Canon ZR25MC Digital Camcorder with Built-in Digital Still Mode

First I want to say I'm not very knowledgeable at all about Mini-DV, and as this being my first camera as such any opinions I express are only very amateurish and I cannot compare this camera to others as I have not had the experience of using any other DV devices, and I have not had alot of time lately to play with it. But I'll say my first impressions here of it for what they are worth.

First, I'll have to say my impressions about the Image Stabilisation, as far as I can tell. It's not much to be desired. If I don't hold the camera very steady in my hands or use a tripod the "shakes" are very noticeable. I have been using the camera to take footage of rural Alaska, on trails and mountains, and as you can probably guess it's rather hard to climb a rough trail without considerable shaking. It's not horrendous, but I really don't see any help from it. Again, I don't really know what to expect from it either, but so far, it's not been what I expected. But, it's also not the more desireable optical stabilisation as opposed to this cameras digital, and it is also better to just turn this feature completely off anyway when using zoom in extended ranges.

Also, the low light feature does work, but is very grainy when taking indoor shots especially. It seems the camera does best in bright outdoor light, and to take decent footage of indoor scenes your lighting better be good. The various options for lighting adjustment in the menu for outdoor/indoor lighting however work great, and adjust for the different conditions well.

The camera seems VERY well built. I have knocked it around considerably on the trails, thrown it in a bag and out without overdue care, and subjected it to high winds, mist, and rough handling. No problems. It feels very solid in the hands and does'nt give me any impression of fragileness. The LCD door clicks open and shut with certainty, as does the battery. The covers for the DC jack and S/DV in-out jacks are'nt though, they are made of rubber and do not seem to be very reliable, and hang by a thin rubber strip when open. They also don't seem to want to stay closed alot, and I'm always afraid of ripping them off when opening them for access. Otherwise, the cam seems very solid and able to withstand abuse. The camera fits snugly and comfortably in the right hand using the supplied strap, and it also comes with a neck strap for additional security. The controls are easily accessible considering this cameras very small size, though the main power switch is hard to move due to it's extremely small center lock button. The footage/shutter stop/start button is very nicely located and can be quickly found with the thumb. Same is true for the zoom rocker with the index finger.

The Optical zoom (10X) is superb. No degradation in image quality whatsoever either all the way up to 40X in the digital zoom. This thing is like a telescope, I can zoom in on things the naked eye could never pick up even past the 40X. However......past the 40X, the image gets grainy, and is practically worthless past 100X. It gets so pixelated past 100 that I turned the option off and only use the 40X digital zoom option. Again, it is best to turn stabilisation off when using zoom past 10X optical.

The image quality so far is excellent. Very clear, the colors are accurate and vibrant, and noticeably improved over Hi-8 when dubbed to a VHS tape. The zoom is smooth, and very fast/slow according to how much pressure you place on the rocker swith.

The DV out/in works flawlessly with my firewire terminal, and I've been using MGI Videowave 3 for editing and compression. BTW, I can also highly recommend that program, very user friendly and works great. I may someday want to graduate to a more robust application, but for now it's awesome. I also called their tech support for a question I had regarding capture (I was being an idiot, enough said of that!) and the support person was very friendly, patient and helpful.

The ZR25's battery life seems excellent. I have not yet ever completely depleted it using the included Li-ion BP-512 pack, even using the LCD constantly. Canon has available a higher capacity pack as an accessory, but I see no need for it for my uses.

The LCD quality is not what I expected. According to specs, it's 2.5 inch LCD is approximately 112,000 pixels. I'm not sure how that compares to other screens in it's class but I'm sure it's low. I always have to keep in mind that my footage is going to look 3X better than what I'm previewing on it. It's also terrible in sunlight (I imagine this may be common with most DVcams, but the LCD on my Kodak digicam spanks it big time). The viewfinder however is more than adequate. Nice color, and seems to be accurate according to the actual footage taken. It also swings up and away from the battery pack for easy replacement of the battery, and it's angle is good for comfort of use when extended.

Overall, though the CCD is admittedly of lower resolution compared to the Allura's, (1/4 inch CCD, approx. 460,000 pixels, approx. 290,000 effective) but the quality of footage is so far excellent and more than satisfactory to me as long as the lighting is adequate. I have not yet tried the still image mode, but I did not buy this camera for that feature as I have two digital cameras for that purpose (Kodak DC-4800's, which, by the way, I can personally highly vouch for, they take superb images, have a full range of manual exposure settings, and offered with optional lenses with lens adapter accessory). I'm pleased with it more than not.

I'll write more on this camera as I gain more experience with it, and I hope this somewhat helps others who might be considering purchasing this model.

I ended up returning this camcorder because of poor low light performance.

I looked long and hard at many digital camcorders. I did a couple weeks research and narrowed it down to about six choices, then my wife and I spent an entire day going to all the local camera shops and playing with the cameras and we narrowed it down to three, the Canon ZR-25, the Sony DRC-PC9, and the Sony DCR-TRV30.

We liked the size of the small Sony DRC-PC9, but it was too awkward to hold and the buttons were hard to reach while filming. The Sony DCR-TRV30 seems like an awesome camera, the resolution was obviously better than any of the others (we did a lot of A/B testing on video monitors), however it's nearly as big as our 10 year old 8mm Sony (...).

The Canon was nifty to hold, ergonomically it felt the best in our hands (...). So as far as low light, we did some testing in a relatively dark store and aimed the cameras into a dark corner painted black and spent time focusing on some dark camera bags that were in the corners. All the cameras seemed to do just fine. Of course the night vision was cool on the Sony's, but we weren't sure how useful that would be for us. And this was a dark store, a mellow upper end audio/video store, not a brightly lit super store. So for the cost and ergonomics, we bought the Canon ZR-25MC. We choose it over the ZR-10 for the multimedia card. We liked the idea of snapping quick low-res pictures of the kids that we could send as emails, plus the ZR-25MC hasprogressive scan.

OK, so we get it home and start to take pictures that night. It was in our living room and we had two bright lights on and a Christmas tree lit, also this room is painted white. So I took about 10 minutes of video and snapped a bunch of photos. First gripe, you have to switch between the video tape and the multimedia card via a toggle switch. So if you hit the picture button while you are using the video tape "mode" the camera will send the picture to the tape for 5 seconds, instead of just sending it to the card! How stupid! I bought the camera to send video to the video tape and pictures to the multimedia card. True, we should have noticed this before we bought it, but we didn't. There is no way to change this,it should at least be a set-up option. I could understand capturing pictures to the tape if the card was full, but I don't want to have to flip a toggle switch that I have to stop and look for when I want to snap picture. I think that was a poor design on Canon's part. I don't know if the Sony's behave the same way. OK, second gripe, and the reason we returned the camera, the low light is terrible. I had read user reviews on every web site I could find (a lot of them) and had read about this issue, but some reviews said the low light was OK. So I figured it would be OK for taking pictures of my kids. But these indoor videos were shockingly grainy. I'm not a resolution or quality freak, I'm a casual video user and these indoor shoots were un-usable. I had expected this camera to do at least as well as our 10 year old Sony 8mm camcorder and it was no where near as good, the 10 year old Sony ROCKS side-by-side to this brand new digital camcorder in low light. OK, so we decided to reserve judgment until the daytime. I took about another 10 minutes of video in our house during the daytime. All the dark areas (not in direct light) had grain and even the shadowed areas in a room with four skylights had grain (at was a cloudy/rainy day without direct sunlight). We were flabbergasted. This was exactly what we bought the camera for, to take pictures of our kids playing (at least 50% of the time indoors) and the camera was virtually useless. There aren't many times we can film outside in the sunshine here in the Pacific Northwest! We decided to return the camera. Believe me, I hate returning things and it was a big deal for us to decide this. So after about an hour of badgering the salesman that we bought it from, he agreed to return our money without the restocking fee. He actually took me aside and said all the digital cameras did this. He picked up a three CCD (...) JVC camera and said it too was bad. He said that some of the three CCD Sony's (big $$) were pretty good, but basically that consumer digital cameras aren't as good as they should be yet.

Wow, I was surprised by this. I guess they can't use that as a sales pitch before you buy the camera. Well that's our MiniDV camcorder tale. We are still using our 10 year Sony 8mm camcorder.

Buy Canon ZR25MC Digital Camcorder with Built-in Digital Still Mode Now

I've recorded about 20 minutes with my brand new ZR25 and have already had to send it back to Canon twice for repairs for an identical issue.

When the camera was brand new, I had recorded 15 minutes worth of tape when the recording and playback became distorted. While playing tapes back, four horizontal, pixelated lines would scroll down the screen and render the image unwatchable. The sound playback was also garbled beyond comprehension.

I called Canon and they said to try a head cleaner. A $16 head cleaning tape later, the problem persisted. I called back and Canon said to try a new tape. I bought two brand new tapes ($14) and neither made a difference.

Then I called Canon back and asked them if they would replace the camera and reimburse me for the cost of the head cleaning tape, which did not solve the problem. They refused on both counts. Though I had used it for a mere 15 minutes, Canon insisted I send the camera in for repair--and they would not reimburse me for the cost of shipping, thank you very much.

$25 worth of shipping and insurance (and related hassle) later, I got the camera back from Canon. For the first 6.5 minutes of recording, the problem seemed resolved...and then the garble came back. Once again, the images have pixelated distorted bars running across the screen. Canon says I have to send the camera back yet again--shipping at my expense--for a second round of "repairs."

Considering that I bought this camera when our child was born three months ago, and that the camera has not allowed me to record more than 10 minutes of our baby without 4 giant stripes perforating his body, I'm not satisfied. The camera's low reliability, failure to serve me in recording my child's infancy, and Canon's unwillingness to replace the camera or pick up shipping costs show a surprising Canon unwillingness to do right by their customers.

I'd pass on this model and go with one of the other brands and models available on Amazon.

Read Best Reviews of Canon ZR25MC Digital Camcorder with Built-in Digital Still Mode Here

When used as a camcorder, the image quality is quite good. And overall, it's quite easy to use. The following drawbacks, however, are noteworthy: 1. The built-in microphone sits too close to the tape deck and unless you use an external microphone, you will record into your video a constant annoying whirl/winding/humming noise that is *very* noticeable -the whirling of the tape deck. 2. Digital still image quality is simply bad. Very bad. Furthermore, unless you have a separate MultiMedia Card reader, there is no way to transfer your digital still images to your computer as an image file. You would have to "playback" the digital still via the IEEE 1394 "FireWire" interface and capture it there. This product is very unsuitable for use as a digital camera. The strengths of this product: (a) relatively compact design, (b) light weight, (c) comparatively cheap. Bottom line: I will not choose to buy this product again nor recommend it to others.

Want Canon ZR25MC Digital Camcorder with Built-in Digital Still Mode Discount?

The ZR25MC is a great camcorder and camera. The pictures do not have the resolution that you would find on your digital cameras. It only supports still pictures up to something like 640 X 480 (this is true with most DV camcorders). Everything is absolutely great about this camera except for indoor recording. It's VERY grainy and doesn't have near the quality that it could have. Outdoor shots are awesome. You can tweak so many settings on this thing it's unreal. Manual focus is a bit bogus because it is done with a small scroller thingy on the left side of the camera. This should be done with the lens or somewhere where your right hand (which is already on the camera) can reach it. You can fit about 50+ pictures on the memory that comes with the camera (8 mb). Taking pictures is SLOW. Once a picture is taken, you must wait 5+ seconds for the camcorder to do something about it (i.e. Save it). To transfer the pictures from your card to your computer, you must do one of two things.

1. Buy a Multimedia card reader

2. copy the images from the card to the tape and capture the tape onto your computer. Once it is captured on your computer, you'll have to grab the frame and save it.

I know that most of the things I've mentioned here are negative, but I must emphasize that this is a good camera otherwise! Now, I just need some creative people around so that I can make some movies!

Blackmagic Design HyperDeck Shuttle SSD Field Recorder, HD-SDI Input and Output

This product is amazing, but not for my purposes. Let me explain:

Pros: Super easy setup, plug and play, battery powered, super solid design. This device does exactly what it should: hook into your HDMI/SDI stream and records. You could even yank out the SSD, and put in another it would just start recording again! Buttons easy to understand and use. To top if all off, it has a battery in case you are in the field or need a recording fail safe. Records in the highest quality. The design is built rugged and besides the SDI ports sticking out a bit too much, was built strong and I would be very surprised if I could break this, even while traveling.

Needless to say I was very happy with it, till I tried to record for my particular needs.

Cons: This is a broadcast ready, professional device, and did not translate into the world I wanted to use it for, let me explain. I was using this device mainly to record the video out of my Macbook Pro, since I am a video artist and would like an easy external recorder that can take an HDMI signal. It did so, but I found the recordings only came out in the color GREEN. I asked Black Magic support, and received this back:

"-------,

Actually most HDMI outputs are YUV, graphics cards unfortunately tend not to. Normally our devices will handle this conversion automatically for you, but this is not yet working on the Hyperdecks."

....damn. So in summary, if you want this product for a video camera or professional setup, this is for you. But for any recordings of computers/game systems/or anything that only outputs RGB, this is not for you.

Oh well, next time. Had to sadly return. 3 stars for being a great device, but no more since I feel it was not for me and took up too much time to figure out. The limitation I encountered should have been mentioned.

Nikon D5100 SLR 16.2MP Digital Camera with 18-55mm II AF-S DX Lens + Nikon AF-S DX VR Zoom-Nikkor 5

I was extremely happy with my purchase and excited about the VR (Vibration Reduction) lens, which was the deciding factor for my choice, until I realized that the D5100 18-55 VR Kit did not included a VR lens at all. I am a novice and therefore did not know that the VR lens has VR written in red on the lens. Instead I was given a 18-55 DX lens and a 55-200 telephoto lens and NEITHER one of them are VR. SO instead of being excited about a camera purchase that was over $1000.00 for the first time in my life I feel that I was ripped off. I didn't realize to look for the red VR on the lens but if you read this review you can decide for yourself whether you want to take a chance. The return policy says you can return within 30 days of receiving the product if it is UNOPENED. How will you know if you have a VR lens (box states VR kit) unless you open it. Your choice to take a chance...

Owls Family Design Protective Decal Skin Sticker (Matte Satin Coating) for Kodak PlaySport Zx5 HD W

Only problem I had that stopped it from getting 5 stars is that it says it can use up to a 32gb memory card and I cant get anything but a 8 gb card to work....

75FT HDMI to HDMI 26AWG CL2 Rated Cable w/ built-in Equalizer (Gold Plated Connectors)

One of the male ends snapped off when I closed the sliding rear panel on my entertainment center. The entire doors weighs less then two pounds and I closed it very carefully because the cable was run through an opening in the door. There is no way the cable should have broken and I'm waiting to see if the seller will send a replacement.

Seller agreed to replace the broken cable. Hopefully this one will work well.

Canon Elura 100 MiniDV Camcorder

There's a lot to be said for compact cameras and digicams most people will be happy with the results, and they get used a LOT more than bulkier, heavier, more complicated versions. 2.2 x 3.0 x 4.3 inches is pretty small!

But there are some inevitable compromises the main one being, the size of the lens and sensor has a lot of impact on the quality of the images, especially in low light. Personally, that's fine for me there are so many shots I'd otherwise miss, that I get with a compact camera. So if that's your approach, you'll want to consider this entryto mid-level budget Canon.

The Elura 100 is the replacement for all of last year's Elura models the only 2006 Elura. (Amazon has it wrong, this camera was announced January, 2006 and just became available.) It's a step up from the ZR line, but below the Optura line.

There's a lot of info above already, so some key points that might not jump out:

Video is headed toward widescreen; this camera is actually designed for it, not just in the video capture but also the LCD and the viewfinder. It may take some getting used to shooting with it, though.

At 1/5th inch, the sensor is larger than some low-end models; though it claims 1.33 million pixels; that's reduced in practice, but still more than many at this price: using 16:9 widescreen mode, it's 750,000 (with image stabilization) or 880,000 (without); and using 4:3 traditional form, it's 690,000.

It has a semi-usable snapshot mode; you can actually make an OK print from a 1 megapixel (1152 x 864) image. You need a memory card, though.

The lens accepts accessories, like a wide angle converter.

The external microphone connection is a plus for some, the kind of thing you might realize later that you want; though there isn't a place to physically attach the mic.

The built in lens cover is handy.

Like many (but not all) camcorders, it has an analog input; so you can convert your old tapes to digital by using this as a recorder, or even just passing the signal through the camera.

Some caveats:

Compact cameras can't perform as well in low light as some might like. Experiment a little before you really need it, to learn how to make the most of what it can do.

Controls may be small and awkwardly placed for some.

If you want to transfer the video to a computer, you still need a Firewire cable and port. The USB port is only for stills, and analog to digital conversions.

The viewfinder is fixed, not moveable.

The movie mode that records onto the memory card is too low-resolution to be any real use (320x240 15 fps), but that's not what you're buying this for.

The feature menu is a little complex.

I'll leave it to others, for now, to comment on how they like the joystick; the lights; and the low light performance.

Stuff you might need to buy: get an SD memory card for images they're cheap enough that it's worth having just in case, and standard speed will do, given that there's only low res video modes; and a Firewire cable to transfer digital video.

Filter diameter is 27mm.

The Canon site has more info, and the Support Download Library has a PDF of the manual. Google for reviews, though few are out yet.

And as always ... never pay list price!

Regarding the Canon Elura 100, this is my third camcorder. Having had a Sony analog and JVC Digital in the past, I spent considerable time researching what my next camcorder would be. Ideally, I wanted a Panasonic PV-GS250, but that's just to high an investment for my personal use and abuse.

The earlier purchaser reviews do a great job at detailing technical pros and cons of the Elura 100. Personally, I have not experienced a problem with motor noise in my recordings.

I have a large hand but I enjoy the compact size of this camera -I can easily slip it into a coat pocket.

Recording in true widescreen is new to me and takes a bit of thinking to adjust old habits of framing the person I'm recording. But the results look great.

Video transfer to my Mac (OS 10.4) and iMovie HD works fine with firewire. I haven't been able to get iMovie to recognize the Elura when hooked up via USB cable provided.

The Elura's on screen menu is fairly intuitive. Navigation by the new joystick isn't hard to get used to.

I love the built in lens cover. No more hassle with stupid lens caps dangling in front.

The instruction manual provided has enough details to answer the few questions I had.

I'd rate the battery as the worst feature of this camera. My complaints:

1. Battery life is horrible. I don't understand why it is nearly drained every time I pick up this camcorder.

2. The battery is mounted internally. You open the view screen and remove a plastic cover to access the battery. Not easy to do on the fly. Nor can you buy a bigger size with greater capacity like externally mounted batteries.

Keep in mind a few things when considering a new camcorder:

1. How much are you willing to invest? That includes buying SD card, spare battery, or any accessories you don't already have like a new tripod or case.

If you say your max budget is $500, then you can get decent video quality for a $400 camera and spend another $100 on the accessories.

2. Who will use it? In my household it is mainly me. But if you have to share with wife/kids, think about how the camera might get abused.

3. Where will you use it. Many early reviews on other sites said the Elura 100 doesn't perform well in low light conditions. They are right. But if you are smart about where and when you use the camera, low light probably wont be an issue. Take advantage of natural light. Turn all the lights on in a room indoors, even during daytime. Pick well lit part of the room and try to steer your subjects there.

4. Do you want to digitize your old analog 8mm or VHS tapes? Those old memories are deteriorating and Do It Yourself digitization has never been easier. The Elura 100 is one of the few cameras I could find that had A/V input along with decent performance features.

5. Even though this takes still pictures, you should invest in a separate good quality digital camera. I carry both when I'm out with the family. The camcorder still camera feature wont provide as high a quality as you can get from a dedicated digital camera.

Hope this helps. Good luck!

Buy Canon Elura 100 MiniDV Camcorder Now

So far so good. I like my new Elura 100 MiniDV camcorder. It has a lot of options and is within a good price range. Most of the reviews below covered the important aspects of the camera. I bought this to replace my old RCA, analog camera. In general the quality of the picture is much better on the Elura. This was something I was worried about in switching to the digital format, but the pictures from the Elura have been incredibly crisp and show up well on a large (standard resolution) TV set. The only exception is low light recording, where the RCA seemed to do a little better. I'll break it down to pros and cons:

PROS:

1. Small size--a true palm sized camcorder. By the way, there were some reviews that were critical of the 'small controls.' I have at least average sized hands and the controls, including the joystick, were easy to operate. They do take some getting used to, but they are very straight forward.

2. WIDE SCREEN FORMAT: 16:9 and 4:3 formats are available. One caveat, is you will need capture software for your computer that can handle the 16:9 format to make DVDs from this. The software supplied with the camcorder is barely adequate and very clunky. But it is usable.

3. ZOOM: 20x Optical Zoom--some have larger zooms but stabilization becomes a real problem after 15x or so. This camcorder has electronic stabilization which seems to work well. I've turned off the digital zoom option. Digital zoom just makes for a grainy and unstable picture. Theoretically, the camera can go up to 800x. This is, of course, completely at the expense of the picture. 20x is a fine Zoom range. The highest zoom range in this class appears to be 30x. As I said before, above 15x it can be a chore to keep the image stable and probably requires a tripod.

4. LOTS OF MANUAL CONTROL if you want it. You can either control Nevertheless there's an automatic mode which most of us will use 99% of the time. Exposure can be totally automatic, you can use pre-determined 9 scene modes, or manually control the exposure. Very nice. Focusing can be done automatically (two different algorhythms to choose from)or manually using the joystick. I'm not a fan of the the effects but you have 9 different fading effects and 9 different digital effects to choose from. (This is fine if you like it, but most of this is better done post production on your computer.) Interestingly, the manual makes all of these features appear incredibly complex. In practice I have found the camera to be quite intuitive, and it is far easier to use out of the box than it would appear to be if you look at the manual.

5. ANALOG VIDEO TRANSFER: You can transfer video tapes or old analog video to digital through the camera. You can even record right off your TV. This has been a nice feature to transfer my old Hi8 videos to digital video.

6. LONG BATTERY LIFE: I'm getting about two hours from a battery so far. This depends on usage, but is generally good. Others have stated that battery life is poor, but I think about 2 hours is great. I wonder if there is variability in the quality of the batteries supplied.

7. INTEGRATES WELL WITH WINDOWS XP: no problems with firewire capture of the mini-DV. The ease of capture may depend on your software. Mine is pretty straightforward. Windows recognized the camera instantly. (I have a fairly neanderthal set up--right now I am using a 900 mhz Athlon powered laptop. So if my computer can find the camera, I imagine yours can too...)

8. COMES WITH A REMOTE CONTROL: not necessary, but a nice feature.

CONS:

1. NO TRUE USB CONNECTIVITY: One of the reasons I bought this camera was because the hype stated that it has USB connectivity. Well it does. But then again, it doesn't. Being a MiniDV/digital video virgin, I didn't realize that the USB connectivity only works only for images on the SD card. It DOES NOT work for standard MiniDV capture to a computer. For this you need a firewire connection. Once you have the firewire, there's no problem with connectivity.

Some reviews thought there was something wrong with their computer connectivity. Nope. YOU NEED FIREWIRE TO GET VIDEO TO YOUR COMPUTER. So you will have to invest in a firewire cable if you don't have one and make sure you have a firewire port on your computer (or buy a card).

The funny people at Cannon only supply you with a USB cable as if that is all you need. This only suffices to transfer the 1 megapixel and the 320 x 240 (76,800 pixels) video on the SD card. Even if the thing took great still pictures, they would only be 1 megapixel. This is less than most cell phone/cameras nowadays. The video recorded on the card is a joke. It might be 'fun' for a website, but it looks small and grainy even on the flip-out screen on the camera itself. It will look more ridiculous on your computer. Skip the SD Card. Use the MiniDV tape and record at 690,000 pixels or greater depending on the mode. This may not seem like a lot compared to a standard still camera, but this represents far more pixels than can be displayed on a conventional TV and translates into a great picture.

2. "MEGA VIDEO LIGHT": These twin LEDs are supposed to help with illumination indoors. You turn them on using a separeate switch. If you do not manually correct the light balance, however, you will find that all your subjects have an eerie bluish cast. Additionally, these small LEDs don't provide the 'mega' illumination needed for subjects that are beyond a few feet away from you. They're better than nothing and a nice try, but not very effective and so they really don't enhance the low light perfromance in a real, palpable way.

3. LOW LIGHT PERFORMANCE IS NOT SO GOOD: One area that my old RCA analog recorder did better than this one is in low light performance department. This probably was due to the lens being three times larger in diameter. It was less compact, but captured more light. Still, in this price range, low light performance appears to be universally poor. At times, you have to manually override the automatic exposure as the shutter speed is set so slow that moving objects have small tails like comets flashing through the night. Also subjects become more mono-chromatic and grainy. Once again, this kind of poor low light performance seems to be a 'class' feature. Reading the reviews, the Elura 100 may be one of the better cameras in its class.

4. STILL PICTURES ARE SMALL: Not great still picture capability. This is standard for these kinds of camaras. I guess it would do in pinch, but is absolutely no substitute for a digital still camera. There are a number of features you can use for the pictures, including a 'burst' mode, but given the size of the image, none of this is worth the worry. Given the lack of megapixels, I'm not sure why Canon spent a lot of time on a wide feature set here. I played with stills initially, but given the low megapixel count, I don't really use it any more.

5. NOISE: Canon may not be the only camera to have this problem, but the camera generates a soft but significant hum while operating. This IS picked up by the microphone. You can set the camera to eliminate wind noise, and this effectively blocks out the hum. I have my camera set to this and never touch the setting. This is a significant problem with this camcorder (and looking at the reviews) other Canon camcorders. One would think Canon would have thought this through better and made the thing more silent.

CONCLUSION:

All in all, you get a lot of bang for the buck. If you have an extra $200-$300 to spend you might want to try a 3 CCD type camera. But in the under $350 budget range, MiniDV category this one is well worth it. This camera may not be for the amateur cinematographer, but is a great, easy to use, and portable family camera. The picture quality is excellent for a camera in this range and it has a broad feature set as well.

Read Best Reviews of Canon Elura 100 MiniDV Camcorder Here

I purchased this camera to start a videography business. I know I know you need to have the $1000+ Canon GL's and XL's for that! But, I just could not afford so I started hunting.

The #1 thing that drew me to this camera was the single LARGER ccd. It seemed that most other cameras in this price range/category were smaller and had some poorer reviews.

The second item that drew me was the price point. I needed something within my budget that would offer what I needed.

Third, I use this to film in foreign countries. There are times that having a small descreate camera allows for capture of other wise uncaptured footage. It's size tucks away nicely in almost any shoulder bag and well...there is not much weight.

I have used this camera for two weddings and two documentaries. In my most recent wedding I borrowed a pv-gs150 and shot from the wedding from two different angles. Ready for the cool part...When editing and viewing the video there is NO difference to the average person which video came from which camera.

Sure the Canon does not shoot AS WELL in lower lighting. But how often are you going to shoot in the dark?

Some of the features I have grown to love on my Elura is the effects button and still photos.

First the effects button allows you to on the fly change from your pre-determined effect, my case b/w, without shutting the camera off.

Second, I like to incorporate some still photos into my videos to change things up. This camera will rapid shoot to a sd card and I have gotten some CRAZY good pictures. Here again I like the ability to use the effects button. I have also found out it is not to painfully bad to switch from video to still and back w/o much effort.

Ok...so I do like my Elura. BUT, two main issues leave me on the hunt for another camera. There is NO shoe whatso ever on this camera. I very much want to add a shotgun mike, in an effort to reduce background noise. (I did not mention, but the built-in mikes don't do a horrible job. They just pick up to much like most other mikes.) To work in conjunction with that, the controls for the shotgun mike volume would be better accessible. (Actually I guess to say the input.)

I did add an inexpensive wide angle and filter. (Even though it has a good wide angle w/o) and have plans for a shotgun mike.

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I spent a bit of time researching MiniDV recorders and felt that the Canon Elura was best suited for our needs. We wanted a recorder that would convert VHS to DV and one that would work easily with a Mac and a PC. We have not been disappointed.

Our first run was a recording of each of us reading a children's book to our grandchild who lives in Germany. The recording was done indoors and the results were excellent. The raw footage was transferred to a Mac, edited and made into a DVD.

The second trial was a recording of golfing buddies on the golf course in action. This recording took several weeks and was filmed on sunny days, cloudy days and foggy days. The recording was great. It was transfered to a Mac edited and converted to a DVD.

If I have one complaint about the Canon it would be that the zoom button is located in a spot that is difficult to operate easily with one hand.

If you are looking for a recorder that is priced right and easy to use, you can't go wrong with the Canon Elura 100.

JVC SR-VS30U Dual Format S-VHS & Pro-DV Recorder

This deck was a great idea; an affordable mini-DV and VHS combo with firewire port. It allowed you to caputre old VHS tapes as well as miniDV tapes into your computer. Connecting a DVD player and recording into a computer was also very easy. However the firewire port is extremely fragile and usually only last about three years. I worked in a television station that had 15 of these decks; after five years we had one left that worked. Even if the firewire port is working it is rather difficult to force Windows into connecting a driver to the deck. JVC doesn't provide drivers and it often takes manually playing around with different drivers before finding the right one to force a connection. Macs had no problem identifiying the decks but the new editing software has trouble capturing both video and audio at high quality.

PLUS: Original cost was $899.00, I'm assuming the price is doubled by this vendor because they have been discontinued. But trust me there is a reason JVC discontinued them. You are better off buying a cheap camera to capture and an AVDC Grass Valley Analog Converter to capture old VHS tapes or DVDs; total cost for both is $600.00

I was lucky enough to stumble upon a JVC SR-VS30 deck at the local Goodwill and snagged it for an astonishing $24.99. It has worked perfectly with FCP5 on my iMac, and I was familiar with it after using the same model in the edit bays at my college; I've been able to capture miniDV and VHS tapes for myself and clients without any problems. And although SD is well on its way out, I'm definitely keeping the deck for future digitizing purposes. There's always someone who wants an old family vacation transferred to DVD.

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Olympus W-10 Digital Voice Recorder with Built-in Digital Camera

I just received my new Olympus W-10 Digital Voice Recorder and I'm completely happy with it. It's light weight, including batteries. The size is ok, the quality of the recordings is good as long as you use HQ (High Quality). Like almost any other voice recorder, LP (Long Playback) is useless because of the poor quality, unless you use it for recording your own voice in front of the microphone.

Using the Recorder is so simple that I only use the manual for reference.

The software included is amazing. It was so easy to install and to download wave and image files from the voice recorder to the computer, that I couldn't belive it. I downloaded 4 pictures in less than five seconds!! You can also upload voice files from your computer to the Recorder.

The pictures are not as good as any digital camera, however taking pictures is not it's main function so I think the quality of the pictures is good enough. It doesn't have a flash so you can't take pictures without enough light, however it has an indicator that warns you if the Recorder can take the picture or not.

It also has an alarm associated with any voice record (maximum 5 records) so you can set the alarm to remember a special event and the recording associated can be played after the alarm. The only problem with this alarm is that it is not loud enough.

The best of all is that this product includes everything; batteries, carrying case, strap, USB cable, earphones and software so you don't need to buy anything else.

Pros: stylish, tiny, lightweight, good audio capacity, voice activated recording

Cons: no Mac support and low res image capture

The blister pack includes...

W-10 unit

soft sleeve

windows software cd

earphone

usb cable

I'd hoped that this device would connect as a USB hard drive but it requires pc-based software to download the images. The software is pretty good...I especially like the auto-download-and-delete feature which make connectivity amazingly quick as plugging in the cable switches the w-10 into PC connectivity mode, launch the w-10 software, download the images/audio clips, and delete the images off the w-10.

The camera doesn't have a flash so indoor shots are grainy (outdoor shots are a little better but not quite as good as my first olympus digital camera, which also took 640x480 images). One nice thing is that the unit doesn't have any distinct modes to get into the way...you can switch between audio and image capture seamlessly. One caveat here is that when taking a picture, you need to depress the shutter to the first detent and wait for about a second...once it verifies there's adequate space it gives you a green light, then you can press to the 2nd detent to take the shot.

Summary:

A stylish little audio recorder with quick PC connectivity and limited video snapshot support. Don't buy this unit if you want a true digital camera as the results are not very sharp.

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I must admit this was the first voice recoder I had ever purchased and with the features and price I thought I could not have found a better bargain. What I got was a tiny well designed pseudofunctional device. I read a few reviews but figured when the people had said the camera wasn't too bad was an understatement, but then again I had high expectations (don't make this mistake). The pictures even at a short distance showed up relatively fuzzy. In high quality mode the W-10 reproduced recordings exceptionally well, however unless you don't leave your computer or a pc to continually download the files you only get about 47 minutes worth, the reason I got the thing in the first place was so I could record my professors whose lectures were consecutive, making it impossible to use that mode. The Standard mode gives fair sound reproduction with a slight hiss, overall its bearable, howeveryou only are allowed 68 minutes not enough time to complete one lecture for my T,R classes (75 minutes for non college readers). Low quality mode, I'll just say I used it once and that was enough of that setting. Also the recoder saves files from modes lesser than high in a different wave level so you can't put them on cds unless you change the format which i dont have time to figure out. In conclusion, if you don't require a lengthy recording then this is a pretty good buy, I have to also admit that just because I complain of the quality of the pictures the camera option would be nice on rare occasions, also the pc interface is a no-brainer. Hope this helps someone looking for a something better not to be unhappy with their purchase!

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This is an incredible value for a Digital Voice Recorder. It has 1hr. of recording capacity at the highest resolution setting. Over 10 hours of battery life. Voice Activated. All software, cables, earphone piece, and case are included. It's incredibly slim. Easy to manage. And it'll take pictures (not the highest quality but definately am added bonus). What more could you really want?? I am a very satisfied customer.

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I purchased this unit because almost every investigator with my local research team were using this particular model ... boy I couldn't be happier. This wonderful unit is so incredibly simple to use and to transfer your sound files from the recorder to the PC using your USB connection. I have recorded several EVP's (Electronic Voice Phenomenon) on mine and every team member has had great success with theirs. Don't buy this if you are looking for a camera! This is a voice recorder. It is nice to have the camera for emergencys but don't expect great quality. If you want a camera ... buy a camera! If you are looking for a voice recorder to investigate the paranormal this is your recorder.

Konica Minolta Dimage Z20 5MP Digital Camera with 8x Optical Mega Zoom

I own this camera for three weeks now, and I'm very pleased with it. Bought it with a 512MB SD-card, which can handle about 250 pictures (highest quality). I never use the automatic setting, defining the shutter-speed and the diaphragm by yourself is much more fun. The possibilities with this camera are enormous. Great zoom range, also with the digital zoom disabled. The Macro-function is also a great feature. Considering the 5.0 MP, the 8x optical zoom and it's price (239 pounds), this is one of the best camera's in it's class!!

Love this camera. takes excellent pictures, great clarity. Easy to use, lots of options, nice size/shape, easy to handle. the only bad thing is that the lens cap is not attached, so you have to be careful you don't loose it!

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I liked everything about this camera... I have used Canon, Fujifilm before and this one is as good as other top brands.... Only one thing that I didn't like was the display screen...it's too small....

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I bought this refubished from a dealer here and I feel like I took advantage of Amazon. This is a great camera with amazing control and it is easy to use. I would not recommend it to a novice photographer but if you love to plow through menus to get the results you want this is the camera for you. It also starts up very quickly and sips battery power. I took at least 300-400 photos on my first set of batteries. Buy it and love it.

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We had the Dimage Z10 3MP and loved it. We were in Hawaii on the black sand beach where we dropped it and broke the battery lid latch. Otherwise we would still be using it. We liked it so much that we went out of our way to find this very hard to find Z20. Is it the best camera out there? No. There are better with more options. However, for simplicity and quality, with good features, this is the best for us. The other reason to buy this camera is the price. Under $200. Great buy!

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Nikon COOLPIX AW100 16 MP CMOS Waterproof Digital Camera with GPS and Full HD 1080p Video (White)

We purchased an orange one last year as a xmas gift. We liked the features and ease of use that we bought another one this year for a xmas gift. We love the panoramic and the black and white options.

Nikon D3200 Digital SLR Camera & 18-55mm G VR DX AF-S Zoom Lens (Black) + 55-200mm VR Lens + 32

I researched this camera for awhile and knew that this was the one I wanted. then I started researching the different sellers and packages. I am glad I chose this one! every accessory I received with this package by far exceeded my expectations. great quality stuff for a great price!

If you know you want the Nikon d3200 with the extra 55-200mm lens then definitely get this package!

I was a little nervous making such an expensive purchase from Amazon, but I could not have been happier with the product I received. It shipped very quickly, and every item was included as described. I have not had any problems with the camera, lenses, or any of the other accessories. This was such a great deal for the quality of the product and the number of accessories you get. I highly reccomend making this purchase if you're looking to buy a Canon D3200.

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I was an avid 35mm SLR photographer back in the day. Years ago my last SLR broke and I replaced it with a pocket sized point and shoot. I complained for years about the poor quality of that camera until my wife got fed up and got me this kit for Christmas. It is such a joy to be able to take real photographs again.

I'll leave the really technical stuff about this kit to more advanced folks. I am totally satisfied!!

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Got this camera for Christmas and although there is a lot of camera, it can also be used surprisingly easily with the auto functions. Can't wait to take this camera on our next vacation.

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No better deal available and just as advertised! What a package everythig you need to have to be enjoying photography and then some! The camera is an outstanding entry level SLR and the features perfect. Auto everything if you want and the lenses work with ease. Display information teaches as you go and/or helps in manual mode, want a movie you got it! Enjoy

Defender SN500-4CH-002 Feature-rich 4 Channel H.264 DVR Security System with Smart Phone Access and

I setup the 4 cams and used my tv as the monitor, had it up and running in about 30 min. Mounting the cams and getting the view I wanted and installing the cords to where they were hidden took me 2-3 hrs. Daylight images are pretty good quality. The cams are not waterproof and as other said over 20 ft details get fuzzy. I have cam 1 overlooking the driveway set under the eaves above garage, cam 2 in mudroom overlooking main entrance and garage (cam1), cam 3 inside looking at back sliding glass door, cam 4 inside living room looking at main entrance. I installed the outdoor wire through a 25 ft long 3/4" diameter plastic conduit to prevent someone cutting it (use a lubed up electician's fish wire tool helps).

-1/2 star for during the night mode the LEDs cause too much reflection to have the cam setup to record vid through a window even with an antiglare shield. I recommend when you get the cam angle you like, use a bit of lock tight on the clamp screw (the temporary kind, not the permanent) I can see the clamp getting loose during natural cold and heat cycles.

The settings I use are best quality recording and only on Alarm mode (movement). The motion detector is fine during the day, a bit buggy during the night mode (-1/2 star). car lights shining will activate the recording, moths and bugs also are attracted to the IR light during night mode even with the sensitivity turned down. During the night mode also there is about a 1-2 second delay from detection to start of recording... the suggested setting is 24/7 record on low quality unless Alarm or movement mode activates a higher quality record setting, but this will eat up a lot of HD space and you end up with a lot of nothing video.

I use about 1% of HD space a day on Alarm only record mode on Best quality so it will possibly record up to 100 days before rewriting, which is pretty darn good.

-1 star is converting the vid (H.264 format) you want to web friendly or any computer viewable (AVI format) requires a few steps and you end up with a pretty large file (the option to convert to MP4 or other format can be done with a secondary converter, will give you a smaller file with decent quality). You can use USB thumb drive or an alternative you can have another external HD and dump your vid there, then use a PC and the provided AVI converter. You can only convert the one cam vid at a time, so if you have 20 some events on different cam views it will take a while to convert. Practice this step a few times just in case you need to do it for an incident where you have to submit video as evidence to police.

The remote control is very cheaply made and if you have a fat thumb like me it was a bit cumbersome to use... I only use the remote because it has the easiest to find PB button (playback) compared to going through the menus manually. I mainly use the provided mouse to navigate otherwise.

If you want better night vid, there are other better quality waterproof outdoor cams available (any brand with a Sony CCD is good or Panasonic).

***Updated in the comments section 1 year into owning the system*** (K.H.)

This is a video review of SN500-4CH-002 which is Defender's feature-rich 4 Channel H.264 DVR Security System with Smart Phone Access and 4 Indoor/Outdoor Hi-Res CCD Night Vision Surveillance Cameras.

This all-in-one system contains everything you need to setup and record a 4 camera surveillance system in your home or business.

For my installation, I did not need to buy anything extra or subscribe to any monthly service to use the system. I can now access the system through any computer in the world as long as it has internet access. I can also access footage by using my smart-phone when I am on the go.

I really do recommend the Defender SN500-4CH-002 system for anyone looking for an affordable 4ch DVR security system with web and smartphone access.

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This is a great system as a beginner system goes. It is limited to 4 cameras which is the only drawback, really making it applicable for home or small business use.

I installed this on the outside of my home.

The system came well packed, directions were detailed and a snap. It took just over 2 hours to get it all set up. I would say that I am expert at handy man type jobs, so if you aren't comfortable on a ladder, with a makita drill and spade bit, better leave installation to an expert.

Picking the location of the cameras was the toughest part, as I wanted them to have the best views and yet somewhat un-obtrusive. We have had 3 friends come over since I installed the system and none of them had any clue there were cameras around.

I have not tried the web set up yet, but will soon.

The software allows you to fast fwd at an 8x speed so you can search easily. The night vision is awesome as well. The cameras work well in ambient lighting, so no issues there either.

I have a friend who is a police officer take a look at the video quality and he said if anything ever happened, the quality is good enough for law enforcement as well.

Bottom line: If you can drill and route wires, you can install this. Maybe the best $500 I have ever spent.

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After 3 years of researching for a system to place in my home and with my needs of Web/Smartphone ability this company is highly recommended. My line of work allows me to see alot of professional DVR security systems in Corp. and private retail industry. I truely believe in camera security over just an audile alarm for homes. More crimes are solved with a picture over an audible alarm which is monitored. I bought the system due to the cost and features. Once received it was out of the box and running in 10 minutes (No camera's mounted or internet connection at this time). Internet connection took me about 45 minutes (Now I could do it in 5 minutes if I did it over). When it comes to setting up the router read carefully I have Linksey G wireless and everything works using DHCP IP address mode. I also use a first generation iPhone which does allow me to see the cameras in real time. This unit has capabilities to record on different days, hours and or an area of motion can be set within the cameras view to activate. The system does have a notification setup for emails which sends a still photograph if the camera is activated (Would be nice if updated software was to add notifications to phone numbers). Added features in the back of the DVR allow setup of an audile alarm. For around $500 one time fee with no monthly service to monitor or cost to maintain, who can beat this product. Four cameras with IR are very well made with metal bodies and 60ft of cable. Video quality is great, clean and crisp.

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We ordered an SN-500 to use in an outdoor application, to monitor a calving barn. This unit was a great value for the money and is working extremely well for this application. It was easy and quick to install, but took me some time to understand how to make the unit accessible via the internet. Once it was up an running, we have had no problems. It works o.k. with a dynamic DNS service, but does not update the DNS address when it changes, only on a set schedule. This makes the unit go off-line for a few hours before the update occurs if your service provider changes your DNS address on occassion. This is my only complaint and I can live with it. The cameras have worked well in sub-zero temperatures with clear pictures during daytime hours. Night vision also works well and by adding a little light, the picture quality improves greatly. I would highly recommend this unit for the price.

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D-Link Wireless Internet Camera, Home Security, 802.11b, 11Mbps

I just bought this product and it's all what I expected. I just followed the quick installation guide, plugged in ethernet cable and the power, set the ip as recommended 192.168.0.20 on the camera and my wireless Netgear router and it works. I can view the camera immediately. But when I unplug the ethernet and into wireless mode, it didn't work. I ended up calling tech support and got a live support person in less than 5 minutes, he suggested I reboot(power down and up) my camera and router. The wireless mode now working.

I tried to set the camera up behind the router according to the instruction on the manual from the CD provided, it didn't work. After playing around for 3 hours, I finally figured out that the default port 80 and 8481 don't work, you have to open up the second port 81 and 8482. I IPView software provided in the CD does not have motion sensor, you can download the latest version of IPView with motion sensor for the DLINK website, and it works very well. It can detect a slightest movement.

PROS: price, good picture(can adjust brightness), motion sensor software(download latest IPView).

CONS: no audio, can not pan view(must manually pan camera), no email picture option.

These are a new generation of "webcams". These cameras have a built in web server. They connect to your home net via ethernet. Management programs can display the images from the cameras on your computer screen.

I recently examined a Hawking camera. Superficially, it seemed to have security, but there were only two official ways to get an image from the camera. One was by using a facility where the camera e-mailed you an image. This image was tagged as spam by my provider because it used the big5 character set, even though it contained no text. But the other way was to use a java applet which was automatically downloaded from the camera, the same way any applet would be loaded.

This was the only image data displayed on the camera's web interface.

I wanted to get a still image, so I traced the applet's data stream. The applet simply connected to a port on the camera and then presented four characters and a newline. The camera responded with a four byte header and a jpeg. I was able to use echo, sleep and netcat to pull jpegs out of the camera but I did not have to present the password to pull jpegs out of the camera.

The instructions that come with the camera tell you to open this port to the Internet via port forwarding from your firewall. You also open the camera's web port.

If you do this, then a hacker can see that you have this camera and then they can look for other open ports, and if they find the camera port, they can easily pull jpegs out of it with no password.

This is OK, though, since the camera is so incredibly bad that all that anyone will see is sort of a flesh shaped amorphous mass. I took this camera back to the store.

There are two other products on the market. One is the D-Link DCS-900W, and the other is the Linksys Wireless G. Both are comparable to the Hawking and way better.

The Linksys presents both sound and video as an MPEG4 stream. I know of no way to get still images from this camera (other than by having the camera e-mail you one). There is an active X control that allows you to view the video on a windows system, or, with the right codecs, you can use Media Player or Mplayer to view the stream. However, only a Windows user using Internet Explorer can access the camera through the web interfacr and see full motion video. Everyone else can go through multiple layers of frames to determe what the url is for the mpeg4 stream then, that URL can be fed to a regular media player that can play (or record) an mpeg4 stream.

The Linksys can be connected to a 10 or 100 wired ethernet, or to an 802.11b or 802.11g wireless net. It supports WEP. By default it is configured to run at a fixed address but it can run on WEP. A unique feature is that it has a small LCD panel and the LCD panel displays the IP address that it uses. It can look for motion within the camera and send out alerts by e-mail if motion is detected (that is, no external program is required to deal with automated motion detection from this camera). All data is presented on the web interface, and basic authentication (userid and password) is demanded if the camera is set up to require it before the video stream, or any data other than the base screen is presented. There are two levels of users those who can display the video stream and one user who can administer the box.

I have not installed the Linksys management software it seems to be unneeded. If I could find an open source solution that would allow me to convert mpeg4 to a still jpeg, then this would be the winning solution. But the conversion stacks I have found garble the images horribly. I believe that there is conversion available in the support software.

The D-Link has a URL where a jpeg can be accessed. All interaction is via web and all interaction requires basic security. There are two levels of users One user who can configure the camera and those who can just display pics.

The D-Link has a Java applet and an active-X control take your pick that allows you to view motion pictures and it also has full motion video so you can view full motion video from any browser that supports Java applets, or, if you are an IE user who has not installed Java, you can use the Active-X control to look at the video. Thus, the full motion video should work for almost everyone I know it works in Linux and Windows. The D-Link has the best low light capability. It also has the clearest picture, by far. It does not have 802.11g and it does not have sound. It does support WEP. Internally, (to the applet) the motion data is presented as a series of jpegs, using a standard http stream format. All video or jpeg data is presented only after successful basic authentication.

The management software for the D-Link camera works reasonably well, but there is no reason to use it other than, perhaps, for upgrading the flash although the "lite" software can present a very high quality full screen full motion video. All motion detection recording on the D-Link is done in an application on a connected windows PC.

These cameras cost a few dollars more than the Hawking, but they actually have a modicum of security.

The Linksys is a winner if you need sound, or if you want to get the extra performance of an 802.11g device if you do not have any 802.11b devices, you might well not want to introduce the first one.

If you need motion detection in the camera, the Linksys devices also win. Linksys cameras and a wireless router would obivate the need for a computer onsite, and, with a DSL connection, say, would allow for the accumulation, at a central site, of images where motion was detected.

If you do not need sound say, for a manned security setup, the D-Link cameras would allow you to put 16 cameras on a single screen no wiring cost, and you could have motion detection and recording. That would be expensive, but probably much cheaper than any other solution. Considering that you could avoid wiring, it would be a winner.

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for the price, this is a great tool. if u need night time viewing, add a motion detector.

i found a 4x4x6 waterproof plastic box at Home Depot, begged them for a 3x3 glass scrap, and mounted this outside w/motion detector light (see above). we'll see how it handles Florida sun next summer.

bingo! i now have 5 of these running very nicely.

please note that i use free linux software instead of PC monitoring app (IP-View) that comes with it, but friends seem to have good luck w/that app. the linux app ('motion') allows me to mix USB, video, and network cams in one survelliance app.

newest firmware for cam (2.28) hasn't crashed since i booted it over a week ago fyi.

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I purchased several of these cameras and I am very pleased with their performance. They are easy to setup and sturdy. Shhh! Don't tell D-link, but I did test their durability on ceramic tile.

For the price you can't beat them. I am amazed by their update times over the web. These cameras will act as independent web servers, if you set up your router correctly. Each camera needs to have its IP and port associated correctly, after that it's cake.

As I mentioned, these cameras do update quite fast. A fact I did not appreciate until I experienced the Toshiba IK-WB01. I only use the highest resolution setting (640x400). At this resolution, you will be able to capture moving cars fairly clearly. Meaning, you can recognize make, model, color and driver hair color.

If you want to capture images a night, the DCS-900w is not for you. You should consider purchasing the DCS-950g. The DCS-900w is good to 2 Lux, making it useless at night. The DCS-950g is good to 0.5 Lux to give you an idea of the difference.

Bottom-line:

1-Relatively low cost

2-Easy to setup

3-Good updates at high resolution

4-Very stable occasional power blips confuse it like all my other wireless gear. If power blips are a problem for you, use a UPS or a timer like the guy above.

5-Software IPView light is useful

6-NOT for low light

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I wanted to use this cam for monitoring an office, house or the street, however was unable to use it at any of these locations, except during the day. This camera seems to require minimum 5-10 lux. For example in the evening, even on a well lit street it is already very difficult to distinguish the shape of my car less than 10 feet away. Also indoors there is a lot of noise under any amount of artificial light, unless you put your face in front of the camera or the area is lit by natural sun light. Basically after 5 PM the quality gets pretty bad and after 6 PM the cam becomes unusable.

It might be OK for video conferencing if you sit next to your computer with a lamp pointed at your face, however this doesn't require a wireless network camera since many USB models under $50 can perform better.

The camera frame rate on my wireless network is less than 5 fps, though not sure if this is a performance problem with my wireless router (Microsoft), so I am not putting the full blame on the camera.

Generally the concept of wireless network camera is great, but it would need to be coupled with a decent camera. As a standard Webcam this camera wouldn't be worth more than $20.

I've had to do some research to discover that CCD cameras are much better than CMOS, especially in low-light, so I will be looking specifically for those now, even if they are USB-only. Learned my lesson.

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Dell M110 Ultra-Mobile Projector

• Sized for travel: Take your show on the road with this ultra-portable, ultra-mobile projector, small enough to stow in your laptop or travel bag and so light you'll forget that it's there.
• Designed for performance: Bring your most vibrant presentations to life with bright, crisp, high-resolution LED projection, built-in speaker and support for 720p HD.
• Built for flexibility: Put it all on the big screen with optional wireless connection1 or HDMI input from an array of media sources, including DVRs, Blu-ray Disc players, video game consoles, and even some mobile devices.

Compared to the LG HX350T, I feel that this projector offers a sharper image and superior contrast. The 76" image that I project is plenty bright and vivid even in eco mode. My main complaints would be the lack of a remote, few settings to adjust the image, and fan noise that's slightly higher than comparable LED projectors.

Edit: I wanted to let potential buyers know that I use the projector in eco mode (which I find to be plenty bright for 76" inches). In regular mode, I find the fan noise to be very annoying. If you plan to pair the M110 with a much larger screen, I would probably look elsewhere as you'll likely be annoyed by the fan noise in "regular" mode. I'd estimate that most people would be very satisfied with the eco mode for screen sizes up to about 84" or so.

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First of all, the product comes very well packaged in a simple package by Dell. Then it comes with a great carrying case that allows you to carry all of the cables that you need. It comes with a power cable and a pc connecter.

However, the quality of the picture with the VGA adapter seems to be low. I would stick with the HDMI cable as it allows for the highest resolution. The picture quality is fantastic.

The image isn't overly bright and so you definitely need a dark room as the picture looks a bit washed out with a light in the room. The size is incredibly small!!! It weighs hardly anything and allows you to use movies from a micro-sd card.

this is truly an incredibly product that goes well paired with an iPad, netbook, or other small multimedia device. If you are looking for a business, classroom presentation, or projector that needs to work in a lit room, I would go with Dell's basic projector (which is cheaper).

what you are getting here is a great, portable, and FUN projector to use with your friends and families to show pictures or HD movies.

I would definitely buy it again!

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I guess the micro projector market is still almost non existent, but nonetheless this is a great projector. For how small it is, I was surprised at the brightness, picture quality and projection distance it accomplished. The firmware contains all the required adjustments a full size projector would. There are a few draw backs though. The speaker is terrible, but then again whatever you're using as the source is most likely going to have its own speakers. The cooling fan is very loud, but that is to be expected from relatively high end components squished into such a tiny housing. And the beeps it produces when turning on and off are very loud and annoying, and can't be turned off. This just bothers me because I frequently watch it in the same vicinity as people who are asleep, and the loud beeps at night are not very appropriate. It would be good if it came with a hdmi cable too considering the price, but I guess almost nothing else does either.

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I was looking for a portable projector which wasn't too expensive but yet had high enough resolution to work with.

This seem to fit the bill.

Use it with the Mac book Pro 17" for business presentation. Find it very portable and the resolution is enough for this purpose.

Works great for small office settings.

I wish DELL had included the WiFi adapter and/or the remote as part of the package.

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The video quality is very nice. The built-in speakers are useless, as they are too quiet. It tend to lag a little when opening big video files. It can be used in a room during daytime as well, as long as the curtains are closed.

Pentax Optio 15921 14 MP Digital Camera with 5x Optical Zoom (Black)

Great little camera. perfect if you want a cheap point and shoot camera. when you zoom the quality is not lost and takes good quality video. highly recommended

this is a great camera with lots of options. the screen has good color, and is very clear and easy to see

however the battery life seems short.

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Great small camera for the price. Easy to use and carry. Takes quality pictures and good video. All around good as a primary or secondary camera.

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My last digital camera was a Pentax and I loved that as well. After looking at reviews and trying out others, including ones that photographers swore was the only camera for them, I decided to buy a Nikon. I get the $250 Nikon home, and the quality isn't there.

I return it, and go back to Pentax. This camera is amazing. It's so small I forget it's in my pocket. It takes incredible pictures. I took it to France for 10 days and now have friends, coworkers, family members all asking where I got "that painting" (they're always photos that I took).

One bad note the battery contacts broke and I had to send the camera in for repairs. It was within warranty and fixed promptly. The situation was handled well, I just wish it wouldn't have been an issue to begin with.

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Photos come up ugly too dark or to white. For digital cameras go for others brands. Or for a better pentax at higher cost

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Cam Caddie 3 Piece Accessory Kit

These bits will give me added value to my new Scorpion... using a microphone, lights, etc. I may even need more of these soon.

excellent, great purchase thanks but will be better if you add more 1/4 hot shoe mount adapter to not have to buy it apart maybe 2 more in total 3 thanks

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POV Case 3.0 Small GoPro-edition Black

My wife gave me a Hero3 with an extra battery, the video back and a handful of mounts. I started looking for a storage solution that was compact, gave good protection and lightweight while able to fit camera and all the goodies. This seemed to be the best option for what I needed and after using it a few weeks I am very happy I made the purchase. If I was reviewing the price this would get knocked down a star or two because it is expensive but being the only good option for what I wanted I had to "pay to play". When you think about paying a little extra to protect your investment of a nice GoPro system that you take everywhere it is probably well worth the cost.

A good review should be based on the overall product including its performance and this case gets five stars for that. It has a nice dense pre-cut foam interior that fits the camera (in it's case), an extra battery, an extra SD card, the video back, a nice amount of accessories and a netted area on the top section to hold your cables and a few extra items. The construction is very good, zipper is solid and it has a soft rubber seal around the interior edge so when it's closed it will keep dust out. The exterior of the case is a durable material and has a good quality feel. If you skipped to the end of this review... I recommend this as a very solid purchase.

This is a very nice small case for my GoPro. The only reason I am not giving it 5 stars is that it is extremely overpriced for what it is.

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I am very pleased with this case. The precut openings fit the camera and accessories perfect. I wish it had a little more room but overall great case. It may seem overpriced but NOT having to to make the cutouts is worth it.

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I bought this based solely on the photos of it here on Amazon. What I can say is that it's very well made, soft textured yet rugged exterior with firm "shell like" feel to it. Inside you'll find good padding that more than adequately protected my camera and accessories on a trip that went from Lower48 (home) to Maui to Alaska. I had it in my backpack, stuffed that pack into overhead bins on planes and it came out fine. The only caveat is that you'll find as you accumulate more GoPro accessories, if you're like me, you also want something to store them ALL. This one is a bit small for that, and I find myself picking and choosing what I'll take. So I'd recommend that you get both this one and the larger one. Use the larger one for permanent storage at home or for those trips when you're going to need a lot of accessories, and use this one for when you are able to limit what you'll take. For example, for scuba, this would easily accomodate most things I'd need, save perhaps any special mounts.

Overall, I love it and will be taking my own advice and buying the bigger one as well.

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I like very thing that this case provide in protection, but with all the extras that you may need with your go pro, it fall short on space, I should have bought the larger case.