Foscam Blue Iris Professional - Supports Many IP Camera Brands Including Foscam and Agasio, Zone Mo

I have a total of 16 camera's, a couple of Panasonic BL**, Linksys, Foscam FI8910w and Askak Mole IP cam for indoors along with a SWAN DVR system for outdoors that i just figured out how to add onto the software. I absolutely love it, and it's been working great over wifi, and the customization is awesome. I mainly bought it for home security and to monitor my newborn. I can setup to record motion for all the camera's and motion + email/sms alerts on specific ones that I would want to know about like front door, drive way and side gate access. I like using the text feature because it's almost instant. I get notifications on my iphone within 6-10 seconds of a trigger. It's awesome, example my text will read "Alert Motion detected on Side gate" ...I log in with my iphone Blue Iris app ($10) to see that the PGE guy is in my backyard reading my meter and throwing in lunch away in my trash can. If i miss it, the the iphone app has the ability to watch the DVR'd recording (with audio if your cam supports it). This feature alone is why i bought it. It is invaluable. Since most break in's happen in the day time, and thief's usually ring the door bell to see if anyone is home then go to the backyard where no can see to break in, this alerting system is critical along with the ability to review the alert to determine if it's legitimate or not. With the iphone app along with the PC version, I have reduced my remote viewing iPhone apps from 3 to just 1. Its so cool, i show it off to all my friends and co workers. Since I figured out all the settings, i helped them get it setup up to at their homes. They all love it. I use it all the time, even when I miss place something, it's awesome to have to abiliy to replay past events to find what you lost.

The web browser functions works pretty good as well, I have noticed sometimes the image will get frozen and I need to refresh the browser to start up again using Firefox. This could be due to my companies firewall and proxy settings. The fix for this is to download the free add-in Auto Refresh v.1.02. I like this one the best because it has the option for hard refresh or the just a "soft" refresh of the view you are on. this is helpful if you have groups setup. I have Outdoor cams, Indoor Cams / and Kids room cams groups. Doing a hard refresh goes back to the default view which is view All camera's. I do not select this and only do a normal refresh every 1min (adjustable). This way when I only want to watch my kids rooms to make sure they are doing their homework or chores, when the page refreshes it remains on my 3 large camera's views of my kids rooms instead of going to the main "All camera's" view like with a "hard refresh" which makes them all very small b/c it's showing all 16 cams.

I have and monitored ADT security system as well but the Blue Iris application is like my front line of defense in case thief's try to cut the power or disconnect the phone line. Additonally it has the best user interface and endless features that are not available on any of the other security applications. I have the BI software running on a desktop PC for now recording to an external HD hidden behind some books on my bookshelf with a 15FT usb cable. A laptop would be better since you can hide it more and it has a battery for power outages. Just keep your router and a few camera's on a UPS and you should be fully protected.

Another cool feature is the ability to not only send alerts but it can play audio or turn on lights if alerts trigger. I have a profile setup for when I'm on vacation to play a 30min audio track of some action movie with explosions and dialog to simulate someone watching TV. The audio plays on my computer BOSE PC speakers that are turned up pretty loud. I also split the speakers out to they play on the opposite side of the house so that thieves could hear it from whatever entry point they are thinking about going in.

I did run into an issue with my Astak mole cam is very flaky on the BI software. I can get to it fine using its own webserver and on the Free IP cam app I have on my iphone, but with the BI software, it's hit or miss, sometimes it working and sometimes its not. This could be the camera though so I'm not going to knock off a star until I do some more research. I submitted a case with the BI support and got a response a few hours later from support. Ken offered some suggestions and also offered to help work on it if I put it online for him to take a look. Working in IT support myself, I was impressed with the support I received from the BI software developer.

Other features that would put this over the top would be the 2 way talk feature for both the remote web view and smart phone app. Some of my cameras (foscam/Astak) have the ability to speak into your phone or computer and with the built in speaker on the camera, it will output your voice on it. This is a neat feature to communicate to someone in the house when they are not picking up the phone. I purchased the foscam iphone app just for this feature alone, however it is lacking big time in comparison to the BI iphone app.

All in all I'm very impressed with both the Blue Iris PC app and the iPhone app. With the rising crime rate across the country because the cities have no money to fund police and investigators, burglar's know this and are taking advantage. As a homeowner, I understand that this will not prevent a break in, but at least it may catch one, or better yet deter one. I would highly recommend this to anyone wanting the flexibility of remote viewing and alerting for their security camera's.

UPDATE 6-21-2013:

Stability: I have had this thing running no stop for almost 4 months. There have been a few updates for BI since then and they have been all very nice enhancements and or fixes. The BI web server is bullet proof; I have not had the webserver crash at all since it's been up. I do restart my computer ever now and then for Windows critical updates but I have it setup so that when my computer reboots, it auto starts the BI software but minimized and password protected.

BI Mobile App: I have asked for it and now it is hear. The ability for two way communication with the foscam camera¡¦s. I can now hear and talk through the foscams via the BI mobile app. It works pretty good, but I do have to admit the quality and responsiveness is not as good as the native Foscam iphone app perhaps because it is going through the BI desktop webserver first then to your phone, whereas the Foscam app goes directly to your camera. But it is a good feature and probably needs to be optimized a bit to be on par with the Foscam mobile app. But I wouldn¡¦t buy the foscam iphone app to make up for it, I just happened to have both already so I¡¦ll continue to use the foscam for now.

Wireless Speeds: Since I have 16 Camera's, 6 of them are foscams and 2 other ones that are wireless, I notice that my wifi speeds for the home have decreased dramatically. My wired speeds are great getting 21mbps down and 3-4mpbs up. But when I run speed tests for my wifi, i'm getting 128-256 kbps transfer speeds on my N wireless network. Turning off the BI software gets me back to almost my wired speeds using the speedtest.net 6000-7000 KB/sec. Looking at the BI logs, I see that my wifi cams at 5 fps (frames per second) are sending about 64-128kbs per sec for each wireless cam (8x) so it¡¦s not that bad, and my wired cams are sending about 400-500kbs per sec at 15 FPS. There is a constant flow of data across my wireless network. I have an Linksys N router and a Cisco repeater/access point (G). My speed tests are done while connected to the N Linksys router.

Now this does not happen all the time which is frustrating, meaning sometimes when BI is on and running, I get normal fast wifi speeds, and sometimes I don't when it's running so I¡¦m thinking there is something else saturating my wifi network like the camera¡¦s internal web server. I need to do more investigation, but it seems like BI has a hand in it since when I do disable it my speeds come back instantly. I have since moved a lot of the camera's on Ethernet since the picture quality and frame rate is way better anyway, this has helped with intermittent wifi. I run a lot off wifi, TV Netflix, Apple Air Play, iPads, laptop, etc so this was of great concern. I now have only 4 cams on wifi and it seems to be working fine now. Just food for thought if you were running more than 8 wireless camera¡¦s you may see saturation on your wifi network.

Storage: I bought BI because I wanted to keep an eye on things due to the increased crime rate in our neighborhood, but also because I have a new born and 4 year old in the house and it¡¦s nice to capture those cute diaper changes and funny things kids do that made you wish it you had a camera recording while it happened. I have found myself going through these recordings and not wanting to delete anything º!!!! Storage is cheap these days, and I picked up a Seagate 3TB backup plus drive for about $130. At the rate I¡¦m capturing videos, I have managed to fill up 400GB over the last 4 months. About 100GB per month, so I figured a 3 TB (275Gb usable) will last me for 2 years of cuteness before I buy another 3-4 TB drive. I¡¦m sure by that time they will be absurdly cheap. The other nice feature of this is that this drive doubles as a SATA drive docking station so I will just need to buy a HD only with no fancy case and slap it on.

Final thoughts is that I Still love this App and one of the best purchases I have made all year. I use it everyday not just for security, it has become the number on of my top apps I use on my phone and the live view and alerting feature has been invaluable. With the web security feature, I have allowed my parents to view my baby's room camera's during a specific time period so that they can just pop in and see the new baby sleeping and playing without having to face time me every few hours :-)

At first my wife and friends thought I was a little weird to have so much visibility/security camera's at my house, but after I show them the value of what it does for a home owner, parents of kids and dogs, I find them calling me a few weeks later asking how to set a system like that for them. If you have something to hide from your spouse then I would avoid putting camera's inside your home, but for us, we enjoy the sense of security and priceless moments it has allowed us to replay. Next up are some HD Cams :-)

Blue Iris ("BI") is a significant improvement over painfully basic OEM supplied control/display software. BI is reasonably intuitive and compatible with most-all IP cameras, and if a camera is not listed specifically in set-up, generally a set-up file for a similar camera will work fine. There are lots of IP camera forums on the Internet that discuss using BI if you run into challenges.

Note that the BI software license is for ONE HOST COMPUTER. If you monitor/control your cameras from more than one computer you will need a separate license for each additional host. So be sure to install your software on your primary host.

For the price, this is an excellent buy. Full-up professional IP camera control packages typically cost 4X the asking BI price.

Buy Foscam Blue Iris Professional - Supports Many IP Camera Brands Including Foscam and Agasio, Zone Mo Now

I know you can run BootCamp/Parallels/Fusion to make this work on a MAC, but it would be nice to have a native MAC version. I did purchase this via the download from the Blue Iris website and did setup Bootcamp to run it and it works very well. It has all sorts of cameras and covers the many different cameras I use from Foscam, to Q-See to Swann and others.

The Blue Iris App works well, but you need to have it connect to the machine running the software. Once that is done, it's a no brainer

For the price, you cannot go wrong if you are running Windows. It works very well and is really easy to setup. The help files are well written and tell you everything you need to know for any setting. Just click the question mark on the page where you are and the help opens up to show you every option on that page and what you can do. You can also open the help from the home page and do all the normal things you can do with a Windows help search

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This software is can be quite complicated. It is NOT plug & play. There are many, many configuration options. The software requires extensive knowledge of settings and the language that go with knowing HTTP, FTP Servers, WEB Servers, IP configurations. I have written & currently support multiple web sites & maintain a Windows 2008 R2 network for a company of 35, so Im somewhat familiar with what it takes. If you want to record activity from installed cameras, logic says you need to move or copy those recordings "off premises" to be reviewed later, which this software does provide. Why? Because if your property is being stolen or destroyed, so are the recordings if they are only being stored locally, on premises. Its like any good backup. So an FTP off-site or cloud is necessary to protect your files. Read and take your time or you will find yourself being overwhelmed by technology. Update to backing up your files off-site. I discovered that the popular cloud-type backup companies do not support backing up video file types, ie: MOV, AVI or MP4. What you can do is to purchase an ISP account which generally gives you about 10GB to start. Then you need an FTP enabled synchronization type software to copy the jpg & video files to that off-site location. I have it set to copy from the directory every 10 min. These are just things you can never know up front.

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This is great remote viewing and recording software for the Foscam IP cameras. It does everything I want it to do. Email alert functionality works fine for me, and the motion sensing algorithm is easy to adjust and seems to work remarkably well. The pan, tilt interface for the Foscams works very well also better than the software that comes with the cameras. There are a plethora of feature controls, triggers, alert settings, and record options more than I will probably ever use. The navigation is well laid-out and things are easy to find.

My only criticisms are that it does not seem to provide a control for the IR lamps on the cameras, and the user interface is a bit "clunky" looking. But the latter issue doesn't affect functionality or usability, so who really cares? Overall, I'm quite pleased.

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Nikon D800 HDMI Cable - HD Video Cable for Nikon D800

Cable works great. Hooked up D800 to Samsung 55in 1080p....WOW...

Simply cannot beat the price.

Exceptional value!

Would recommend to others.

I have used this on my D800E and it does work. If I lost this one, I would order another to replace it.

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I have purchased other cables to connect my D800E to my monitor, but this is the first one that worked. Picture quality is excellent.

Also, dCables is great do do business with. The first cable was lost in the mail despite having a USPS tracking number. dCables promptly sent me a replacement without hassle.

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It connects from our D800 camera to the TV just as expected. There isn't more to say about a cable that works!

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Sony DCR-SR100 3MP 30GB Hard Drive Handycam Camcorder w/10x Optical Zoom

Advantages:

1. No tapes or mini-DVD's; record straight onto hard drive

2. Many hours on the hard drive, even in HQ

3. Beautiful colors & resolution

4. Easy to delete and edit clips

5. Records standard MPEG video (easily edited/manipulated)

Disadvantages:

1. No firewire output to computer (USB only; see below.)

2. No headphone output

3. Included software easy, but not powerful

4. Comes with cheap composite video cable; premium S-video cable addn'l cost

I've sorely needed a camcorder for some time now, but I also wanted to avoid a future of buying and storing and fiddling with drawers full of tapes or mini-DVs... so I looked into hard-drive camcorders. Reviews of the exisiting hard-drive camcorders out there were quite mixed, at best problems with image quality, compression, adaptability to video editing software, etc. So I held on, (unfortunately missing the opportunity to film my kid's first birthday and first steps, etc.) and I bought this machine as soon as it was finally released (initially only to Sony stores) in mid-April. It is surpassing my expectations thus far.

I really do like shooting video directly onto a hard drive. I don't have to worry about wasting tape/miniDVD space, running out of tape, or finding the right spot on the right tape, etc., so I find that it really frees me up to shoot video whenever I'm inspired and just delete (immediately or later) if the clip isn't interesting. Very liberating. Deleting segments is very easy, just as easy as on a typical digital camera. The clips are organized automatically into folders based on date/time, and within each folder, clips are selected for viewing on the touch screen (or via included remote control), referenced graphically by the first frame of each clip. Simple. One can watch/listen to clips on the 2.7" screen (and speaker) integrated into the camcorder, or hook the camcorder up to TV or computer for playback/preview of unedited footage resolution is excellent on my 40" LCD TV. I was wondering if I'd be disappointed in the resolution on my big screen, especially considering that nice compact high-def camcorders are now in the $1500 and less range (none with hard disk drives, though), but I'm not disappointed at all; video looks great and crisp straight out of the camcorder especially since using the "premium" S-video cable I bought for about $35 (which should really be included in the package, I think.)

Creating quality DVDs was my real goal, though, ie. sharing the results with family/friends, and creating a long-lasting archive. Using the included software, I've created a first DVD of about 25 minutes of various length segments of video, mostly of my 15-month old daughter running around and being extremely cute. The DVD looks and sounds surprisingly clear and colorful and vibrant, even on my 40" LCD. The included software makes it fairly straightforward to import video from the camcorder's hard drive onto my computer's hard drive, for editing and authoring DVDs of video. It knows which clips have been imported already, and imports only those that are new. One you've decided what you want on the DVD, it comes out with menus and all, very cool. I haven't yet tried the even simpler "easy-DVD" burn feature, as I've been into editing the clips somewhat before putting them on DVD; I don't know what those results look like. Also, for Mac users, the instructions do include some comments about using the footage with Macintosh computers (I haven't tried that yet.)

Shooting with the camcorder is a breeze. Nice slow smooth zooms are possible, and become easy once you get the hang of it. I was worried that there would be a lag time to initiate recording (after pressing the "record" button) but there is none really. It feels pretty good in my hand. I haven't dropped it, and don't plan to, so I can't comment on whether the hard drive fails with trauma.

Some comments:

1. My computer doesn't have USB 2.0 input (which is the standard for the past three yrs or so), and I've had no luck with various adapters, so the lack of firewire output is rather annoying to me personally, and causes importing of clips to my computer to be rather time-consuming (though easy). It seems silly that Sony is abandoning firewire output on this machine, just like Apple has abandoned it on the newest Ipods. Sucks for me; though my computer is a great but oldish HP with fast Pentium 4 processing, it only has USB 1.1 support. For most of you, though, importing via USB 2.0, it should be quite fast.

2. Sound recording is very good, but I wish the camcorder had a headphone port. Oh, well. Perhaps it's a blessing, as now I have no reason to plug my head into headphones all the time.

3. The included software is really nice for getting the video from camcorder to computer, but editing is primitive at best. I'm waiting for my video editing software suite to arrive at my door (I chose Sony Vegas Platinum, based on reviews); I hope it works well. Compatibility should not be a problem, as the video files are saved, on my computer, as MPEG video files, which are a fairly standard platform.

4. You'll be tempted (like me) to start buying software and accessories (mic, extra battery, new computer with superfast processing speeds, etc.) so save a few hundred (or thousand) for those. Included battery lasts for almost 2 hours of use.

Overall a very nice machine, with a lot going for it. I'm very happy to own it, and I'm using it frequently with minimal problems thus far. I wish it had firewire output and a headphone jack, but it's great even without it.

My seven year old Sony DCR-PC100 miniDV camcorder is beginning to show signs of wear, so I figured it was time to buy a backup unit. I didn't want to relive the miniDV tape experience for two reasons: the multi-step and time consuming DVD transfer process and the inability to instantly access particular portions of the tape. I briefly considered DVD camcorders, but I don't trust their reliability (I'd hate to spend all day on a wedding video and then lose my footage to "finalization failure"). I also don't like the limited and tedious DVD editing process and I can't live with 30-minute recording times (I occasionally like to set my camcorder up for long-term unattended recording). The Sony SR100 appears to be the perfect solution. I can burn footage to DVD with the click of a button, or I can edit and then burn (the supplied "ImageMixer" software is pretty basic, but adequate for my needs). I can also access any of my clips instantly, as is the case with any hard drive. Of course I don't know yet how reliable the HD will be, but I've put a lot of mileage on a lot of hard drives and haven't had one fail yet. With the optional NP-FP90 battery, the Sony will record (unattended) for 7.5 hours in HQ mode! You could actually use it as a baby monitor cam. The NP-FP60 battery that came with the unit is providing about 2.5 hours of operating time. In terms of video resolution, sound and color, the SR100 is exceptional...clearly superior to my DCR-PC100. I would label still picture quality as "very good", but I won't be using that feature much. The zoom rocker is smooth and easy to use. The viewfinder is bright and clear. The menus are intuitive. I didn't think I'd like the touch screen, but I do. One nice feature is being able to designate which area of the scene you want to spot meter (or focus) on by simply touching that part of the screen. So far, I love this camcorder and would recommend it without reservation.

Addendum: The battery times I gave earlier are for "playback", not record. The supplied battery (NP-FP60) should provide about 1.5 hours of recording time and the NP-FP90, about 4.5 hours.

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I am very happy with the new camcorder. Buy one. I had first ordered a Panasonic VDR-D300 Mini DVD camcorder. It used the small DVDs and only stored 18 minutes on each one. Reading the manual told me I did not want that camera, so I returned it for Amazon (I love their service) and purchased the Sony-SR100

I took practice shots outside and inside, zoomed in and out, took close ups of flowers both in wide angle where you can get to 1/2 inch away and telephoto that you must be 2 feet away. Everything was always in perfect focus.

Each scene shows up on the LCD as a thumbnail. You can play time all or anyone of them, you can play the last scene instantly after you take it and delete if you want. You can make a play list by selecting only those scenes you want to play, and if you want you can rearrange the scenes in any order you want. Still pictures also are shown as thumbnails. You select which one you want to see.

This is all done on the LCD screen, which is a touch screen.

I then plugged into my 60 inch TV and played the pictures. They were crystal clear. MUCH better than those still pictures I took in Africa with my 6 Mega pixel Minolta. Those look good on computer, or printed, but not so hot on TV.

I then plugged the camera into laptop and made a DVD of all the scenes on the hard drive without loading them into the computer first. I then played the DVD on the TV and it was the same as when directly from the camera

I then imported all the images camcorder hard drive into the computer and edited them. You can delete or edit them as you wish. Each scene shows as a thumbnail and you can play each one. You can also cut out frames or a group of frames.

Great camera and easy to use. I figured out all of the above in about an hour.

If a person does not wish to edit, then you just point and shoot and put all the unedited pictures on a DVD and that is it.

The 30 gig hard drive will hold 7 hours of pictures, so that is more than enough for a long trip. I have two lithium batteries that each last about 120 minutes. They recharge in two hours. As you take pictures the readout is always showing you how much time you have left on the battery.

I am sure on my travels I will be taking mostly video and also still pictures with my 6 megapixle camera but a lot less of those than before.

This camera also takes still pictures and it also has a flash. They seem to be good quality when viewed on the TV.

For pictures when it is very dark, it has an infrared light. I have not tested that.

This is an amazing product, and I find dealing with Amazon to be the best. I had one price for this camera $300 less, but when I tried to buy it, they called and asked if I wanted the parts other than the body. They tried to offer it to me complete for $100 less then Amazon, but after that sad experience, I did not want to do business with them.

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I found this camcorder works great with a Mac -but you have to download and install two pieces of software first: (1) MPEG Streamclip for Mac OS X, which is free. Do an Internet search for the URL. (2) the MPEG-2 codeck for Quicktime form the Apple online store ($20); Quicktime Pro ($30) might also be required--not sure. I already have it. After installing both pieces of software, connect to the camcorder through the USB connection. The camcorder will show up as a hard drive "No Name." Find your video files on "No Name" and drag them to your Mac. Then use Steamclip to open your movie files. I use these settings: compressor h264 when converting to either .mov or mpeg-4. I get beautiful results.

The camcorder itself is great to use. Video is high quality. Even the 120 X digital zoom was not really so bad. The sound is terrific. Menus are easy to navigate, but I tend to forget where some settings are. Am getting better with practice.

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I am more than satisfied with my new DCR-SR100. It has exceeded my expectations. It is very easy to use and the video quality is very good. The still camera quality is not as good, but I didn't buy this camera to take still photos. I highly recommend this camera.

Dynex Silver 1080p HDMI Video Cable - 6 feet (1.8 meters) (Bulk Pack U3)

It's a good product with the same specifications in the provided description but the problem is there's nothing says that it's Dynex brand, it's just the cable in a plastic bag without even any packaging.

The description is misleading. "Dynex Silver 1080p HDMI Video Cable 6 feet (1.8 meters) (Bulk Pack U3)" I had assumed "bulk pack U3" meant it was a bulk pack with 3 units. It was a single cable. I think the bulk pack U3 part of the description could be omitted for a more accurate description. $7 for an HDMI cable is still a good deal but I would have went with a 2pack I saw for the same price.

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Ive ordered these hdmis before..just so the pins aren't bent you're ok.....quit whining they're super cheap .just go into best buy

And price em. The party will start!

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I ordered two of these cables and both were defective. Also, the seller Ultra Spec Cables did not send the product that was advertised, I did not receive Dynex cables, and was also not able to leave a negative feedback on their profile. Watch out, these cables are cheap for a reason.

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It was cheap, came on time and does what it is supposed to do. So far I have had no problems with it

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Nikon D3200 Digital SLR Camera & 18-55mm G VR DX AF-S Zoom Lens (Black) + 55-300mm VR Lens + 16

Nikon D3200 Digital SLR Camera & 18-55mm G VR DX AF-S Zoom Lens (Black) + 55-300mm VR Lens + 16GB Card + Case + Filters + Tripod + Telephoto & Wide-Angle Lens Kit

WOW its an amazing camera. I already own the D5000 ( Which can't even match up and I though I loved it when I first got it 3 yrs ago.)and the D5100 ( which I still love ) and wanted the D3200. I am a professional photographer and its going to bring even more smiles. The pictures are so crisp. Its small but packed with power. Video very clear. Good sound too. I can't wait for my next shoot.

If you want to get brilliant pictures and get your creative juices flowing, this WILL do it. I have no hesitation to recommend this buy. Even the bag in the package is great. I love the lenses. I was able to capture a humming bird in my garden up close from 20 ft away.

I am going to have fun with this new baby.

Sarah

It has a great performance and take wonderful pics. It has a great HI definition. Easy to use in automatic mode. Im so happy of this camera and all adittional items.

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Being a beginner at SLR, this camera seems to be easy to use. I have just tried it twice or thrice (outdoors and indoors) in last 10 days and the photos are amazing. I guess its a good choice if you are a beginner and struggling to decide what to buy. Even the camera bag and everything else is of standard quality. Haven't opened the tripod yet. Good buy, go for it.

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Excelent combo for an Entry level DSLR camera. Takes wonderful pictures and has all you need to get going.

Would be nice if they add the remote on it.

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I don't know if I'll ever learn all the features, takes great pics, but you gotta get Photoshop or some software to edit raw pics, not very usable without that. High quality setup with Photoshop.

Panasonic HC-V720 3D Ready 1MOS HD Digital Camcorder with Wi-fi (black)

The prices are slowly dropping on the Panasonic HC-V720. I believe this is the best camcorder in it's price class. I had mine in hand a few days before any serious effort to test the camera's functions and video quality. My out-of-the-box impression of the camera was that it is the best built of the camcorders in it's class that I have seen and I have been watching these for about six months. Later field use proved this to be a very sturdy, well built camcorder.

My first impression of the video quality out-of-the-box in default settings was that it was good but not great. It should be noted that I did not really shoot anything of particular interest and no attempt to better initial settings was done. After a few days, I finally had an opportunity to do some quality testing of the camera features at St. Augustine Zoological Park in St. Augustine Florida. That video can be seen on Youtube.com here; All the video footage is straight from the camera with hardly any post-production adjustment to image quality. The stills used were not from the camcorder but a couple other cameras our group had with us.

I recommend this camera highly. It is feature laden with lots of cool manual settings and adjustments you can make to refine your videos to be what you like. The Basic Owner's Manual will get you started but it doesn't begin to teach you the camera's capabilities. The provided PDF manual is extensive and very will done. It's easy to follow and understand. The touch screen menu is a snap but I am very intuitive with such things. Don't give up if you find it difficult, you can do amazing things if you learn the touch screen and it's necessary to take full advantage of the what the Panasonic HC-V720 Camcorder can do.

If you really want to get your head into your videos, this is one fine camecorder. The microphone is excellent. It records in 5 point surround or stereo modes. It has wind cancelling through the touch screen menu. The 21x optical zoom is outstanding too. If you get into the hybrid zoom (optical + digital), you'll need a pretty steady hand but the 5 point image stabilization does an amazing job up to a point. I think a monopod would resolve most issues up to it's 60x hybrid zoom. Any higher and a tripod is recommended. Colors are realistic and saturated except in low light. Low light performance is very good other than saturation of color which can be changed in post-production. The video I posted on youtube.com was produced using AVS4YOU software. A nice and reasonably priced video and audio editing suite.

Go get one and have a blast.

This is my 3rd camcorder in the past few years. The camcorder works great. Takes good video. And has a wider view than the Canon HV20 its replacing. That allows better shots imo.

Note: this unit does NOT record in MP4 format! Only AVCHD. I read the specs carefully at Panasonic site, and thought it did MP4 the way they worded it. You can "convert" the AVCHD to MP4 after you take the video, but it takes it down to a tiny resolution, and of course take a long time. I'm on a Mac, so if I want to just pull the AVCHD videos off the card to share on youtube, without using iMovie or something else, its a bit cryptic getting them due to the file structure. If they were MP4, I think it would be easier. But I'm not certain, as this is my first card based camcorder.

Now, the Wifi of this thing is horrible. The user interface and setup is torture. I've been fooling around with it for the past 4 days and still can't save to youtube. Panasonic has this thing called the Lumixclub. Its interface is completely confusing. I read the entire wifi section of the PDF manual, and it didn't help at all. When you get to the website (even FINDING the website is not easy, no lie) you will think your are in the wrong place. You use this Lumixclub to interface with Ustream and Youtube, and other social sites. In the end, I couldn't get anything but Ustream to work, and that was a struggle. I just can't believe they made this so confusing, and the wifi was the "main feature" of this camera.

What does work well is using iOS device to control the camera. There are 2 ways to do this. You can go directly from the camera to the iOS device, or from the camera, to your home router, then to your iOS device. You then have to download a free app to control the camera. This actually works really well. The app can do the same functions you can from the camcorder screen: start, stop, take snapshot, change recording resolution, zoom, etc. Basically a remote control. This is big to me, as I have this camera mounted stationary on a wall. When you are directly connected to iOS device, the lag is I'd say about 1 or 2 seconds. When you are connected through the home router, the lag is I'd say 5 to 10 seconds.

You can also playback on the iPad what you just recorded, and anything that is on the SD card. That also works pretty well.

However, to get anything OFF the SD card, you still have to have the LumixClub working. Thats where it gets a pain in the azz again, and forget about it.

I read a bunch of reviews on Canon's wifi cameras, and the wifi on them is horrible as well. That's why I went the Panasonic route. Looks like neither company can figure it out.

Editing:If you are doing traditonal editing with iMovie from the SD card, it converts it to the Apple Intermidiate Format. If you are uisng Final Cut Pro X, it uses the native AVCHD format, with no need to convert it.

I have a 3 year old Panasonic Viera tv that takes SD cards. No way could I get any video from the camear to play on the TV using the card slot. That was very disappointing to me.

In summary, the camera itself is very nice. I wish it recored to MP4 as well as AVCHD. The iOS as a remote control and viewing screen works well enough if you directly connect it. (note, this means the iOS device is not connected to the internet, just the camera. I have an old iPad I can dedicate to this task).

But anything beyond that, that uses the LumixClub, you will be pulling your hair out.

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This camcorder takes great quality video but was released without the availability of optional spare batteries (3 week backorder). The battery lasts about 1 hour and there is no way to charge it without an outlet. I was on the phone with Panasonic technical support for more than an hour to find another charging solution when electrical outlets are not available and there are no options. So if you are planning on recording anything that lasts much more than an hour in April 2013 and you can't keep the camcorder plugged in, then this is probably not the camcorder for you. Disappointing that Panasonic would release a camcorder without the optional batteries being available. Lastly, if you are a Mac user and want to upload into iMovie and still be HD, you will find the process very frustrating and even with 3rd party conversion software, it is a big hassle. We returned our Panasonic and got a camcorder that works seamlessly with Macs and had spare batteries available.

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I have had this camera for about a month and it is awesome, the picture stability feature is great. I use it for hunting vids and got a 2x zoom lens for it and it works phenomenal. The ability to set it to a manual settings or auto video set up with a touch screen is too easy. The picture quality in my opinion cant be beat!

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Built-in wide angle lens is a big plus with this camera, and appreciate the ease of attaching AC power. The only cons would be the short battery life (remedied by buying an after-market high capacity battery) and the need to drill down a few layers of commands to get to some functions. Overall, very happy with the purchase though.

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Pentax X70 12MP CCD Digital Camera with 24x Optical Triple Shake Reduction Zoom and 2.7 inch LCD

I had read about the X70 prior to the camera's introduction at the beginning of April, but details about the camera were sparse as they usually are when a new camera is about to be introduced, but from what I had seen up to that point, it was a camera I was definitely interested in. It was Pentax's first foray into the megazoom point and shoot field of compact cameras, so I had to find out what it was all about. I ordered it from Amazon on April 2nd, and by April 10, I had it in my hot little hands.

First impression: It was smaller than I expected and a heck of lot lighter compared to other large zoom cameras I've held. Pentax apparently decided to use a lightweight lithium-ion battery instead of AA batteries to cut down on the size and weight of the camera. This has its good and bad points. The lithium-ion battery that it comes with is IMHO underpowered (925mAH) and good for only about 150-175 shots before needing to be recharged, so carrying extra batteries is a must if you plan on doing a lot of shooting. AA batteries would have been more advantageous in this situation because of their availability and cost. Pentax charges $53 for a replacement battery which in my opinion is outrageous for what you get. Fortunately, generic replacement D-Li92 batteries are available from overseas manufacturers for about $7 which are just as good if not better than the OEM model. Pentax should have taken a similar approach to Kodak's Z980 with their vertical battery grip accessory to add more power for the camera.

Ok... enough with the battery soapbox... The features that the camera has are impressive. Pentax, for the first time, includes a dedicated autofocus assist lamp located just to the left of the camera grip and to the right of the lens. The lamp is very bright and can be useful in the dark 10-15 feet away, but can be accidentally blocked by your hand if not careful. The 24x zoom is HUGE in performance and the image stabilization goes a long way in capturing clear shots. It features the usual range of P/A/T/M controls as well a the Pentax green button mode which basically acts like a hyper program which sets your correct exposure and speed no matter what mode you are in, even manual mode. The scene modes are numerous and features such things as flower, portrait, half portrait, sunset, night, etc.... most of which are standard on many other cameras. This camera also features auto exposure bracketing with a range of -/+2EV which is now becoming the norm for the latest batch of new cameras. This will allow a good exposure range for taking HDR photos (3 shots taken at -2EV, 0, +2EV), and processed with an external HDR software processor such as Photomatix.

It also has burst mode shooting, but there are trade offs... You can shoot at 4fps, 6.3fps, and 11 fps. At 4fps, you can shoot up to 7 shots, but the recorded pixels is set at 5MP, and JPEG quality is at 3 stars. At 6.3fps, you can also shoot up to 7 shots, 5MP, but JPEG quality drops to 2 stars. At 11fps, you can shoot up to 21 shots, 5MP, at a quality of 1 star.

Movie mode leaves a little to be desired though. You can use the entire 24x zoom range, but not while you are recording. Only digital zoom is available during shooting, so if you zoom in while recording, you will lose clarity much like you see on those reality cop shows where you view the dash cam, and they zoom in to see detail but it is blocky. The camera features HD recording (720p), but is only at 15fps. At 480i, it's at 30fps. Most likely the reason for the lack of optical zoom while recording has got to be the motor noise that would be audible with the in-camera microphone.

Ok, let's talk about image quality.... in three words, it's damn good. You have 12MP and the lens produces some very good if not excellent shots. High ISO is decent and usable up to ISO 800. ISO 1600 is marginal as to be expected from the small sensor size. Surprisingly, ISO 3200 is better than ISO 1600 IMHO, and ISO 6400 is also available in a pinch. However, at ISO 3200-6400, your recorded pixel size is set at 5MP to improve dynamic range.

All in all, despite some concerns I have about the camera, it appears that it was an excellent choice and one that I will use on a continuing basis to supplement my Pentax DSLRs that I own. There are times where I don't wish to lug around a heavy camera and lens, so carrying a camera like the X70 can be advantageous and still get good quality photos.

I ordered this mostly for the zoom capabilities and am not disappointed! I can now zoom in on Parrots feeding in my back yard and have to be careful not to zoom in too close!

The colors are life-like and bright. This camera has so many neat features such as smile and face detect. I also took a couple of shots of our dog running (with camera hand-held) and they came out surprisingly well.

I took a few video clips with this on the highest quality setting and it looks decent but still not as good as a dedicated video camera (but getting closer!)

Pros

Superb zoom capability

Vivid life like colors

Decent video quality.

Camera is very light & lots of nice features to help novices like me take great photos!

Cons

The battery is tiny, supposedly it will hold charge for 170 photos (50 of those flash) or 70 minutes of video. (I 'll do an update on this.)

No raw image capability

No flash hot shoe (though the on-board flash is very good)

The best thing any camera can do is take great photos and this does that very well. It has plenty of nice features and looks well made.

Buy Pentax X70 12MP CCD Digital Camera with 24x Optical Triple Shake Reduction Zoom and 2.7 inch LCD Now

The pentax x70 is a good little camera, if you are a beginner or want a

camera that has a descent super zoom. The first thing I notice when I took it out of the box was, it is very light weight. The functions took some getting use too after a few days of shooting with it. Overall this camera perform quiet well for what I use it for, which is taking distant pictures of wildlife and taking using the macro mode, which I will give it 5 stars.

If you are using this camera for night shoots, the best setting is the manual mode. This camera works very well, even in digital zoom, one of the best if not the best for the 24x zoom. I tried the other brands at the local electronic store, and this one came out on top for the super zoom. The color is pretty much right on, very good color. I posted several pictures here on the Amazon web page to look at.

There are a few issues that I have with this camea. First the camera is a little pricy, but if you get the shot you want it doesn't matter. Another issue is a very small view finder, but I am glad the camera has one. The camera is not made for sports, in burst mode I could only get the first picture to come out clear. This is the shorttest battery life that came with a camera that I have used. You may get about 120 pictures if you are not using the flash and expensive, around $50 for the battery, if you can find one. Speaking of the flash it is one of the best for a point and shoot. The red eye elemination 5 stars. I have taken at least a 200 pictures with the flash and no red eye so far.

Conclusion: This is a good little camera, picture quality 4.5 stars, 4.0 stars ISO good up to 400 which is far better than the other ones in its class. 800 iso usable, don't use it any higher . If you are a DSLR user like I am, do not compare it to one because, this is a point and shoot camera in every since of the word. I would recommend this camera. Happy picture taking.

Read Best Reviews of Pentax X70 12MP CCD Digital Camera with 24x Optical Triple Shake Reduction Zoom and 2.7 inch LCD Here

I purchased this camera after reading reviews and looking at several other cameras. I have taken a little over 300 pictures along with a few minutes of video just to see what it would do in the video setting. You can't use the optical zoom while shooting video, but you can use the digital zoom. If you want a good video camera, then you should invest in one that is for that even though this one is pretty good as a backup.

I am very pleased with the camera so far. Very good color and most of the pictures are sharp, although I did have a few that were softer for some reason. I have made some adjustments to the camera since then, but have not taken any pictures since the adjustments. Lots of great features and of course the 24x zoom is one reason I bought it. I am just a hobbyist but have an Olympus C765 that took great pictures but had a shorter zoom and fewer megapixels.

I found the menu to be easy to use and the owner's manual is easy to understand. I have referred to it on several occasions due to the many features of the camera. I do highly recommend spare batteries since it goes through them pretty quickly. You have to take into consideration the large LCD screen, powerful zoom, flash, etc. that all eat up battery life. I also recommend a good LCD screen protector. I found a nice glass one for under $10 made for the Pentax screen. So, all in all, this camera has most everything I wanted in a digital camera without all those lenses to lug around. The video was pretty good for not being a regular video camera.

ProsGreat zoom, excellent color, good picture quality, lightweight and small size, good menu layout, good flash, focus assist light, loads of features.

ConsLow battery life, no lens thread for filters, touchy zoom lever.

Updated 2/5 2013-After having used this camera for quite sometime now, I can say with certainty it is one heck of a good camera! Takes great pictures and videos and also takes very good 3d pictures.I had stated earlier that you could not use the optical zoom while video taping, but I found out that is not the case. Optical zoom works just fine in video mode although you will hear some motor noise if the scene is very quiet. Another thing I like about the video mode is you can capture stills from your video. This comes in handy when the action is too fast to try to get a still shot in camera mode. I take a short video of the action and then save a still image as a jpg. I used this method when I was trying to get some shots of dolphins swimming alongside the boat. They would be under the water by the time I clicked my shutter, so I just took a short video and was able to get some shots of them that way.

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OK. First off I am far from a professional photographer. I have a Canon Digital Rebel and various other P&S cameras. This is my first Pentax.

My initial impression when I took it out of the box was how light weight it was. This is a good thing for me but I'm sure some people may think it is too flimsy.

The zoom is great like others suggest you must use a tripod if getting out to the maximum zoom range. The photos are at least as good as my Canon DSLR. I definitely see myself using this camera much more than the Canon due to the size and weight.

Overall I am happy with the purchase. I'll start playing with the video capture this weekend.

Update: OK, I've had some time to really play with this and I like it more as time goes by. The burst mode is great taking pictures of the kid's baseball games. They love being able to see their swing in incremental steps. I'm trying to get more creative with the manual settings and getting some fairly good results. I'd probably upgrade to 5 stars after using this for a while. I picked up a couple of spare generic batteries on Ebay for $10/each for backups.

Olympus Stylus TG-2 iHS Digital Camera with 4x Optical Zoom and 3-Inch LCD (Red)

PROS

Fast lens. Probably the single most defining feature of this camera as compared to other waterproof options available today.

Takes pictures immediately when you press down the shutter. Very responsive.

Built very well. Bigger than some other waterproof cameras, but feels much more sturdy. I like the trade-off.

Looks nice. Red color is dark, perhaps crimson. Nicely done.

Compartments lock, just like the TG-1, so as to ensure no unwanted openings.

Picture quality is excellent for a point and shoot. Lower light photos are okay. I shoot most low light with a DSLR, and this doesn't really compare, but it is better than the average point and shoot camera.

Flash is quick.

Menu/screens are nicely done. Easy to navigate. That can't be said for all waterproof point and shoot cameras. Olympus has done this well. Viewing screen is pretty clear, too. I like it.

Ability to take it anywhere. This alone has merit. But there's not much use in taking a "lifeproof" camera places if it can't keep up to some minimum standards for photos. The 2.0 lens really helps allow light in for low light situations, and it is exceptional for snapping photos right when you want. Not two or three seconds after you press the shutter.

CONS

Video noise. I bought the TG-1 two separate times. The first time I thought there might be an issue with the unit I had. The video was noisy and had a ticking/jack hammer type sound. Not sure what it was. I returned it and gave the TG-1 another chance. Second time--same thing. Major bummer. Hoping the TG2 would be better, I bought it the first day it became available. The TG2 has improved upon the video noise issues, but hasn't eliminated them. It's like there's a small buzzing sound in the background while you record video all the time, and then there are select moments when there's more noise, probably due to the camera trying to autofocus. I'm not sure exactly how to describe it other than saying that there are electronic vibration noises when the camera tries to focus. Sounds kind of like a little mini star wars laser war. .

Zoom in/out during video. Just avoid it. The sound is overwhelmingly unwelcome and annoying. Some cameras have incorporated silent zoom (or what I would refer to as mostly silent zoom) while recording video. Not this one. Would have been nice.

Other observations

Size. It's really about the same dimensions as the TG-1. Was hoping it would be smaller. Actual dimensions might indicated 0.1 inch smaller in the depth dimension, but I can't notice it.

Sensor. Not sure there's much of a difference between this sensor and the one from the TG-1. It's supposedly a newer sensor, but I am not able to discern a difference in the photos. Both seem to do fairly well. I wouldn't worry much about it, but don't expect much of a difference. There may be some change in the lab or scientific measurements, but real life it appears to be the same.

Better than the TG-1, at least from the standpoint of reduced noise during video recording. But the main issue which made me return the TG-1 is not improved upon enough for me to keep the TG2. I'll admit I'm very picky. It may not bother you, but it's noticeable enough for me to return it, find something cheaper (this is close to $400 really ought to reflect more refinement with the video), and wait for the TG3 or a comparable competitive camera. Would be nice if Nikon or Canon or Panasonic would come out with an bright/fast lens waterproof camera.

The only real downside / achilles heel I see to this camera is the video issues. If I were just looking to keep it for stills, it would be a home run.

I have used a (highly reviewed) 10MP f2.8 Canon SD790 from 2009 for the past few years, and have sought an upgrade due to common issues with such small point-and-shoot cameras (1) effects (vignetting, blurring) from lens aberrations that were especially noticeable in landscape photography (2) fragile construction. There have also been many circumstances when I have not been able to use the camera due to moisture or excessive dust during outdoor activities.

(Note: Before discovering the TG series, I was convinced to buy either the Panasonic LX7 or Sony RX100 for sake of their extremely high image quality.)

Photo Performance: small but noticeable upgrade

At first glance, the SD790 photos seemed to be better with bolder colors and better definition. But on closer inspection, the difference is only due to a lower average exposure on the SD790, and higher processor contrast. Carefully analyzing small leaves and tree trunks, the TG-2 does show much more detail. On 0% zoom, test photos do show some pixel distortion in the 4 corners of the shot, but zooming in a tiny bit (about 10%) is enough to remove the distortions from your shot. Low light photos give great colors, and the f2.0 lens is way better than most cameras, but the noise level will never be DSLR quality; head to the Sony RX100 or bigger if that is your priority.

I have not used the super macro yet, but professional reviews claim it is very good.

Add-on Lenses: extra expensive plus

The two extra lenses are probably not quite worth the $110 each, considering that you also need a $20 adapter (I recommend 1 each). They are both small, high quality glass. I have had very satisfying results with the teleconverter, which should be most useful for shots taken from a fixed location (sports, performance, cruise) but is of course not as useful as a normal zoom lens. Because of the heavy lens vignette, the camera must use it's maximum optical zoom (4x) to use the teleconverter. Thus any further zooming uses digital zoom only. Minimum zoom shots are 100% equivalent quality to the best non-teleconverter shots, but at higher zoom. From that point, further digital zoom still looks nice, but naturally collects noise. If you want a variety of shot composition options, you will have to quickly take the teleconverter off, and switch the camera mode back to normal. This is easy and quick, but not seamless, about 5 seconds.

The fisheye lens has a mild fisheye effect, and confers a wider-angle as well. No intelligent thoughts on this one yet.

Extra Features: this wins it

If you're going to pay the extra cash for this camera, pay it for the extra features. You can pull this out in ANY situation, at ANY time (rain, snow, boats, dust, rocks, children) without fear of destruction. Seeing how much my SD790 has aged (lost screws, creaking case) and with stories of zoom failure in extended dust exposure, the value of a sealed case (and sealed zoom) is more than underwater novelty. There have been many awesome experiences in the past few years that I was not able to capture because of moisture, dust, etc. Despite that security, my only fear is that the lens glass will be scratched even though it is recessed. The GPS tagging is also a blast to help you relive your adventures in the future.

Big picture:

If you're looking for a small point and shoot that takes the best possible photos, don't buy this (get something cheaper and smaller).

If you're also considering mirrorless or larger cameras for the variable lenses and sensor quality, don't buy this (get something cheaper and larger).

This IS a camera for the adventurer/outdoorsman/chronic klutz that is also a discerning photography enthusiast. Without the lenses, this is a camera that you can use in absolutely ANY context without fear of destruction. You will get shots and videos that you could never consider with any other camera. Adding the expensive lenses into the package puts the camera into a strange limbo category that is well above any expensive point-and-shoot camera, but below any cheap mirrorless camera.

Personally, for my interests in extended outdoor adventures, quality + low-light photography, and creative composition (teleconverter + fisheye), this is an excellent camera. But I have definitely paid a high premium for that flexibility.

P.S. The two main reasons to purchase this new model instead of the TG-1 is (1) aperture priority mode to take advantage of the f2.0 lens (2) improved super macro mode.

P.P.S Comparisons with the soon-to-be-available Pentax WG-3 are appropriate with caveats (1) its larger 16MP sensor does not necessarily correlate with better shots; wait for the reviews (2)the WG-3 looks like a toy; I would not bring it to a wedding, etc. (3) the battery life is not as good (4) I see very little information about the new addon lenses.

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UPDATE #1: Lens Adapters + Filters

I have added a rainbowimaging lens adapter with UV protector filter to protect the lens in pocket/etc, and there is no vignetting on the edges of the shot. However, the rainbowimaging adapters have a slightly less secure detent than the OEM products, so I recommend OEM adapters for the lenses.

Buy Olympus Stylus TG-2 iHS Digital Camera with 4x Optical Zoom and 3-Inch LCD (Red) Now

Besides the waterproofing/toughness (I like to kayak) what attracts me to the TG-2 are the fast 2.0 lens speed, the aperture priority mode, the OLED screen, the primarily positive reviews of the TG-1 and most importantly the ability to add the TCON-T01 telephoto converter lens birds are difficult to photograph with only a 100mm (35mm equivalent) lens so I was eager to see how it all came together.

(If you're getting an accessory lens I recommend taking the extra effort to track down Olympus' CLA-T01 adapter instead of buying a third party product as the OEM item includes a lens cover. I have no affiliation with Olympus.)

So far the results are exceeding my expectations, particularly the telephoto which allows optical zooming to roughly 170mm (as I understand it the digital zoom gets you around 340mm): even at maximum zoom the image quality to my eyes is good which I presume is largely a function of the fast lens speed. Please see the three customer images I uploaded for examples of what the telephoto lens can do.

The camera feels solid in your hands and the buttons seem like they aren't going to wear out anytime soon. I also like the mode dial which allows you to avoid manipulating some menu screens IMO one of the banes of digital cameras.

The microscopic macro mode gave me new perspective on my right thumbnail which had recently been broken and accordingly trimmed short see customer image taken with only natural light which reduced depth of field.

I tested the video: the microphone recorded clearly the birds chirping nearby and the muted noise from the interstate quite some distance away. Keeping in mind how comparatively quiet it was I could hear the zoom, most noticeably when zooming out and approaching the widest angle position. I reckon if you were recording any kind of noisy environment it would be difficult to hear.

I haven't quite bought in to all the gizmos (`magic art filters' etc.) but they're there. The GPS is nifty but I'm concerned it will reduce battery life appreciably although I really don't know how big a deal it is... you can turn it off.

It's early on but I think this camera/lens is going to suit my wants very well.

Read Best Reviews of Olympus Stylus TG-2 iHS Digital Camera with 4x Optical Zoom and 3-Inch LCD (Red) Here

The Olympus Stylus TG-2 is a waterproof/shockproof action-oriented point-and-shoot camera that packs a ton of features and also manages to take very decent photos. It is an evolutionary improvement over the excellent Olympus Stylus TG-1 which more or less redefined the tough camera genre by combining unsurpassed survivability, long battery life, and good image quality. I used to have a Panasonic Lumix DMC-TS3 and had access to a Fujifilm FinePix XP50, and those cameras were simply outclassed by the TG-1. With the new Stylus TG-2, Olympus is essentially competing against itself.

Physically, the TG-2 is very similar to the TG-1: they share the same chassis/battery/accessories but the physical controls have been slightly updated. While it looks like a metal block, the TG-2 is reasonably light and unobtrusive to carry, even in jacket or cargo pockets during all-day excursions. I have big hands, and in my opinion, the overall layout is pretty good. The camera is usable even while wearing thin gloves because the buttons are distinct with good tactile feedback. My only complaint is the placement of the microphone, which is on the top left and prone to getting accidentally covered by stray fingers.

The TG-2 carries over the same f/2.0 wide-zoom lens and backside illuminated CMOS sensor but offers many subtle improvements across the board including a deeper underwater rating, 120fps/240fps slow-motion video modes, slightly faster autofocus, aperture priority mode, and somewhat different magic/scene modes. Technical details aside, the TG-2 is a solid take-anywhere photography tool...whether or not you will like it really just boils down to what you expect and what you want to do.

As with all other multi-function, jack-of-all-trades devices, the Olympus Stylus TG-2 has a broad range of talents though it makes several compromises along the way. For starters, while the TG-2 is capable of producing fantastic images, this is somewhat with respect to other shockproof/waterproof/crushproof/dustproof/freezeproof cameras. The TG-2's images are well exposed and have great color, but strictly speaking, they are on the soft-side and sometimes exhibit purple fringing and reduced detail. While the TG-2 is easily outperformed by similarly priced traditional cameras, the caveat is that the TG-2 goes where those cameras can't.

Another area where the TG-2 makes some compromises is the autofocus system. Compared to the TG-1, the TG-2 feels faster in most scenarios and when it works, it is one of the fastest focusing cameras I've had the pleasuring of using. Unfortunately, this new focusing mechanism is noticeably nosier (it makes rapid ticking noises in operation) and while this isn't an issue for photography, the ticking can be heard in videos shot in quiet environments. Also, for such a fast autofocus, there are some situations where it won't lock on, even if set to single-point focus mode. The alternative is to slowly sweep the entire focal range, and that is what many cameras do, but the TG-2 eschews this.

Personally, I am pleased with the Olympus Stylus TG-2 though I believe there is plenty of room for future improvements. Hopefully Olympus can make the autofocus more reliable and add more creative control. I initially bought a tough camera to take pictures in places and situations where I wouldn't dare, and that freedom has grown on me ever since. I also own an Olympus OM-D E-M5 and use it as my "serious" camera, and I discovered that unless the situation calls for it (eg. clinical image quality, very low-light situations, specialty work, etc.) I find myself reaching for TG-2 quite often. There's a saying that the best camera in the world is the one that's with you, and with its go-anywhere qualities, long battery life, and good-enough picture quality, chances are that camera is going to be the TG-2.

Notes:

1) The camera DOES NOT come with a dedicated battery charger. The battery is charged in-camera with one of the waterproof doors open.

2) While the TG-2 can be charged using USB, I HIGHLY RECOMMEND using either the stock charger or getting an external battery charger. Quality control for USB chargers is all over the place and all it takes is a bad one to fry your camera!

3) This camera is complex enough to warrant a printed manual but Olympus only offers it in electronic format.

4) The TG-2 offers Aperture Priority! The lack of manual controls was my biggest gripe with the TG-1 so I'm glad Olympus did something about it, even if is still quite limited. You're only offered 3 choices at any focal length: wide-open, stepped down, and really stepped down. At 25mm, you get your choice of f/2, f/2.8, and f/8. At 100mm, you're at f/4.9, f/6.3, and f/18. While I could see a depth-of-field change between wide-open and stepped down, I couldn't tell the difference between stepped down and stepped down all the way. For example, depth-of-field changes between f/2.0 and f/2.8, but from f/2.8 to f/8 it looks the same despite needing a slower shutter speed to get the correct exposure. Perhaps they're using ND filters to simulate it?

5) Microscopic Macro Mode is awesome! (Up to 14x magnification at 1cm)

6) The built-in GPS serves primarily to geo-tag photos and is reasonably accurate. It takes a few minutes to lock-on and you won't get information like speed, bearing, etc. The landmark database works internationally! The TG-2 also includes a built-in digital compass and manometer (which is functionally similar to a barometer).

7) GPS Log files are recorded in NEMA format. If you press the info button, the camera will jump to the GPS/compass information screen from the off-state. A-GPS is available, though you need to download a tool from Olympus's site and update the camera every couple of weeks.

8) Underwater, the camera performs well in automatic mode, though the screen's view angles become quite narrow due to reflections. You pretty much need to be behind the screen while shooting underwater. The waterproof doors on the Olympus are more robust than those on my old DMC-TS3.

9) Battery Life is Awesome. You can use it all day and not really worry about the battery dying. If you want to leave the GPS tracking on or have all day/all night excursions, a second battery is still necessary.

10) The TG-2's menu is very similar to recent Olympus cameras and it's good because the menus are clear and well organized. My only gripe is the excess visual fluff such as full-color graphics, sliding animations, etc. While these are impressive the first time you see it, they don't really add value and only slow the camera down.

11) FLASHLIGHT MODE! From the off-state, press and hold INFO for a few seconds to toggle it on/off.

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I bought this camera prior prior to any reviews, but based on the success of the TG-1 and the cool macro feature, I decided to give it a shot. At $380, this camera is expensive! Adding in the telephoto lens (TCON-T01) and the required adapter ring, I'm $500 in. That's the same as a basic DSLR! Now, I have owned several cameras, including point and shoots, superzooms, waterproof ruggeds, and DSLRs. Of all those, this is now my favorite camera. Does it take the best pictures and videos? No, my Canon T2i does. Does it have the best zoom? No, my Panasonic ZS3 does. Is it the most compact rugged camera? No, my Olympus Stylus S720 SW is.

So why is this my new favorite? It takes very good pictures, there's no shutter lag, it focuses quickly, it has a built in LED light, the flash works amazingling well indoors, it has an attachable telephoto lens, it has reasonable depth of field, it has GPS, it has tons of fun filters, it has an incredible super macro mode, and it's waterproof! This means I can take this camera on vacation with no worries, or shoot soccer games in the rain and snow. My daughter can use it without fear of breakage, and its small enough to fit in my pocket. Yes, my DSLR takes better pictures and video, but I'm not about to take it to Costa Rica and subject it to rain, mud, and potential theft. And, my DSLR weighs about 3 pounds with the zoom lens.

There are some negatives. In full auto mode, the white balance doesn't always adjust properly indoors, and pictures are a little dark. So I use program mode and adjust the white balance, exposure compensation, ISO, etc and get great results. The video is fine visually, but there are some irritating noises (read about this in other reviews). So what! I can use this where I can't use my DSLR. If I'm going to a piano recital or play, I will use my DSLR with an external microphone to capture the best sound. But if I'm sledding with my daughter, I don't care about a little noise. Besides, most edited videos (which I tend not to bother with) have music dubbed over the original audio. Finally, I don't love how the telephoto mounts to the camera. The mounting ring is made of plastic, and I'm concerned that it will wear out with frequent removal and mounting of the lens. Time will tell. One note about the telephoto lens: the camera has to be told that it's got an external lens attached. To make this quicker, I set up one of the two Custom modes for the telephoto lens. This allows me to switch back and forth between using the telephoto lens or not, and all I have to do is turn the mode dial a click to switch modes. Pretty easy, but still a bit of work.

I'm rating the camera 4 stars because of the noisy video and inconsistent white balance. Maybe they will fix these issues with a firmware update, but until then, I will be happily shooting pictures with my favorite new toy.

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PhotoAmerica Alcohol & Ammonia Free Screen Cleaning Kit (Apple iPad, Apple iPad 2, iPod, iPod Touch

Bought this kit for cleaning LCD TV, but have used it also for laptops, tablet, and car's touch display. Haven't used the brush, which looks cheap, but the cleaning liquid and the microfiber cloth alone are worth the price. It gets greasy fingerprints out easily, yet gently.

I got a new LCD television and my nephew touched with his greasy paws! I tried to clean the screen with eyeglass cleaner, but it made a bigger mess of streaky film over half my screen (this eyeglass cleaner technique worked fine on other LCD's for years). I bought this because It was fairly inexpensive, came with the duster and a microfiber cloth.

I don't know if the screen is just never going to be a nice as it came out of the box, but this is close enough for me. I did notice some slight, and I can't stress enough about slight film barely noticeable (I'd say 98% original), but I'm not sure if it's user error, or just the nature of the screen or product. I don't care to clean my lcd everyday to figure it out.

Works better than perfect on glossy lcds on my laptop and netbook.

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This is some really Great Stuff!!

Not very expensive and it works fine on all kinds of LCD/LED screens.

If U get the chance, buy it.

No smell or mess...

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Worked well on my : Monitor , Tablet, Phone, TV , clean nice without strips, make sure you not spray to much , from my bad experiences I never spray on the screen , I do that on the Cloth then clean the screen , but before that I wipe the screen from dust . wash the cloth by hand with 1 drop of dishwasher when get dirty , if you wash in wash machine it will lose it micro function

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used it to clean the notebook. did the work nicely. no smell of alcohol or any remnants. nice thing to have it in ur closet for intermittent use.

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Ricoh CX3 10MP CMOS Digital Camera with 10.7x Wide Angle Optical Macro Zoom and 3.0 inch LCD (Light

we had the ricoh cx1 whats just the same almost the same. but i had a issue with indoors with the ricoh cx1. i realize after a while indoor faces came out to pink. so i send it back got my money back and got this one. well this one indoors does a better job, faces come lovely and natural. but i have to play with the ISO and put on 100 or 200 because if not it comes out to hight and then does not look good. but its a nice well made camera.

people dont know much about ricoh en usa . they sell it more in asia and europe. its fast, its very extremly well made cameras and the quality is very good.

sorry my english ...

Canon VIXIA HF R42 HD 53x Image Stabilized Optical Zoom Camcorder 32 GB Internal Drive and 3.0 Touc

I am more than a vacation tourist photographer, but not going to get into paragraphs of techy comments, only simply report on basic functions.

Build & Feel. The feel is somewhat cheap and lightweight. When I say lightweight, I mean its durability to be out in everyday use. I guess small is great for carrying around and transport, but makes it somewhat difficult to use, if you have anything above small hands. The zoom button is towards the back of the camera and just not easy to use, especially when trying to zoom back. You end up rocking the camera a fair amount, way beyound the anti-shake system is capable to handle.

Picture Quality. I would give this camera only 65%, on vidio quality. The low light is not that great. Im not talking a candle lit room dark, Im talking a living room lit by slightly cloudy day light and overhead ceiling light. Dull color, soft focus and much more noise than you would like. Please note, this is in MP4 HD format, shown on a 18" LED monitor, so certainly not spread out on a 55" or 60" HDTV.. Outdoor full daylight shooting is also very soft in focus and fairly shallow depth of field, subjects look 2-dementional. Also had problems on focusing on subjects especially when focused on a subject in distance and then switching to closer subject mid-way in you scan.

Overview. Overall, just disapointing and not the usual standards Ive come to expect from Canon. I own a Canon 7D, Nikon D700 and a Nikon V2, which all take great video, especiall the New Nikon V2 to the acceptional level. I mean for $500.00, it just didnt wow me. Sorry all you techy guys, I know "wow" is not photography term, but if the images and its ability to capture same are not wow, whats the point..

The camera has all the features I was looking for. It is small and very light weight, but performs well. Videos are clear and crisp. The manual (PDF) however, is very confusing. I am still not able to figure out how to upload videos to my iPad or PC using the Wifi feature. Other instructions are incomplete or unclear, leading to a lot of guess work. The documentation is not up to the par I was expecting frommy prior Canon camera purchases. I am convinced that I will be very happy with this camera, once I have figured out how to use all of its features.

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This is a great camera. I can't believe how much the technology has improved over the years. Better quality movies, easily transferred to computer hard drive, for a quarter of the cost of the last one we bought!

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The wireless feature only works with android 4.0? Canon, if you can hear me, Samsung Galaxy is one of the most popular android phones and it comes with Android 4.1.

Sony CX380 had better stabilization but video from the Canon R42 was better. Sony's had some blotches when I filmed grass or our brick patio. Both did pretty good with inside filming. Low light was decent.

The R42's interface is much more responsive than the CX380. We returned the CX380. Couldn't stand the touch screen.

We're returning the R42 and have ordered the JVC GZ-EX515.

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Got this camcorder to shoot a retirement party. So far so good. Will let you know how video came out.

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Canon EOS Rebel T3 12.2 MP Digital SLR Camera Body & EF-S 18-55mm IS II Lens with 55-250mm IS L

Hi!! The product was what I expected overall . But the main complain is with the external flash that is not compatible with the camera so it is totally useless.

Thank you.

The camera and all accessories were received on time. The accessories included in the package were not of great quality and the lens cleaning kit was so badly smashed that the contents soaked all the tissues and lens cleaning brush to make that portion useless. The flash that was included was of foreign make and the instructions were so bad that I cannot figure out how to use it with the camera so it is effectively useless as well.

But, I bought this for the camera and lens, and that was of perfect condition and the quality I expected so all in all, I'm satisfied.

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25 ft NEW HDMI to HDMI High Quality Cable (25 feet) for PS3, TV, HDTV, LCD, LED, DVD

Price is very good and its very easy to hook up with my TV, it is good you can compare with expensive HDMI cable , why spend more if the job is done with this good price HDMI cable Iam very satisfied

Last year we re-wired our home entertainment system with hidden cables behind walls, etc. My husband bought the same product for around $100 retail.

A little preparation goes a long way. I love having this cable available to stream movies from my PC to my flat screen or just to watch the videos downloaded from my flip. If you need an HDMI cable, you cannot go wrong.

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Joby JM3-01WW GripTight GorillaPod Stand (Black)

I have a Studio Neat Glif (from Kickstarter) that lets me attach an iPhone to a regular tripod. It works quite well. But it requires me to remove my phone from its Mophie battery case. The Mophie gives me an extra 2000 mAh to run my phone -perfect for battery-slamming uses like video and timelapse photos. The case doubles the runtime of the phone.

So I was thrilled when the Joby arrived. It's compact, light, and like all Jobys, it has an extraordinary ability to grab onto anything for support. The spring-loaded clamp easily holds my phone plus the Mophie case, and it's easy to pop the phone in and out.

I've only had it a couple of weeks, so I can't give you a long-term report. But right now, I'd say this thing has become an indispensable addition to my kit. Highly recommended.

The fact that I don't have to remove my Element Case on my 4S makes me confident my phone is protected just in case the tripod falls :)

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Test Devices:

HTC EVO 4G LTE

Samsung Galaxy S II

Samsung Galaxy Nexus

Aiptek MPVR

Ever since I got my first GorillaPod, which was back when they first came out, I've been a fan of the products. Still have it, and it still works great. So when I saw this one, I decided to go ahead and pick it up. It doesn't disappoint. Each of the phones I put in it fit snugly, held in place by the spring action arms. Even when intentionally shaken about, they devices did not slip or fall out. Getting the phones in and out of the grip arms is easy and quick. True to the original, the GripTight is, at its core, a camera tripod. The grip arms are just an (attachment with is being sold mated to the JOBY JB01249-0EN GorillaPod Original. So, I was able to unscrew the attachment and attach the stand to my cameras. Very much worth the purchase price and cheaper than buying each piece individually.

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This little tripod has a few possibilities. I bought it so I could do time-lapse movies with my Android phone. It can double as a phone stand on your desk, or anywhere you need to mount your phone for convenience. The part that holds your phone is detachable, and the tripod can be used with anything that has the standard female threaded mount, like found on cameras. My only concern is losing the phone bracket at some point.

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It's a very useful and flexible tool to use hands free with iphone video & photo shooting. There's no issue with covering audio or cam apertures.

Samsung SCD67 MiniDV Digital Video Camcorder with 2.5" LCD, Picture in Picture, & Digital Still Cap

I actually originally purchased a JVC digital camcorder. I should have listened to the other Amazon reviewers and steered clear of that one, as within an hour of use, it stated that it needed head cleaning, and wouldn't operate.

This Samsung camcorder replaced that one the day after I purchased the JVC, and I am very pleased. The picture and sound quality are great, and it is very easy to download the video to my iMac via firewire. I'm not sure how well (or if) it would work on a PC, so you may want to investigate whether it will work with your system.

About the only thing that keeps this camera from getting 5 stars is I have had difficulty trying to retrieve still photos when the camera is connected to the computerbut then I haven't fully read the manual, so it could be very simple.

Basically this is a great camera, and it's not much more expensive than a high-quality digital still camera. If you enjoy having multiple-use products as much as I do, this is a great bet.

I purchased the Samsung SCD-67 for all of it's great features and low price. I was very pleased until I needed warrany service to fix a broken firewire (IEEE1394) port. I called Samsung support for 3 weeks before speaking to someone knowledgable enough to ascertain it was a true problem (his name is Mike . . he's the only one there who knows anything about this camera). I mailed it to CVE for warranty repair. 4 weeks later I started calling to inquire. After 2 weeks of calling, I finally got through to learn that the unit could not be repaired and would be replaced with a refurbished unit. The camera had 45 minutes of use on it when I sent it for repair and I get a refurbished unit in exchange? What kind of warranty is that? I submitted a Better Business Burea complaint. I'd encourage others to do the same. You can submit the claim online...Just look up Samsung in Mt. Arlington, NJ.

I will never buy another Samsung product again. Buyer Beware!

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After downloading the manual from the Samsung web site and seeing that it support the Mac OS I decided to try this camera. The camera specs are great but I had problems with the camera. First off, it has a real SLOW focus and there were times the system picked up on foreground objects and tried to focus on them. Not a bad thing but it takes about 3-5 seconds for objects to come into focus.

The second problem is the IEEE-1394 port does not work with the Macintosh. After 4 calls to Samsung tech support I got the promised call back about Macintosh compatibility. They recommended a few windows programs for the data import. The 5 call into them they admitted the SCD67 did not work with a Macintosh. If you plan to use this camera with iMovie or Final Cut Pro get a different camera. The applications can not even see the camera. I tried 4 or 5 other IEEE-1394 capture applications on the Mac and none could pull data from the camera.

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The power switch broke after 180 minutes of video. I am unable to turn the camcorder off. It's the switch that goes from, "camera-off-player". In the official review, it notes that the switch is flimsy. I should have listened.

In addition my camera has problems keeping date/time settings. It will revert back to Jan 1, 2001 often. During the use of the camera with the first 3 tapes, I've had to reset the date/time over 15 times.

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After researching for months I found this great machine. It is easy to use and a awesome price. Why bother with features you will never use, I already own a great digital camera (Canon Powershot S100)and basically wanted a camcorder for video. If your looking for a great looking cam at a good price search no more Samsung is the way to go. Great job Samsung!!!!!