in most cases they choose not to. None of the icons are that mysterious, but still, for a novice user it would be nice to use the generous LCD screen to its fullest potential.

Memory

The Zi8 comes with a meager 128MB worth of internal memory – barely enough to record a few seconds of HD video or a couple of still images. To enjoy recording of any length, you’ll need to use an SDHC memory card (not included). The Zi8 supports SDHC cards up to 32GB, which would give you close to five hours of recording at the highest quality setting.

The use of flash memory cards helps keep the price of the unit down, but that only helps if you already own a memory card.

Optics

Like all pocket camcorders, the Zi8 does not offer an optical zoom lens. Instead, it features a 4x digital zoom. The zoom itself is of limited utility and when it’s engaged, it isn’t terribly smooth.

The Zi8 also packs digital image stabilization. Again, it’s not as effective as the optical variety, but it’s also not as important a feature in a pocket camcorder because you don’t have an optical zoom lens. You can see it in action here. On the whole, it’s better to have some form of stabilization than none, so Kodak gets the thumbs up for adding it.

Kodak Zi8: A Powerful Pocket Camcorder

Kodak’s Zi8 manages to outdo most of its rivals in the pocket camcorder market by adding some feature-enhancements without burdening the camcorder with complexity. It could stand to tweak its interface, build bigger buttons and make the exterior more resistant to finger prints. If you have no interest in anything but the simplest pocket camcorder for creating Web-friendly videos, the Flip UltraHD would still give you the best bang for your buck. But if you’re thirsting for a pocket camcorder with equal (and in some cases, better) quality than the Flip with more features to boot, the Zi8 is the model for you.

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GE DV1 Camcorder Review
by Leland Richardson on 0

GE DV1 Camcorder Review

GE DV1 at a Glance

The Good: Low cost, durable, easy to use.

The Bad: So-so video quality.

Video Quality

The GE DV1 records 1080p HD video in the H.264 format via a 5-megapixel CMOS image sensor. Indoors, footage off the DV1 can get noisy but nothing out of the ordinary for a low cost pocket camcorder. There is some noticeable over-exposure, particularly in sunlight, but the colors reproduced crisply. All in all, the video is serviceable, but you shouldn’t expect it to compare with the more expensive Full HD camcorders on the market.

The DV1 offers several quality settings, from 1080p/30 frames per second (fps) to a useful 720p option at 60fps for filming faster action. You can also drop recording quality to 1440 x 1080 and 640 x 480, but there’s no practical reason to do so.

The DV1 also snaps 5-megapixel still photos. If you’re dealing with plenty of ambient light and a still subject, the photos are decent. Otherwise, it’s best to stick to video, as the images will blur. Fairly uniquely among pocket camcorders, the DV1 can also snap 2-megapixel photos while recording. These images are hit-and-miss and you can only take up to six, but the feature itself is nice to have.

Optics

The DV1 packs a 4x digital zoom lens with digital image stabilization. As with all digital zooms on pocket models, this one just ramps up the digital noise so it doesn’t add much.

Design

The big selling point with the DV1 is obviously the rugged and waterproof body design. As mentioned above, the DV1 can be submerged in up to 15 feet of water (that’s deeper than Kodak’s Playsport Zx3) but more than that, it can be dropped from a height of 5 feet and it’s sealed against dust.

This makes it one of the more rugged camcorders on the market. If you’re big into outdoor activities, it’s a good choice.

Obviously, a rugged camcorder will impose some trade-offs on the design. To wit: the DV1 is a bit bulkier and heavier than other pocket cams on the market – but not obtrusively so. It can still be slipped into a pocket or purse quite easily. The memory card port, flip-out USB plug and other connectors are housed securely behind latched doors to keep the elements out. But they open easily. While many pocket camcorders have jumped on the touch-screen bandwagon, the DV1 has nice, large tactile buttons for recording, playback, snapping stills, entering the menu and deleting photos. They can all be pressed easily while wearing gloves. The only exception is the power button, which sits rather flush with the side of the camcorder and might present a problem for a gloved hand.

Feature Set

The GE DV1 offers a pretty bare bones feature set, which isn’t surprising given its low cost. You’ll find settings for adjusting white balance (including an underwater mode), a high dynamic range mode for stills and video recording, exposure metering (stills and video), and a continuous shooting mode for photographs at 7fps.

Menu & Display

You’ll access what features the DV1 has through a bright 2-inch display (you can also adjust the brightness manually in the settings). The menu layout is straightforward and easy to navigate, though when you enter it, you’ll start with the still photo features, not the video, which is a bit odd.

While filming, the DV1 uses just the top portion of the display. The bottom is filled with a menu displaying your current settings – such as whether you’re in HDR mode and your resolution. It can also display a histogram while recording, which is pretty rare to see at this price.

Memory

The DV1 records to SDHC cards and comes with no built-in memory. So you’ll need to factor in the cost of a card to the DV1’s bottom line (unless you already have one).

Bottom Line

When it comes to camcorders that can be tossed into the water or survive a fall onto the concrete without shattering, your choices are pretty limited so the DV1 doesn’t have many direct competitors to compare it to. That said, it’s more rugged and can be dunked deeper than Kodak’s PlaySport Zx3 (cheaper too), but doesn’t offer Kodak’s video quality or feature set. So if you need a bare-bones camcorder for a trip to the beach or an outdoor adventure, the DV1 is a good option. At $129, it’s attractively priced to be a good companion video camera to those who don’t want to risk a higher-end model during their death-defying white water rafting trips.

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Toshiba Camileo S30 Review
by Leland Richardson on 0

Toshiba Camileo S30 Review

Toshiba’s Camileo S30 camcorder records 1080p HD video in the H.264 format to SDHC/SDXC memory cards. The $179 camcorder features a 3-inch touch screen display and 8-megapixel still photo capture. Full specs for the Camileo S30 can be found here.

Toshiba Camileo S30 at a Glance

The Good: Slim design, good features for the price

The Bad: Touch screen can be unresponsive

Video Quality

The Toshiba Camileo S30 records 1920 x 1080p video in the H.264 format via an 8-megapixel CMOS sensor. It has additional options to record at 720p at 30 frames per second (fps) or at 60fps for capturing fast-moving subjects.

The video quality is definitely passable for a budget camcorder. You’ll notice a bit of over-exposure in bright sun and high contrast areas, but otherwise the S30 holds its own with other low-cost models on the market.

The S30 does offer a video light, which isn’t typically found on models at this price point. It’s useful for closeups but doesn’t have much power beyond that. Plus, it’s placed almost directly where your finger wraps around the camcorder, so you’ll have to be careful to nudge your finger down before activating the light.

In addition to movies, the Toshiba S30 can snap 8-megapixel still photos. However, most of the shots I snapped suffered from a good deal of blur, even when holding the camcorder steady.

Toshiba S30 Optics

The S30 does not offer an optical zoom but there is a 16x digital zoom. However, like all digital zooms, the quality degrades as you use it, so it’s better to avoid it all together. There’s also digital image stabilization, although it’s ineffective for the stills and only marginally useful on the video.

Design

The S30 is one of the few upright camcorders left in the market. At .75 inches, it’s slimmer than a pocket camcorder and has a larger, swing-out LCD display (3-inches) not found on pocket models.

However, it’s a bit larger than some of the smaller models on the market – at 2.3 x 4.3 x .75 -inches. Nevertheless, it’s quite portable.

The controls of the S30 are clustered on the slender body of the camcorder, although they are responsive. At the top is a large shutter button, followed by a lever for the zoom and controls for menu and the video light. Flip open the display and you’ll find large buttons for power (opening and closing the LCD also powers on and off the camcorder), switching between photo and video mode and web button for uploading videos from the camcorder to the Internet when it’s connected to a computer.

Feature Set

The Toshiba S30 has a nice set of features for a camcorder at the price. There’s a motion detect mode, which will begin recording when the camcorder sees motion. There’s also a slow motion option, which will record lower quality video at slower speeds (good for capturing baseball swings to view on the computer but not great for viewing on the big screen). A pre-record function will start recording a few seconds of video before you actually press the shutter, to help you catch all of the action. Finally, a time-lapse feature will capture short bursts of video over pre-set intervals so you can capture change over time.

Menu & Display

The nice thing about the Camileo S30 is its large, 3-inch display. It’s a touch-screen so most of the camera’s features are accessibly through there. Unfortunately, while the menu icons are large enough, the display isn’t all that responsive, nor well executed. Each icon needs a double tap to enter a specific function and sometimes it’s difficult to tell whether you’ve turned something on or off. There are enough features on the S30 that you’ll need to scroll down on the screen with a flick of your finger, but it often takes several flicks to get there.

On the plus side, once you press an icon once a text description of what it is will pop up on the display, but the process of navigating around the menu is more clumsy and time-consuming than it should be.

Memory

The S30 records to SDHC and SDXC memory cards (up to 64GB) which provides ample storage for your video-taking needs. It contains 128MB of internal memory, which is enough for about a minute of HD footage, so a card is a must.

Toshiba Camileo S30: Bottom Line

If you’re in the market for a good budget camcorder, the Toshiba Camileo S30 is a nice choice. Unlike some of its pocket camcorder competitors, it has a larger, swing-out display, which makes it easier to frame your videos. The menu interface needs improvement, and you shouldn’t be expecting ultra-high quality high def recording, but the S30 makes up for it with a nice feature set and a slender, portable design.

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Kodak Playsport Zx5 Review
by Leland Richardson on 0

Kodak Playsport Zx5 Review

The Kodak Playsport Zx5 is a high definition pocket camcorder capable of recording 1920 x 1080p in the H.264 format. It is waterproof to a depth of 10 feet, can survive a drop of up to five feet and is sealed against dust and dirt.

It retails for $179.

Kodak Playsport Zx5 at a Glance

The Good: Slim, rugged design, good video quality.

The Bad:

Sticky center control, no built-in USB plug, mono mic.

Kodak Playsport Zx5 Video Quality

The Playsport Zx5 records 1920 x 1080 HD video at 30 frames per second (fps) in the H.264 video format via a 5-megapixel CMOS sensor. You also have the option to record 1280 x 720 video at 60fps for capturing faster moving action or at 720/30fps.

As with the previous Playsport, the video is quite appealing for a pocket camcorder. Occasionally, the colors would drift a bit but the effect is hard to notice unless you’re really parsing your footage. Compared with last year’s Zx3, the video appeared less noisy indoors, which is a plus.

In addition to video, the Playsport can also snap 5-megapixel still images. Unless you’re working with plenty of natural light and a very steady hand, the photo function mostly produces blurry pics.

Optics

The Playsport offers a fixed focal length lens with a 4x digital zoom. The zoom isn’t much help – it tends to simply ramp up the digital noise in your video, so it’s probably

best to avoid it all together. The Playsport offers digital image stabilization to help keep videos smooth during recordings. The video I shoot wasn’t particularly shake-prone, but it’s hard to tell if that’s the stabilization kicking in or the fact that the Playsport is so small that you can get a real nice grip on it.

One thing you’re likely to notice (and it’s reared its head on other pocket cams) is trouble with the auto-focus. Sometimes it’s slow to lock on, leaving you with a second or two of blurred video. It’s not unusual for a pocket camcorder lens, but it’s something to bear in mind.

Playsport Design

The Playsport isn’t the slimmest and trimmest pocket camcorder on the market, mostly because it’s designed to take a beating. Still, at 2.3 x 4.4 x .7-inches and 125g it’s still light and compact enough to slip into a pocket with hardly a notice. The corners of the Playsport are rounded off with a rubberized bumper which not only protects it from bumps but gives it a sturdier grip. While the camcorder seals away its memory card and connector ports to protect them from the elements, both click open easily so they’re quick to access.

The Playsport has seven external buttons – an on/off switch that sits rather flush on the top of the camcorder and is a bit difficult to engage. It’s backlit though, so you can notice when the Playsport is turned on (in case the live preview on the LCD display didn’t tip you off). On the back of the camcorder, you’ll find controls for switching between still and video, playback, trash, settings and a share button – which lets you tag videos for automatic emailing or uploading once the Playsport is connected to a PC. These controls are quite responsive. The record button sits at the center of a four-way controller, which is a bit less responsive than the other controls.

The Playsport comes in three color choices: red, blue and black. Aesthetically, it’s pretty sharp.

Playsport Zx5 Features

In addition to its rugged, waterproof design, the Playsport Zx5 has several video effects that can be applied to videos including vivid color, sepia, black and white, high saturation and “1970s film look” if you want a retro feel to your videos. There’s an underwater setting as well to optimize your exposure if you take the Playsport beneath the waves. You’ll also find face detection, and the aforementioned share button, which lets upload videos automatically to Facebook, Flickr, Kodak Gallery , Twitter, YouTube and several other sharing sites. The share function is definitely a plus, but the Playsport doesn’t have a built-in USB plug, so you’ll have to fish around for a cable when you’re ready to connect.

Menu & Display

Kodak has updated – and improved- the menu system from the Zx3 on the new Playsport Zx5. Good thing too, as the older menu was difficult to understand. The new menu trades vague icons for simple text. It’s not the most dynamic thing in the world, but it certainly gets the job done.

The Playsport’s 2-inch display features a glare-shield, which you can activate in the menu to compensate for bright sunlight. The display itself is bright but doesn’t have a great viewing angle, so you need to be holding it straight-on to get the sharpest preview of the video you’re recording.

Playsport Memory

The Kodak Playsport Zx5 comes with 128MB of internal memory so you’ll need to opt for an optional SD/SDHC card to record video of any length. The camcorder supports SDHC cards up to 32GB in capacity – enough to store about six hours of HD footage.

Kodak Playsport Zx5 Bottom Line

The Playsport Zx5 is a very versatile pocket camcorder – it not only takes sharp video but is designed to go underwater and take the odd fall off a table. Despite its sturdy build, the Playsport is sharply styled and not at all cumbersome to carry with you. The lack of a built-in USB plug and a lapse in autofocus top the very short list of quibbles with the Playsport Zx5, which continues Kodak’s tradition of leading pocket camcorders.

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Panasonic HC-V10 Overview
by Leland Richardson on 0

Panasonic HC-V10 Overview

The Panasonic HC-V10 is a high definition camcorder that records 1280 x 720p video in the MPEG-4/H.264 format.

When the HC-V10 first hit shelves, it carried a suggested retail price of $249. This camcorder has since been discontinued, but now it can still be found used from some online retailers. The HC-V10 It is a close cousin of the Panasonic HC-V100. Full technical specifications for the HC-V10 can be found on the Panasonic website.

Panasonic HC-V10 Video Features

The HC-V10 uses the MPEG-4 format for 1280 x 720p high definition recording. It supports 15Mbps recording. You can also drop the resolution to 840 x 480 resolution, 640 x 480 or iFrame recording (at 960 x 540) for movies that can be easily edited on most computers. The HC-V10 features a 1.5-megapixel 1/5.8-inch CMOS image sensor.

The camcorder uses Panasonic’s “Intelligent Auto” mode for automatically matching scene modes such as portrait, sunset, scenery, forest and macro mode, to shooting environments. The mode employs various technologies – including image stabilization, face detection, an intelligent scene-selector and contrast control to optimize your exposure.

Optical Features

You’ll find a 63x optical zoom lens on the VC10. This optical zoom is joined by a 70x “enhanced optical zoom,” which can enhance the magnification of your footage by using a smaller portion of the sensor without losing image resolution.

Finally, there’s a 3500xdigital zoom which will degrade resolution when in use.

The lens employs Panasonic’s Power Optical Image Stabilization (O.I.S.) for keeping your footage relatively shake-free. The image stabilization technology has an active mode which can be enabled when walking or when you’re otherwise in an unstable position to provide extra shake reduction.

The V10 lens is protected by a manual lens cover. It’s not as convenient as the automatic covers found on higher-end Panasonic models.

Memory and Display

The V10 records directly to an SDHX memory card slot. There is no relay recording.

The HC-V10 offers a 2.7-inch LCD display. There is no optical or electronic viewfinder.

Design

Design-wise, the HC-V10 cuts a fairly conventional, if somewhat boxy, figure. Thanks to the use of flash memory you’ll still enjoy a lightweight body at 0.47 pounds. The HC-V10 measures in at 2.1 x 2.5 x 4.3 inches, roughly the same form factor as the entry-level series of Panasonic camcorders, and features a zoom lever on the top of the camcorder and a record shutter located on the side, next to the camcorder’s battery. Open the display and you’ll find buttons video playback, scrolling and info, plus the camcorder’s ports: component, HDMI, USB and AV.

The HC-V10 is available in a black, silver and red.

Shooting Features

The HC-V10 is outfitted with a fairly minimalistic feature set, which is not surprising given its price. It offers face detection a pre-record function which records three seconds worth of video before you hit the shutter. The V10 also offers an auto ground-directional standby mode, which detects if the camcorder is being held in an unusual position (say, upside down) and automatically stops recording.

A low light/color night recording mode preserves colors even in dim lighting.

As far as scene modes go, you’ll find sports, portrait, low light, spot light, snow, beach, sunset, fireworks, night scenery, night portrait and soft skin mode. You can snap .9-megapixel photos while recording video on the V10 (not a great resolution). Still photos can also be isolated from video footage played back on the camcorder and saved as a separate file. There is a two channel stereo microphone.

Connectivity

The HC-V10 offers a built-in HDMI output for connecting the camera although the cable is not included. You can also connect to a PC via USB cable.

The Bottom Line

The HC-V10 compensates for the lower resolution specification with a super high-powered lens. If sharper video quality is more important to you than a long zoom, consider Panasonic’s slightly more expensive V100 which is the company’s least expensive model to feature 1920 x 1080 recording. It does, however, have a lower zoom lens at 32x.

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