November 24th, 2009

Creative unveils third-gen Vado HD mini-camcorder; selling at $179.99

Posted by Rachel King @ 1:40 am

Categories: Digital Camcorders

Tags: Camcorder, Video, Corporate Communications, Marketing, Rachel King

In case you’re looking to give a camcorder for this holiday season and haven’t found the right one yet, there’s a new option in the mix: the new Creative Vado HD (3rd Generation) mini-camcorder. Read the rest of this entry »

November 9th, 2009

Black Friday digital camera and camcorder deal reports are rolling in

Posted by Rachel King @ 3:37 am

Categories: Deals, Digital Camcorders, Digital Cameras, Digital Photography, Digital SLR

Tags: Camcorder, Camera, Huliq News, Rachel King

For those of you who want to get prepared for your holiday shopping, and especially the best Black Friday deals, some sales are already being announced.

Read the rest of this entry »

November 2nd, 2009

What to look for in a Mini-HD camcorder

Posted by Rachel King @ 6:02 am

Categories: Digital Camcorders, Digital Photography

Tags: Camcorder, Creative Vado HD, Rachel King

Flip tends to get most of the attention when it comes to mini-HD camcorders, but there are more things to pay attention to besides name brand. Here are five things you should consider when purchasing a new Mini-HD camcorder:

1. Quality: Look for resolution and color quality. It should capture between 720 and 1080p HD video. Also keep in mind what kind of angle you want. The Creative Vado HD has a very wide-angle lens compared to other models.

2. Storage Space: A lot of camcorders will have built-in flash memory. The Vado and the Flip UltraHD, for example, has 8 GB, while the Kodak Zi8 Pocket Video Camera only has 128 MB. This may seem like a huge problem, but actually, it has a SD Memory Card slot, which allows the videographer as much space as he or she needs/chooses. This can be incredibly helpful if you plan on shooting a lot of video, but won’t have the opportunity to transfer files back to your computer as often. Read the rest of this entry »

November 1st, 2009

Holiday Gift Guide 2009: Five camcorders under $300

Posted by Rachel King @ 9:35 pm

Categories: Digital Camcorders, Holiday Gift Guide

Tags: Camcorder, Video, Corporate Communications, Marketing, Rachel King

Many of us are still on tight budgets this holiday season, but if you’re looking to give your favorite photographer a new camcorder, there are some affordable options. Here are five camcorders under $300 (not including shipping, sorry!) that could please the videographer in your life:

Flip UltraHD
You might think it’s over-hyped, and it some extent, it is. But that doesn’t escape the fact that this is a darn good gadget for what it is and for its price (usually about $199). It shoots 720p HD video, repeatedly reviewed as very good quality for its Mini-HD status class, and its compatible with both Mac and Windows operating systems. Users can charge and transmit videos via USB, and there’s also a special YouTube capture mode. It comes with 8 GB of internal hard drive space, but unfortunately, there’s no external memory card slot.

Available in both white and black, it’s a sleek, small camcorder (2.2 in x 1.2 in x 4.3 in and only 6 oz.) that can fit in almost any sized stocking.

[Read the reviews] [Check prices]

Read the rest of this entry »

October 27th, 2009

ZDNet readers don't care about celebrity endorsements

Posted by Rachel King @ 6:00 am

Categories: Digital Camcorders, Digital Cameras

Tags: Camcorder, Camera, Celebrity Endorsement, Rachel King

An overwhelming number of ZDNet readers voted that they don’t care about celebrity endorsements when it comes to digital cameras and camcorders. In a poll opened on October 21, 97% of 147 voters said (as of October 22) that a celebrity endorsement means nothing when throwing down hundreds of dollars on a new gadget. Only 2% said they did buy a gadget because they saw it associated with a favorite celebrity, and another 1% said they bought cameras/camcorders because they saw it “on TV/in a movie, but not because of the celeb.” I’d fall into that category as I bought the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-T1 back in 2004 after seeing it in a commercial featuring Steven Tyler from Aerosmith. I didn’t buy it because of the celebrity, but for the sleekness of the camera. But I soon found out it was over-hyped and didn’t shoot high-quality photos. Thus, I’ve never bought a camera that I first saw in a commercial since.

Do you agree with the results? Have you ever bought a digital camera or camcorder because of a celebrity? If so, which one? Or has anyone turned you off from buying one?

October 15th, 2009

Zoom Q3 Handy Video Recorder brings high-quality audio to pocket camcorder

Posted by Janice Chen @ 10:18 am

Categories: Announcements, Digital Camcorders, Gadgets

Tags: Audio, Camcorder, LCD, Zoom Q3, Janice Chen

One of the drawbacks of those ubiquitous pocket camcorders — like the Flip Mino HD — is the lackluster audio that gets captured by tiny built-in microphones.  The new Zoom Q3 Handy Video Recorder aims to change all that, by bringing high-quality HD audio recording to a pocket-friendly camcorder.  In fact, Zoom’s parent company, Samson Technologies, is a pioneering audio technology company that makes professional recording equipment.

The Zoom Q3 includes two directional stereo condenser microphones that can capture 24-bit/48kHz audio. Since sites like YouTube allow files with CD-quality (i.e., 44.1kHz) audio, you’ll still see a benefit even if all you do is upload videos to the Web.

Unfortunately, though, only the audio is HD quality, since the camcorder itself only records at 640×480, 30fps. The large 2.4-inch, 320×240 LCD is a nice touch, as is its ability to accept up to 32GB SDHC cards for up to 16 hours of video (a 2GB SD card comes bundled for 1 hour of video). The 2-inch LCD and 8GB maximums of the Flip Video camcorders, for example, don’t measure up.  Still, at a retail price of $249, I’d like to see 720p video recording.

[Via Engadget]

October 14th, 2009

Flip Video updates the popular Flip MinoHD camcorder

Posted by Janice Chen @ 6:25 am

Categories: Announcements, Digital Camcorders, Digital Photography, Gadgets

Tags: Camcorder, Video, Flip Video Store, Corporate Communications, Marketing, Janice Chen

Flip Video (which was acquired by Cisco in March) has announced the newest member of its pocketable camcorder line, an updated version of the Flip MinoHD. This second generation of the popular MinoHD doubles the memory (and recording time) of the previous version, and sports a bigger higher-resolution LCD, an HDMI output, and uses the latest version of the Flip Video Engine. Additionally, a new version of the pre-loaded FlipShare software now allows direct video uploads to Facebook.

The new MinoHD offers most of the features of the UltraHD (which had been Flip Video’s top-of-the-line offering until today) — such as 8GB of memory; a 2-inch, 960 x 240 LCD; 1280×720 HD video recording at 30 fps; the Flip Video Engine 3.5; and an HDMI output — in a sleeker, slimmer and customizable package (as with the original Mino camcorders, the new version can be customized with cool designs and patterns or your own design or photo if you purchase it direct from Flip Video). Like the original 4GB MinoHD, the new version uses a built-in, rechargeable Lithium Ion battery rather than the rechargeable (and removable) AA NiMH battery pack of the UltraHD (which accounts for the slimmer package).

The online Flip Video Store lists the new edition as the MinoHD, 120 minutes, while the original version is now listed as the MinoHD, 60 minutes (the former selling for $229.99 and the latter for $199.99).

October 13th, 2009

JVC debuts its first mini-HD camcorder: the PICSIO GC-FM1

Posted by Rachel King @ 6:54 am

Categories: Digital Camcorders, Digital Cameras, Digital Photography

Tags: JVC, Camcorder, Video, 1080p, Camera, Flash Memory, Corporate Communications, Marketing, Rachel King

Should Flip be worried about yet another entry into the mini-HD camcorder market? JVC announced today the release of the PICSIO GC-FM1, its first mini HD digital camcorder. The new gadget, built with 4x digital zoom, shoots 8-megapixel stills and 1080p Full HD video in MPEG-4 AVC/H.264 format, storing movies as .MOV files. While it’s not included in the box, this camera uses SD/SDHC memory cards. (FYI, USB cable, AV cable, hand strap and PC software are all included with the camera.)

Users can connect the PICSIO to their computers for file transfers via HDMI™ out (Mini), AV out and USB 2.0/1.1. The camera charges via USB connection, so it can automatically charge whenever hooked up a PC and not transferring files.

Available in Black Ice, Blue Steel and Purple Passion with geometric patterns and chrome accents, this pocket camcorder is definitely for those who want to shoot videos and photos on-the-go, but still want something a little more stylish. The estimated price tag is set right now at $199.95.

For a full list of specs: Read the rest of this entry »

September 30th, 2009

ZDNet readers want digital SLR cameras most on vacation

Posted by Rachel King @ 9:01 am

Categories: Digital Camcorders, Digital Cameras, Digital Photography, Digital SLR

Tags: SLR, Camera, Rachel King

It was a bit of a tight race between pocket cameras and digital SLR cameras, but more ZDNet readers (48%) voted that they need their DSLRs when traveling. 296 readers voted in the poll, but it should be noted that more than one option could have been selected. Camcorders proved less necessary with 3% each for both mini and standard HD camcorders. Write-in votes came in for mainly accessories like extra batteries, tripods and waterproof camera bags. For special trips where I want top-quality photos, I am always willing to carry around my DSLR. But I have to agree with reader ryoung that its good to carry a point-and-shoot camera around for crowded areas, especially when it is not safe it have such an obviously expensive gadget in plain view. But I also like the pocket cameras with video capability in case I ever want to record something in a pinch, without carrying multiple devices around.

Do you agree with the results?

September 30th, 2009

Poll: Do you plan on buying a Mini HD camcorder?

Posted by Rachel King @ 6:01 am

Categories: Digital Camcorders

Tags: Camcorder, Camera, Camera Phones, Cellular Phones, Consumer Electronics, Personal Technology, Rachel King

With recent releases like the Samsung HMX-U10 and the Flip UltraHD have a lot of people excited over the future of Mini HD camcorders. But with the potential for camera phones and the rise in quality of HD video on pocket cameras, that future is quite cloudy. So do these ultracompact camcorders pique your interest, or are you holding out for something else?

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