Average Reviews:
(More customer reviews)I went into this with my eyes wide open. I admit to liking cheap digital cameras. It's fun to see what feats designers are able to accomplish under strict budgets, while still trying to pack enough under the hood to satisfy the customer. On the box, the camera boasts 5mp still photos, 4x digital zoom, 1280x720 HD recording, flip out USB jack and SD/SDHC compatibility. It also comes with the now seemingly requisite ArcSoft software, small wrist strap, AV cable, a pseudo-velvet carry pouch and 3 AAA batteries to get you started. I remember when the first cheap little pocket cams were introduced, and am continually amazed at what the ~50$ cameras are able to accomplish. That is, of course, if you can get them to work.
The good:
Is able to operate a single 4, 8, and possibly 12 MB SD/SDHC card.
The lens is small (see below), but the digital camera does an admirable job with so little with which to work, compensating for this with internal digital enhancements to the incoming optical picture.
I was impressed with that this class of camera has such an array of options, with no less than manual and automatic handling of white balance, scenery modes and settings for shutter speeds for regular snapshots or fast paced sporting events (Shutter speed 1/15sec - 1/2000 sec.), and and ability to detect faces.
An image stabilization/anti-shake option.
The bad:
The camera lens, an f3.2, f=5,23 mm fixed lens was no surprise, and was no larger than a pinhole.
Despite the camera prodigious internal toying with the image, there is no compensating for good optics. Handling of images in the foreground is respectable, but background images in still pictures are slightly blurred. The 'HD' quality is questionable and I guess HD means bloating a low-quality image to 1280x720 resolution.
Digital display, while crisp, is small, at 1.8", it could have been larger.
I'm surprised that for the price, the camera has no flash.
Very lightweight and all-plastic case render a feeling of cheapness.
Included batteries were of a Brand X variety, and were nearly drained after a few minutes.
Battery compartment is hidden under the front of the camera, and you have to remove the entire faceplate to do it, and its not easy to remove, as the case is slippery.
The camera is made from high gloss plastic. If you obtained the black version as I did, there will be many fingerprints that are not easily removed without something like Windex.
The ugly:
The internal microphone picks up the slightest hand movements on camera body and internal mechanical noise while filming. During playback, these noises are amplified. Internal noise sounds like a kids bicycle with playing cards in the spokes.
I was forced to return the item due to a battery drain issue. Despite using new batteries, the unit is soon convinced that they are only at half capacity. Also, taking a minutes worth of video drained the batteries to the point where the unit shut itself off. This also happens during snapshots, but it takes a bit longer.
Initially, I was impressed with all the digital options that were supplied, but all that is overshadowed by cheap construction, questionable HD designation, and mechanical defect. I was expecting more however, as the current price point (~80 US) would suggest performance closer to a entry-level adult camera. Performance and construction fall closer to the 'toy' variety or a beginner camera for child or young adult.
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