Canon ZR70MC MiniDV Digital Camcorder with 2.5" LCD, 22x Optical Zoom, Digital Still Mode, MMC Slot, Image Stabilization and Wide Angle Attachment

Canon ZR70MC MiniDV Digital Camcorder with 2.5" LCD, 22x Optical Zoom, Digital Still Mode, MMC Slot, Image Stabilization and Wide Angle Attachment Review

Canon ZR70MC MiniDV Digital Camcorder with 2.5" LCD, 22x Optical Zoom, Digital Still Mode, MMC Slot, Image Stabilization and Wide Angle Attachment Feature

• MiniDV camcorder with 22x optical zoom, 440x digital zoom, image stabilization
• 2.5-inch fold-out color LCD screen and color viewfinder
• Super Night mode for low-light filming, Motion JPEG movie mode
• Takes digital stills (1024 x 768) and stores them on included 8 MB Secure Digital memory card
• Connects to PCs and Macs via Firewire (IEEE1394) and USB (for photos)

The advanced Canon ZR70MC MiniDV camcorder brings together all the features of the ZR65MC, from its ease of use to still photo mode and digital effects. It also adds a 22x optical zoom, 440x digital zoom, motion JPEG movie mode, Super Night mode, and an advanced accessory shoe for powering a microphone or video light.

Lens
The ZR70MC features a high-performance 1/6-inch 680,000-pixel CCD to capture high-quality video and digital photos. The zoom technology found in the ZR65MC lens is the same as Canon uses in its broadcast TV lenses. The ZR70MC is fitted with a high-performance 22x optical zoom lens, which can easily handle all your shooting needs--from wide-angle shots of all the family at the reunion to close-up sports action at full telephoto. The ZR70MC's 440x digital zoom significantly expands the telephoto magnification of the subject.

Image Stabilization
Canon's image-stabilization system corrects camera shake caused by, for example, an unsteady hand. This image-stabilization system makes for smoother and steadier video even with hand-held shots, at full telephoto, and with shots taken from a moving car.

Digital Stills and Motion JPEG
In addition to high-quality video, the ZR70MC also captures crisp XGA (1,024 x 768 pixels) digital still images. The ZR70MC stores these images via the built-in slot for Secure Digital (SD) and MultiMediaCard memory cards. You can also choose to store still images on the MiniDV tape. The camcorder records the photos for approximately 6 seconds, as well as recording the sound for your verbal notes or narration.

Designed to help you make Web videos, motion JPEG mode produces compressed AVI files that are smaller and easier to run and send by e-mail than conventional video files. They're also stored on the memory card and transferred via the USB connection. Record a 10-second clip at 320 x 240 or a 30-second clip at 160 x 120.

You can search through the recorded tape for your photos using the supplied remote control. This photo search feature allows you to search for images recorded in photo mode. Search forward or backward through the images one at a time, or jump 10 pictures backward or forward from the current position.

More Features

• With Super Night mode, the assist lamp lights up to illuminate your subject
• Print photos directly to Canon bubble jet printers
• 2.5-inch fold-out color LCD screen and 0.33-inch color viewfinder
• The My Camera function is designed to let you customize a number of features, including start-up image and sound, shutter sound, start-stop sound, and the self-timer sound
• Shoot panoramic still photos, then edit them together on your PC with the PhotoStitch software
• The full-function wireless remote control works at distances up to 16 feet
• A wide selection of faders and special effects, including sepia, black and white, wave, mosaic, and more
• For low-light situations, the VCR playback controls can be illuminated in any one of six colors: turquoise, blue, green, yellow, violet, and orange

Inputs and Outputs
The ZR70MC comes with the standard DV IEEE 1394 port (also referred to as FireWire), which provides a lossless connection to a PC or other DV machines, as well as USB connectivity for transferring still photos. Additionally, the ZR70MC features two types of analog audio and video inputs and outputs: composite and S-video. The analog audio inputs of the ZR70MC let you dub or insert editing from CDs, cassettes, microphones, or the soundtracks of other videocassettes.

MiniDV Format
MiniDV is the new, preferred format for personal and broadcast-quality video, and it is highly regarded for its high audio and image quality. With up to 540 lines of horizontal resolution and minimum color noise, MiniDV delivers a 2 percent clearer picture than analog camcorder formats. This is all delivered on a cassette that's 1/12th the size of a standard VHS tape. A MiniDV tape offers digital recording time of 2 full hours--20 times the capacity of a CD.

Power, Size, and Contents
The ZR70MC comes with a rechargeable lithium-ion battery pack, which has an approximate battery life of 2 hours 20 minutes when using the LCD screen. The camera itself measures 4.1 by 2.3 by 5.8 inches and weighs 18 ounces. This package includes the ZR70MC camcorder, battery pack BP-512, power adapter CA-570, wireless controller WL-D79, shoulder strap, stereo video cable, wide attachment, USB cable, 8 MB Secure Digital memory card, and the DV Network Solutions and Digital Video Solutions CD-ROMs.

Sony MVCCD400 CD Mavica 4MP Digital Camera w/3x Optical Zoom

Sony MVCCD400 CD Mavica 4MP Digital Camera w/3x Optical Zoom Review

Sony MVCCD400 CD Mavica 4MP Digital Camera w/3x Optical Zoom Feature

• 4.1 megapixel sensor creates 2,272 x 1,704 images for prints at sizes up to 11 x 14 inches
• 3x optical Carl Zeiss Vario Sonnar zoom lens and 2x digital zoom with 5-area multi-point autofocus
• Stores images directly on 156 MB 8cm CD-R or CD-RW (rewriteable) discs
• Discs can be read by virtually all Mac and PC CD-ROM drives (not currently compatible with Apple iPhoto)
• Uses proprietary Infolithium rechargeable battery (NP-FM50 )

The unique feature of Sony's CD400 Mavica is a built-in mini-CD recorder, a clever solution that simultaneously provides affordable portable memory and long-term archival storage. The camera also features a 4-megapixel sensor, a 3x optical zoom Carl Zeiss lens, a jumbo 2.5-inch display, and long-life rechargeable lithium-ion battery.

Optics and Resolution
The CD400's 4-megapixel sensor captures a tremendous amount of detail, allowing sharp 11-by-14-inch prints with pixels to spare. If you're currently using a high-quality 35mm point-and-shoot, expect to see as much detail in your digital pictures as you currently see in your film photos.

A 3x Carl Zeiss optical zoom lens (34-102mm equivalent) helps you to capture exactly the picture you want, and an additional 2x digital zoom (6x total) further magnifies your image. Remember, however, that digital zoom tends to reduce the sharpness and detail of your image, so it's best used sparingly. In low-light situations (a particular weakness for many digital cameras), a focus-assist lamp sends out a small patterned beam to help the camera accurately determine distance.

To save space, there's no traditional optical viewfinder to look through. Instead, to compose your images or review shots you've already taken, the CD400 uses a 2.5-inch color display. The advantage to using the LCD to frame your shots is that the screen lets you see exactly the picture you'll capture. The disadvantage is that you can't turn off the screen and just use the optical viewfinder to extend battery life. Fortunately, the included rechargeable battery holds a relatively good charge.

More Features
The engineers at Sony have gone out of their way to make it as easy as possible to share your images online. For example, the e-mail mode stores a lower-resolution version of your picture on the disc in a separate folder from the full-size version. This compact file lacks the detail of the original, but has a small file size, making it ideal for e-mail attachments. In addition, a video e-mail mode captures highly compressed, less-detailed movie clips that are also small enough to easily e-mail. With the time, expertise, and the right software, owners of any digital camera can create these more compact files on their home computers, but Sony saves you this trouble.

More advanced photographers will appreciate manual focus, a 14-bit A/D processor that captures more gradations in color than most digital cameras, and an uncompressed TIFF mode for recording the highest-quality photos.

Power
The CD400 uses Sony's excellent InfoLithium battery system, which not only holds a respectable charge, but also displays on screen how many minutes of power remain. Both the battery and the charger are included. Because the battery is unique to specific Sony models and can be nearly impossible to find when on the road, we strongly recommend getting a spare if you're planning to take the camera on extended outings.

Movie Mode
In movie mode, the camera captures video clips with sound at resolutions up to 320 x 240 pixels. Unlike most digital cameras, the length of each video is limited only by the amount of memory left on the CD. The limited resolution of these clips guarantees that this feature won't replace your camcorder, but it's perfect for when you just want to capture a quick movie and e-mail it to a friend or relative.

Storage and Transfer
With a traditional digital camera, images are stored on memory cards, then transferred to your computer via a cable or card reader, and ultimately archived by recording on a CD-R or other high-capacity medium. Sony's CD Mavicas simplify this process by recording images directly to CD, using a 3-inch miniature CD recorder integrated into the back of the camera (hence the camera's rounded shape). These discs are substantially smaller than traditional 5-inch CDs, and only hold about one-fourth as much information (156 MB instead of 650 MB), but this is still enough space to store over 60 photos at the camera's highest-quality compressed mode. Each disc costs a couple of dollars. To transfer pictures to your computer, simply remove the disc from the camera and insert it into your computer's CD-ROM drive. Unlike images recorded on memory cards, pictures taken on a CD-R are permanently burned into the disc, instantly providing a digital "negative" for archiving your photos.

If you prefer to transfer your images in the traditional way, just use an erasable/re-recordable CD-RW disc and connect the camera to your computer with the included USB cable. After transferring the images, you can erase the CD-RW disc to ready it for another batch of photos.

Size
At 5.5 by 3.75 by 4 inches, and 23 ounces, you won't slip this one into your shirt pocket, but it's still one of the smallest disc-based cameras available. The CD400 fits nicely into most SLR camera carrying cases.

Contents and Recommended Accessories
The package includes the CD400 camera, NP-FM50 battery, AC-L10 cable for in-camera charging, six 3-inch CD-R discs, one 3-inch re-recordable CD-RW, shoulder strap, AV cable, USB cable, and software on CD.

Everything you need to get started is included in the box, but we recommend these accessories to make the most of your camera: a carrying case, additional 3-inch CD-R or CD-RW discs, and a second battery (especially if you're taking the camera on extended trips). Compatible accessories for this camera are listed near the top of this page. --Shane Burnett

Pros:

• Integrated CD recorder provides inexpensive storage and image archiving
• Big 2.5-inch screen makes it easy to preview and review photos
• E-mail modes make it easy to share your photos electronically

Cons:

• No traditional optical viewfinder
• CD drive makes the camera bigger and heavier than cameras using memory cards

Sony Cybershot DSCM1 5MP Digital Camera with 3x Optical Zoom & MPEG4 Video

Sony Cybershot DSCM1 5MP Digital Camera with 3x Optical Zoom & MPEG4 Video Review

Sony Cybershot DSCM1 5MP Digital Camera with 3x Optical Zoom & MPEG4 Video Feature

• 5.1-megapixel sensor allows for photo-quality prints up to 13 by 17 inches
• Camera features 3x optical zoom in a unique vertical orientation
• Large 2.5-inch free-angle rotating LCD design makes viewing effortless
• Non-extending lens and Real Imaging Processor mean near instant startup and shutter release
• Supplied Cyber-shot Station makes camera-to-TV/PC connection quick and simple

Sony's DSCM1 interestingly designed 5-megapixel digital camera is easy to use right out of the box--and extremely fast, too. The M1 is ready to shoot about as quickly as you can fold out its free-angle LCD, and its unique form factor--the camera looks like a winged robot or a small boomerang--captures subjects' attention immediately.

The M1's Twilight Portrait mode creates interesting effects. (See larger image.)

The M1's great features don't end with its fast start-up time, though; the pictures and video this camera takes are amazing. We put it through its paces in a variety of situations, from indoor evening parties to snowy outdoor activities and all sorts of cafes and museums in between, and almost without fail, the results were gorgeous. The camera's Twilight Portrait mode creates great effects by combining a flash with a long exposure time, and the Auto setting could be relied on to deal with even backlit or low-light scenes.

One of the M1's crisp, colorful images from the NYC installation of Christo's The Gates. (See larger image.)

The free-angle LCD, in addition to wowing photo subjects and passersby, is also useful for taking overhead or low-to-the-ground images, or for composing self-portraits. After swinging out the LCD to turn the camera on, the screen can be rotated approximately 270 degrees, making complex shooting situations a snap. In addition, at 2.5 inches, the LCD screen makes viewing images a real pleasure, and we were amazed at how often we found ourselves taking a friend's picture and then showing the friend every image we had stored on the memory card, or pulling out the camera to review images privately during a few minutes of down time.

The M1's interior shots from the new lobby of New York's Museum of Modern Art. (Click images for larger views.)

It is also worth noting that the M1's autofocus does an excellent job of quickly evaluating a scene and making relatively intelligent assumptions about the image subject. In the rare cases where edges or features in images were slightly fuzzy, it would've taken a poster-size print for the problem to really stand out. In all cases, the autofocus was quite fast, further contributing to an impressive recycle time between shots.

The areas in which the camera could have done slightly better were in a couple of the scene modes-- Landscape, for example, produced less stunning sunset images than the camera's Auto setting--and in transferring images to a computer. We found that images were less vibrant on the computer than on the M1's screen when transferred to a PC, using either the supplied Picture Package software or treating the camera as an external hard drive. However, it's easy to adjust them slightly using imaging software, and the muddiness did not occur at all when downloading the images to a Mac using iPhoto.

One further drawback is that while the camera body is quite sturdy, the memory card slot is exposed, meaning that taking photographs in inclement weather is an iffy proposition. Also, because the camera comprises three segments joined by hinges, it's got more seams for water and gunk to seep into than would a camera with a simpler construction. (It was not unusual for us to transport the camera in a pocket and pull it out to find that a stray piece of paper had lodged between the LCD and body.) A case would go a long way toward clearing this up, though. --Sarah Sternau

Pros

• It's fast
• Movie mode creates impressive MPEG4 video (with crisp audio) at a length limited only by available memory
• Unique form factor makes complex picture-taking situations easier

Cons

• Bulkier than many compact cameras currently available
• Memory card slot is exposed, making wet weather a concern
• Some downloading methods caused the images to lose vibrancy, necessitating simple touch-ups

Sony DSC-M1 Cyber-shot(R) Digital Camera is a remarkably tiny camcorder and digital-camera in one. A key reason is that video and still images are all recorded on MemoryStick or MemoryStick-Pro digital media. It doesn't use any tapes! It's also the first Sony Cyber-shot(R) Digital-Camera to offer MPEG-4 codec for excellent video motion recording and, in a sense, is styled more like a camcorder than a compact digital camera. Cyber-shot(R) DSC-M1 is a 5.1-megapixel digital still camera that pays particular attention to the role moving images play in preserving memories, and even more attention to making it easy to use. The camera, a slim, matte-black device about the size of a deck of cards, is held vertically, and its 2.5-inch articulated LCD swivels upward and rotates a full 270 degrees. This new shooting orientation provides more surface area to access both the menu navigation buttons and two "hot" buttons for direct access to recording stills and video. The outer edge of the LCD also has buttons serving two functions. While the LCD is extended and the camera is in record mode, the buttons can be used to record, and toggle back and forth between stills and video. When the LCD is facing outward, but flush with the camera's body, the buttons can be used to playback stills and video, turning the camera into a personal media viewer. Up to 640x480 VGA movie images Large 2.5 LCD viewer Auto and manual focus modes Programmed and manual exposure modes Self timer mode Approximate Unit Size - 2 x 4.5 x 1.1 inch

Sony HVR-V1U 3-CMOS 1080i Professional HDV Camcorder with 20x Optical Zoom

Sony HVR-V1U 3-CMOS 1080i Professional HDV Camcorder with 20x Optical Zoom Review

Sony HVR-V1U 3-CMOS 1080i Professional HDV Camcorder with 20x Optical Zoom Feature

• 1080/24P scanning with 2:3 pull-down recording
• 3 ClearVid CMOS sensor system; 4:2:2 color used by Sony Enhanced Image Processor
• 20x Carl Zeiss Vario-Zonnar T lens with extra-low dispersion glass; 1.5x digital extender
• 3.5-inch widescreen Clear Photo plus LCD display
• Dual XLR audio inputs with variable control; supplied shotgun microphone
• Dual XLR audio inputs with variable control and supplied shotgun microphone
• 3 ClearVid CMOS sensor system , 4:2:2 color used by Sony Enhanced Image Processor
• 20x Carl Zeiss Vario-Zonnar T lens with extra-low dispersion glass , 1.5x digital extender

The compact professional camcorders manufactured by Sony have introduced a new level of mobility for ENG and documentary-making worldwide with their superb quality and compact dimensions. These camcorders have dramatically revolutionized the traditional methods of capturing video footage. With the new Sony HVR-V1U camcorder, now you can enjoy the same mobility with the breathtaking beauty of 1080/24P shooting, and have the freedom to create video material with much greater creativity and visual impact. The HVR-V1U will pave the way into a new world of HD video productions.

NAXA NDC NDC-400 Camcorder with 4x Optical Zoom and 1.44-Inch LCD Screen (Shiny Black)

NAXA NDC NDC-400 Camcorder with 4x Optical Zoom and 1.44-Inch LCD Screen (Shiny Black) Review

NAXA NDC NDC-400 Camcorder with 4x Optical Zoom and 1.44-Inch LCD Screen (Shiny Black) Feature

• 1.44-inch TFT LCD screen
• 1.3 megapixel still camera with 4x digital zoom
• Great for videos for YouTube and other social networking sites
• AV cable for viewing recorded videos on any device with a/v input
• Comes with USB cable, AV cable, carrying case & hand strap

The NDC-400 video camcorder from Naxa includes the following features: 1.44" TFT LCD screen. 1.3MP Still Camera with 4x Digital Zoom. Video resolution: VGA (640 x 480) @ 30fps, AVI file (Motion JPEG codec). Built-in SD/SDHC Memory Card Slot (up to 16GB). Built-in Speaker. Built-in Microphone. Great for videos for YouTube and other Social Networking Sites. ArcSoftTM Media Impression software Included. AV Cable for viewing recorded videos on any device with A/V Input. USB 2.0 Hi-Speed Plug for data transfer. 2 x "AA" Batteries (Not Included) up to 1.5hrs Battery Life. Accessories: USB Cable, AV Cable, Carrying Case & Hand strap

Mustek MDC-5500Z 3.1MP Multi-function Camera with Voice Recorder & 3x Optical Zoom

Mustek MDC-5500Z 3.1MP Multi-function Camera with Voice Recorder & 3x Optical Zoom Review

Mustek MDC-5500Z 3.1MP Multi-function Camera with Voice Recorder & 3x Optical Zoom Feature

• 3x optical zoom combines with 4x digital zoom for 12x total zoom
• Multifunction camera also serves as digital video camera, voice recorder, PC cam, and card reader
• Save images to 16 MB flash drive (included) or optional Secure Digital (SD) memory card
• Powered by 2 AA-size batteries (alkaline included, rechargeable recommended)
• 3.1-megapixel CCD with hardware interpolation creates near-equivalent of 5 MP resolution

Mustek's MDC5500Z 5.1 Mega-pixel digital camera includes a 12x zoom, a 1.5 inch LCD display, built-in flash, and a SD/MMC memory card slot. It even comes with a mini tripod! Get yours today!

New Casio Blue 12mp Compact Digital Camera 24mm Wide-Angle 4x Optical Zoom 2.7inch Lcd

New Casio Blue 12mp Compact Digital Camera 24mm Wide-Angle 4x Optical Zoom 2.7inch Lcd Review

New Casio Blue 12mp Compact Digital Camera 24mm Wide-Angle 4x Optical Zoom 2.7inch Lcd Feature

• Image resolution up to 4000 x 3000.
• 4x digital zoom and 4x optical zoom.
• Built-in 17.8MB of internal memory .
• EXILIM Engine, which delivers higher image quality and lower power consumption .
• Non-defective return will be charged 20% restocking fee.

Auto On/Off, Red-Eye reduction, soft flash, flash maximum distance 9.6'. Camera lens features: macro zoom, auto focus, auto zoom focus, continuous auto focus. Playback file formats: AVI movie with sound/ WAV . 3 13/16" W x 2 3/16" H x 11/16" D. Includes battery and charger, A/V cable, USB cable and wrist strap

Canon DC210 DVD Camcorder with 35x Optical Zoom

Canon DC210 DVD Camcorder with 35x Optical Zoom Review

Canon DC210 DVD Camcorder with 35x Optical Zoom Feature

• Genuine Canon Optics with 35x optical zoom/1000x digital zoom lens
• DIGIC DV II image processor; image stabilizer
• 2.7-inch widescreen LCD monitor; widescreen HR recording
• Smooth zoom control; level shot control
• DVD-R/-RW Dual Layer recording format

Top Features: Tiny But Powerful Camcorder Widescreen HR Recording 35x Optical Zoom Record Direct To DVD Digital Photographs 2.7" LCD In The Box: DC210 Camcorder Compact Power Adapter CA-570 Battery Pack BP-208 Stereo/Video Cable STV-250 Click For Brochure

New Pentax Optio H90 12.1 Mp Digital Camera 5x Optical Zoom 2.7inch Lcd Matte Black

New Pentax Optio H90 12.1 Mp Digital Camera 5x Optical Zoom 2.7inch Lcd Matte Black Review

New Pentax Optio H90 12.1 Mp Digital Camera 5x Optical Zoom 2.7inch Lcd Matte Black Feature

• Image resolution up to 1920 x 1080 .
• 8 scene Auto picture mode for hands-off selection.
• Zoom Lens 28mm wide-angle coverage in the 35mm format.
• Captures beautiful, high-quality movie clips at sizes up to 16:9 high-definition-TV proportions.
• No return acceptable unless defective when received.

Smile Capture, Blink Detection and 32-Face Detection functions for lovely snapshots. Smile Capture recognizes the precise moment a subject smiles and releases the shutter automatically. Compatibility with Eye-Fi cards for wireless image transfer to and image filing on PC. Auto Picture mode automatically selects from 8 shooting modes for the best picture in any situation. Dimensions 3.7(W) x 2.2(H) x 1.0(D) inches. Uses SD /SDHC memory cards. Uses 2 AA batteries. Includes USB/AV cables, strap and software