The Flip Video Mino is a fourth generation camcorder for Pure Digital. Both the Flip Video Ultra and the Mino has similar technology and runs on lithium ion rechargeable batteries. The Mino features one-touch uploading to AOL and YouTube; and high-quality video and sound in its class. However, the batteries are not removable and there is no memory card slot for external storage. $103.45 priced the Mino is also relatively expensive than its competitors. The Pure Digital has completely redesigned the Flip Video Mino. The USB connector flips out straightly rather than extending from the side. The Mino has 1.5 inches LCD display instead of previous 1.46 inches screen. The navigation controls on back are touch-sensitive and shinny, but flush inside the surface. The A/V output port is shifted downward and is smaller than standard 2.5mm jack. The tripod threaded mount is located in the center at the bottom. The company has included the latest –  [...]

Recently the Pure Digital Flip Video and Creative Vado camcorders had captured the markets. Now, the Small Wonder series camcorders are their tough competitors with their release. This series is manufactured by Audiovox, but branded with RCA. The RCA Small Wonder EZ205 uses MPEG4 codec, which is more efficient than MPJPEG of the EZ200. Therefore, the EZ05 records 16 hours of video at 8GB card and 2 hours in Web quality at 1GB card. In contrast, the EZ200 is limited up to 8 hours for 8GB and 2 hours for 1GB in Web quality mode. The Small Wonder EZ05 features flip-out LCD display and micro-SD card slot, which are missing on the Flip Video products. You can completely flip-out the 1.5 inches LCD display. The onboard USB dongle sits behind the display and it can also be flipped out. We appreciate the company to ship separate USB cable for easy connection if some computers have recessed USB socket. More to like: The EZ05 camcorders ships with 1GB  [...]

Canon has launched three standard-definition camcorders in its FS series – the FS10, the FS11, and the FS100. These three models only differ by their respective onboard memory and colors, while they have SD card slot and share similar look & shape. The FS100 comes in blue, silver and red colors, but does not have any inbuilt memory. The FS10 has 8GB internal memory and is available in silver only. In contrast, $449 priced the Canon FS11 has built-in 16GB memory and comes in dark gray color. These three FS series camcorders do not have headphone jacks and optical image stabilization. Their overall video quality is modest. There is a large thumbwheel on the back of the Canon FS11. You can use this wheel to adjust the playback/record modes, and turn on/off recording. You can easily operate the zoom switch, photo shutter button, and power on/off switch with forefinger. You will find the SD card slot and battery cover behind the sliding panel at  [...]

RCA Small Wonder series is a tough competitor for Flip Video and Creative Vado products. The Small Wonder series include – the EZ200 and the EZ205. They do not deliver the high quality like that of Flip Video, but it has some features that are missing in Flip Video such as expansion slot and flip-out display. $89.95 priced the RCA Small Wonder EZ200 can record up to one hour in Web mode with its MJPEG mode, whereas the EZ205 can record up to 2 hours due to its more efficient MPEG4 codec. With 8GB card, the Small Wonder EZ200 can record up to 8 hours full length video and the EZ205 can go up to 16 hours. What’s more – there is also quality difference between two Small Wonder models due to different video codecs. 1.5 inches LCD display can be flipped out completely, which makes it easy to see while recording. The USB dongle is hidden behind the LCD display of the RCA Small Wonder EZ200. You can as flip it out for connecting to computer and the  [...]

Canon is famous from manufacturing the standard-definition camcorders to high-definition and solid-state HD models like Vixia HF10. Now, the company has launched three new SD camcorders– Canon FS100 (no internal memory), the FS11 (inbuilt 16GB), and the FS10 (internal 8GB memory). These three models are priced under $600 and differ only with inbuilt memory and color. Canon FS11 comes in dark gray color, the FS10 comes in silver, and $399 priced Canon FS100 comes in red, blue, and silver colors. However, the video quality is modest and the FS100 lacks external headphone jacks and optical image stabilization. There is a thumbwheel button at the back of Canon FS100 camcorder. You can use it to toggle the recording on/off, and select between still capture and video recording.  The power on/off switch, photo shutter, and zoom switch are easily operative with your forefinger. SD card slot and battery sits behind a sliding panel on the bottom. We appreciate  [...]

We had earlier reviewed the mini-telescope like Panasonic camcorders – the SDR-S50 (without internal memory) and the SDR-T50 (with 4GB inbuilt flash memory). Now, it is the turn of Panasonic SDR-H85. It costs $349.95 and offers 70x mega-zoom, 80GB hard drive and memory card slot that accepts SDXC/SDHC/SD cards for external storage. These three models will be the best fit for long distant recording, but their standard-def video quality is average. The low-light video quality is poor with image noise. If you need the same features and quality in low price with some internal memory, then go for $269.95 priced Panasonic SDR-T50. Like the SDR-S50 and the SDR-T50, the Panasonic SDR-H85 has well positioned controls. Shutter release button, iAuto/Manual switch, OIS shortcut, and zoom rocker are located on the top. Movie record button sits on the right of battery pack at the back. If you want to capture still picture then directly press shutter release button.  [...]

If you are dreaming for getting a mini-telescope with video recording to capture long distant videos then wake up as Panasonic SDR-S50 has been launched. It is like a mini-telescope to record standard definition videos of distant objects due to its 70x mega-zoom lens. You need a tripod mount for the support, which is not a big problem. However, the camcorder does not have internal memory and slot for external mic/headphone. For compensation, you can use SDXC/SDHC/SD cards for storage. The SDR-S50 costs $249.95 and offers complete set of manual controls and good video quality. Noteworthy that low light videos are poor with a lot of noise. If you are looking for internal memory, then you can check similarly featured Panasonic SDR-H85 (80GB hard drive) or the SDR-T50 (4GB flash memory). On the top, you will find zoom rocker, optical image stabilization shortcut, switch for toggling Manual/Intelligent Auto, and shutter release button. Video record button  [...]

Sanyo has dubbed its latest Xacti VPC-CG10 as dual camera to equally adopt good quality still captures and shooting videos. It costs $199.99 and offers 10-megapixel sensor, large battery life, good quality 720p HD video, good feature set, and 5x optical zoom. However, the auto-focus works slowly in still camera and photo quality is relatively poor. Also, the component cable does not come inside the box. If you need a combo device that works as both as good digital camera and better camcorder, then you can go for new – Sanyo Xacti VPC-CG10. Sanyo Xacti VPC-CG10 has large rotating display that can be used to shoot the videos above and below the eye level. You can easily handle the display with one hand. The stereo microphone sits on the back of LCD. It worked perfectly in our tests but did not handle wind noise efficiently. The compartment for SDHC expansion slot and power button is located on the LCD cavity. AV/USB jack and tripod mount is located  [...]

You may know that Canon has launched two digital cameras – A495 and A490 after splitting the previous A480 model into different categories. Canon PowerShot A490 costs $109.99 and offers 5-point Face AiAF auto-focus system and 13 scene settings for Smart Auto Mode. However, it runs on two AA batteries and delivers the same quality like its sibling – the A495. The PowerShot A495 has two newly added shooting modes, Face Self Timer and uses 18 settings for Auto mode. On the contrary, the PowerShot A490 does not have these features. Noteworthy that both A490 and A495 are not fast and has long shutter lags. However, the budget-conscious users will be attracted towards the PowerShot A490. Like the A495, Canon has put the straightforward controls on its PowerShot A490. Power button and shutter release button along with other controls are located at right side of LCD display on the back. You will find Menu button, four-way directional pad with middle select  [...]

Canon has updated its PowerShot A480 (a 2009 model) by splitting it into two different models: A495 and A490. Canon PowerShot A495 has 9-point Face AiAF auto-focus system, two latest shooting modes: Poster Effect and Super Vivid; Face Self Timer, and uses 18 scenes for Smart Auto mode. On the contrary, the A490 has only 13 scene settings, 5-point AiAF system, and does not feature Face Self Timer. The PowerShot A495 costs $129.99 that is $20 more than that of the A490 for above mentioned advantages. Both above digital camera deliver excellent and similar picture quality irrespective of their differences. The major drawback is that they provide slow shooting performance due to their long shot-to-shot timings. If you need a basic digital camera in limited budget, then you can go for the PowerShot A490. We appreciate the Canon to revamp the buttons so that they feel good instead of feeling cheap. In addition, the company has included straightforward controls  [...]