Canon DC50 5MP DVD Camcorder with 10x Optical Image Stabilized Zoom Review

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(More customer reviews)While this camcorder may be one of the more expensive DVD based Camcorders, its probably one of the best you'll find before moving on to High Definition. I had actually purchased the Sony SR42 30 GB before this and had to return it immediately because its performance was highly disappointing. This Canon camcorder however takes excellent footage. It also takes great still images too - a cool function in addition is that you can set it to take photos while in recording mode (at a little lower resolution). Doing this allows you to take advantage of the digital zoom to get in a little closer for still photos. This brings me to one of the draw backs of the camera, it only has 10x optical zoom. While while it is not bad, there are many cameras with a more powerful optical zoom. The plus side, is that the digital zoom (the 40x option, not the 2000x) is actually pretty good. Maybe not to the full 40x, but for the first little bit of additional zoom it still looks great. The only other draw back for me was getting used to the rewritable dvds and transferring them to my computer. It took me a little bit to figure out (just set up the disc in VR-mode) but after I did it was terrific. Now I just plug in the USB cord and put on the video into my editing program and edit away. You may here some reviews noting that the controls aren't all the intuitive, but just spend a minute or two with them (or read the manual) and the controls and functionality are good. Ultimately I would rate the camera a 4.5, but it wasn't a choice. If you're debating between this camera and others, just spend the few extra bucks and get this one. Also, if your far from moving up to high def, get this camera as well because I believe its towards the top of regular def (it does does have the option to shoot in either 16:9 or 4:3). Enjoy!

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Kodak EasyShare V610 6MP Digital Camera with 10x Dual-Lens Optical Zoom Review

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(More customer reviews)Kodak V610 review
I have owned this camera for about 3 weeks, and I love it. I have captured about 4 hours of video inside and outside and about 200 still shots inside and outside.
The V610 is a consumer point and shoot still camera and a great 640 by 480 - 30 frame per second movie camera, both with 10 times zoom. If you are looking to have a camera in your pocket whenever you come upon a situation where you want to take a high quality snapshot or a home movie video, I highly recommend this camera. It is fantastic. It takes a reliable snapshot and a very smooth video and fits into my shirt pocket
However, if you are looking to be the next Ansel Adams or need professional videos ... get other much larger and more expensive cameras, with much larger lenses and much more powerful lights.
In my opinion, this is the best and most powerful shirt pocket sized camera on the market today.
Prior to this I owned a digital still camera an Olympus Camedia C-4040 4MP Digital Camera w/ 3x Zoom and a very small DV video tape camera, a Panasonic model PV DV 201. Now that I own the V610, I no longer have to carry a camera bag with me to the zoo, or family reunions or other events. As a replacement for both of those cameras, this is a fantastic choice.
I can't tell you how many times I have seen great photo opportunities at events in the last several years before I owned this camera, but the appropriate camera was either in the camera bag or in the car, and how often I wanted greater than a 3x optical zoom in my still camera.
The 6.1 megapixel resolution is sufficient to allow you to capture nice snapshots, and with a powerful 10x optical zoom, you can be sitting in the back row still get a great still shot or a video and the video to my eye is nearly the equal of a consumer quality DV tape camera. I think that this is one of a very few digital still cameras that allow you to optical zoom while shooting videos.
As with most camera purchases additional equipment is necessary to make the camera most useable. I purchased the following additional equipment to go with the camera:
>> A 2GB high speed (x133) SD memory card which it allows me to shoot a combination of up to almost one hour of video or up to about 1,100 - 6 megapixel still shots- that's right, one hour of MPEG-4 video fits on the 2gb card, with good TV quality video and sound. I paid about $85.00 USD.
>> 3 spare non-Kodak brand batteries. I paid about $12.00 USD each.
>> A 6 in 1 San Disk PC card adapter - card reader for my laptop - no software needed for the laptop, and the SD memory card acts just like a hard drive and I copy the still pictures and the .mov quicktime videos to my hard drive (the provided USB cable is too slow and the camera needs to be turned on the entire time during downloads with a cable). I paid about $24.00 USD.
>> A thin leather case - To protect the camera. I paid about $15.00 USD.
>> A 250gb USB2 external hard drive for backing up the photographs and movies.


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Package Contents: EasyShare V610 Dual Lens Digital Camera, KLIC-7001 battery, USB and audio/video cables, AC adapter with power cord, carry strap, camera case, custom inserts for Freame and Printer Docks, EasyShare software
The Kodak EasyShare V610 Dual Lens Digital Camera captures all the vibrancy and color of those precious moments in your life. This 10X optical zoom digital camera features Kodak Retina Dual Lens Technology; it comes equipped with two professional quality Schneider-Kreuznach C-VARIOGON Lenses for exceptional clarity and sharpness. Embedded Bluetooth Wireless technology makes it easier to share pictures wirelessly. Its advanced engineering is rivaled only by its alluring design.Dual lens; 38-114 mm (35 mm equiv.) f/3.9-f/4.4 Aperture -f/3.9-f/7.1 at wide, f/4.8-f/8.0Shutter Speed -8-1/1200 sec.Scene Modes -Panorama, Sport, Landscape, Close-Up, Night Portrait, Snow, Beach, Fireworks, Flower, Sunset, Custom and moreColor Modes -High Color, Natural Color, Low Color, Sepia, Black & White Up to 80 min. continuous video recording (based on memory capacity); saved as QuickTime VideoVideo resolution -640x480 (VGA) @ 30 fps; 320x240 (QVGA) @ 30 fpsSingle and continuous auto-focusWhite balance -Auto, daylight, tungsten, fluorescent, open shadeFlash Range -2.0-11.2 ft @ wide; 2.0-10.8 ft @ tele Self-Timer -10 sec, 2 sec, 2 pictureAuto picture rotation & auto-orientation 32MB internal memoryStores to SD/MMC cardsBluetooth 2.0 EDR Wireless with object push protocol; Transfer rate -Up to 3 MbpsI/O interface -A/V output (NTSC or PAL), Kodak Camera Dock/Printer interface, USB 2.0 connectorPictBridge compatibleKodak Li-ion rechargeable digital camera battery (KLIC-7001) Built-in lens barrier1/4 standard tripod mountSystem Requirements -Windows 2000 or XP, Mac OS X 10.3 (or higher); 128MB RAM; 200MB hard drive sp

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Sony HVR-HD1000U MiniDV 1080i High Definition Camcorder with 10x Optical Zoom Review

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(More customer reviews)Look, this thing feels cheap. It's lightweight and plasticky feeling. It looks a lot like a really old VHS tape camcorder. It feels like a toy.
BUT... I'll be dipped if this thing doesn't shoot some fine video! It's really crisp and vibrant stuff! I shoot professional MMA cage matches. I use multiple cameras. The light weight of this thing turned out to be a blessing as I sometimes need to hold this camera way out, with fully extended arms to be able to capture some of my over-the-top-of-the-cage shots. I still get a full-body workout, but thank god it's not as heavy as a more expensive camera of the same size.
It's not the greatest in low light situations, but really, what digital video camera is that doesn't cost half an arm? I've never seen one with stellar low-light performance.
Also, it tends to go slightly out of focus when using the maximum zoom speed. I mean, if you were zoomed way in and wanted to zoom out as fast as possible, you will notice a little bit of a focus issue DURING the zoom process. You don't see it if you zoom more slowly.
The sound this camera captures is also quite surprising. I expected the mic that came with it to need replacing, but I haven't yet because it actually sounds pretty darn good.
All in all, it's my favorite camera for its results. I think I want to go get another one, or maybe two of these. They are great beaters to use on extreme sport gigs like this.
Don't expect to use any high-end wireless units on this camera. It's not set up with the standard stuff that the high-end cameras have to adapt wireless video.
Really though, if you're shooting weddings, or sporting events, or other gigs like this, this is a decent cam for a decent price. You won't kick yourself.
Note: You'll want a case for this thing and they are VERY hard to find in the size you will need (over 19 inches). You can find them out there, but you'll pay about helf the price of the camera just for the bag. I went to Home Depot and bought the FAT MAX roll-around tool case. I made some padding for the lower drawer of the tool case and this camera fit inside perfectly. Then the other two drawers hold the accessories, tapes, etc. It fits perfectly and only costs about 60 some-odd bucks. I like it because it rolls around and takes a beating. Just a tip. Hope it helps.

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The Sony HVR-HD1000U is an HDV camcorder specifically designed for videographers looking for an affordable shoulder-mounted camera. Ideal for event work and wedding videography, the camera is equipped with a ClearVid CMOS sensor, capable of recording 1080i high definition footage on a standard MiniDV tape. Additionally, the HVR-HD1000U comes fitted with a 10x Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar lens with Super SteadyShot image stabilization, ensuring operators get the perfect shot every time. These features make the HVR-HD1000U a welcome addition to the already proven line of Sony professional HDV products.

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