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Video and Still Optics
Using the MPEG4 format, the SVAV25 saves video to Secure Digital (SD) and MultiMedia (MMC) memory cards (an 8 MB SD card is included). With the small size of MPEG4 files--featuring resolution modes of either 320 x 240 or 176 x 144--you can easily post video to your Web site or send files to friends and family via e-mail.
The D-snap cradle is equipped with an A/V terminal that makes it easy to connect to a TV or VCR and record TV programs onto an SD card. Using the SVAV50 for playback, you can watch the news, a movie, or other programs just about anywhere.
The following shows the approximate amount of continuous video that can be recorded on several sizes of SD memory card (including larger optional cards):
The SVAV50 has a 1/3.2-inch CCD for a 2-megapixel resolution--capturing enough image data for print enlargements up to 8 x 10 inches. It features 1600 x 1200 (2 MP), 1280 x 960 (1 MP), and 640 x 480 (VGA--great for sending in e-mail) resolution modes. You can zoom in on subjects using the 2.5x digital zoom.
Audio
In addition to its motion and still image capability, the SVAV50 can also be used as a digital audio player--just slip in an SD card loaded with tunes and listen via the included earphones. It's compatible with MP3 and AAC audio files. And with the built-in microphone (monaural), you can easily record voice memos, lectures, interviews, and reminders to the SD card.
More Features
What's in the Box
This package includes the Panasonic SVAV50A digital camcorder, 8 MB SD memory card, USB cradle, battery pack, AC adaptor, stereo earphones with remote controller, USB and A/V cables, carrying case, cleaning clot, neck strap, and CD-ROM with USB drivers for Windows and the following Panasonic software (not Mac compatible):
Unlike many other combination devices, the D-Snap 50 doesn't try to do too much, just a few things fairly well. The MP3 player is as good as any other card-based unit, the voice recorder is on par with the most expensive Sony stand-alones, and the digital camera is good enough for small jobs and web work... but until you get used to using it, you'll think you need to cut off your index finger to take a decent picture. Also, I haven't yet decided whether including an 8 MB memory card with the unit was meant as an insult or a joke.
Most of the negatives associated with the D-Snap 50 can be cured with three things: patience, practice, and an extraordinarily large SD memory card. After you've taught yourself how to hold it, and jacked up all the settings to acceptable quality, you will wonder how you ever did without it. As for durability, we'll have to wait and see, but I trust the brand. Three and one-half stars.
The Good:
- Small! Yet it has a good, solid weight to it.
- Easy-to-learn controls. I was using the gadget's full functionality within minutes, and didn't have to slog through the manual to learn each mode. Once I learned how to use one mode, the others were fairly intuitive.
- Versatility - I was able to hook the camcorder up to my DVD player and record a movie in MPEG-4 format for later watching. I then reversed the cables and played the same movie, outputting to my television. I took a few pictures, then made some voice memos, and the quality of the memos was better than on my old digital recorder. Very cool!
The Bad:
- The camcorder works well only when under strong light conditions. It lowers the shutter speed when it has insufficient light (and `insufficient' here includes any indoor shooting), which means dropped frames and dark colors. There is a mode to compensate somewhat for low light, but this only brightens the images without speeding frame rate.
- I knew this going in, so I don't really think of this as a `bad', but you may not know: MPEG-4 is NOT movie-quality! The best you can do on this device is 320x240 - half the normal resolution of your TV screen, which means half as good as your normal camcorder. Plus, it's compressed, which means some quality is lost. The movies this device makes are for posting on Websites, not sending copies to Grandma.
- The camera also does not work well indoors. It has an automatic flash, but the flash is somewhat underpowered and does not illuminate objects more than a few feet in front of the camera.
- Only 2.5 digital zoom on the camera. No optical zoom. This is, effectively, a simple point and click camera.
- Listening to the most recently recorded voice memo requires scrolling with the track ball, unlike normal voice recorders which allow you to listen to your most recent memo with ease - this is important, as you will often want to ensure you actually captured what you were saying.
- Short battery life - about an hour of recording. The battery is quite slim, so this is to be expected. However, an hour is significantly less than most one-use objects.
- No protective case! A leather holder is a must for this device. Instead, all you get is a neck strap (good, though it's almost too heavy for wearing around the neck) and a grey felt bag which could protect from scratches, but not dropping. Who the heck is going to carry this in a felt bag? It needs to be worn on the waist, like a cell phone.
The Ugly:
- It's very easy to place your finger over the lens when taking pictures. Panasonic tried to compensate for this by placing several small nubs on the front of the device so you could, by feel, know where to hold the camera. However, they're not enough, and Panasonic's `fix' is a hard plastic bubble you're supposed to peel and stick to the front of the camera to prevent your finger from sliding up. Yes, that's right - instead of building a bump into the camera's case, you the consumer have to gum a piece of hard plastic to it. In the software industry, we call this a `hack.'
- The `Menu' button, which you will be using frequently, is difficult to push. It's tiny, and because of the camera's shape is difficult to push without grasping the camera with both hands. This is a device that wants to be used only with one hand.
- I'm concerned about durability. While most of the parts feel solid and durable, two spots feel like they are asking to break. One is a small roller ball that you use to traverse the menus; it's tiny and light, and if it goes, there's no way the gadget will work without professional service. The second is the plastic catch that keeps the LED screen in place when the camera is open. Since it's possible to force the camera to close without pushing in the latch, I can see this part wearing out quickly and preventing the LED from locking open.
Summary: Despite my grips, the SV-AV50 is definitely a keeper. It an excellent emergency memory preserver/party toy. It is well-engineered with a few minor flaws. It is NOT a camcorder replacement and NOT a digital camera replacement; if you buy expecting either of these you'll be mightily disappointed. 4/5 stars, but know what you are getting!
PROS:
- Super Small
- Large LCD
- Excellent Prodcut Design
- Many "Features"
CONS:
- You're finger easily gets in the way of the lens(1 in 3 shots are finger shots)
- The digital photos are VERY grainy in ALL light conditions (I would not even post the photos to my web site)
- No "Red Eye Reduction"
- The video quality is medium, definitel not a camcorder replacement
- Audio files need to be translated to some "native" format, using included software... no drag and drop here!
I will most likely return it, despite my desire to like all that it offers and how cool it looks. It just not deliver quality on the images and video.
Q: Why did the tachyon cross the road?
A: Because it was on the other side.
I put contact lenses in my dog's eyes. They had little pictures of cats
on them. Then I took one out and he ran around in circles.
-- Steven Wright
