Pentax K-x 12.4 MP Digital SLR with 2.7-inch LCD and 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 AL and 55-300mm f/4-5.8 ED L

I am an avid reader of reviews and many times use this information to help in my buying decision. Since I suppose I am like most others who shop, compare, read, read some more and still can't decide I hope this might help in your quest for the right camera. Of the cameras I tried, all were very nice and I would be happy with any of them.

I have been looking for a camera that will give me the biggest bang for my buck! I hope to spend more time using my camera as a hobby. Until now have used my point and shoot Canon S3IS digital for kids, family, show choir and sporting events. The Canon S3IS is a great camera; I just want to step up a bit.

I started looking at used Nikon camera bodies as I had an old Nikon 2020 35mm film camera with the 35-70mm & 70-210mm AF lens. I stopped by my local camera shop and found my old lenses would work on the Nikon D50, D70, D80 and D90 bodies. I didn't find anything used locally or on eBay (too expensive) that I wanted so I looked at the new Nikon D90. Since Canon is the other big player in this field I decided to consider their cameras as well.

Both manufacturers offered what I wanted in a camera; the ability to capture video, able to shoot in low light and had quick and accurate autofocus capabilities. I tried both brands back and forth for several weeks and preferred the Canon T1i. I proceeded to sell my older Nikon equipment to help pay for the Canon T1i and move that direction

While saving for my new purchase and reading about digital SLR cameras I became aware of some of other SLR brands. I found several online reviewers that had good comments about these less popular cameras. Sony, Olympus, etc had nice features but for one reason or another I took them out of contention. Sony, I thought the lenses were too expensive. The Olympus just didn't click with me.(pun intended) Pentax had very good remarks and had similar capabilities as the Canon T1i. Best of all, the Pentax is considerably cheaper than the Canon.

What helped me to lean towards the Pentax Kx was that I was able to watch some video shots taken with the Nikon, Canon and Pentax on Google. I preferred the Pentax video, it didn't seem jerky in motion. Still pictures side by side were also very similar in clarity. I also read several reviews comparing the Canon and Pentax side by side with very similar remarks about the performance of both cameras. The biggest positive comment about the Pentax was the exceptional low light pictures it could take. The biggest complaint with the Pentax Kx was a battery issue mentioned by a number of reviewers. I called Pentax and spoke with a technical rep about the battery issue and any other issues Pentax might be having. I was told the battery issue has been taken care of with a firmware update. I must say I was impressed with the tech rep. He was very helpful, took time to discuss his products and said that if I ever had a problem with my Pentax to give them a call as they were here to help me out.

I can use any Pentax lens, new or old on this camera. The lenses I will likely use most is the 55-300mm or the 18-55mm. Both these are included in the kit I purchased. Since vibration reduction is built into the body of the camera instead of the lens, any lens I use will automatically be a vibration reduction lens.

I purchased the Pentax Kx with the 18-55mm and 55-300mm lens package for $653.00 on Amazon. It stated the Pentax camera kit would ship in 1-4 months but I ordered it on Friday and it arrived the following Wednesday, less than a week's time, not bad!

My thoughts about the camera.

Positives:

-It's a fairly compact body but not too small. My wife likes the size and it's not heavy hanging around the neck.

-The menu is fairly straight forward (I haven't had to pull the book out yet and can still get around easy enough!)

-Takes very good pictures in several of the modes I tried. Very pleased.

-The auto focus is relatively fast and hits dead on at what I am pointing at.

-Some nice filter features are included in the menu options, great to play with but doubt I'll use them much.

-The low light pictures I've taken so far are impressive. When I downloaded pictures they were very clean, without any or very little noise even set at the high ISO setting!

-Used the batteries that are included and absolutely no problems.

-Lenses seem a bit light but balance well on the camera and focus smoothly.

Negatives:

-The shutter action could be quieter. This is my biggest complaint. It's not like everyone will turn around everytime you take a picture but I'd rather not hear it!

-The dust reduction feature rattles inside when you turn the camera to its side but I read that was normal as was mentioned by a reviewer. Otherwise I would have thought something was loose inside.

-I liked the view finder of the Canon. I think the information inside is a bit larger.

-The Pentax does not have auto focus points that light up when looking through the view finder but to me that doesn't make any difference. As I said when I pointed at what I intended to point at, it focused right on it, so this to me is a mute point.

It seems a bit slow when first reviewing my picture after each shot but I think that is due to the cheap memory card I'm using. I'll get another one tonight and expect it to correct the slow process. If it doesn't, I'll update this review and mention it! Otherwise, assume it was taken care of with a faster card.

Overall Impressions:

Would I say it feels quite as solid as the Canon? No, but I really like the Canon! However, I am still very impressed with the Pentax Kx. The Pentax isn't quite as thick or wide and I think the size might be most of the difference. You know you're shooting a SLR and my wife likes it! For the price, I figure I saved close to $400 over the Canon with similar lenses. If you want a Nikon or a Canon I'm sure you will be perfectly happy. If you decide to purchase the Pentax you won't be disappointed in this camera either. It's not the big name of Nikon or Canon but I bet you'll start to see more of Pentax with what all they offer and at the price point it is offered for! My budget was limited to $1600.00 but of course I was hoping to spend less. That's a lot of money to spend on a camera and I could have bought up to a higher level camera which I considered but I am comfortable this camera will give me what I'm looking for and saved me quite a bit in the process. I added a few pictures on flickr that were taken with this camera to give you an idea of the photo quality. Remember, I'm not a pro, I just enjoy taking pictures. Go to flickr and search for scubaguy4409

Tips to consider:

I suggest when buying online you check the retailer thoroughly. I searched several sellers on both Google and Bing and found prices from $400.00 to $900+for a Pentax Kx camera kit. The two low priced sellers I checked on had horrid reviews about shipping and more importantly when I called to ask about their camera packages they were very short with me on the phone. I don't like to spend anymore than the next guy but i figured if I had a problem with my purchase I would be %$#% out of luck with this guy!

Seems the time has come for a PENTAX.

Being loyal to Canon and loving Nikon DSLRs, I just gave this new camera the chance and think its going to change the top list for the first time.

So long, it has been a fight between Canon and Nikon, but now PENTAX got ready to go for it.

My decision was made taking into account the price for what you get, and the rivals where Canon Xti and Xsi and Nikon D5000 and D3000, but think this PENTAX kit is a real rival if not better in many features (my case, fps is an issue for my action pictures) and the price of course.

Go ahead for it and do not let others make you worry about this choice!

March 10th 2010

Just an update:

So far, my camera is doing great!

Some people complained about the AA batteries, so I wanted to state that my camera has not shown any trouble with batteries, maybe because its software is the last version, but aside of that, I just found it works great with Sony AA CYCLE ENERGY batteries: Sony Cycle Energy AA Ni-MH Rechargeable Batteries (4-Pack)

When buying, take also into account that the filter for lens 18-55 is a 52mm and the one for the 55-300 is a 58mm.

The bag I am using for this camera, both lenses, an aditional fisheye, batteries, and a couple of things more is the Lowepro Adventura 170, which is good on quality, space, and price: Lowepro Adventura 170 Camera Case (Black)

Buy Pentax K-x 12.4 MP Digital SLR with 2.7-inch LCD and 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 AL and 55-300mm f/4-5.8 ED L Now

Don't let other brand loyalists sway you away from Pentax. You can buy EXCELLENT vintage lenses for these cameras. Manual focus is truly where it is at, at least for me. If you do not agree, Pentax has plenty of new AF lenses to suit anyone. However, excellent manual focus optics are easy enough to try for much less money than newer lenses of any brand. Nobody..... and I do mean NOBODY else offers the total lens compatibility of millions of vintage lenses available only to Pentax users. This particular camera is one hell of a buy. I had the money to buy a D5000 or D90 if that is what I wanted. When it comes to Image Quality, I feel I bought every bit is much camera without sacrificing any features that were important to me. This camera takes beautiful pictures and I have only scratched the surface of its abilities. The two lens package (18-55 and 55-300) was an unbelievable deal at $643. Amazon delivered the camera WAY ahead of the crazy shipment date they list. Do not hesitate. If you are considering this package, pull the trigger. Do a keyword search to find online Pentax Forums if you need more information about Pentax products.

Read Best Reviews of Pentax K-x 12.4 MP Digital SLR with 2.7-inch LCD and 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 AL and 55-300mm f/4-5.8 ED L Here

Shooting with a borrowed Nikon D40 convinced me it was time to augment my pocket-friendly point and shoot (P&S) with a digital single lens reflex (dslr) APS format camera.

My favorite film SLR was a Nikon FM2.

Out of habit, I wanted to buy a Nikon DSLR.

I tried HARD to buy a new Nikon D3000 / D5000 / D90.

Instead I bought the Pentax K-X from Amazon.

And two weeks later, I bought the K-X -again.

Here is why...

(Updated comments added at bottom.)

1. ACTUAL EQUIPMENT PERFORMANCE DIFFERENCES ARE SMALL IN THIS CLASS OF CAMERA.

Camera reviews are written by experienced professionals with a critical eye and sophisticated evaluation tools. They work hard to find, explain, and magnify nuances.

My photo needs & tastes are generally simple ones. This class of camera is priced for people like me, upgrading from a digital point & shoot (P&S). Professionals expect to spend thousands for a camera body, and thousands for a lens.

2. PRICE DIFFERENCES ARE REAL.

The Pentax K-X is an above-average, entry-level dslr.

You can spend less, and get less performance.

Unless you spend significantly more, you will not get better performance.

A Nikon D90 and a K-X are both very nice 12mp cameras.

BUTthey don't cost the same.

3. AA BATTERIES My Favorite Feature!

Some people cringe at the AA batteries in the K-X. I've chased proprietary batteries for my P&S before. I was drawn to this camera because it has a simple power needs. Who wouldn't prefer an inexpensive, accessible power source, easy to find, at a good price?

The Eneloop rechargables are working out very well for me.

4. SD CARD My Next Favorite Feature!

I have a bunch of these already, and can easily find more, at a good price.

5. LONG KIT LENS Try to find a kit that includes a 300mm zoom...

I wanted a 300mm lens. The nice K-X kit lens makes friends for Pentax. The Canon XS 300mm zoom lens seems to be a source of irritation/disappointment for its owners.

6. LIVE VIEW SO WHAT?

As useful (to me) as a cigarette lighter in a non-smoker's car. I don't use this feature.

Camera focuses faster without it. It works fine, just not a factor for me.

7. HD VIDEO DITTO.

If you want to shoot HD video, there are more satisfying ways to accomplish this. This feature is not good enough for the camera to take the place of a dedicated video camera.

8. BOUGHT IT A SECOND TIME

The first K-X camera I bought had a small piece of debris (not dust) on the sensor.

Probably user correctable with a bulb blower, probably left over from manufacturing/assembly.

(NOTE: The PENTAXIAN on-line user community is a helpful,friendly group.)

Opted for Amazon's excellent return for credit process. FAST EASY with EXCELLENT Results!

9. WHY REPURCHASE K-X?

When I saw them side by side, I was amazed the K-X was so similar to the Nikon D40. When Amazon confirmed my full refund, I tried to convince myself I really wanted a NIKON after all. I had a chance to re-think ALL of my earlier evaluations, against the backdrop of a dslr price war that produced even better prices on the Canon Rebel XS and the Nikon D3000. There were even new old-stock D40s at great prices. BUT the Pentax K-X was small and friendly like these, with a lot of newer features and many small, incremental, extras. So the final selection was the same as the first time, when I opted for a K-X.

10. RELAX. It is hard to make a "bad" dslr selection.

Any of the top-selling dslrs are going to do an excellent job for just about any user.

New dslr purchasers strongly influence the sales for the cameras listed in each week's "Top Ten". They know they have a safe bet if they stick with one of the two dominant brands Canon or Nikon, etc.

When I think about how well the PENTAX K-X is meeting my needs, and how much more I would have paid to get an equivalent Nikon (or Canon) I remain very satisfied with this camera.

If you are in the market for an entry level dslr, and you think a Pentax K-X meets your actual photographic needs, you're probably right.

Update:

The more I use this camera, the better I like it.

I got a black one, but there is an amazing array of body colors in the K-X product line.

The white one is known as the "Storm Trooper" a la Star Wars.

The "feel" is very good. Control placement seems intuitive.

The build quality is very solid.

The automatic settings make it easy to take decent pictures right out of the box.

The features allow for plenty of growth as your skills change.

(Translationit really does help to read the manual.)

The kit lenses (18-55 & 55-300 ) are serving me very well.

They may be a trifle better than some other "kit lenses".

The close up shots are very impressive, and the image colors are satisfying.

Only a heavier, more expensive camera can match the combined features of the Pentax K-X.

Overall, I am very happy I bought this camera.

Post-Post Script July 2010:

In the back of my mind, I wanted the 300mm lens for a chance to shoot an occasional airshow and get more satisfying results. Last week I did just that. The focus is fast and crisp, and the resolution was wonderfuleven at the 10mp setting. Very happy with the results. Continue to be very happy with the K-X.

Want Pentax K-x 12.4 MP Digital SLR with 2.7-inch LCD and 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 AL and 55-300mm f/4-5.8 ED L Discount?

I recently upgraded from my beloved Olympus e-510 DSLR with the 14-42mm and 40-150mm kits lenses in order to get a DSLR with better low-light performance and HD video capabilities. I loved my Olympus, but image quality took a nose-dive at ISO 800, and I liked the idea of having an HD camcorder built into my camera to capture high quality family photos and home videos in one device. I eventually settled on the Pentax K-x after first buying, and then returning, a Canon T2i.

I know that the T2i costs almost twice as much as the K-x, and they're not direct competitors, but I think my experience illustrates what a great camera and bargain the K-x is and how, for me at least, it was a giant killer.

I initially pre-ordered a T2i for the $900 MSRP after reading the glowing reviews in the press about the 18MP sensor, the high-ISO performance and the killer 1080p video. When I received the T2i, I was surprised by how cheap and plasticky it felt. It's not that the T2i was likely to fall apart, but my Olympus felt and looked like a higher quality camera, even though it was about $200 less than the T2i when I bought it. I realize that the T2i is a Rebel, but for almost $1000, I expected something more solid.

Even worse was the Canon 18-55mm kit lens, which felt like a toy compared to my Olympus kit lenses. It looked cheap, and the zoom action felt very cheap, and you could hear plastic-on-plastic as you zoomed in and out. There was no lens hood included, and the optional lens hood was only about an inch deep and looked ridiculous. The front element rotated when auto-focusing, which makes using some filters problematic, and you had to switch off AF to manually make focus adjustments. My Olympus lenses did not rotate the front element, and allowed full time focus override without turning off AF. And build-wise, they looked and felt like a higher end lens. But worst of all, Canon kits lens's optical performance was lacking, rendering the 18MP sensor moot.

I could live with the cheap feel of the T2i body and the ugly jelly-bean design, but I came to realize that in order to get a lens that would match the performance of the body, I would need to shell out another $500 or more, and as a hobbyist I just didn't have the budget.

The real deal-breaker with the T2i though, was the use of Quicktime format for the HD video. Quicktime is a proprietary Apple video format, and while I must assume it works well on a new Mac, the QT videos often gave PCs problems. I'd read about this from other users, but I figured that with my high-end PCs and my computer knowledge, I would be okay. But both my new Sony Vaio laptop with Windows 7, ATI 4650 graphics and 4GB of RAM and my desktop computer with Windows XP, dual-core processor, 4GB of RAM, Raptor 10K HDD and nVidia 8800GT graphics would stutter on playback of the 1080p files. And finding affordable programs to edit Quicktime HD video files is another headache. I wasn't about to buy a new Mac just to be able to work with the video from my new camera.

So back went the T2i, and my quest for a new camera continued. I was just about to pull the trigger on a Nikon D5000, when I came across the Pentax K-x.

The first thing that grabbed my attention was the styling. I thought the red was killer, but I wasn't that brave. And the camera looked dead-sexy in navy blue, but when I saw the white version, I was in love. One thing I liked about my Olympus was that it was something DIFFERENT than all the Nikons and Canon Rebels you see every other parent carrying to school or sports functions. I would often get questions about it from people who didn't realize that Olympus even MADE DSLRs. With this Pentax, I would again have something out of the ordinary.

Then I started reading reviews of the K-x. One of the great things about the T2i is the high ISO image quality, and according to the reviews and the sample images I was looking at, the K-x was right there with it.

And the K-x also did HD video. There were some limitations, such as 720p and lack of full control over exposure while shooting video, but I didn't really mind since the samples I downloaded looked great, even on my 110" 1080P home theater projector. And 720p files take less space than 1080p and require less processing power to playback and edit. And best of all, the K-x uses Motion JPEG video format, which plays back great on PCs and is compatible with almost any Windows video editing program. The MJPEG format does use more disk space than the equivalent QT file, but hard drives and SD cards are cheap these days, so it's not a big deal.

Another great thing about the K-x is that it has sensor-based image stabilization in the body, so any lens you stick on the camera is stabilized. My Olympus used a similar system, and I was very happy with it. The big advantage is that you can be non-stabilized lenses so they'll be smaller, lighter, and less expensive.

I ended up buying the K-x in white with the 18-55mm lens. The K-x looks and feels like a higher quality camera than the T2i, and matches my Olympus in this department. The kit lens is also a very worthy piece of hardware.

With the money I saved on the Pentax, I was able to buy the legendary Tamron 28-75mm F2.8 lens, a Pentax 55-300mm zoom lens, and a Sigma speedlight. The flash was new, but I got great deals on the slighty-used lenses on eBay and Craigslist.

I've been using the Pentax for a couple months now, and have taken hundreds of pictures. I am absolutely thrilled with the camera and couldn't be happier with the photos and videos I'm getting. The T2i did have just slightly more detail, but other than that I would say the K-x has equal image quality. And the 12MP RAW image files of the K-x are faster to work with than the 18MP files of the T2i and take up much less space on SD cards, so you don't have to worry about filling up nearly as fast.

That's not too much negative I can say about the camera. I would like it to have a mini-HDMI port and a standard mini-USB port, and continuous auto-focus would be nice in video mode, but no other DSLR has that yet. Stereo mics would also be nice.

I suspect that the image stabilization system may not be as good as the one in my Olympus, but I can't say for sure since my 300mm is longer than the telephoto I had with the Olympus and will therefore be more prone to shake.

I get compliments on the Pentax everywhere I go, and it's been a joy to use and own. I could not be happier with my purchase.

In the future I'll probably add a Sigma 30mm F1.4 prime and a Sigma 10-20mm ultra-wide zoom to my lens kit.

Just for the record, I'm not trying to bash on the T2i. It is an amazing camera that is currently without peer in its price range. But if you're like me and you only have about $1000 to spend, I think you will get much more value by going with a less-expensive but almost-as-capable camera like the K-x, and using the extra money on high quality lenses. My F2.8 constant-aperture lens has been a revolution for me, and I recommend every budding photographer make room in their budget for something similar.

Sony Handycam DCR-HC36 AV Cable - TV Video Cord for Sony Handycam DCR-HC36

... works as expected... (what's a cable to do but either work or not work.) all video and audio connections work as expected

The price was good and the AV Cable was just what I was missing. I needed it to transfer my mini DV tapes to my hard drive.

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The product worked just as it said it would. Conected easily to the camera and to the tv so its really easy to use.

Read Best Reviews of Sony Handycam DCR-HC36 AV Cable - TV Video Cord for Sony Handycam DCR-HC36 Here

Datacolor Spyder4Express S4X100 Display Calibration Device

Device itself does what it says very nicely colors become accurate, shadows now are visible and everything is way better than it was before, but, there's one serious drawback: As a general customer, when I bought this thing, I'd like to calibrate ALL monitors I have around. Software won't allow. Once installed and activated on one computer, when you'll activate it on another one, it will stop functioning on the 1st one. And color calibration is done in such way, that without bundled software it does not works. Imagine, you bought a vacuum cleaner, that can be only used in one room. Here we have the same situation!

UPDATE: The device software also has problems with intel hd graphics drivers. If you have any settings modified in 3d or whatsoever, via the built in intel hd graphics manager, spyder color calibration resets, so you can't have calibrated display. To fix this, you have to remove igfxpers.exe from startup. So, you getting your color calibration working, but lose access to your video card setting! (This is widely known problem, wonder why nobody else complained about it before here).

If you want to know what calibrating your monitor will do for you, consider this: When you go into a store like Best Buy and compare the same image on dozens of television sets, you see that they all look different some are too red, some too green, some brighter, some darker. Which one is correctly displaying the original TV signal? The same problem occurs for photographic images on a computer monitor. If you display the same image on different monitors, they will all look different. Which monitor is displaying the image correctly? With a calibrated monitor, you know that your image is being displayed correctly because the calibration process neutralizes any color cast that the monitor might have and adjusts for correct brightness.

I am a commercial photographer and have been using the professional versions of the Spyder for years in my office. My wife has been struggling to get predictable color prints on our home printer as well as when ordering books and prints online. I bought the Spyder4Express with the hope that it would be easy enough for a complete novice to use. It is! The software installed quickly, and the calibration process is completely menu-driven so that it's simple to recalibrate when needed. We have our Windows desktop set to a neutral gray, and when turning the calibration on and off, it's immediately clear how well the Spyder calibration neutralizes the color of the monitor. With the calibrated monitor, we can now see in advance how our images will look when printed or in books we order online. No longer do we need say to ourselves, "make the image on the screen a little more red than we like, and a little darker than we like because then it will print correctly." Instead, it's now "what you see is what you get." Our prints and online books match what we see on the computer screen.

This is a great little product at a great price.

Buy Datacolor Spyder4Express S4X100 Display Calibration Device Now

Don't buy this if you have more than 1 machine you want to use it on. You can't for instance calibrate your laptop and your desktop with this because the license only works with 1 computer.

Read Best Reviews of Datacolor Spyder4Express S4X100 Display Calibration Device Here

Great product and more accurate then the Spyder3. Very important to use the latest driver for Windows v4.5.4 on Colorvision website or a pink color hue shift will be noticed at the end of the calibration. The calibration process will not proceed with all the menu choices needed to make a good profile if you use the default, older version software on the Spyder boxed CD. Otherwise, a good device that just got better.

Want Datacolor Spyder4Express S4X100 Display Calibration Device Discount?

My friend convinced me to buy this Datacolor Spyder 4 Express after talking about his experience with their products. All I wanted was a way to calibrate my monitor without having to go through a long process with changing settings and all that. This thing does all the adjustments and changes automatically no user settings to fool with or modify. I just installed the software and registered the product. Then with just a few clicks the calibration started! It's so simple and easy. Then at the end of the process, it provides you with a graph that shows how accurate your monitor is compared to RGB color standards.

It's easy to use and a great value for $119. Highly recommended!

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Canon EOS Rebel T2i Digital SLR Camera Kit with Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS Lens & Canon EF 75-

the camera came in today it's for my daughter for her birthday and christmas

it came on time and packaged well a thank you note with the camera it's a great value.my husband told me for the price i was mistaken i could not get the camera body and two lens 18-55mm and 75-300mm plus all the extras! well he was home when the package arrived and he was like a kid at christmas. i just ordered another set for him thank you sunset electronics

I'm from Canada but I have friend in the US that comes back and fourth quite often so I shipped it to him. The body and 18-55mm lens sells for $799 in Canada. After taxes that's $902.87. For an extra $70 you can get an EF 75-300mm f/4-5.6 III Telephoto Zoom Lens and all the extras, well worth it (note that the extra lens is NOT an image stabalizing lens)! The extra stuff is okay, not the greatest but still a great bonus. The real deal is the Canon equipment. Two thumbs up!

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It came with more than what I expected. Two EXTRA batteries. I thought it was gonna only be two, but now i got three. But the products are great. SD seems good so far. Nothing's broken. It shipped to me extra fast. And now I'm a super satisfied customer.

Read Best Reviews of Canon EOS Rebel T2i Digital SLR Camera Kit with Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS Lens & Canon EF 75- Here

this product is excellent. It came completed, as show on the picture. I very recommended. you will love it.if you are a beginner like me. you need to spend time learning how to use it if you want great picture. Go ahead!!!!!!!

Want Canon EOS Rebel T2i Digital SLR Camera Kit with Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS Lens & Canon EF 75- Discount?

My package arrived yesterday, and I was so excited to finally see what was behind the brown shipping box. After doing much research I could of not got the camera and all accessories for less than 2000. This was one of the best buys that I have found and besides missing the wide angle lens "Which will be shipped hopefully soon" I am very satisfied with this product. The table top tripod is a nice extra, although I also need a full tripod which I will be purchaseing from this company also. Anyone who wants a great camera, for an amazing price should definitly consider going with this package:)

Sony Cybershot DSCT7 5.1MP Digital Camera with 3x Optical Zoom

I've already been the happy owner of a Sony DSC-F828 "big" camera for over a year, and still consider it perfect for my serious photographic needs.

However, precisely _because_ it is so big, it can be very inconvenient to bring along, and also very intimidating to potential picture subjects.

Enter the new Sony DSC-T7. I didn't realize just how _much_ smaller, or more precisely, how much thinner it is than all other digital cameras until I saw it in person. It not only fits in a shirt pocket, it fits in a shirt pocket _along_with_ a Treo or an iPod. Because its 3x zoom lens is folded, it does not protrude at all when taking pictures, meaning most subjects won't even realize a camera is pointed at them, let alone that it is zoomed in and high resolution. This greatly easy getting natural expressions in informal photos.

Next, the specifications of the T7 are better than those of other similar Sony cameras such as the T1 and T33 in ways I care about, such as doubling the number of pixels in the 2.5" LCD screen, including an auto-focus assist lamp, and USB 2.0 support without needing driver software when used with Windows XP.

One of my pet peeves about digital cameras is that they are not protected from the elements. The T7 helps this in two ways. First, its on/off switch is a solid lens cover. Second, the camera fits easily in the smallest size zip-loc sandwich bag, and can easily be operated while in the bag, providing serious dust and splash protection.

One further protection is needed, but easily handled. The LCD needs protection, which I provided by covering it with a sheet of screen protector plastic left over from an old PDA.

As you might expect from such a thin device, battery life is somewhat limited (about an hour of continuous use, set up for maximum brightness, continuous focus adjustment, and automatic flash. For that reason, I bought a spare battery, and since the charger is bigger than the camera, suggest other buyers do the same.

Similarly, plan on getting more memory immediately. The supplied 32M is good for only 14 pictures at top resolution. I settled for 512M, the largest I could actually buy at time of purchase, but would recommend the new 1GB size if available to you as you buy. The memory door appears a bit flimsy, so it seems best not to need to open it too often.

I bought this for my point and shoot wife to take on a week-long trip, and thereafter to have it with us whenever a shot might present itself, but not surely enough to carry the large camera, or in situations where keeping the large camera clean and dry might be an issue.

If you too are a serious hobbyist, do be aware of unavoidable limitations: 1) 5MP is good, but not as good as the 7MP of a few also (barely) pocketable cameras. I decided smaller size outweighed higher resolution, but you may feel differently. 2) F4 is 2 full stops dimmer than the F2 of my other camera, which matters quite a bit when the light is low, as does 3) the ASA maximum of 400, rather than 800. There's also 4) no place to attach a filter. For a second camera, these are all perfectly acceptable compromises, in my opinion.

Highly recommended as a second camera for hobbyists, or as a first camera for folks who want a very convenient and very high quality point and shoot camera.

My main criterion for my 2nd digital camera was: can I jog with it in my pocket? Of all the 5mp+ I looked at, this is the only one that really won't be annoying. And has now been tested on several jogs with great success. It is very solid, sturdy, and dense. It really is as wide and high as a credit card, and LESS than a cm thick, not counting the sturdy lens cover. That cover was a big selling feature for me, as I am afraid of those flimsy metal leaves that close to 'protect' some lenses, while in my pocket. Although it has slid open by itself in my pocket, but the auto-off protected its battery.

After 3 weeks, I have taken many great photos with it. It has an amazing macro capability: better than 1:1! It really is like a magnifier, the icon they use for that mode.

I miss the time-lapse feature of my Canon S50 ("intervalometer") and hope Sony gets a firmware upgrade to include that. Although this is not a full 'manual' camera, it has many adjustable features, and seems to choose well when you let its AI do the adjusting. The video is awesome, esp. at full res (640x480) as is the sound. In fact, you could set it to low res, just to use it as a sound recorder-well over an hour on my 512M stick. At high res, you get only ~10 min on a gig stick, but considering this is not a camcorder, that is fine for capturing many moving 'images'.

I LOVE the very fast start-up, well less than 1 sec. Great for catching those spontaneous shots while riding in a car. And it is quiet: no motors whining to give away your photographic intensions. (The zoom motor is virutally inaudible).

I was very pleasantly surprised how intuitive all the buttons are laid out, and menus too. Sony did a lot of usability testing. Much better than my Canon. And the buttons are the sturdiest of its class of tiny cams.

It has a tiny tripod hole, so needs their adaptor/desk-stand to mount (included). Battery is tiny but not as feeble as some reviews reported. I love Sony's 'infolithium' that tell you how many minutes you have left. Get an extra, tho. The screen is awesome, and can be booped up for easy view in broad daylight. Who needs a viewfinder?

Sensitivity and noise are pretty good-night images possible. Image colors are over the top, so I turned down the 'saturation' setting.

It is so tiny, you better use that long neck strap so you don't lose it. I keep it tied to my belt loop and forget I have it with me at all times now.

If you want the best really small digital camera out now (May 2005) then this is the one.

Buy Sony Cybershot DSCT7 5.1MP Digital Camera with 3x Optical Zoom Now

I had this camera for several weeks now and took over 100 pictures. The pictures are really good with this size of camera. People who complaint abut the picture quality of this camera either they expect too much from Sony or they never use an ULTRA-COMPACT camera before. You cannot compare this camera to the bigger (compact) camera from Canon, Nikon or Pentax. The depth of this camera is about half of the Canon SD lines (ex. SD400) and Pentax S5i OR 1/3 of the Canon S lines (ex. S410).

I currently own both Sony F828 (8MP) and Pentax S5i (5MP). I get this camera because it's thinner and has a larger LCD screen than the Pentax .

Of cause, the picture quality cannot compare to a semi-pro camera like Sony F828 but it's about the same as or better than Pentax S5i. This camera is great to take outdoor pictures or indoor pictures with short distance (under 5 feet). You cannot use this camera to take group photos (saymore than 4 people) because the flash is not strong enough to produce a good picture. Some people complaint about the noise but all they need to do is to lower the ISO to 200 or below to avoid those noises.

I did not notice much about blurry pictures. The pictures come out great 90% of the time for indoor. Outdoor pictures are always great. Color is very decent also.

Pros:

1. Small easiest to carry and decent picture quality

2. looks great

3. high quality built and feel great to hold

4. battery is very decent compare to my Pentax

5. histogram

6. very good movie resolution with no time limit.

Cons:

1. add a charging station so that the battery does not have to come out when charging

2. a little bigger and stronger flash is good

3. a little bit pricy but built quality is great compare to my Canon or Pentax. Hey, why people are willing to pay more $$$ for an entry level Lexus when they can get an Avalon or a Camry with same options for thousands less.

if you're looking for a camera to fit all situations (day, night, group photos), you need to get a BIGGER cameras but it's more difficult to carry around. I got rid of my Canon S410 and got a Pentax S5i about 6 months ago because the Canon is too fat to fit in the pocket

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Outstandingly awesome! Feature rich, yet simple to use and YES, it does have an OPTICAL zoom. The quality of the photos are great. And it's very small I can wear it around my neck and forget it's there because it's so light. As an avid photographer for many years (even back when the equipment wasn't digital!), I can say this is an incredible piece of technology.

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I was looking for a ultraslim camera to replace my 2 years old Canon S400 which is still too thick and heavy for me as a snapshot camera. When I first saw the T7, I was attracted to its super sexy style. So the T7 automatically sit on top of my short list for the next camera. (the others are Panasonic FX7, Canon SD400 and Nikon S1) Before I made the decision, I have read a lot of reviews online regarding the T7, people are either love it or hate it, and I understand why soon after I got my hands on the it...

I purchased the Sony T7 from a local store (although Amazon offer a better price, it would be a huge hassle if I don't like it and decide to return it). But soon after taking a few pictures with the camera, I discover that this is definitely not a camera for me.

For those people who highly rated this camera, those are the people who love sexy and stylish gadgets, in this category, T7 should be a perfect choice. It is super stylish, slimmer than anyone could imagine for a 5MP camera and it is definitely an eye-catcher and a head turner that people just can't keep their eyes off it!

However, after I calm down from it's stunning appearance and start using it, I immediately realize the reasons why so many users of T7 left negative feedbacks. The camera is too small that it is awkward to hold and take pictures steadily. Lens and the large LCD screen are prone to the fingerprints. All of the pictures took indoor is grainy and noisy, even with the help of flash. The flash is so weak that it hardly reach over 6 ft. Using the red-eye reduction function will further induce handshaking effects and ghosting effects when taking pictures indoor due time required to steadily hold the camera is longer. Ironically, a camera of it's size is prone to red-eye since the lens and the flash is so closely located.

In short, the image quality of all the pictures T7 took are disappointingly lower than the pictures took with my 2 years old Canon S400. The supporters of T7 may argue that T7 is much smaller than S400. That's true, however, personally, at this price, I would expect the picture quality is on par or at least come close to my 2 years old S400.

PRO

Super slim, super stylish and attractive

Body feels sturdy and well build

2.5" large LCD screen

Very fast start time

CONS

Difficult to hold steadily

Weak flash

Weak battery life (Additional battery pack cost $50)

Use MS Duo/Duo Pro (Which costs approx 50% more than SD with similar speed)

Pictures taken indoor are noisy and grainy

Prone to red eye, but prone to hand shake when using red eye reduction

Lens and LCD screen are prone to fingerprints

After playing with the T7 and the comparison tests with my old S400, it is very clear to me that T7 isn't a camera that worth its price. The bottom line, how good is a camera if it can't take even decent quality pictures even though it looks cool on the outside? I am going to return it to the store and luckly they don't charge for restocking.

I am going to continue my research on the other cameras on my list (Nikon S1, Panasonic FX7 and Canon SD400) which are just a little thicker than T7 and cost approx $100 less! So far, I have seen less complaints on each of these cameras than T7.

Canon PowerShot SX50 HS Digital Camera (Black) with 16GB Card + Flash + Case + Battery + Tripod + A

I am extremely pleased with my new Canon SX50. Being new to digital slr's and not much of a techie, I find it perfect for everything I want to do. It takes great pictures with the zoom while bird watching and great close-ups for family shots. I recommend this camera for anyone who wants to step up from a pocket camera but doesn't want to spend alot on a high tech camera and then buy another lens too. Great price, great camera.

Lost my Canon PowerShot SX120 IS which I loved except for the fact it didn't have a viewfinder. Sun glare made zoom shots very difficult. I started research for a replacement; must-have was a screen and view finder and perhaps a more powerful zoom. Considered going to a DSLR but initial price and potential future costs were more of an investment than I wanted to make. Due to reviews and familiarity with Canon products, I chose the SX50 HS.

Many reviews had mentioned poor quality of bundle items. I checked on separate prices of tripod and flash, which I would've eventually ordered, and couldn't believe the savings on this bundle which did not disappoint. I was like a little kid on Christmas when it promptly arrived, absolutely giddy opening all the packages ... I am still getting used to camera, but great results so far! Zoom is phenomenal! The moon shots are awesome and herons don't freak and fly at photographer intrusions. (If we returned to Africa, I bet I wouldn't have so many zebra butt shots.) I have arthritis, so fumble a bit with larger size, though camera weight is not a problem. I occasionally hit self-timer by mistake, but it's easy to quickly remedy. I am a total amateur that just has a good eye for composition and am looking forward to a long happy relationship with this camera.

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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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Nikon COOLPIX S30 10.1 MP Digital Camera with 3x Zoom Nikkor Glass Lens and 2.7-inch LCD (White)

This is the second Nikon waterproof camera we've purchased. The first was the AW100, and I like both cameras for different reasons. I bought the AW100 for me to use while scuba diving in shallow water, and I got the S30 for the kids to use in the pool. It's perfect for them. The buttons are large and easy to use, and I like the setup the shutter button and video record button are both on top, separated by the on/off button, and all the menu, feature and playback buttons are on the back. I think this is a great design for kids.

Many of the "fun" options in the camera are definitely designed to appeal to kids, but I'm looking forward to trying some of them, too, such as the time lapse and fireworks modes.

In terms of images, the HD videos are very sharp, and the photos are also good, as long as you make sure to set the camera to the highest resolution. Note that if you select the option to add an in-camera frame to your images, the camera seems to default to the lowest resolution 2 MP so I would avoid this setting if you want good quality photos. You can always add a digital frame later with photo editing software.

I think this is a great camera if you just want something to take to the pool or the beach and you don't want to worry about the kids dropping it in the water or on the ground. It's easy to use, takes good photos, and you can't go wrong with a Nikon. The only things I don't like about this camera are the AA batteries (I wish it used the same rechargeable as my AW100) and the battery/memory card door; I have to use both hands to slide the lock one way and slide the door the other way. You won't have to worry about the kids accidentally opening it, which is a good thing, but I much prefer the design of the AW100. Other than that, however, I think this is a great camera for the price.

My daughter was excited to receive this camera from me. There are several kid friendly elements to the camera like the placement of the shutter button, power button, and video button. Also, the flash is centered, so it is much less likely she will cover the flash with her fingers. She likes the camera and the LCD screen is fine. I can attest that it is rugged and waterproof since it was both dropped on vacation and used underwater at the pool.

There a few things I don't like about the camera. The shutter button is difficult for her to press. There is no way to disable the digital zoom. She likes taking closeup pictures of things, but the S30 doesn't do well unless set in macro mode. However, the macro setting is only available after a few button clicks in the menu instead of a dedicated button. Also, my daughter likes to use the Decorate option to frame her photos as she takes them, but using decorations fixes the photos at small 2 megapixel shots. Low light performance isn't great for focusing or photo quality.

She still enjoys the camera and picture quality is fine in good light. Much better than the typical "toy" child's camera.

Note: Twice the camera has became stuck which prevented me from changing any settings or turning on the flash. This was fixed by choosing to Reset All in the camera settings.

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I purchased this camera approx. 2 weeks ago and wanted my 4 year old son to get some use before rating. I feel I can provide a pretty fair summation now.

So far he likes the camera a lot but there are a couple items that annoy me as the parent supervising said 4 year old.

So...

First the Gripes

Number 1The constant clock and date reset when changing batteries drives me nuts. If you skip it you get an annoying flashing warning!

Number 2Picture quality in lower light is poor to say the least. The camera has to be held very still and then it's a gamble. When the image does come out it looks like VGA phone cam quality. The auto-flash works when it wants, most times its out to lunch.

Number 3The resolution of the screen is marginal so its hard to see if the shot is ok or poor.

Number 4As another reviewer wrote, it would be great to disable the digital zoom. It blows right through optical and into the digital very easily.

Number 5It tends to make very vibrant colors look fake. See Hibiscus of the pictures I have attached...

Now the Positive Stuff

Number 1The flash is in the center so the little guy won't cover it with either hand.

Number 2Battery life is outrageousI got 532 outdoor shots out of a single pair of rechargeable Sanyo Eneloops and had battery life to spare but it was time to go home.

Number 3In outdoor use, in direct sunlight, the pictures are very vibrant.

Number 4There is virtually no delay when hitting the button for pictures. This makes a 4 year old very happy.

Number 5We spent 4 hours plus with the camera directly in water and often submerged. We were merciless as we're still within the return period.

Number 6Underwater shots are terrific and fun!

My initial impressions when my son used the camera in our home were very bad mostly due to poor, blurry indoor images. Had we not given it a thorough tryout at a water park yesterday this review would look very different. The great pictures this camera created yesterday really helped me like the camera much more.

In summary, this camera is good for a 4 year old with little adult assistance. This is not, however, a "Family Cam" as people old enough to use a more advanced camera will insist on doing so.

Update 9/16/12

We went swimming this weekend and after a few shots underwater I noticed condensation in the lense and display... Will contact Nikon this week. Only the third time in water and less than 5 feet deep. Hope to resolve soon.

Update 9/18/12

Called Nikon. Connected with a rep very quickly but sound quality and accent made it difficult to communicate. Rep said camera should not have been taken in the water and the camera is not waterproof!!! WOW!!!

I stated the body of the camera, packaging and manual said otherwise. He said maybe he was wrong. Asked for my name and email and is supposed to be sending me a link with warranty info etc.

Update 9/21/12

Reviewed emails sent by tech. These aren't even form letter type emails. They are just links to the Nikon help website. In the email I was directed to an automated form to setup return. Guess what? The camera I am trying to return for service is not on the list. So called tech support again. "Estimated hold time is 2 minutes..." Took 13 minutes to connect. I mentioned the camera model is not on the service site. He informed me just to type up a note, print it and drop in the box. He then provided the address and recommended I ship with UPS. As I live next to a Fedex facility I asked if I could use FedEx. He mentioned he only recommends UPS as they give you a tracking number...hummm...

Update 10/15/12

Received camera back from Nikon. Everything was exactly as I sent it. I received a $0 invoice for cleaning and testing. There were no notes about anything found, just a poor photocopy of a page from the owners manual about the possibility of lens/ display moisture. I assume this means moisture in the body is normal? The phenomenon described in the paper was similar to what I experienced so I will try to use again and see what happens...

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My 5-yo daughter dropped and broke my old Canon PnS that I gave her to use and since she has interest in taking snaps, I looked for a rugged camera that could survive her hands and yet be economical. This camera fit the bill. It is by and far the cheapest rugged water/shock proof point an shoot you can find. It makes cute animal sounds as alerts and the buttons are well placed. The user interface is simple and clean. It's like this was designed expressly for kids. I have no complaints at all except that you cannot set it to force flash. It's either auto or off. The camera does not activate the flash in many circumstances where it should be used. This results in blurry, grainy images where they should be flash-lit and fine. It waits for really dim light before it activate the flash. This is the only significant flaw in an otherwise well and appropriately designed camera.

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I purchased this camera to take on a cruise last week. The photos were fine before we tried to use it in the water. Took the camera on a snorkeling trip and afterwards there was water behind the lens. The camera never functioned properly after that, photos continued to get progressively worse until finally it stopped working altogether. The camera's waterproof level indicated 10 feet. We never had it more than 3 feet under and it was never dropped. We had to buy disposable cameras for the rest of the vacation. So disappointed. I am returning today.

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Fujifilm FinePix HS30EXR 16 MP Digital Camera Accessory Saver 32GB Bundle !!! (Black)

The filters and memory stick were fine, and the bag is usable, however the rest was pretty much junk. The other included lens were a joke as was the tripod. Save your money and buy the camera, which is wonderful, and get your filters elsewhere if you need them. After extensive use of this camera, I haven't found the filters particularly necessary. Definitely buy the camera though.

The camera is nice , I feel fancy twisting the zoom. Down side is the lack of me being able to take quick unexspected snap shoots . Quality is awesome for me. Bundle pack is rather cheap and hte camera bag barely holds the camera let alone all the stuff you see in the photo

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Everything was as exactly as described online and came at an unbeatable price. It even shipped quickly. Very highly recommend.

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The camera came with 2 additional lenses that cannot be used with the camera. It also was to come with a full size tripod but it did not come with one. Good camera though.

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Realicé la compra y superó totalmente mis expectativas, estoy muy contento y satisfecho con la camara y todos sus accesorios.

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1080p HD Camcorder

This camera is very easy to use! I love the fact that it has a SD Card, so it is easy to plug into your computer. It captures the light very well. I was suprized of how small it is for a HD camera, quality of the picture is fantastic. The reason why I give it 4 stars, is that you have to be pretty far back, to capture a video up close. I'm a skateboarder, and when I film my friends doing their tricks, I have to be about 15 to 20 feet back, to capture their whole body in the picture. Other than that, it is a pretty good camcorder.

My dad wanted a full HD camcorder for around $150, I looked all over and compared several models of compact camcorders before finally settling on this one.

Pros:

Good quality video, although a tad bit grainy. Really though, it's very much above acceptable.

Supports up to 16GB SDHC, which is basically a requirement for HD camcorders.

No lag when paired with a good quality class 10 SDHC card.

Easy to understand controls.

Mini-HDMI out, includes a mini-HDMI to full-HDMI cable. Also has a standard-def output (composite, cable included).

The camera automatically turns on and off when the viewing screen is opened or closed. Also, the viewing screen can turn 270 degrees.

Standard tripod attachment on the bottom of the camera.

Cons:

Manual shutter, the shutter doesn't close or open when the camera turns on or off, you have to flip open and close the shutter yourself.

You HAVE to take out the battery to charge it, there isn't a DC-in anywhere on the camera, and the battery only lasts for about 1h30m on a full charge. This means if you want to record something longer than 1h30m, buy an extra battery and have it handy.

Overall, this camera is an excellent example of "you get what you pay for". You want something better? Spend more money.

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Got this Camera used from Amazon. Was about 114$. Came in the original packaging with no signs of any sort of use. It's very light weight. The video quality is actually better than expected, with maybe a slightly more than modest expectation. It's got a nice charging mechanism with a very thin battery (probably why it has almost no weight to it). The LDC display turns and can close facing outward. If you close the LCD panel it shuts off which is nice but I'm pretty sure you can change that setting. The package also comes with an HDTV cable. NO external mic jacks which is a minus. But that's my own fault for looking at it the wrong way when I bought it. Over all you get great quality out of this handy little camera with pretty good sound pick up.

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not bad to work with..battery has lost sustain power....charge long then short performance camera is confusing i wouldnt buy twice

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Do not Underestimate this Manufactured cameras this thing is amazing and SIMPLE 2 modes CAMERA and VIDEO simple its clean video is so clear and picks up sound great IM HAPPY AS HELL!

Sanyo VPC-GH2 High Definition Camcorder and 14 MP Camera w/12x Optical Zoom

I never write reviews but depend on them heavily when making purchases, so I am going try to help someone else out. I was looking at a higher end xacti camera and was about to pull the trigger when this was released. I couldn't find any reviews but one Radio Shack in town actually had one of these cameras. My son had a baseball tournament that weekend so I figured I buy it and try it out. For $200 I wasn't expecting much and assumed I'd return it. I was blown away at the quality as was everyone else who viewed it. There are some gotchas though.

First, you obviously can not buy plain old flash cards for this. I tried class 4 and it was useless at 1080p. Class 6 works much better but also has a problem. When filming a baseball game I set it on a tripod and the 1080 was amazing. When filming a football game I didn't use a tripod and I got a choppy mess. It cannot keep up with writing the video when panning at 1080 even with class 6. I have not tried the class 10 yet, but everything I have read tells me that no video camera needs class 10 memory. Having said that, I cannot see much difference between the 1080 and 720 quality except the video file sizes which are huge. The 720 setting is perfect on motion, panning, and quality. At 60 fps you have the ability to really slow down the motion while easily controlling it on a computer with the arrow keys. It is fantastic for analyzing a baseball swing or golf swing and see the point of impact.

The battery is the weak spot. Buy extras and have them ready. If you get over an hour of continuous filming, you are lucky. Research your flash memory based on user reviews from sites like newegg or amazon. DO NOT go to the local Best Buy and just grab something off the shelf. Never buy a class 6 stick over 8GB, and preferably nothing over 4GB. They larger sticks have many problems with corruption and you can spend a lot of money replacing these things. A reliable 4GB can be found for around $20 and get you 2 hours at high quality.

Power button can be irritating, and the record button can as well. Those are things you will work out though.

Simply put, you cannot possibly argue that the quality of this camera far outweighs the cost. It is the best purchase I've made in a long time, and I am a really difficult customer to please.

I tend to be overly verbose which is why I don't write reviews so I apologize for that.

That's what Sanyo advertises and it does the job for both. It takes great photos at 14 megapixels and does full 1080, 60i video using the mpeg4/h.264 recording format. It has 5x optical zoom and an additional 12x digital zoom for video. The video/photo image stabilizer is just OK, in fact after using it more and more, I'm leaning closer to saying that it doesn't even exist.

I picked it up from Radio Shack for $199. The one I got is black in color with a plastic casing and feels kinda cheap but I expected that. Basically, this is your typical budget, entry-level point/shoot/share digital camera and HD video camcorder. I'm pleasantly surprised with what it can do and I am happy with it. It works as advertised just don't expect high quality. With an 8GB card will give you 61 mins of full HD or 1690 14MP shots assuming you do one or the other, less if you do both.

If you will do a lot of video/pictures, I suggest getting a 2nd battery and a higher capacity SD memory card. The battery can drain pretty fast. The SDHC card that I got with this camera is a Gigaware brand class 2 because it was all they had in stock. What a MISTAKE. You definitely need a class 4 SDHC card or better for HD video. Also, a bit of warning, indoor video is terrible even with the high sensitivity setting on (a setting that supposed to compensate for low light) decent lighting or outdoor HD video should be no problem. BTW.. I played the video on VLC, video was terrible. My suggestion is to make sure you have the proper codecs installed on your computer to view the video files.

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Better than a Flip -this tiny pocket camcorder is packed with features you'd expect in more expensive camcorders. However, the only two significantly useful features are the electronic stabilization and swingout LCD. Compared to Flip-style camcorders or digital cameras with fixed LCD viewfinders you can shoot useful hand-held video from a variety of positions without the shakes.

The auto-focus works great, giving you better composition compared to fixed-focus Flips. Turn on macro focus and you can shoot tiny bugs 1cm away.

The 5x optical zoom works fine but its little button is tough to control, especially during one-handed shooting. The GH2 is easy to operate with the right hand: flip the LCD with a pinkie, press the top record button with the thumb, shoot from the hip.

Audio is surprisingly good due to the microphone placement on the LCD cover, facing your subject.

The flash is great for taking indoor stills, with still picture quality comparable to other small digital cameras.

Battery life is ok, I got 1.5 hours in SD shooting (a static shot). However, in "field use" recording clips in HD, taking several flash pictures, and using focus and zoom, I get about 45min battery life.

Low light picture quality is average (as all camcorders are) but turn on the "high gain" feature and you'll capture usable video that most camcorders won't get.

Manual features available made me LOL! There's a lot. You'll have to read the manual a few times.

Picture quality is pretty good. Shots taken at 1080i setting viewed on a 52" 1080i TV look great, with good detail and color. The GH2 records 1080i video at about 17Mbits/s. You'll need a decent computer to edit HD files.

Webcam: Fixed at VGA size @15fps and no manual control it's a very basic webcam.

Cons:

Bugs: the GH2 locked up on me once -popping the battery cures it.

Construction: the GH2 feels like an large clamshell cellphone. Not as robust as a Kodak Zx1, for example. Just don't drop it.

Overall a great value in a convenient little package.

Read Best Reviews of Sanyo VPC-GH2 High Definition Camcorder and 14 MP Camera w/12x Optical Zoom Here

This is a great little camera. The ability to shoot 16:9 wide screen high resolution images in addition to true HD video is a great plus.

The jpeg compression is a little excessive, compared to my Nikon camera, but the pictures still come out great.

Just remember that there is a bit of shutter lag, especially when using flash.

I did discover that I had to upgrade my computer before it would play the high resolution videos that I shot.

The battery life is right in line with spec at about 90 minutes of continuous recording.

The Sanyo power supply for the camera is unfortunately rather expensive, at about $50.-

In conclusion, there is a mix of good and bad. However, for the money I think this is a very good camera.

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This camera is much smaller than I expected from the pictures, just about pocket-sized for a guy. 1080i HD video looks great too. It has a ton of features for the price, optical zoom being a notable one. The camera claims to come with onboard memory, but don't expect to use it. It holds about 20 seconds of HD video. Don't let that turn you away though! Get a 16GB Class 6 SDHC card (like this one: Transcend 16 GB Class 6 SDHC Flash Memory Card TS16GSDHC6E [Amazon Frustration-Free Packaging]), and you'll have 2 hours capacity. I'd make sure the card is at least Class 6 so as to minimize saving delays, this way you can rapid-fire several HD clips without waiting for the camera to finish saving.

Saw elsewhere in the reviews that the manual is hard to find. It is indeed! Once you finally track down the PDF on Sanyo's site, that turns out to just be the shorter "User Guide". This directs you to download the full Manual, but neglects to tell you where!

Fortunately I managed to track down the English manual on the Japanese Sanyo support site. Edit: See comments on this review for the link.

The URL says GH1 but the manual is actually for all GH series cameras, this one included. Bookmark this for later if you order =)

Sharx Security VIPcella-IR SCNC2700P Wired PoE IP network camera with MicroSD DVR and True Day/Nigh

I purchased two of these products because I needed to keep an eye on my home when I went on vacation last summer. The quality of the video is outstanding; better than any other video camera out there that I've seen. I liked the fact that I could actually see people's faces in high quality, rather than a blur. The night vision is superb and I was able to view my rooms as if there were lights on, when in fact, it was dark. Just a note, my rooms were no larger than 12' x 18'. There are demos of this camera on the manufacturer's website. I would recommend anyone who is interested in this product to check them out first.

A few items to note: if a room is very dark and has no white objects in it, the night vision will not work as well. What I did to resolve that was to place a piece of white cardboard (about 10" x 12") on my couch and then it adjusted the lens to brighten the room a bit. Another thing I noticed is if you mount this device on top of a wall unit, the night vision LEDs will actually reflect off the surface and mess with the quality of the night vision. What I did to resolve this issue was to place a black velvet cloth directly underneath the base of the camera, so the IR LEDs did not reflect off the surface and the night vision worked great.

The networking is very easy to setup. I was able to give it a static IP (you can also use DHCP) so I could view it from my smartphone. I was using a Palm Pre 2 at the time and I could not only see live pictures but also stream video to my phone and see it live. It does offer RTSP.

Probably one of the best features of this camera is the alerting. You can setup zones in specific areas of the camera's view, so that if motion is detected, it will trigger an email alert and start sending pictures. I set this up and also had my email account text me, when mail came from this device. It was great I didn't have to babysit the camera all the time and relied on alerts as they happened.

Support was responsive. They do not have a number to call, but they do have an email to contact for support. I always received a response within 24 hours of sending them a question and they were very knowledgeable.

Definitely a great quality product and I would highly recommend it to anyone.

Great product. I had one issue with setting up this camera and contacted tech support through email. I received a call very quickly and was offered a replacement camera if my problem could not be solved. We have other cameras from this company (model SCNC260) and have been very satisfied with the results. The setup is very quick.

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Nikon Coolpix L3 5.1MP Digital Camera with 3x Optical Zoom

The L2 and L3 models are twins with a shared instruction manual. For some the more expensive L2 may be a better choice.

At a camera store I made several identical shots with both cameras and the L2 produced consistently sharper images when zoomed in on the fine detail of ordinary shots. (Using readability of distant text to judge sharpness of jpg images saved in the largest file size.)

With simpler menus than higher priced cameras these seem to be a good choice for the less determined photographer in your family. I am going to use mine as a backup for an older pocket digital on a trip and ultimately as a spouse's camera. While she likes 4X6 prints, for which the L3 would be fine, I will keep her files and view them on computer and so chose the extra sharpness.

This is a very likeable little camera that is significantly smaller than my older digital. To keep that size advantage I found a Tamrac slip in case with Velcro closure flap at a photo chain store with many cases to choose from.

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On a trip the L2's daylight photos and videos were very good and the Best Shot Selector a fine feature, however the weak flash was a serious limitation in many situations. Some dark images were improved by a feature Nikon calls "D-lighting". In dark situations my old digital produced far better images. I would subtract one star if Amazon would let me edit the rating.

I waited to review this camera until I'd really put it through the paces on a 10-day trip to Paris, where I used it in pretty much every conceivable scenario: indoor, outdoor, sunny, cloudy, closeup (macro), high zoom, videos in the day and night, etc. I've explored all of its features at this point, including all of the scene modes (panorama included).

This is a good camera. To my thinking, the single best feature is the "D-Lighting" option. This feature is an automatic color/lighting adjustment tool that one accesses when in "play mode" (viewing previously-taken pictures). It's a very smart feature that will compensate for poor lighting situations. I used this on almost every picture I took. The panorama feature is also nice--it's used in conjunction with the bundled software Nikon includes with the camera. Video mode is quite good--with a 2GB card, and tuned to a lower quality (smaller) video mode, you can actually get a couple hours of video on this thing.

I'd recommend this camera for amateur/casual use--it's very intuitive, and will suit those not inclined to gadgetry and technology. Also a VERY good first camera for a teen. It's certainly not the best thing out there, but it's inexpensive and takes excellent pictures at 5.1 MP. Also, the AA battery life is long, and makes it easy to keep the camera powered, even in a foreign country using a different voltage (no recharging necessary, just replace the batteries). Very lightweight, and can be tucked into a pant pocket.

Some shortcomings: the biggest flaw is that the camera has no HOLD function--that is, there's no way to disable the on/off button without removing the batteries. Thus, if you put the camera in your pocket and the power button is unintentionally pressed, the camera will turn on, and the lens will try to open. This may lead to the "lens jamming" other reviewers have complained of. This was an annoyance, though one I easily overcame by removing one battery in situations where I thought it might be an issue. Also, if the lens tries to open but can't, the camera will shut down and display a "lens error" message. This might drain the battery, but, in my experience, won't seriously hurt the camera. Another shortcoming, though one shared by most cameras in this price-range, is that it lacks the aperture to take really good sharp pictures in low-lighting situations, without a tripod. The small lens simply can't gather enough light fast enough to get detailed nighttime city-scapes, for instance. Anything beyond the range of the flash (which is good) will be dark or blurry. The same problem might confront a user in a museum where flash is prohibitied. Unless you have a tripod or a very steady hand, the pictures are likely to turn out blurry. Finally, several users have complained that the memory-writing process is slow--that is, after taking a picture you have to wait several seconds while the camera saves the picture before you can take another one. This is true. My understanding is that some of this has to do with the write-speed of the memory card you purchase, but some of it also has to do with the camera itself. Not recommended for situations in which you'll want to snap off several pictures in quick succession.

On the whole, I think this camera is an excellent value that will suit most needs. I'm glad I got it, but I also know that it won't satisfy more demanding users.

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This camera takes decent pictures but it has a lot of problems. I have two small kids and it's hard to get a picture of them unless they are standing completely still. The shutter speed isn't fast enough, reload is too long after the flash goes off, don't even try to take a picture with the flash off it just comes out totally blurred. Like the other reviewers that have had problems with the lens jamming, mine has done that too, I've only had the camera maybe 6 months and it's already broken, not very sturdy for someone on the go with little kids. I'm very dissappointed in this camera.

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This is our 3rd digitial camera, and the best we have had yet. Our other cameras are a Sony Mavica CD model and a Kodak v550.

Unlike the Kodak, this camera is well designed so it "fits" like it should in your hands. The various menu buttons and options are very intuitive, and spaced properly across the back of the camera. (In contrast, the Kodak model has many of its tiny control buttons packed across the top of the camera, making them hard to use and to read).

The LCD screen on the back of the camera is very large and is not washed out by sunlight, a problem many other cameras have.

The photos are sharp, well focused and easily manipulated with the software that comes with the camera.

A great camera for the money.

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This camera is definitely worth whatever you are spending on it! The fact that it is so small and cute (yes, I said cute... I'm a girl) is just a bonus. The features are amazing, you'll never use them all... but even if you are a real novice you can't go wrong... I mean, there's a section where they even give you the outline of the person, you just have to line them up... point, and shoot. It's even good for taking pics in the dark... even if it looks dark in the screen before you take it, the powerful flash lights up everything.

The fact that it takes a regular SD card is also excellent, you can get that anywhere unlike some of the other proprietary ones. And you only need two AA batteries.

Cons... well, I guess battery life could be a bit longer when you've got lots of video to take. And somebody out there in Digital Camera world needs to come up with a way to improve lighting for taking video as well... maybe a steady lamp that you can manually switch on or something!

Bargaincell- Super High Resolution HDMI 2M (6 Feet) For HDTV, Plasma, LCD, PS3, DVD Players, Satell

There's no reason to spend $40 at BestBuy for the same cable. It works on my Apple TV and is flexible enough to bend 180 degrees, which is what I needed. Good buy overall.

Quick deliver and packaging was perfect. I have had the wires for weeks and they work well with any console.

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It's an HDMI cable. It is 6-feet long. It works as designed. What else do you need to know?

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Poor quality cable. Worked great at beginning but stop functioning after 1 month.

Don't waste your money.

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I bought 4 of these. Using them to connect my Samsung 55" LED to the set top box, the blu-ray and my laptop...plus a spare. Quite simply, they work exactly as they should. Pricing is a little odd, at $0.30 for the cable and $2.95 for shipping, but that's still 1/10th the price of the local big box stores.

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Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ5W 14.1 MP Digital Camera with 10x Optical Zoom & WiFi - White

This is a real nice camera for the price, but the wifi, which is the reason I got it, was kind of a pain to set up. There is a button for a wifi "wizard," which should make things easier, but it didn't. That's because, at least for the average buyer, there's not enough information in the box to guide you through some of the things you need to know or have questions on. (I think most users are like me; you set up a wifi connection with a device, pray that it works, and then, thorugh trial and error, you're not even sure what you did that got you to the end result! And then you forget all that until you need to do it again.) I tried on line help at Panasonic and emailed their customer service, and got no where. Finally, I called their 800 number. Talked to a nice techie, but I think he was figuring it out on the fly, just as I was.

Here are two (I think) big helps for others who run into similar problems: 1. You CAN'T use the wifi until after you load the software and set up a folder where the wifi will transfer your pictures to. (Embedded in the directions, it does tell you to do that first, but it's far from apparent that things just won't work until then!) Second, once you load the software, you actually get a window that tells you exactly what you need to input in the final stage of wifi set up (but the nomenclature is slightly different, and that helpful fact was never made clear!), and this is where my problem occurred. BEWARE: if you have a computer that doesn't have a password, the final step WILL NOT WORK! (I never bothered with a password on my laptop:one extra step, and I've never worried about it: you need a password.) Apparently, the code is written so you HAVE TO input a password; you can't just leave it blank (At least their software program listed my password as "NONE," and that's what gave me the idea to try again once I added a password. The Panasonic techie had no clue as he walked me through exactly what I had done in the wifi set up (again), and he should have known about this issue since in my original email, I asked if that was the problem.

I can imagine all kinds of people returning this camera over frustration with the wifi (I mean, why would you keep it if you can't make this higher end feature doesn't work? Too bad, because I think I'm really going to like the camera itself. What I've seen so far, the menu choices are much easier to deal with that my older digital, an Olympus Zoom. I would strongly suggest to Panasonic that they put better "Quick Start" instructions in the box, ones that are consumer tested by ordinary people who are a little unsure of terminology and need the hand-holding. It's actually a 4 or 5 star camera with 2 star directions.

I bought this camera to replace an IP video camera, in order to be able to watch for expected visitors without being tied to the front window, allowing me to get other things done while waiting. It works very well for that purpose. In fact it is considerably better than the IP video camera purpose-built for that. This camera is particularly good for that that because it is small and unobtrusive, it can auto-focus and auto-adjust for the light conditions, and be remotely zoomed if desired. Because it is battery-powered, I didn't expect it to have much WiFi range, and it doesn't, but it is good enough be to useful for me. Working by remote control from my Android phone or tablet, the battery lasts for a couple hours. For more time, I also purchased a DMW-DCC10/DMW-AC5 AC adapter, which works well.

The camera also takes good still pictures, and because of its small, easily pocketable size, it has been very useful to take along when I go out just in case an unexpected photo opportunity arises. The SZ5 doesn't have a mode dial or touch screen, but none-the-less, is quite useable.

For improvements, I'd like to see the WiFi remote control range increased. Perhaps that could be done by also allowing a remote control mode that works through an existing WiFi channel.

The WiFi remote control experiment Panasonic tried with this camera is very successful. I think they have done a good job of it, and I find it very useful. I wish my FZ150 and GH2 had it as well, and suspect it'll be a highly prized feature on the GH3. I'm glad I purchased this camera.

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The camera is just what I wanted. It is small and very easy to use. I purchased for a friend, who also loves it. The only drawback is that there is apparently no fill flash setting. This is a bit upsetting. However, when using the customized SCN settings, there is a setting which I think would substitute.

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Compact camera. Great pictures. Wi-Fi function easy to setup. Awesome new way of taking pictures and sending them online. Love this camera.

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I bought this my camera for my wife because she mentioned that it would be nice to have a camera that the pictures would automatically be transferred to our computer or phones so they didn't just reside in the camera until we erase them to make room for more pictures. It is a little tricky, the first couple of times, to connect the wifi. It is so easy now, that we set the camera up and surprise people by taking their picture remotely and transfer the pictures, to our external hard drive, automatically, every time we plug in to charge.

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