Tag: Shutter

by David Burgess on July 24, 2023 0

How To Capture Amazing Action Shots With Your Camera

Action shots are always impressive, whether it’s a photo of a friend skydiving or a video of a dance recital. But how do you get great action shots with your body camera? Here are a few tips:

Use a high frame rate.

The higher the frame rate, the more frames per second your camera will capture. This is important for action shots because it means you’ll be able to capture more detail and movement.

Use a fast shutter speed.

A fast shutter speed will help to freeze the action, so you don’t end up with a blurry mess.

Use burst mode.

Burst mode is a great way to make sure you don’t miss the perfect shot. When you enable burst mode, your camera will take a rapid succession of photos, giving you plenty of options to choose from.

Use a wide aperture.

A wide aperture will give you a shallow depth of field, which means that the background will be blurred and the focus will be on the subject of your photo.

Use a tripod.

A tripod will help to keep your camera steady, so you don’t end up with blurry photos.

Use manual mode.

Manual mode will give you the most control over your camera settings. This is important for action shots because you’ll want to be able to adjust the shutter speed and aperture to get the perfect photo.

Use a remote shutter release.

A remote shutter release will allow you to take photos without having to touch your camera. This is especially helpful if you’re using a tripod, as you won’t have to worry about jarring the camera and ruining your shot.

Use continuous autofocus.

Continuous autofocus will help to keep your subject in focus, even if they’re moving around.

Use high ISO.

A high ISO will help to brighten your photos, making it easier to capture detail in low-light situations.

Use post-processing.

Post-processing is a great way to fine-tune your photos and make them look their best.

With these tips, you’ll be able to take amazing action shots with your body camera. So go out and start shooting!

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by David Burgess on July 12, 2023 0

How To Get Creative With The Xiaomi Yi Action Camera App

If you’re a fan of the Xiaomi Yi Action Camera, then you’re probably already aware of the great Xiaomi Yi Action Camera App. This app allows you to control your camera remotely, as well as download and edit your photos and videos.

But did you know that there are some great creative ways to use the app? Here are some of our favourites:

Create a Time Lapse Video

One of the great features of the Xiaomi Yi Action Camera App is the time lapse function. This allows you to set your camera to take a photo every few seconds, minutes or hours, and then automatically stitches them together into a video.

This is a great way to create an interesting video of something that would normally be quite boring, such as a sunset or a cityscape.

Use the App as a Remote Shutter

If you want to take a photo of yourself without having to press the shutter button on the camera, you can use the app as a remote shutter. Simply set up your camera on a tripod or stable surface, and then use the app to trigger the shutter remotely.

This is also a great way to take group photos, as you can be in the photo yourself without having to worry about someone else taking the photo for you.

Take Long Exposure Photos

Another great feature of the Xiaomi Yi Action Camera App is the long exposure setting. This allows you to take photos with a shutter speed of up to 30 seconds, which is great for taking photos of stars or light trails.

To use this setting, simply set your camera to manual mode, and then select the long exposure setting in the app.

Use the App as a Dash Cam

If you’re going on a long road trip, you can use the Xiaomi Yi Action Camera App as a dash cam. Simply mount your camera to your windshield, and then set it to record continuously.

If you have an accident, or witness something interesting on your journey, you’ll have it all captured on video.

Take Photos of Wildlife

If you’re a keen photographer, you can use the Xiaomi Yi Action Camera App to take some great photos of wildlife. Simply set up your camera near a bird feeder or in your garden, and then use the app to trigger the shutter remotely.

You can also use the long exposure setting to take some great night-time photos of wildlife.

So there you have it, five great creative ways to use the Xiaomi Yi Action Camera App. We’re sure you’ll think of many more once you start using the app yourself.

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by David Burgess on November 19, 2022 0

How To Take Better Photos With Your Samsung Galaxy Camera 2

The Samsung Galaxy Camera 2 is a powerful device that can do a lot more than just take pictures. With its built-in Android operating system, the Galaxy Camera 2 gives you full access to the Google Play store and all of its apps.

Use the rule of thirds

When you’re framing a photo, it’s important to consider the rule of thirds. This rule is a guideline that suggests you should position the main subject of your photo either to the left or right of the frame, or above or below the center. This creates a more visually interesting and balanced photo.

To use the rule of thirds with your Samsung Galaxy Camera 2, simply tap the grid icon in the top left corner of the camera app. This will overlay a 3×3 grid on your camera’s display, making it easy to align your subject with one of the intersections.

Use the Selfie Alarm

The Samsung Galaxy Camera 2 has a great feature called the Selfie Alarm, which is perfect for taking group shots or selfies. To use the Selfie Alarm, open the camera app and tap the timer icon in the top right corner. Then, tap the Selfie Alarm icon and choose how long you want the timer to be (3, 5, or 10 seconds).

When you’re ready to take the photo, simply tap the shutter button and the camera will countdown from the selected time. This gives you enough time to get into position before the photo is taken.

Use burst mode

Burst mode is a great way to capture fast-moving subjects, like kids or pets. To use burst mode, open the camera app and tap the burst mode icon (it looks like a stack of three arrows). Then, simply hold down the shutter button and the camera will take a series of photos in quick succession.

Use the panorama mode

The panorama mode is perfect for capturing sweeping landscapes or large groups of people. To use the panorama mode, open the camera app and tap the panorama mode icon (it looks like a mountain). Then, simply press the shutter button and pan the camera slowly from left to right. The camera will automatically stitch the photos together to create a panoramic image.

Use the night mode

The night mode is perfect for taking photos in low-light conditions, like at a concert or in a bar. To use the night mode, open the camera app and tap the night mode icon (it looks like a moon). Then, simply press the shutter button and the camera will take a series of photos and automatically stitch them together to create a low-light image.

Use the HDR mode

The HDR (high dynamic range) mode is perfect for taking photos with a lot of contrast, like a photo of a sunset. To use the HDR mode, open the camera app and tap the HDR icon (it looks like a sun). Then, simply press the shutter button and the camera will take two photos with different exposures and automatically stitch them together to create a high-contrast image.

Use the macro mode

The macro mode is perfect for taking close-up photos of small subjects, like flowers or insects. To use the macro mode, open the camera app and tap the macro icon (it looks like a flower). Then, simply press the shutter button and the camera will focus on the subject in the center of the frame.

Use the food mode

The food mode is perfect for taking photos of, you guessed it, food! To use the food mode, open the camera app and tap the food icon (it looks like a fork and knife). Then, simply press the shutter button and the camera will take a photo with enhanced colors and saturation.

Use the sports mode

The sports mode is perfect for taking photos of fast-moving subjects, like a runner or a car. To use the sports mode, open the camera app and tap the sports icon (it looks like a running person). Then, simply press the shutter button and the camera will take a series of photos and automatically stitch them together to create a action-packed image.

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by David Burgess on November 11, 2022 0

How To Get The Most Out Of Your SLR Digital Camera

In this day and age, it’s all too easy to get caught up in the technology of our digital SLR cameras and overlook the basics of photography.

Here are a few tips to help you get the most out of your digital SLR camera:

1. Read the manual

This may seem like an obvious one, but you’d be surprised how many people never bother to read their camera manual. Your digital SLR camera is a complex piece of equipment and it’s important to understand how it works before using it.

2. Use the right lens

One of the great things about digital SLR cameras is that you can interchange the lenses depending on what you’re trying to photograph. If you’re shooting a landscape, for example, you’ll want to use a wide-angle lens. But if you’re trying to photograph a close-up of a flower, you’ll need a macro lens.

3. Shoot in RAW

If your digital SLR camera has the option to shoot in RAW, do it! RAW files are much larger than JPEGs but they contain all the information your camera captures when you take a photo. This gives you much more flexibility when editing your photos later on.

4. Use a tripod

If you want to avoid blurry photos, use a tripod. Tripods are especially important when shooting in low light or using a long lens.

5. Know your camera’s limits

Each digital SLR camera has its own strengths and weaknesses. Some are better in low light, while others have faster shutter speeds. Learn about your camera’s capabilities and limitations and you’ll be able to take better photos.

By following these tips, you’ll be able to get the most out of your digital SLR camera and take better photos.

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by David Burgess on November 7, 2022 0

10 Tips For Shooting Better On Film

1. Get to know your camera

Before you start shooting on film, it’s important to get to know your camera. Read the manual and familiarize yourself with the different features and settings. This will help you get the most out of your camera and avoid any potential problems.

2. Use a tripod

Using a tripod will help you avoid camera shake and ensure that your photos are sharp and blur-free. It’s especially important to use a tripod when shooting in low light conditions or when using a long focal length lens.

3. Use a remote shutter release

A remote shutter release allows you to take photos without touching the camera, which can help prevent camera shake. If your camera doesn’t have a remote shutter release, you can use the self-timer setting.

4. Use a low ISO

Using a low ISO will help you avoid image noise and produce sharper, higher-quality photos. It’s especially important to use a low ISO when shooting in low light conditions.

5. Use a fast shutter speed

Using a fast shutter speed will help you freeze action and avoid blur. It’s especially important to use a fast shutter speed when shooting sports or other fast-moving subjects.

6. Use a narrow aperture

Using a narrow aperture (higher f-stop number) will help you achieve a greater depth of field, which means that more of your photo will be in focus. This is useful for landscape photos or photos with multiple subjects.

7. Use exposure compensation

If you’re shooting in manual mode, exposure compensation can be used to make your photos lighter or darker. This is useful if the scene you’re photographing is very bright or very dark.

8. Shoot in RAW

Shooting in RAW will give you the most flexibility when editing your photos. RAW files contain all of the data captured by the camera’s sensor, which gives you more information to work with when editing.

9. Use a filter

Using a filter can help you achieve a specific effect or look in your photos. Common filters include polarizing filters, which reduce glare and increase contrast, and ND filters, which reduce the amount of light entering the lens.

10. Experiment

Don’t be afraid to experiment with different settings and techniques. This is the best way to learn and find what works best for you.

Hopefully these tips will help you shoot better on film. If you have any questions, feel free to leave a comment below.

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by Leland Richardson on November 19, 2021 0

Panasonic HDC-TM41H Overview

The Panasonic HDC-TM41H is a high definition camcorder that records 1920 x 1080 video in the AVCHD format. It represents the entry-level of Panasonic’s high definition camcorder line-up with a retail price of $399.

Panasonic HDC-TM41 Video Features

Video is recorded at a maximum resolution of 1920 x 1080 at a bit-rate of 17Mbps in the AVCHD format. It uses a 1.5-megapixel 1/5.8-inch CMOS image sensor. Video can also be recorded at lower bit-rates (13Mbps, 9Mbps, 5Mbps) or in the iFrame format of 960 x 540 at 28Mbps. Still photos are recorded at 2-megapixels, which is fairly low-resolution as far as images go. It’s enough to email, but not to print.

The HDC-TM41H features Panasonic’s “Intelligent Auto” (iAuto) mode for automatically matching scene modes to shooting environments.

You’ll also have a choice of several scene modes including sports, portrait, low light, spot light, snow, beach, sunset, fireworks, scenery, night scenery and night portrait (for still images only) and a “soft skin” mode for minimizing blemishes when filming people.

Audio is recorded through a 2-channel stereo microphone in Dolby Digital. Audio can also be recorded in the ACC format when filming in the aforementioned iFrame video format.

TM 41 Optical Features

You’ll find a 16.8x optical zoom lens (42.9 x 721mm, 35mm equivalent) on the Panasonic HDC-TM41H. It uses Panasonic’s Power Optical Image Stabilization for keeping your footage relatively shake-free. In “active mode” the image stabilization can compensate at wide-angles.

You have the option for both automatic and manual focus on the TM41H. There’s also a digital zoom to boost magnification out to 1200x – though a digital zoom should be used sparingly, if at all.

Memory and Display

Video footage is recorded directly to 16GB of internal flash memory.

There is also a slot for SDXC memory cards for adding additional recording capacity.

You’ll frame your recordings on a 2.7-inch LCD display. There is no viewfinder.

Design

Thanks to its use of flash memory, the TM41 is very light weight (indeed, it’s the lightest model in the company’s lineup as of this writing). Without the battery it weighs just .37 pounds and measures in at 2.03 x 2.26 x 4.27 inches. It’s a traditional, barrel-style form factor with a zoom lever and shutter button on the top of the camcorder. Pop open the display and you’ll find buttons for switching between iAuto and manual shooting and activating image stabilization, among others.

Aesthetically, the TM41 isn’t much of a head-turner. It’s only available in black.

Shooting Features

You will have some degree of control over your video when shooting with the HDC-TM41. You’ll be able to automatically white balance the camcorder, in addition to manually adjusting the iris. The shutter is automatic. There is a tele-macro mode available too for focusing on objects up to 50cm away. When the lights go down, you can avail yourself to the built-in LED video light to give you some additional illumination. There is no flash, however, for aiding in still photography. Overall a fairly scant feature-set, but that’s to be expected given the price.

Connectivity

The Panasonic HDC-TM41 offers a built-in HDMI output for connecting the camera. You can also connect to a PC via USB cable.

Impression

For those looking for a low-cost camcorder that delivers better video quality than a pocket camcorder with a few extra controls (manual focus, manual iris control and white balance) with a much better zoom lens, the Panasonic HDC-TM41 is definitely worth a look. It’s small design and light weight build ensure it can be carried anywhere without being a burden. It won’t pack the same kind of feature-punch as higher-end models, but if you need a basic, no frills camcorder, give the TM41H a closer look.

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by Leland Richardson on November 16, 2021 0

Canon EOS M10 Review

The Bottom Line

Canon has not chosen to make significant investments in the mirrorless interchangeable lens camera (ILC) market, sticking with focusing on its very popular DSLR camera models. But Canon isn’t completely abandoning the mirrorless market either, as shown by its recent release of the Canon M10. It’s very much a beginner-level mirrorless camera, as shown in this Canon EOS M10 review, and, as such, it has some drawbacks.

But the M10 fits in pretty well against other cameras that have a similar price point, as well as against other entry-level mirrorless ILCs. It’s one of the least expensive mirrorless cameras on the market, even after you purchase a lens or two. (Keep in mind that you cannot use the same lenses for Canon DSLR cameras as you can for Canon mirrorless models.)

With some of this camera’s drawbacks, I’d almost be tempted to go with an entry-level Canon Rebel DSLR model over this one, as the basic DSLRs are only slightly more expensive than the M10.

Rebel DSLRs have been around for decades, and provide strong performance levels and image quality. The M10’s biggest benefit versus those entry-level Rebels is its thin size of just 1.38 inches without the lens attached. Otherwise, Canon’s Rebels will provide a better experience for most photographers over the M10.

Specifications

Resolution: 18 megapixels
Optical zoom: NA, uses interchangeable lenses
LCD: 3.0-inch, 1,040,000 pixels (touch and tilt enabled)
Maximum image size: 5184 x 3456 pixels
Battery: Rechargeable Li-Ion
Dimensions: 4.25 x 2.62 x 1.38 inches
Weight: 10.6 ounces (including battery and memory card)
Image sensor: APS-C (22.3×14.9 mm)
Movie mode: HD 1080p

Pros

Low price for a mirrorless camera
Image quality is a bit above average versus other cameras in this price range
LCD screen is sharp and offers tilt and touch capabilities
Camera is easier to use than most interchangeable lens models
Movie recording is easy and full HD movies look great

Cons

Viewfinder is not included
No hot shoe for adding components
Camera’s image quality at high ISO settings is poor
Battery life isn’t as good as it should be, especially if you choose to use camera’s Wi-Fi
Shutter lag is a problem in some shooting situations

Image Quality

The Canon EOS M10 does a nice job with image quality versus other entry-level mirrorless cameras and versus other models in its price range. The M10’s images aren’t significantly better than its competitors, but they are above average. Personally, I like the image quality of Rebel DSLRs a little better than what’s found with the M10, but there isn’t a huge difference.

The Canon M10 does a nice job with indoor photography, nearly equal to its performance with outdoor photography in sunlight. This isn’t always the case with mirrorless cameras. The M10’s 18 megapixels of resolution and its APS-C sized image sensor allow for the good performance indoors.

However, the good indoor performance doesn’t continue if you’re shooting at a high ISO setting. Once you hit the midpoint of the M10’s ISO range — say around ISO 1600 — you’ll start to notice significant noise in the images, High ISO settings are not really usable with this camera. I’d suggest using the built-in flash unit wherever possible, rather than increasing the ISO past 800.

Performance

The Canon M10’s performance levels are impressive, as Canon gave this camera its DIGIC 6 image processor, which leads to some fast operational aspects. You can shoot between four and five frames per second in burst mode, which is a solid performance for a mirrorless camera.

But I was a bit disappointed in the M10’s shutter lag, which can approach half a second in some shooting conditions where you’re unable to prefocus by holding down the shutter button halfway. At some point, you will miss some spontaneous photos because of this shutter lag issue. It certainly isn’t the type of shutter lag problem you’d experience with a basic point and shoot camera, but it is more noticeable than what you’d find with a Rebel DSLR.

Battery performance with this model is a bit below average, which is a disappointment. However, this is a common problem with thin mirrorless ILCs, as they must have a thin battery to fit the overall design of the camera. Just understand that if you choose to use the M10’s built-in Wi-Fi capabilities, the poor battery lifespan problem will be magnified.

Design

The thin camera body found with the Canon M10 gives it an advantage over the Rebel DSLRs. No DSLR can match the EOS M10’s 1.38-inch thickness measurement.

Although you can use the M10 one-handed, it’s a little difficult to hold this camera with one hand because it has no right-hand grip area. The front of the camera body is smooth, so you have to try to hold it more like a point and shoot camera with a pinching grip, which can be difficult because of the way the lens protrudes from the camera body. It’s just easier to hold the camera with two hands.

Canon gave the EOS M10 tiltable and touch screen capabilities, which is great to find on a camera that’s aimed at inexperienced photographers. The camera also has very few buttons and dials, meaning you’ll be using the screen the majority of time to make changes to the settings, so having touch capabilities makes this model easy to use.

The build quality for the EOS M10 is very solid. There’s no loose parts or flimsy aspects to this Canon model.

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by Leland Richardson on November 16, 2021 0

Nikon Coolpix P900 Review

The Bottom Line

There’s no hiding the key feature that we’ll showcase in this Nikon Coolpix P900 review — an almost unbelievable 83X optical zoom lens. At the time of this writing, the 83X zoom lens is the largest one available in the fixed lens camera market, making the P900 a candidate for one of the best ultra zoom cameras.

And there’s no hiding this feature because it makes the Coolpix P900 a camera that’s larger than even some of the best DSLR cameras on the market. This model weighs almost 2 pounds and measures about 5x5x5 inches with the zoom lens retracted. When the optical zoom is fully extended, the camera measures about 8.5 inches in depth.

So if you need a huge zoom lens, Nikon definitely delivers with the P900. But as with many ultra zoom cameras, sometimes that huge zoom lens can be a detriment. You may have a tough time holding the Coolpix P900 steady when the zoom lens is extended, just because the camera is so heavy and awkward to hand hold with the large zoom lens.

And Nikon only gave this model a 1/2.3-inch image sensor and 16 megapixels of resolution, which will limit your ability to create photos that will result in large and sharp prints. Still, versus other large zoom cameras, the Nikon P900 is a decent performer.

Then there’s the $500-plus price point for the P900. You might be able to find an entry-level DSLR or mirrorless ILC at that price, which will result in far greater image quality. So only those who are sure they need the 83X optical zoom lens will be able to justify the high price tag for this model.

Specifications

Resolution: 16.0 megapixels
Optical zoom: 83X (24-2000mm equivalent)
LCD: 3.0-inch, 921,000 pixels (tiltable)
Maximum image size: 4608 x 3456 pixels
Battery: Rechargeable Li-Ion
Dimensions: 5.5 x 4.1 x 5.5 inches
Weight: 1 pound, 15.8 ounces (with battery and memory card)
Image sensor: 1/2.3-inch
Movie mode: HD 1080p

Pros

Huge optical zoom lens at 83X
Reasonably good performance speeds even when optical zoom lens is fully extended
Offers electronic viewfinder
Articulated LCD screen
Numerous manual control features

Cons

Small image sensor limits image quality results
Images aren’t quite as sharp as they should be
Maximum ISO is limited to 6400
Extremely heavy and large camera
Price point is high, approaching that of entry-level mirrorless ILCs

Image Quality

When you think about spending more than $500 for a digital camera, you expect to receive very good image quality. Unfortunately, this is one area where the Nikon P900 lags behind its price point peers, which can include low-end DSLRs.

The 1/2.3-inch image sensor in the Coolpix P900 is as small in physical size as what you’ll find in a digital camera. Models that cost less than $200 or $150 often have 1/2.3-inch image sensors. Because the physical size of image sensors plays such a key role in determining image quality, having such a small sensor in the P900 makes it tough to justify its high price tag.

The image quality for the Coolpix P900 might be even worse, other than the fact Nikon gave the camera a very strong optical image stabilization system, which is an extremely important feature to find in an ultra zoom camera. It’s difficult to hand hold a heavy camera steady without a good image stabilization system. Even with such a good IS system, you’ll want to purchase a tripod with this model for best image quality.

Performance

Most ultra zoom cameras operate slower than other types of cameras, especially when the zoom lens is fully extended. You can expect to have problems with shutter lag and shot to shot delays, meaning such cameras don’t have great response times.

The Nikon Coolpix P900 isn’t a fast performer either, but it does offer faster response times that what you’ll find with most ultra zoom cameras. In fact, the P900 has very little shutter lag when the zoom lens is not extended, which is impressive for this type of fixed lens camera.

Start-up is very fast with this model too, as you should be able to record your first photo a little more than 1 second after pressing the power button. And you can move through the entire 83X zoom range of this camera in about 3.5 seconds, which is an impressive level of speed for the zoom motor.

Battery performance is good with the P900, offering 300 to 400 shots per charge. However, if you choose to use the camera’s built-in GPS or Wi-Fi connectivity, you will receive less battery life.

Design

Nikon gave the P900 quite a few desirable design elements. The inclusion of an electronic viewfinder is great to find in an ultra zoom camera, as it can be easier to hand hold the camera steady when it’s pressed against your face, versus trying to hold it and look at the LCD screen.

If you choose to frame photos using the LCD screen instead of the handy viewfinder, Nikon gave the Coolpix P900 a sharp and bright display screen. And the LCD is articulated, meaning it’s easy to use this model when attached to a tripod by tilting the LCD to match the angle you need. You can even swivel the display screen 180 degrees to allow for selfies.

A mode dial on the top of the camera allows you to work quickly to pick the shooting mode you want. The P900 offers a range of shooting modes, including full manual control, fully automatic, and everything in between.

There’s a popup flash unit, which is a key design feature for an ultra zoom camera, as it allows the flash unit to gain a good angle to the scene, even when the zoom lens is fully extended. However, Nikon didn’t give the Coolpix P900 a hot shoe to allow for adding an external flash unit.

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by Leland Richardson on November 15, 2021 0

DXG A80V Camcorder Review

DXG’s A80V is a low cost high definition camcorder capable of recording 1920 x 1080p video to SDHC memory cards. The $299 model features: a 10-megapixel, 1/2.3-inch CMOS sensor, 5x optical zoom lens, and a 3-inch touch-screen LCD.

DXG A80V at a Glance:

The Good: Inexpensive, decent HD video quality, lightweight, touch-screen.

The Bad: Bulkly, limited optics

1080P Video Recording on a Budget

The DXG A80V is one of the least expensive traditionally-styled camcorders to offer 1920 x 1080p HD video resolution. And unlike the even cheaper pocket camcorders that boast 1080p recording, the A80V has more features (although far less than comparably priced standard definition camcorders – more on that later).

The A80V’s video quality at 1080p is definitely on par with some more expensive HD camcorders (like the $499 Sanyo FH1) but you shouldn’t expect it to perform as well as the higher bit-rate AVCHD models from Sony, Panasonic and others. That said, colors reproduced accurately and crisply. The camera was a solid performer indoors as well, with less digital noise marring the video in lower light than you’d find in either FH1 and lower-cost pocket models like Pure Digital’s Flip UltraHD. Another nice bonus: it offers a built-in video light.

The A80V has several other recording modes beyond 1080p/30 frames per second (fps). You’ll also find a 1080i/60fps for shooting fast-moving subjects. (See a comparison between 1080p/30fps and 1080i/60fps – it’s modest, but nonetheless the motion is crisper at the faster frame rate). You can also bump the resolution down to 720p at either 30fps or 60fps.

There’s also a dual-record option, which records two versions of the same video: one in high definition (1080P) and the other in WVGA.

The thinking here, I guess, is that you can create a lower-resolution video file for easier uploading to the Web. Personally I found it extraneous – why clog up your memory card with an extra file when YouTube and other sites support HD uploads?

High Resolution Stills

The A80V can snap 10-megapixel still photos with a flash to aid in low-light photography. The camera itself isn’t super-responsive. You’ll have to wait a second or often two from when you press the shutter, but the photos it produced were serviceable.

Limited Zoom

The A80V offers a 5x optical zoom lens. That’s not a lot of optical punch in a $300 camcorder and a far cry from the 70x lens you can find on, say, a standard definition Panasonic. On top of that, it uses electronic image stabilization, which isn’t as effective as optical stabilization in curbing camera shake.

The camcorder does offer a manual focusing option (which you operate using the zoom lever). Another useful feature is the ability to set a focus point using the touch-screen LCD. While the overall performance of the touch-screen display was good (see below) I found it somewhat sluggish when it came to this touch-focus feature. It would take the camcorder a few seconds to relocate the focus box and lock-on to its target.

Modest Feature Set

To pack a 1080p camcorder into a $299 price you have to expect some trade-offs. Other than the lens, the other trade off you’ll make is with the feature-set. You’ll get more options than you would with a pocket camcorder, but you won’t enjoy the same breadth of features on similarly priced standard definition camcorders (for instance, no scene modes or shutter and aperture controls).

That said, it’s not totally bare-bones: you can adjust white balance and exposure, as well as choose to film in sepia or black and white.

Responsive Touch Screen

DXG packed the A80V with a 3-inch touch-screen LCD. That’s a larger screen than you’ll find on more expensive models (with or without touch-screen operation) and aside from the sluggish spot focusing, the overall touch-screen performance is very responsive. All the features you’ll need to access are represented as nice large icons on the screen.

When it comes to external, physical controls, you’ll find a small mode dial at the back of the camcorder for switching between video and photo mode. There’s also a small toggle joystick at the back for adjusting white balance and exposure. A small shutter button and zoom lever sit atop the camcorder while behind the LCD screen sit nicely-sized controls for the flash, video light, power and display buttons. All in all, the controls are well positioned, making the A80V quite easy to operate.

Since it’s a flash camcorder, the A80V is light weight at 10 ounces (without battery). It springs to life fairly quickly and can be powered up and down by opening the LCD or via a button behind the display. It is a tad bulkier than other flash camcorder at a little over 5-inches long, but it’s not very obtrusive.

The Bottom Line: The DXG A80V is a Good Budget Buy

At $299, the DXG A80V has very few competitors that can offer the same video resolution of 1920 x 1080p. You can spend about $70 less for a 1080p pocket camcorder, but you’ll lose out on a lot of the features the A80V has to offer. You could spend the same amount for a fuller-featured camcorder with a better zoom, but it would only offer standard definition resolution. So there’s your trade-off.

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by Leland Richardson on November 15, 2021 0

Panasonic HDC-TM90 Camcorder Review

The Panasonic HDC-TM90 is a high definition camcorder that records 1920 x 1080 video in the AVCHD format. It offers 16GB of built-in flash memory, a 3-inch touch-screen display and a 26x zoom lens. It is also capable of 3D video recording with an optional 3D converter lens.

Panasonic HDC-TM90 at a Glance

The Good: Excellent video quality, solid feature set, light and compact design.

The Bad: Small external controls, clumsy menu interface.

Panasonic HDC-TM90 Video Quality

The Panasonic TM90 records video at 1920 x 1080 at 60 progressive frames per second via a 3-megapixel CMOS sensor at a maximum bit rate of 28Mbps.

This high bit-rate setting is not actually supported by the AVCHD format that the TM90 records in, so your video editing options are fewer (at least for now) than they would be if you dialed back to the AVCHD-supported 24Mbps.

Nevertheless, the video quality on the Panasonic TM90 is very impressive. We’re talking about extremely crisp motion, well-saturated colors and nice even exposure. In low light, the results were equally impressive, with very little visible noise, especially vs. other camcorders in its price range. Panasonic said they revamped their noise reduction system for a number of 2011 camcorders and it definitely shows.

In addition to the high-quality 28Mbps mode, you can dial back to 17Mbps, 13Mbps, 9Mbps and 5Mbps. On the still photography side, you can snap 5-megapixel still photos. While it’s no replacement for a still camera, it has a flash and a dedicated photo shutter, so it delivers enough functionality to fill in on the fly.

Panasonic TM90 Optics

The TM90 packs a 26x optical zoom lens.

Your magnification can be boosted to 40x with Panasonic’s “Intelligent Zoom” which basically crops your video to produce a “zoom” look. The TM90 offers both optical and digital image stabilization to reduce jitters as you move about or use the zoom. I found it quite effective, particularly as you zoom out.

Another nice optical feature: the TM90 offers a 28mm wide angle lens for getting more of your scene in the frame.

Design

The design of the Panasonic HDC-TM90 is something of a mixed bag. On the plus side, it’s very light and compact at 1.99 x 2.48 x 4.67 inches and .54lbs without battery and memory card. It has a plastic exterior, which contributes to its light weight but also makes it feel a bit cheap. The overall design is sleek – with the battery lodged nearly flush with the back of the camcorder, so it’s quite easy to drop in purse or pocket.

The design negatives come when you flip open the camcorder’s LCD display to reveal a set of small buttons (Intelligent Auto/Manual, image stabilization, and 1080/60p mode) that are flush with the camcorder body and are difficult to engage.

Feature Set

The TM90 offers an “Intelligent Auto” mode for automatically setting exposure settings to maximize video quality based on your shooting environment. Advanced users will like the automatic control over iris, focus and shutter speed. There’s also a pre-record function which will record up to three seconds of video before you actually press “record.”

The TM90 is also able to record 3D video with the use of an optional 3D converter lens ($350). After you attach the converter, the camcorder will automatically detect it and set you into 3D mode, along with instructions for properly adjusting the lens for the most accurate recording. The resulting 3D video won’t be high definition and can’t be viewed in 3D on the camcorder’s LCD display. If you own a 3D TV and glasses, however, you can enjoy the full 3D experience when connecting the camcorder via HDMI cable.

Menu & Display

With a 3-inch touch screen display, the Panasonic TM90 has a bit more room to navigate around on-screen menu items. Unfortunately, a lot of the on-screen menu icons are a bit vague. You can use an info button (marked as an ‘i’ on the bottom of the menu) to get a brief written description, but the info mode shuts off after one use – you’ll have to constantly hit it to learn about a particular function, which can be frustrating.

The touch screen itself is quite responsive and the display rotates around so you can alternate your viewing angles.

Memory

The Panasonic TM90 packs 16GB worth of internal flash memory alongside a slot for an optional SDXC card. It offers relay recording – a useful feature which automatically switches recording from internal memory to a card (if one’s inserted) when internal memory fills up.

You can store roughly two hours and 20 minutes worth of the highest quality HD footage on the TM90’s built-in memory and much more than that (up to six hours) if you dial back the quality.

Panasonic HDC-TM90 Bottom Line

Some design quibbles aside, the TM90 is a terrific camcorder for the mid-range of the HD/AVCHD market. It delivers fantastic video quality with a well-rounded feature set and a terrific zoom lens. If you get the hankering to shoot 3D video, the TM90 can accommodate you, although we wouldn’t recommend it for its 3D features alone (better to buy a dedicated 3D camcorder with a pair of image sensors and lenses).

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