Product Description

3 separate CCD sensors for red, green, and blue * 640,000 effective pixels per sensor for video * 710,000 effective pixels per sensor for photos * variable-speed 10X Leica® Dicomar® optical zoom lens (digital zoom to 700X) * manual focus ring * records video on tiny Mini DV tapes * digital photo mode * 3.1-megapixel photo capture with Quad-Density Pixel Distribution * SD memory card slot * microphone input * Optical Image Stabilizer * ... Read more

Features

• Leica Dicomar lens
• 3.1 Mega Still picture recording
• 2.5 inches diagonal LCD
• USB 2.0 hi-speed port
• 3CCD camera system

Reviews (2)

Highly Recommended
Perhaps the biggest failure of this product is the lack of documentation on how well this camcorder operates with Macintosh.Using a 4pin to 6pin Firewire cable (not included), this camera easily connects to Macs making an easy tranfer into iMovie for editing. In fact, I couldn't find any mention of how to use Firewire with this camcorder.
This camcorder is extremely small and I was concerned about how well I would like the small controls. I was very surprised at how easy the controls were to use.
Picture quality is very good, even in low light conditions. In-door shooting will usually require the whitebalance to be manually set because in auto mode lighting is yellow, but it is as easy as clicking a menu item.
It also makes transfering from VHS to miniDV easy with the enclosed cables.
I'm giving 4 stars due to the documentation.

MotionDV socks
Excellent camcorder with a lot of feartures. Bravo to Panasonic hardware engineers. However, I spent entire weekend in trying to connect camcorder to Motion DV. Instructions in English are made from direct computer translation from Japanese, so it is very hard. French version a little better. No a clear expalnation between USB and IEEE connection options. As the result, you will do a false step in installation, then you will be not able to desinstall Motion DV, you will need to manipulate your registry files and so on. Finally I gave up and installed Premiere LE from my last camcorder whichwas working immediately with all features.
... Read more

Product Description

three separate CCD sensors for red, green, and blue * 440,000 effective pixels per sensor for video * 530,000 effective pixels per sensor for photos * records video on tiny Mini DV tapes * digital photo mode * 2.3-megapixel photo capture with Quad-Density Pixel Distribution * SD Card slot for use with MultiMediaCard? or SDmemory cards * variable-speed 10X Leica Dicomar optical zoom lens (digital zoom to 700X) * Digital Electronic Image Stabilizer * ... Read more

Features

• 2.3 Mega Still picture recording
• Leica Dicomar lens
• USB 2.0 hi-speed port
• 1.7 second quick start
• 3CCD camera system

Reviews (3)

Price Buster !!
This camera takes the best still pictures of any mini-dv I have owned yet !! Low transport noise and the joystick rocks . You basically just open the box and shoot . As with any camera you should always adjust your own white balance .It fits in the palm of your hand and comes with a remote and a mic ! No battery complaints as of yet . For the price get it !!

Pretty decent camera for the price
I have had this camera for about 3 weeks. Bought this after lot of research(mini-dvd versus miniDV). Read some horror stories about an entire disk getting wiped out with mini-dvd camcorders.

GS150 does an amazing job in bright day light. Colors are vibrant compared to 1 CCD cameras. Low light performance is so so. Overall, I am a satisfied customer.

If you plan on transferring video to a computer, get a fire-wire cable. This camera needs a 4 pin male connector. I have a MAC and transferring video and burning into a DVD was a breeze.

Decent camcorder with a few cons
The camcorder offers outstanding video quality (at its price level)in adequate lighting condition. I had a chance to compare it to Cannon Opture 500. I think GS150 produces better color than Opeture does, due largely to 3ccd, but makes slightly more noise in low light settings.
I like the joystick, which makes the control panel look clean and simple.
However, there are a few things I am not happy with.
1. Generally, EIS does not improve much from GS120. Without a tripod, you still need to hold your breath if you want to get really stable video.
2. There is no EIS in widescreen mode.
3. Again, low light performance is not satisfactory.
So, if you do most of your shooting outdoor and are confident on your "stability skills," this is a great camcorder to buy.
... Read more

Product Description

680,000-pixel CCD * variable-speed 30X optical zoom lens (digital zoom to 1,000X) * digital photo mode * records video on tiny Mini DV tapes * 2-1/2" color LCD viewscreen * color viewfinder * Digital Electronic Image Stabilization * wireless remote * ... Read more

Features

• 3-hour battery
• USB 2.0 hi-speed port
• SD memorycard slot
• 1.7 second quick start
• 30x optical zoom

Reviews (2)

Great Camera so far.....
Just bought this camcorder a few days ago and so far, I've been very impressed.The low-light capabilities appear very adequate.The ease of transfer to the PC via the DV-Firewire link is excellent.Haven't had a chance to check out many features yet, but easy of use for picking up the camera and shooting a video is great.So far, I think I've made a good choice.

Wow! Great camera!
I just got back from my local electronics store which, to my surprise, had the GS35 in stock and on sale. I was very pleased with the ease of use and accuracy of the thumbstick control. Though, the menu button was a bit out of reach for my thumb thus requiring me to use my other hand to push it. The built-in LED lights help shed some light on dark situations, but I noticed an even greater benefit from the increase in gain when the light was switched on. The lens used on this camera is out-of-sight! Not only does it offer high telephoto optical zoom, it offers what few other camcorders out there have: built-in wideangle. The lens is 1.9-57mm which equates roughly to a 35mm equivalent of 35-1040mm. So, go ahead, shoot video indoors and get the whole group in the shot at once! ... Read more

Product Description

Digital Palmcorder MultiCam Camcorder with 24x Optical Zoom and 800x Digital Zoom Compact-Design, Still Picture Capability; SD Slot; 24x Optical Zoom; 800x Digital Zoom; Electronic Image Stabilization; USB 2.0 Get Up Close with a 24x Optical Zoom and 800x Digital Zoom - The optical zoom feature acts like a telescope to produce close-up shots with extraordinary clarity so you won't miss a single detail. It also offers variable zoom speeds, so you can adjust your zoom speed from wide angle to full telephoto. In addition, the digital zoom ratio can be increased up to an extraordinary 800x. Now that's close up! Simultaneous Motion Video & Still Picture Recording (VGA) - Now you can snap off a still shot (VGA) while recording video without having to change recording modes. The video is recorded onto the Mini DV tape and the still image is recorded onto the SD Memory Card. This 2-in-1 capability means you can catch sudden photo opportunities without interrupting a great moving picture scene. Soft Skin Mode Helps Soften Blemishes and Lines - This feature detects skin tones and softens the focus in that area of the picture. It helps make blemishes and lines appear less noticeable, while preserving resolution in areas of the picture outside the skin. One-Touch Navigation and Joystick Control - The joystick makes the camera much easier to use, letting you control all basic operations with one hand. As you shoot, just watch the image in the monitor and follow the instruction guide. ... Read more

Features

• SD memory card slot
• USB 2.0 hi-speed port
• 2.5-inch diagonal LCD
• 1.3-second quick start
• 24x optical zoom

Amazon.com Product Description

Blending innovative technologies with new, simple-to-operate controls, Panasonic's entry-level PV-GS9 camcorder is an affordable entry into digital video with powerful features. Panasonic continues to innovate, adding more optical zoom capability while reducing the overall size. This MiniDV camcorder features a 20x optical zoom, ultra-fast 1.3-second start-up time, digital stills saved to tape, and webcam capability. For a step up in price, the Panasonic PV-GS12 offers digital electronic image stabilization and enables you to save digital stills to SD/MMC memory cards.

Optics
The PV-GS9 is equipped with a 1/6-inch, 680,000-pixel CCD and 20x optical zoom It also features a 800x digital zoom that allows you to zoom in on incredible close-ups.

Digital Stills
In addition to video camcorder operation, you can also use the PV-GS9 as a digital still camera. Using Panasonic's PhotoShot function, images are stored on tape.

More Features
The 2.5-inch LCD screen can be opened a full 120 degrees away from the camcorder's body, making it easier to view motion images as they're being captured.

The Quick Start feature enables the PV-GS9 to begin taping 1.3 seconds after turning the power on so those unexpected moments won't be missed.ÊAfter pressing the Quick Start button, the camcorder will bring up the previous settings that you were shooting with--even if they were manually entered.

The PV-GS9 has several built-in digital effects during record and playback, including:

• Digital Mirror: Creates a mirror like symmetrical image
• Strobe: Digitally "freezes" a series of images
• Mosaic: Turns the image into a mosaic pattern
• Stretch: The image expands horizontally
• Trail: Forms multiple impressions of all images in motion, which gradually fade-out as the motion comes to a halt, creating a "trail" effect
• Slim: The image expands vertically

The Soft Skin Detail function detects the different skin tones being recorded and softens the focus to create a realistic blend. Other features include:

• The image-enhancing MagicPix feature allows for rich videos under low-light conditions.Ê
• Web cam capability, which is ideal for video conferencing with friends or family, or use as a simple monitoring device when consumers are away from home.
• The unsnapping hand strap doubles as wrist loops, enabling you to carry the camcorder like a small bag or purse.
• Black and white viewfinder

Dimensions and Weight
This camcorder measures 3.3 x 2.75 x 4.38 inches (H x W x D) and weighs 14.1 ounces.

MiniDV Format
MiniDV is the preferred format for personal and broadcast-quality video, and it is highly regarded for its high audio and image quality. With up to 540 lines of horizontal resolution and minimum color noise, MiniDV delivers a 2 percent clearer picture than analog camcorder formats. This is all delivered on a cassette that's 1/12th the size of a standard VHS tape. A MiniDV tape offers digital recording time of 2 full hours--20 times the capacity of a CD. ... Read more

Features

• Compact digital Palmcorder MultiCam camcorder and still camera with 680,000-pixel CCD
• 20x optical zoom lens (digital zoom to 800x)
• 2.5-inch LCD swings open 120 degrees and black-and-white viewfinder
• Low-light recording settings, records stills to tape, and Web cam capability
• Rechargeable Li-ion battery pack lasts for up to 1 hour and 15 minutes

Reviews (10)

DO NOT BUY THIS CAMERA!
IT DOES NOT INCLUDE THE PC CONNECTION CABLE AND DRIVER SOFTWARE AS TARGET IS ADVERTISING IN THE DESCRIPTION. WHEN YOU GET THE CAMERA YOU ARE STUCK WITHOUT A WAY TO CONNECT IT TO YOUR COMPUTER, AND YOU HAVE TO BUY YOUR OWN CARTRIDGE BEFORE YOU CAN USE THIS. IT NEEDS SOFTWARE THAT IS NOT INCLUDED. I HAVE TRIED FOR TWO DAYS TO CONTACT PANASONIC AND ORDER OR FIND THE SOFTWARE NEEDED, HELD FOR OVER AN HOUR TWICE AND SENT TWO EMAILS TO THEIR CUSTOMER SERVICE THAT STILL HAVE NOT BEEN ANSWERED. SAVE YOURSELF THE TROUBLE I HAVE GONE THROUGH - FIND ANOTHER CAMERA.

Good Camcorder but...
...there are too many things wrong with it. This is the 2nd time I've taken this one home to try out. The first one had great video and I really liked it, but the sound didn't work. I took it back and they gave me another. This one has great video and sound, but full of the mosaic problem I've read about on other digital camcorders. The booklet says this is not a malfunction but a normal instance of digital. Give me a break...why would people put up with this and pay the prices they're paying. No way. I'm waiting until they find a cure and then I'll be back, but I don't believe this is a normal thing.

Good cam.
I bought this camcorder, like everybody else, because i need small, digital, and low-cost. this camera does all that, and the outdoors video quality is excellent.

It's not fair to compare this model with 3CCD or other much more costly models, but i will say that the EIS is not very good, and particularly poor when used in low light-lots of image smear. Of course, i think EIS stinks, period...

Overall, buy it. Best at price point.

molto bene!
For a while, my friends and I have been searching for a digital camcorder to make movies with. We had one already but it was...bad...to say the least. We needed something new.

I got this camcorder and absolutely love it. The picture quality and sound quality is amazing. I can now record at a crisp, clear 720*480 resolution.

Another pro: the zoom is amazing. Don't believe it when it says 800x zoom because that's just false, but if you turn the digital zoom down to 50x, the quality still remains almost the same as optical zoom.

Within minutes after I opened it, I had transfered a video onto my computer using windows movie maker, and saved it as an avi. All you need is a firewire cable (which I bought at the time I bought the camera).

I can't think of any cons for this camera because it has exceeded my expectations in every way.

You can also transfer videos from your computer back on to the camera using the firewire cable, and then record them onto VHS tapes.

Not as good as it should be
Pros: Really good zoom (sorta)

Cons: When you zoom in, it looses pixels; No extra features; can't connect to PC or MAC without buying the driver from panasonic

Overall - wish i hadn't bought it! Over priced! ... Read more

Product Description

DVD Recording is Easy, Convenient and Fun - Record directly onto DVD-RAM or DVD-R discs for multiple recording and playback options. With DVD-RAM discs you never have to worry about erasing a recording or finding blank space. You can just start recording. DVD-RAM discs can also be played back in compatible devices, like select computers and home DVD-players. DVD-R discs are strong and versatile, and can also be played back on most home DVD players. Take Digital Still Images using the Built-In Digital Still Camera - The VDR-M53 has a built-in digital still camera which lets you capture incredibly lifelike still images directly onto a DVD disc or SD Memory Card. Now you can store all your memories form a special event conveniently in one place. Get an Incredibly Close Shot with 24x Optical Zoom and 800x Digital Zoom - The optical zoom acts like a telescope to produce close-up shots with extraordinary clarity. And, with variable zoom speeds, you can adjust how fast the camcorder lens moves from wide-angle to full telescope. In addition, the digital zoom ratio can be increased up to an extraordinary 800x. Now that's close up! Digital Electronics Image Stabilizer (D-EIS) Helps Eliminate Blurred Images - Digital EIS compensates for unintentional hand and camcorder movement to help stabilize your recordings, even while you're recording as a passenger from a moving vehicle or while walking. With Digital EIS, you will not have to worry about shaky soccer games or family outings. ... Read more

Features

• 24x optical / 800x digital zoom
• 2.5 inch diagonal color LCD monitor
• Digital Electronics Image Stabilizer (D-EIS)
• Record directly onto DVD-RAM or DVD-R discs
• Built-In digital still camera

Reviews (1)

Easy to use
I just bought this camcorder and am not a good reader of manuals.I had it recording in a matter of minutes.You do have to format the mini dvds, but that is easy to find in the manual.The quality of the recording looked great on my computer screen.I bought office depot mini dvds and they worked fine, for the great price.This Panasonic is great and recording straight to mini dvds is a wonderful idea.I would have given it a 5 star rating, but the finalizing of the mini dvd took a while and you have to plug it in, you can't do this using the battery.Also I was warned, that if you use the dvd-ram instead of the dvd-r, they will not work on all players and they prefer to work on Panasonic equipment.This is why I opted for the non re-writable mini dvd-r from office depot.I also bought the PNY SD card from them and the card reader, all very affordable and easy to use. ... Read more

Features

• Compact 3-CCD DV Palmcorder for peerless video quality
• 12x optical zoom and 700x digital zoom with digital image stabilization
• 2.5-inch LCD screen with color viewfinder
• 4.0-megapixel digital still picture capability, SD memory card slot
• Powered by rechargeable lithium-ion battery pack

Features

• Professional 3-CCD MiniDV camcorder with 60i and 30p movie mode 16x optical, 160x digital zoom
• optical image stabilization 3.5-inch color LCD monitor rotates 260 degrees
• adjustable handle 16:9 widescreen recording
• selectable shutter speeds
• full manual controls Powered by lithium ion rechargeable battery pack

Product Description

PV-GS65 3CCD Ultra-Compact Digital Palmcorder MultiCam Camcorder with 1.2 Megapixel Still Picture Recording Get True, Crisp Color Images with our 3CCD Mini-DV Camcorders - The PV-GS65, with its 3CCD Camera System, reproduces color in great fidelity by using a separate CCD for reds, greens and blues. It's the same 3CCD technology used in Panasonic professional broadcast equipment, resulting in 540 lines of breathtaking resolution. You can count on Panasonic 3CCD Digital Camcorders to give you colors that are as rich and vibrant as your life. Capture Still Pictures With Outstanding Quality - The PV-GS65 captures still images with incredible detail at up to 1.2 Megapixels. The Quad-Density Pixel Distribution Technology, a technology used in Panasonic professional broadcast equipment, makes it possible to capture still pictures with amazing quality. Digital Electronics Image Stabilizer (D-EIS) Helps Eliminate Blurred Images - Digital EIS compensates for unintentional hand and camcorder movement to help stabilize your recordings - even while you're recording as a passenger from a moving vehicle. With Digital EIS, you won't have to worry about shaky soccer games or family outings. Get up close with 10x Optical Zoom and 700x Digital Zoom - An optical zoom this powerful works like a telescope to produce close-up shots with extraordinary clarity. And with the different zoom speeds, you can control how quick you go from a wide angle to telephoto zoom. ... Read more

Features

• 10x optical zoom
• 1.7second quick start
• 3CCD camera system
• 1.2 Mega Still picture recording

Reviews (1)

Zoom sacrificed for great color
I just compared the GS65 and GS35 at my local electronics store. To my surprise, they were already in stock and on sale! The GS65 has significantly better color than the GS35 due to its 3CCD style. However, is the better color worth the sacrifice in the zoom range? That's a question you'll have to ask yourself. Not only do you loose some optical zoom in the telephoto range, the GS65 starts at a higher zoom than the GS35. Therefore, it also looses out in the wideangle range. By comparison, the lens on the GS65 is 2.45-24.5mm (35mm equivalent of 44.7-447mm) whereas the GS35 is 1.9-57.0mm (35mm equivalent of 35-1040mm). The extra optical tele and wider base focal length may just be enough for some users to outweight the color difference. Except for a headphone out and the features mentioned above, the two models are nearly identical. I was happily surprised at the ease of use and accuracy on the joystick thumb control. Although, the menu button was just out of reach for my thumb. ... Read more

Features

• Superior Image Rendering with the Leica Dicomar Lens
• 410,000-pixel (NTSC), 3CCD Image System Provides F11 Sensitivity for Superior Image Quality
• High-Sensitivity Slow Shutter
• High Image Quality with 12-Bit A/D Conversion
• RGB Gamma Processor Provides Rich, Cine-Like Tones

Product Description

680,000-pixel CCD * variable-speed 26X optical zoom lens (digital zoom to 1,000X) * digital photo mode * records video on tiny Mini DV tapes * 2-1/2" color LCD viewscreen * color viewfinder * Digital Electronic Image Stabilization * ... Read more

Features

• LED light
• Color viewfinder
• 1.7 second quick start
• USB 2.0 hi-speed port
• 26x optical zoom

Features

• Pocket-sized MPEG-2/MPEG-4 SD video camera and 2-megapixel still camera--weighs just .34 pounds
• 10:1 optical zoom lens with 25x digital zoom and super image stabilizer
• 2.5-inch LCD rotates a full, 270 degrees
• Includes 512MB SD memory card and remote control
• Rechargable battery provides up to an hour of video recording time

Reviews (11)

Thumbs Up for the SV-AV100
i shoot quite a bit of video, and i really like not having to use tape... you can get a cheap hard drive-based digital wallet with an sd slot to copy the av100 sd card contents into while you are shooting with a second sd card... no need to ever have more than two sd cards, and you can shoot all day without having to unload the digital wallet.

do not use the software that came with the av100, instead, at the end of the shoot, just plug the digital wallet into your pc via the usb cable, where it appears as just another hard drive... copy the .mod files onto your local hard drive, and rename them as .mpg's... there is nothing to convert, and you can burn the .mpg's directly to dvd.

the av100 is a bit difficult to handle because of the small size, and no tripod mount hole, but surprisingly, it has options for manual controls, and it even has digital image stabilization... along with the mpeg2 recording, you can't get all those features in any other camera on the market today.

improvements i'd like to see would include a bigger ccd pickup, this isn't a camera you get for shooting stills or for shooting video in low light... it's built to serve as a video camera, get a cheap digital still camera if still shots is what you want... the current crop of these types of cameras proves that trying to combine both video and still functions into one camera will result in too many compromises of either one or both functions.

I wish I hadn't bought it...
The camera works as advertised, but I couldn't find any software that could convert the .mod files to something useful. Even the software that comes with it fails to convert the files to a standard format. I have a new XP Pro desktop, and Windows Media Player, Roxio Video Wave Movie Creator, and Windows Movie Maker do not play the files, convert the files or burn the files. Neither does the software that comes with it. I contacted Panasonic, and they said, "We appreciate your frustration. However, Panasonic does not offer software that will allow you to convert the mod.
files. At this time we will relieve ourselves from any further e-mail correspondence regarding this matter." The software that comes with the Product is advertised to convert the files and it does have Panasonic's name on it. That aside, I did find Ulead VideoStudio 7, which can burn the files to DVD. The quality isn't horrible. It will only burn the highest quality video which looks 'ok' on my tv. This means that I can only get 10 minutes of video per 512 MB SD Card. The fact that the SD Cards used by the camera are not standard should be emphasized. You cannot just use any SD Card. Please, do yourself a favor and keep looking for a better choice. This camera is definitely not ready for market.

What were they thinking?
Here's a nice piece of hardware that was sabotaged by Panasonic's software division. It's hard to believe that,in this era of video file type proliferation, Panasonic could have produced MPEG2 files that are incompatable with practically all video editing software on the market. Panasonic provides a conversion and editing program called "MediaStage". It's practically worthless. It's simultaneously elementary and obscure. If you are comfortable with MS Windows and then open MediaStage to run the program, you'll be stunned at how disconnected software developers can be with users. The only conversion available for MPEG2 files (in .MOD and .MOI format, no less) is to MPEG4 or to WMV. What a pity.
Maybe one of these days some software developer will produce some decent software that can edit these strange d-snap files.
I asked Panasonic, but they couldn't recommend any software to me. The joke's on me.

AV-100 is AWSOME
I just bought this camera. Let me tell you that it is better than I was expecting. The picture qualaty of the mpeg2 fine video setting is noticably better than my sony Hi-8 camcorder, although it is not as good as most mini dv camcorders. It's got tons of features. The audio is also great. I thought it wouldn't be, scince the mic is on the backside of the camera, but it turns out it picks up evrything just fine. (In the first day i shot some great vids of my dog). There are a few problems, but they are not too serious. One of coarse, is the SD card capacity. Now for me, this is not that big of a deal because I bought this camera so i could have it everywhere and get short videos. Another problem is the battery life. It lasts about 40 minutes(I am going to buy an extra to have with me at all times). Also, a problem is that it doesn't have a flash, although that is also not a big deal because if you want a high quality picture, get a DIGITAL CAMERA, not an mpeg2 video recorder. Even without the flash though, the pictures are not bad. Finally, it's the darn .mod files and the software. The software that pannasonic provides does absolutly nothing. The .mod files are very annoying because you have to rename them to .jpeg, which can cause some problems (in the quality). Overall, this camera is SPECTACULAR for what it is supposed to do. I love it. Also, i got it for 675.
Now i'm just waiting for the 5 gig sd card to come out. Thats 100 min of superfine vid!

COOL Right Out Of The Box!!!!!!
I am redoing my review. I love this. I got my 20 minutes in Mpeg 2 mode and I know for sure because I timed it. That girl above has the right idea, already making movies to computer.
GO GIRL!!!! I paid a whopping $1000.00 for mine and I think the price on Amazon is very good for this unique cam with awesome picture quality. I was using the zoom too when I got my 20 minutes. Now 3 stars because mine has very bad volume and I can not believe no one else mentioned it so I may have a defect. My replacement time may be up and I sure hope not because I would want a replacement because it is so convienient. I do love the size so you can take it anywhere. Again the picture quality is almost overwhelmingly fantastic!I sure hope I can get a replacement because the volume turned all the way up and I have to literally put my ear to the speaker to hear regular talking volume. I am going to go to the above web site the guy put in so nice of him to see what tips ,tricks,. ect. It is as fun as it is small. Please contact me if you have an answer to my volume issue.I really love this so much and need to do what that reviewer is with her movies already. I just purchased a Lexar card reader and I think they have one on Amazon that will answer her download problem. One for SD card. Anyway I think this is the most unique thing I have ever purchased and I was sceptical until that big smile came on my face when I opened the box and I love the little charger /holder cradle too.Sincerely, Josie Ryder
Lovin every minute of it. Just got to figure out the volume problem and then for it's quality images and convienince I would add a couple of stars.Please contact me if any of you have this problem please. Thanks.Very COOL Though! JosieRyder@aol.com ... Read more

Features

• 680,000 Pixel CCD with 340,000 Effective Pixel Image
• 15x Zoom Lens and up to 750x Digital Zoom
• Auto and Manual Focus
• Select from five program AE modes -sports, portrait, spotlight, surf & snow, and low light
• Digital Electronic Image Stabilizer

Reviews (1)

Excellent
If you are looking for an extreame camcorder this is the one. i use it for all my extrame adventures to italy and venice etc. i highly recomend this to advanced users. his is the 5th camcorder i own. it produces great playback and the sound is amazing. ... Read more

Features

• MiniDV camcorder and still camera with 3-megapixel CCD
• 10x optical zoom lens (700x digital zoom) and image stabilizer
• 2.5-inch rotating LCD and color viewfinder
• Low-light recording settings and built-in auto pop-up flash
• Rechargeable Li-ion battery pack lasts for up to 1 hour and 15 minutes

Product Description

DVD Recording is Easy, Convenient and FunRecord directly onto DVD-RAM or DVD-R discs for multiple recording and playback options. With DVD-RAM discs you never have to worry about erasing a recording or finding blank space. You can just start recording. DVD-RAM discs can also be played back in compatible devices, like select computers and home DVD-players. DVD-R discs are strong and versatile, and can also be played back on most home DVD players.Take Digital Still Images using the Built-In 1.3 Megapixel Digital Still Camera The VDR-M75 has a built-in 1.3 Megapixel digital still camera which lets you capture incredibly lifelike still images directly onto a DVD disc or SD Memory Card. Now you can store all your memories form a special event conveniently in one place.1Get an Incredibly Close Shot with 10x Optical Zoom and 700x Digital Zoom2The optical zoom acts like a telescope to produce close-up shots with extraordinary clarity. And, with variable zoom speeds, you can adjust how fast the camcorder lens moves from wide-angle to full telescope. In addition, the digital zoom ratio can be increased up to an extraordinary 700x. Now that's close up!Digital Electronics Image Stabilizer (D-EIS) Helps Eliminate Blurred ImagesDigital EIS compensates for unintentional hand and camcorder movement to help stabilize your recordings, even while you're recording as a passenger from a moving vehicle or while walking. With Digital EIS, you will not have to worry about shaky soccer games or family outings.SD Memory Card Slot for Digital Still ImagesYou can also record onto SD Memory Cards. These versatile, high-capacity storage cards are extremely small--about the size of a postage stamp. They work as "digital film," letting you capture images and then transfer them to a compatible PC, TV, PDA, or other device equipped with an SD slot. It is an easy way to share your images wit ... Read more

Features

• 10x optical /700x digital zoom
• 2.5 inch diagonal color LCD
• Digital Electronics Image Stabilizer (D-EIS)
• Record directly onto DVD-RAM or DVD-R discs
• Built-In 1.3 megapixel digital still camera

Features

• Compact Palmcorder VHS-C camcorder with 270,000-pixel CCD
• 20x optical zoom lens (digital zoom to 700x) and image stabilizer
• 2.5-inch LCD and black-and-white viewfinder
• Full-size video head cylinder and built-in light
• Rechargeable Ni-MH battery pack lasts for up to 1 hour

Amazon.com Product Description

The amazingly small, ultra-slim, and lightweight Panasonic SVAV50 is ready to capture your favorite moments in digital video and still photos wherever you roam. You can also use the SVAV50 as a digital audio player, voice recorder, and image viewer through your TV (using the included cradle). The SVAV50 is so small because it uses no tape--all video, images, and audio are stored on a tiny Secure Digital (SD) memory card. It also features 2-megapixel digital still resolution, 2-inch flip-and-twist LCD for reviewing your video and photos, and 2.5x digital zoom. This model (SVAV50A) comes in blue, but the SVAV50 is also available in silver (SVAV50S).

Video and Still Optics
Using the MPEG4 format, the SVAV25 saves video to Secure Digital (SD) and MultiMedia (MMC) memory cards (an 8 MB SD card is included). With the small size of MPEG4 files--featuring resolution modes of either 320 x 240 or 176 x 144--you can easily post video to your Web site or send files to friends and family via e-mail.

The D-snap cradle is equipped with an A/V terminal that makes it easy to connect to a TV or VCR and record TV programs onto an SD card. Using the SVAV50 for playback, you can watch the news, a movie, or other programs just about anywhere.

The following shows the approximate amount of continuous video that can be recorded on several sizes of SD memory card (including larger optional cards):

• Super Fine (320 x 240, 1 Mbps): 0.9 minutes (included 8 MB card), 7 minutes (64 MB card), 15 minutes (128 MB card)
• Fine (320 x 240, 420 Kbps): 2 minutes (included 8 MB card), 17 minutes (64 MB card), 35 minutes (128 MB card)
• Normal (176 x 144, 300 Kbps): 2.5 minutes (included 8 MB card), 25 minutes (64 MB card), 50 minutes (128 MB card)
• Economy (176 x 144, 100 Kbps): 8 minutes (included 8 MB card), 70 minutes (64 MB card), 150 minutes (128 MB card)

The SVAV50 has a 1/3.2-inch CCD for a 2-megapixel resolution--capturing enough image data for print enlargements up to 8 x 10 inches. It features1600 x 1200 (2 MP), 1280 x 960 (1 MP), and 640 x 480 (VGA--great for sending in e-mail) resolution modes. You can zoom in on subjects using the 2.5x digital zoom.

Audio
In addition to its motion and still image capability, the SVAV50 can also be used as a digital audio player--just slip in an SD card loaded with tunes and listen via the included earphones. It's compatible with MP3 and AAC audio files. And with the built-in microphone (monaural), you can easily record voice memos, lectures, interviews, and reminders to the SD card.

More Features

• 2-inch flip-and-twist LCD with 117,000-pixel resolution
• Connects to your PC via USB 1.1 connectivity
• Lens: F4 (4.5mm focal length)
• Measures 4 x 1.94 x .81 inches (H x W x D)
• Weighs 3.7 ounces

What's in the Box
This package includes the Panasonic SVAV50A digital camcorder, 8 MB SD memory card, USB cradle, battery pack, AC adaptor, stereo earphones with remote controller, USB and A/V cables, carrying case, cleaning clot, neck strap, and CD-ROM with USB drivers for Windows and the following Panasonic software (not Mac compatible):

• SD MovieStage Ver. 2.5 displays MPEG4 motion images and JPEG still images in thumbnail form and plays them back on a PC. You can also cut and edit motion images and send e-mail with motion images attached.
• SD Jukebox Ver. 4.0 Software transfers music from your SD memory card to your PC and allows you to rip CDs to your PC and convert music data to different PC music file formats. When ripping CDs, music information from the CD database (CDDB) is obtained automatically, including album title, artist and song title. You can also organize your songs by artist, title or personalized playlists. There is also a "Mood Analyzer" (Music Sommelier) that automatically selects songs to match your mood.

Features

• Pocket-sized MPEG-4 SD video camera, 2-megapixel still camera, and digital music player--weighs just .23 pounds
• 2.5x digital zoom lens with night view capabilities
• 2-inch LCD flips and twists up for viewing video
• Built-in flash, mic, and speaker and includes 8MB SD memory card and stereo earphones with remote
• Rechargable battery provides up to 1 hour of video recording time or 2 hours of music playback

Reviews (3)

AWESOME!!!
I really enjoy this product. I ordered it off the internet and i had read some reviews saying it was just ok... so i felt a little wary. However, this is the coolest product ever! All of the photos and video are good quality and the MP3 is really cool! I am so pumped to show all of my friends! It is a real attention getter and I love it! It is so tiny that you can take it ANYWHERE. SMALLER THAN MY CELL! Its a great product and i encourage anyone to buy! Im gonna go use it some more now! LOVE IT! 5

OK but overly complex -- TOO compact...
GOOD / PROS --
- Compact and small
- Good quality screen
- A neat gadget
- Plays and records sound clearly

BAD / CONS --
- Complicated
- Buttons are TOO small
- Hard to focus -- takes bad still pictures

One Nifty Little Gadget
The trouble with most combination devices is that they try to do too much, and thus end up doing lots of things poorly. With the D-Snap 50, Panasonic has avoided this all too common design flaw... mostly.

The D-Snap 50 is an excellent gadget for professionals on the go, combining a two megapixel video camera, a digital voice recorder, and an MP3 player all into a package smaller and lighter than a pack of cigarettes. The bundled software is complete (if unexceptional) and the controls are fairly intuitive - most people familiar with digital cameras should be able to master the basics in a few minutes of use.

Nonetheless, there are a few questions I'd like to ask the D-Snap engineering team. First, did you intend for me to amputate my right index finger in order to take a decent picture? Second, just how many songs, memos, pictures, and videos do you expect me to fit on a measly 8 megabyte memory card? Third, why so many different quality settings for images when only Superfine (or Fine and big) is even good enough for email? Finally, would Macintosh support have killed you?

Despite these grievances, this is a great buy for a select target audience, such as people considering the Palm Zire 71 that prefer to organize their thoughts using spoken words instead of text. With a little practice - and a 256 MB or 512 MB Secure Digital Card - the D-Snap's annoyances will quickly fade. Three-and-a-half stars now, four when the price comes down a little. ... Read more

Amazon.com Product Description

The stylishly small Panasonic VDR-M50 marks the next step in DVD video camcorders. As full-featured as it is easy to use, this compact camcorder records high-quality digital video and still images onto removable 3-inch (8cm) DVD-RAM and DVD-R discs, allowing for non-linear editing and within the camcorder. The VDR-50 features an 18x optical zoom, 240x digital zoom, a 2.5-inch LCD, and SD memory card compatibility.

Optics and Resolution
The VDR-M50 DVD camcorder has a 1/6" 680,000 pixel CCD, providing sharp and vibrant video. In addition to the 18x optical zoom, the 240x digital zoom allows you to capture that perfect moment, no matter how far away you are.

DVD Format
The VDR-M50 combines all the technological benefits of the rewritable DVD-RAM format with the compatibility of write-once DVD-R media. DVD-RAM offers the highest quality in digital imaging, huge storage capability--capturing up to 120 minutes of digital video and 1,998 still images to DVD media--and rewritability up to 100,000 times, with virtually no degradation of picture quality no matter how many times the disc is played back. The DVD-R format offers the ability to record onto affordable DVD-R discs for sharing with friends and family, and archiving memories for everyone to enjoy.

With the DVD-RAM format, you can access recorded scenes quickly and easily. Indexed thumbnails are displayed on the 2.5-inch color LCD. In addition, the camcorder will automatically find blank space on the DVD-RAM disc whenever a recording begins, eliminating the possibility of recording over what you've already shot. Camcorder editing features include delete, rearrange, fade in/out, wipe, divide, and splice.

Recorded video and still images captured by the VDR-M50 can be played back on DVD-RAM and the majority of DVD-R compatible MPEG2-conforming devices. Just slide the disc out of the new disc cartridge and place it into the DVD recorder or player, or into a PC or laptop computer equipped with DVD playback.

More Features
In addition to video, the VDR-M50 can capture still images up to 640 x 480 pixel resolution, good enough sending to friends and family via e-mail or posting to the Web. (A DVD-RAM disc can store JPEG photo data and video together on the same disc.) You can save images either to the DVD or to Secure Digital (SD) or MultiMedia (MMC) memory cards.

The VDR-M50 uses a USB 2.0 connection for high-speed transfer of content to a PC--a step forward from the slower USB 1.1.

Other features include:

• Digital Electronic Image Stabilization helps compensate for unintended hand and/or camcorder movement
• Thumbnail scenes display lets you select scenes recorded on a disc and arrange them to play back in any order the users want
• LUX ratingof 12 LUX
• Low-light mode available for shooting in near-dark situations
• Cold shoe connector for accessories

Features

• DIGA Palmcorder DVD Camcorder records on removable 3-inch (8cm) DVD-RAM and DVD-R discs
• 18x optical zoom lens (digital zoom to 500x) and image stabilizer
• 2.5-inch LCD and color electronic viewfinder
• Low-light mode, built-in digital still camera, and cold shoe for accessories
• Rechargeable Li-ion battery pack lasts for up to 2 hours and 15 minutes

Reviews (1)

Better off with tape
Great idea but in practice this camera doesn't live up to expectations. The DVA-RAM re-recordable media is fairly esoteric, expensive and not compatible with most DVD readers. The other recoding media; DVD-R, has a hitch - after you record your 30 minutes of video, the disc needs to be "finalized" before it can be replayed in a DVD player. This takes at least 7minutes. You can't use the camera during this time and it must be plugged into its AC adapter. If "finalization" fails, you've lost all of your video on that DVD and it can't be recovered. Just happened to me so I thought I'd share the experience with others. At present, miniDV tape seems like a safer and more reliable option. This particular camera would only be useful to people who already own a device that can read 8cm DVD-RAM discs and copy them to other media. ... Read more

Amazon.com Product Description

Blending innovative technologies with new, simple-to-operate controls, Panasonic's PV-GS15 camcorder is an affordable and powerful entry into digital video. Panasonic continues to innovate, adding more optical zoom capability while reducing the overall size. This MiniDV camcorder features a 24x optical zoom, ultra-fast 1.3-second start-up time, 8 MB SD memory card for digital stills, webcam capability, and color viewfinder. It also comes with a 3-hour battery, remote control, and editing software.

Optics
The PV-GS15 is equipped with a 1/6-inch, 680,000-pixel CCD and 22x optical zoom It also features a 800x digital zoom that allows you to zoom in on incredible close-ups.

Digital Stills
In addition to shooting video, the PV-GS15 can also capture digital still images up to 640 x 480 pixels--good for sending photos to friends and family over e-mail or posting to your Web site. They are stored to the Secure Digital (SD)/MultiMedia (MMC) memory card slot. The Direct Mode Dial can be used in digital still mode lets you quickly select the desired digital camera mode, such as Record, Playback, Card Record, or Card Playback.

More Features
The 2.5-inch LCD screencan be opened a full 120 degrees away from the camcorder's body, making it easier to view motion images as theyÕre being captured.

The Quick Start feature enables the PV-GS15 to begin taping 1.3 seconds after turning the power on so those unexpectedÊmoments wonÕt be missed.ÊAfter pressing the Quick Start button, the camcorder will bring up the previous settings that you were shooting with--even if they were manually entered.

The Soft Skin Detail function detects the different skin tones being recorded and softens the focus to create a realistic blend.

Other features include:

• The image-enhancing MagicPix feature allows for rich videos under low-light conditions.
• Digital Electronic Image Stabilization (EIS) helps take the jitter out of hand-held video recording and compensate for unintentional hand and camcorder movement.
• Web cam capability, which is ideal for video conferencing with friends or family, or use as a simple monitoring device when consumers are away from home.
• The unsnapping hand strap doubles as wrist loops, enabling you to carry the camcorder like a small bag or purse.
• Color viewfinder

Inputs and Outputs
The PV-GS15 comes with the standard DV IEEE 1394 port (also known as FireWire; Panasonic refers to this connection as iLink) for a super-fast, lossless connection to a PC or other DV machines.

MiniDV Format
MiniDV is the preferred format for personal and broadcast-quality video, and it is highly regarded for its high audio and image quality. With up to 540 lines of horizontal resolution and minimum color noise, MiniDV delivers a 2 percent clearer picture than analog camcorder formats. This is all delivered on a cassette that's 1/12th the size of a standard VHS tape. A MiniDV tape offers digital recording time of 2 full hours--20 times the capacity of a CD. ... Read more

Features

• MiniDV camcorder and still camera with 680,000-pixel CCD
• 24x optical zoom lens (digital zoom to 800x) and image stabilizer
• 2.5-inch LCD swings open 120 degrees and color viewfinder
• Low-light recording settings and EfficiBright LED Light
• Rechargeable Li-ion battery pack lasts for up to 3 hours

Reviews (2)

Great Camcorder with some drawbacks
This is the second Panasonic camcorder that I have bought in the last 4 years and my first MiniDV camcorder. I was trying to choose between the Sony DCR-HC20 and this model. Both retail for the same price and there were some reasons I chose this one over the Sony:
1. This camcorder has 24x zoom while the Sony has only a 10x zoom.
2. There were many reviews about the problems with the Sony's touch screen especially when viewing it outside in broad daylight.
3. I have read some reviews that the included software with the Sony is very difficult to use and install.
4. The Sony camcorder has no photoshot button or memory card, the Panasonic has both. The Panasonic photoshot allows you to capture low-res (640x480) digital still pictures with the touch of a button.
5. The viewfinder on the Sony is Black and White; the Panasonic has a color viewfinder.
6. The Sony has an included 1-hour battery. This model has a 3-hour battery included instead.

It was for these 6 reasons I went with the Panasonic instead of the Sony. After using the camcorder now for 2 weeks I have found out some drawbacks that I previously did not know about:
1. The included software for the Panasonic can only be used to edit STILL images NOT movie images. If you want to edit the movie images you have to buy additional software and a firewire cable. Also be careful if you have Windows 2000 because the optional Panasonic movie editing software is not compatible with Win2K.
2. The Panasonic has no in-camera movie editing capabilities. You can dub the movie to VHS tape but that is about it. You cannot copy a VHS or VHS-C to MiniDV by using this camera as you can with the Sony model. Also, the Sony camera is able to control most VCRs in order to make editing easier if you don't have a PC.
3. The supplied USB cable that comes with the Sony allows you to stream the movie onto a PC whereas the USB cable that comes with the Panasonic cannot do this. The Panasonic USB cable only allows you to copy the STILL images from the SD card or a STILL movie image, NOT the movie itself. With the Panasonic if I wanted to copy the movie to my PC and then burn a Video CD, for example, I would have to buy a firewire cable, and additional software. On the other hand, right out of the box the Sony can do this with the INCLUDED software and the included USB cable.
4. The supposed Panasonic 1.3 second "Quick Start" actually keeps the camera in "Standby" mode and uses quite a lot of battery power. I actually had this mode on for 4 hours and when I finally used the camera I was only able to shoot for 18 minutes before changing batteries. Be careful using this. In any case the camcorder comes on rather quickly without it.

Other than the 4 reasons mentioned above the Panasonic does have a lot of nice features such as the 24x zoom, the zoom mic, the MagicPix function, wind noise reduction and a Soft Skin Mode. I would say that overall I am pleased with the picture quality and sound of the movies I have made with this camera. For the price of this camcorder I would say it is well worth the money, provided you can live without the 4 things I have mentioned previously. If you are willing to spend an extra $100 you could buy decent Movie Editing software and a firewire cable, thus closing the gap on the two camcorders. Although, if you were going to spend another $100 anyway you could buy a Sony DCR-HC30 which has most of the features the HC20 lacks, such as digital still images and a color viewfinder; it still has a 10x zoom, but no camcorder is perfect, right?

Great first digital camcorder
This is the first camcorder I have bought in 10 yrs - my Sony 8mm finally died. I have had the camera about 1 month and have shot in various conditions and settings. Overall, I am extremely happy with my purchase, and have only a few nitpicky wishes. I don't intend for this to be a long expert review, just my impressions to help you shop. Some comments:

VALUE: This is a great buy for price/performance. I think I got more than I paid for. I love features but I'm not rich enough to pay for perfection. I had planned on the $400-$600 range based on reviews, hands-on at Sears, etc. Sony has the night-shot (which I really would have liked) but I didn't like the touch screen LCD. Canon 65/75/85 units did not seem as user-friendly to me.

Zoom: The 24x optical is SPECTACULAR. Turn the digital zoom off unless you are on a tripod and have very good full-spectrum lighting, then only 50x. Hard to hold still at 20x and above, even with stabilization. The variable speed zoom control is easy to use and easy to control the speed.

Sound: Built-in zoom mic picked up chirping of little birds over the sound of waves at the beach. Little to no motor noise. If you are shooting and talking, your voice is somewhat muddled. I'm sure an ext. mic would improve sound.

Picture: Colors seem very true to my non-expert eyes with default settings. Better (not just brighter) light makes better video. In imperfect outdoor light, colors not very saturated using auto WB. I will try some adjustments for clouds/fog or filtered sun. Auto WB mode is pretty good indoors, incandescent or flourescent. LED light is useful only within 4-5 ft depending on ambient light. There are 2 LED light modes, one with slower shutter and one with normal. LED can also be used with MagicPix, but I don't think it would help much. MagicPix is for very slow scenes in low light, although zooming or motion may produce interesting psychadelic effects.

Controls: The new model no longer has the menu wheel; a menu button is placed inside the viewfinder door. You use a 5-key directional pad (which doubles as the VCR control) to navigate menus. Simple enough, but defintely a 2-handed task now - you cannot hold still enough to change menu options while filming. There is no one-button toggle to show/hide the date in your recorded video. Other than that, controls are intuitive and relatively simple. Zoom control is great. During VCR playback, zoom button controls volume from the tiny (but adequate) speaker. When playback is paused, zoom button acts as a single-frame jog wheel (nice feature, but slow). VCR searching is too fast for my taste, but still usable. In recording mode, there is a handy "check" button to review the last 2-3 seconds of video.

Photos: 640x480 good only for e-mail or monitor, otherwise worthless to me except in an emergency. The included 8mb SD card holds roughly 45 pix in fine mode. You can snap a photo live or from already-recorded scenes.

Ease of use: My wife is technophobic, so if she can operate it, it passes the test. She shot a few minutes of video using all automatic options and seems comfortable with it. I can fiddle with options when I choose, or shoot in auto if I want. Most people will be fine operating 1-handed. I was most comfortable using 2 hands, right hand close to right shoulder to minimize bending wrist backward. Boot-up time is very fast, 3-4 seconds without using quick-start feature, <2 sec with.

Battery: Included charger charged the battery in 1 hr 15 minutes, which lasts for almost 1 hour of shooting video, plus playing with features, light, playback, etc. I will get another battery sometime, useful for vacation or long events. ... Read more

Amazon.com Product Description

The amazingly small, ultra-slim, and lightweight Panasonic SVAV50 is ready to capture your favorite moments in digital video and still photos wherever you roam. You can also use the SVAV50 as a digital audio player, voice recorder, and image viewer through your TV (using the included cradle). The SVAV50 is so small because it uses no tape--all video, images, and audio are stored on a tiny Secure Digital (SD) memory card. It also features 2-megapixel digital still resolution, 2-inch flip-and-twist LCD for reviewing your video and photos, and 2.5x digital zoom. This model (SVAV50S) comes in silver, but the SVAV50 is also available in blue (SVAV50A).

Video and Still Optics
Using the MPEG4 format, the SVAV25 saves video to Secure Digital (SD) and MultiMedia (MMC) memory cards (an 8 MB SD card is included). With the small size of MPEG4 files--featuring resolution modes of either 320 x 240 or 176 x 144--you can easily post video to your Web site or send files to friends and family via e-mail.

The D-snap cradle is equipped with an A/V terminal that makes it easy to connect to a TV or VCR and record TV programs onto an SD card. Using the SVAV50 for playback, you can watch the news, a movie, or other programs just about anywhere.

The following shows the approximate amount of continuous video that can be recorded on several sizes of SD memory card (including larger optional cards):

• Super Fine (320 x 240, 1 Mbps): 0.9 minutes (included 8 MB card), 7 minutes (64 MB card), 15 minutes (128 MB card)
• Fine (320 x 240, 420 Kbps): 2 minutes (included 8 MB card), 17 minutes (64 MB card), 35 minutes (128 MB card)
• Normal (176 x 144, 300 Kbps): 2.5 minutes (included 8 MB card), 25 minutes (64 MB card), 50 minutes (128 MB card)
• Economy (176 x 144, 100 Kbps): 8 minutes (included 8 MB card), 70 minutes (64 MB card), 150 minutes (128 MB card)

The SVAV50 has a 1/3.2-inch CCD for a 2-megapixel resolution--capturing enough image data for print enlargements up to 8 x 10 inches. It features1600 x 1200 (2 MP), 1280 x 960 (1 MP), and 640 x 480 (VGA--great for sending in e-mail) resolution modes. You can zoom in on subjects using the 2.5x digital zoom.

Audio
In addition to its motion and still image capability, the SVAV50 can also be used as a digital audio player--just slip in an SD card loaded with tunes and listen via the included earphones. It's compatible with MP3 and AAC audio files. And with the built-in microphone (monaural), you can easily record voice memos, lectures, interviews, and reminders to the SD card.

More Features

• 2-inch flip-and-twist LCD with 117,000-pixel resolution
• Connects to your PC via USB 1.1 connectivity
• Lens: F4 (4.5mm focal length)
• Measures 4 x 1.94 x .81 inches (H x W x D)
• Weighs 3.7 ounces

What's in the Box
This package includes the Panasonic SVAV50A digital camcorder, 8 MB SD memory card, USB cradle, battery pack, AC adaptor, stereo earphones with remote controller, USB and A/V cables, carrying case, cleaning clot, neck strap, and CD-ROM with USB drivers for Windows and the following Panasonic software (not Mac compatible):

• SD MovieStage Ver. 2.5 displays MPEG4 motion images and JPEG still images in thumbnail form and plays them back on a PC. You can also cut and edit motion images and send e-mail with motion images attached.
• SD Jukebox Ver. 4.0 Software transfers music from your SD memory card to your PC and allows you to rip CDs to your PC and convert music data to different PC music file formats. When ripping CDs, music information from the CD database (CDDB) is obtained automatically, including album title, artist and song title. You can also organize your songs by artist, title or personalized playlists. There is also a "Mood Analyzer" (Music Sommelier) that automatically selects songs to match your mood.

Features

• Pocket-sized MPEG-4 SD video camera, 2-megapixel still camera, and digital music player--weighs just .23 pounds
• 2.5x digital zoom lens with night view capabilities
• 2-inch LCD flips and twists up for viewing video
• Built-in flash, mic, and speaker and includes 8MB SD memory card and stereo earphones with remote
• Rechargable battery provides up to 1 hour of video recording time or 2 hours of music playback

Reviews (3)

One Nifty Little Gadget
This is a very cool gadget, but it has a very specific target audience - people who need a camera and a Dictaphone with them at all times. If that's not you, consider a Palm Zire 71, or maybe a camera phone.

Unlike many other combination devices, the D-Snap 50 doesn't try to do too much, just a few things fairly well. The MP3 player is as good as any other card-based unit, the voice recorder is on par with the most expensive Sony stand-alones, and the digital camera is good enough for small jobs and web work... but until you get used to using it, you'll think you need to cut off your index finger to take a decent picture. Also, I haven't yet decided whether including an 8 MB memory card with the unit was meant as an insult or a joke.

Most of the negatives associated with the D-Snap 50 can be cured with three things: patience, practice, and an extraordinarily large SD memory card. After you've taught yourself how to hold it, and jacked up all the settings to acceptable quality, you will wonder how you ever did without it. As for durability, we'll have to wait and see, but I trust the brand. Three and one-half stars.

Ultimate Versatility - but know what you are getting!
I travel frequently and write as a hobby, and I have often wished I had camera or camcorder with me to capture an interesting scene to use in my writing. I normally carry a digital voice recorder, but usually do not have the ability to photograph because cameras are generally too bulky for everyday use. I therefore purchased this gadget in an effort to give me an 'all in one' recorder I could use to capture voice notes, still images and short movies. Here's what I found:

The Good:

- Small! Yet it has a good, solid weight to it.
- Easy-to-learn controls. I was using the gadget's full functionality within minutes, and didn't have to slog through the manual to learn each mode. Once I learned how to use one mode, the others were fairly intuitive.
- Versatility - I was able to hook the camcorder up to my DVD player and record a movie in MPEG-4 format for later watching. I then reversed the cables and played the same movie, outputting to my television. I took a few pictures, then made some voice memos, and the quality of the memos was better than on my old digital recorder. Very cool!

The Bad:

- The camcorder works well only when under strong light conditions. It lowers the shutter speed when it has insufficient light (and 'insufficient' here includes any indoor shooting), which means dropped frames and dark colors. There is a mode to compensate somewhat for low light, but this only brightens the images without speeding frame rate.
- I knew this going in, so I don't really think of this as a 'bad', but you may not know: MPEG-4 is NOT movie-quality! The best you can do on this device is 320x240 - half the normal resolution of your TV screen, which means half as good as your normal camcorder. Plus, it's compressed, which means some quality is lost. The movies this device makes are for posting on Websites, not sending copies to Grandma.
- The camera also does not work well indoors. It has an automatic flash, but the flash is somewhat underpowered and does not illuminate objects more than a few feet in front of the camera.
- Only 2.5 digital zoom on the camera. No optical zoom. This is, effectively, a simple point and click camera.
- Listening to the most recently recorded voice memo requires scrolling with the track ball, unlike normal voice recorders which allow you to listen to your most recent memo with ease - this is important, as you will often want to ensure you actually captured what you were saying.
- Short battery life - about an hour of recording. The battery is quite slim, so this is to be expected. However, an hour is significantly less than most one-use objects.
- No protective case! A leather holder is a must for this device. Instead, all you get is a neck strap (good, though it's almost too heavy for wearing around the neck) and a grey felt bag which could protect from scratches, but not dropping. Who the heck is going to carry this in a felt bag? It needs to be worn on the waist, like a cell phone.

The Ugly:

- It's very easy to place your finger over the lens when taking pictures. Panasonic tried to compensate for this by placing several small nubs on the front of the device so you could, by feel, know where to hold the camera. However, they're not enough, and Panasonic's 'fix' is a hard plastic bubble you're supposed to peel and stick to the front of the camera to prevent your finger from sliding up. Yes, that's right - instead of building a bump into the camera's case, you the consumer have to gum a piece of hard plastic to it. In the software industry, we call this a 'hack.'
- The 'Menu' button, which you will be using frequently, is difficult to push. It's tiny, and because of the camera's shape is difficult to push without grasping the camera with both hands. This is a device that wants to be used only with one hand.
- I'm concerned about durability. While most of the parts feel solid and durable, two spots feel like they are asking to break. One is a small roller ball that you use to traverse the menus; it's tiny and light, and if it goes, there's no way the gadget will work without professional service. The second is the plastic catch that keeps the LED screen in place when the camera is open. Since it's possible to force the camera to close without pushing in the latch, I can see this part wearing out quickly and preventing the LED from locking open.

Summary: Despite my grips, the SV-AV50 is definitely a keeper. It an excellent emergency memory preserver/party toy. It is well-engineered with a few minor flaws. It is NOT a camcorder replacement and NOT a digital camera replacement; if you buy expecting either of these you'll be mightily disappointed. 4/5 stars, but know what you are getting!

Total Gadget
I want to love this gadget, but I can not. It tries to do too much, and ends up doing too little.

PROS:
- Super Small
- Large LCD
- Excellent Prodcut Design
- Many "Features"

CONS:
- You're finger easily gets in the way of the lens(1 in 3 shots are finger shots)
- The digital photos are VERY grainy in ALL light conditions (I would not even post the photos to my web site)
- No "Red Eye Reduction"
- The video quality is medium, definitel not a camcorder replacement
- Audio files need to be translated to some "native" format, using included software... no drag and drop here!

I will most likely return it, despite my desire to like all that it offers and how cool it looks. It just not deliver quality on the images and video. ... Read more