Camcorder Reviews

All these days, there was not even a single camcorder that suffices the needs of both the novice users and the professional photographers. Some of them had great features and design but at the same time they were too poor for professional works. The others were great performers but had very few features. This was the major problem regarding the camcorders. The main reason is the cost. The companies could not give everything because at the end of the day, they had to compromise some features in order to set a reasonable price.

To repair this situation, Canon, one of the prime producers of the camcorders, has released its new chef-d’oeuvre, the Canon DM-XM2 Professional Mini DV Camcorder. This camcorder is certainly the best product ever from Canon. Go through this to know more about one of the best camcorders ever.

Design:

It is a biggie:
When you look at the Canon DM-XM2 for the first time, you will be reminded of the TV camera. It is big in size, when compared to the normal camcorders. But it is quite sleek for a Mini DV camcorder. The conventional Mini DV camcorders are much bigger in size and hence are not so comfortable for home use or for students of media and films. This beauty from Canon is 11.8 cm wide, 13.6 cm high and30.6 cm deep. Normally, you do not find a camcorder of such dimensions but Canon is one of the very few manufacturers that have made it possible. It is also incredibly light in weight, weighing just 300 grams, slightly more than pocket camcorder or a mobile phone. This is the slimmest one that Canon has ever produced. Sony has been the only other company that has managed to produce such a comfortable and cute looking camcorder.

Display:
Like most of the camcorders, the canon XM2  3CCD Camcorder also has an LCD display. The 2.5 inch LCD panel is good enough for watching what you are capturing. This screen is flip type which means that it can be flipped out whenever necessary and can then be replaced after use by flipping it in. Another thing that is worth noticing here is that this screen can be twisted around to any angle, about its axis. So this makes it comfortable when the viewing angles are difficult; especially at times when you need different angles. For an example, it is very nice to have a look at the screen when you wish to film yourself so that you get a more accurate picture.

Interfaces:
The output interfaces offered by Canon DM-XM2 Video Camcorder includes S- Video, Composite video, RCA audio, Firewire, Digital Video, iLink, USB and a headphone jack and the input interfaces on offer are S- video, Composite video, RCA Audio, Firewire, Digital Video, iLink. To briefly detail about their uses, they are mainly used for linking the camcorder to video playing sources so that the media that has been captured can be played. The S- Video, composite video, RCA audio, Firewire, Digital Video and iLink, all come under the same type of interfaces. They can be used to connect to a DVD player, for an example, so that all the media files can be played. The USB interface is different and is of great aid to transfer the data from the camcorder to a PC or to a phone that is USB compatible.

Features:

Canon’s previous product, Canon XM1, was not a big hit because it lacked a lot of features and also was not so unique. It featured many options that were already there in the market and hence there was not that much of interest in it among the cam lovers. So, this time around, Canon has taken all possible measures not to repeat such mistakes and to make its new product more unique. So, it has provided more features in the DM-XM2 Flash Memory Camcorder. These revived features add to the camcorder’s grandeur and make it one of the main contenders for the best camcorder available out there.

Professional Lens:
The Canon XM2 is powered by the very professional L-series fluorite lens that gives you extremely candid pictures of 35 mm. This lens is very rare and you will not find in many other camcorders. This lens not only delivers great pictures but also captures the videos with great detail and the quality of them being almost equal to that of the broadcast TV. Its focus range is very good, grading from a minimum of 4.2 mm to a maximum of 84 mm and its maximum aperture is about 1.6 f and it can zoom up to 20x. The filter diameter is about 58 mm. With this lens, you can get very crisp images even at high magnifications. There is also little chromatic aberration and hence there are no coloured rings around the objects in the picture. Hence, you have no more worries about this issue. Another significant feature is that of the cam’s immense ability to capture good pictures even in dim light. Such a powerful lens is very vital for the success of a camcorder in the market, so the first thing anybody wants out of their camcorder is the picture delivery. The rest are, of course, only add-ons.

Shift the Range:
Canon has introduced the new feature, called the Super Pixel Shift, which helps you in altering the pixel range. You can get a wider dynamic range, especially for movies. It also reduces the vertical smear in order to give you a perfect pixel setting for the videos and hence giving you an excellent video output. The digital photos are also taken with a high resolution of 1.7 mega pixels. This is indeed a unique feature.

Image Stabilisation:
Image Stabilisation is a common but very important feature that reduces the effect of any shakes or movement of the images. It is one of the best technologies that have ever been evolved, when it comes to photography. It has completely transformed the state of photography. Many companies have used this technology to improve the performance of their cameras and to produce the best camcorders. In this case, it is a more advanced technology that is used, named as the Optical Image Stabilisation. With this special feature, the pictures and videos are captured with such great accuracy that even if the objects are fast moving or if the camcorder is a bit shaky, the objects are clear and crisp, without any trails or aberrations. Hence the images are perfectly stabilised.

Microphone:
The Canon XM2 has a very good built-in microphone that senses even minute sounds. There is also a very special mechanism built inside the microphone that makes it record speech sounds or voices with much more clarity than the other normal sounds. The background sounds and noise are also minimised to the maximum extent; giving you very clear and sharp sounds. There is a special addition called the Direction Accurate Microphone, that senses the direction from which the sound is recorded, and the reproduces it the same way and with the same effect and clarity.
There is an option for you to choose between three modes that match the recording conditions, namely normal, voice and windscreen. These options alter the microphone frequency accordingly to enable you optimum recording experience. The stereo ambience is very accurate and the sounds are recorded with good quality. Hence, the microphone will prove to be one of the pluses for Canon since not many camcorders in the market have such a good microphone with features that are as good as these.

Connectivity:
Connectivity is very vital as sharing the pictures and videos, with our friends and family, is as important as capturing them. The XM2 is equipt with a Digital Video (DV) terminal that is useful for non linear editing. To connect the XM2 to the PC, you need to simply use the USB cable. With this, you can synchronise your camcorder and then easily send videos and pictures to your PC and can be uploaded to the internet.

Performance:

The Canon XM2 Novice, Professional use Camcorder is backed by the latest technology available. As we have seen in the features, there is a lot of technology involved. Canon also tried to ameliorate the performance of the camcorder by making subtle changes in its hardware and mechanism. It has done so, in order to withstand the competition, especially from Sony.  So, expect the best performance from Canon.

The Canon DM XM2 has a few enhancements that ply an array of preferences and shooting situations. This enables the user either to choose the best of the options that suit the situation, or to set it to automatic and leave the option for the camcorder to choose for itself.

CCD Unit:
It has an extremely sensitive CCD unit that gets you 540 lines of horizontal resolution and this enhances the performance in dim light situations. CCD stands for Charge Coupled Device. There are 3 CCD units in total, each of ¼” size and 470K pixels. The CCD has an integrated internal sensor suchlike a photoelectric device, in view of producing the images that are being read by the lens, and thus allowing digital imaging process to give you an excellent image quality. This latest digital device technology gives you very clear and distinct images, which otherwise do not look that good. Normally, these CCDs are used in the fields of scientific, medical and professional applications, where there is no compromise of image quality.

Experience the Difference:
When it comes to Video recording, the Canon XM2 is inferior to none. There are two standard recording speeds, namely SP and LP. They help you set the pace of the video and the frame speed is changed when these options are toggled. There is this Image Stabiliser technology that brushes off the effects of blurring and trailing of the images. With this very new option, you are assured of excellent pictures and videos even if there is a relative motion between the camcorder and the objects. The recommended luminosity level is 100 Lux. But the cam works well efficiently even at low light conditions. Its minimum luminosity level is 3 Lux. So, even if the lighting is not up to the mark, the cam adjusts itself to the existing conditions to give you great pictures. You will definitely feel the difference when recording the videos in such conditions.

Memory Photography:
The camcorder has a built-in memory card slot for you. You need to buy an SD memory card only, since the cam is SD compatible. The camcorder is capable of taking digital still photography. When you insert a memory card, you will be provided with the option of Digital Still Shot. The memory still resolution of the cam is about 1.68 megapixels and the maximum memory still image resolution is 1488 x 1128. So, you will get pictures with high resolution and hence with high clarity. There is no MPEG movie mode. The memory cards are available in the market. You can buy the card that suits you the best.

Picture Adjustments:
This is one of the areas that have been modified and improved by Canon. The XM2 has more options in it to enhance the performance, when compared to the XM1. Mainly, the colour phase adjustments and colour gain adjustments have been improved a lot. These options can alter the properties of colour of the images. You are allowed to choose the colour settings yourself or you can set it to automatic. The manual adjustment facility in this camcorder is a great plus to it. Many camcorders are by default, set to automatic so that the cam chooses the colour settings itself according to the outside conditions. But in many cases, you want to select the settings of your choice. This is possible with the Canon XM2. Also, after you set the options yourself, you can save the settings as custom, just as in the case of a computer. These settings will be saved in the memory and they can be reloaded again whenever needed.

The Slow Shutter Speed feature helps you to set the XM2 to lower shutter speeds up to one sixths of a second. The Gain Control has also been upgraded so that now you can increase the gain to a maximum of 18 dB. The Frame Movie Mode option gives you a progressive shooting performance, at 25 frames per second. So you experience a movie like experience as the pictures blend with one another very smoothly, faster than the persistence of vision of the eye. The video footage also comes at 1/50 slower shutter speed, hence giving you a footage that is almost equal in quality to the HD movies. The 16:9 Guide is a feature that allows you to take accurate 16:9 pictures and then guides you in cropping them.

These picture adjustments make the Canon XM2 behave according to your tastes and desires. The customisation option is definitely going to attract many customers.

Amplified Audio Performance:
This is also one of the areas that Canon focussed on. A good quality video should always be complemented by good audio performance. Otherwise, the video would not look that effective. As we have already seen under Microphones, the sound signals are very efficiently captured by the microphones. Also, the audio is reproduced in stereo mode, while playing the recorded videos. The high definition audio performance is formidable and is almost of studio quality. In addition to this, you can manually control the audio level to a two channel audio, where the input levels can be set with the help of a special dial. Also, the left / right level can be adjusted for the two channels. There is an Audio level meter that has a left and right independent peak holder of 24 segments. This, along with the Audio level meter, is displayed on the LCD and the EVF.

The performance of the 12/16 Bit PCM Digital Stereo Audio is certainly a plus to the XM2. The MA – 300 type microphone adapter gives you the simultaneous recording of two independent channels from both the microphones with XLR connection. There is also the BNC Picture Out Terminal that receives and sends signals in the form of digital signals and hence increases the sound clarity.

These are precisely the performance details of the Canon XM2. In short, there is certainly an improvement in the performance of Canon’s camcorders. Particularly, when you compare the XM2 with its precursor, the Canon XM1, you will find that there is an increase in the number of enhancement options and few of the XM1’s features are modified and renovated.

Battery:

The battery is proprietary Lithium type and it has a life time of about one hour for video shooting and a little more for photo capturing. Since the Video quality is high, it consumes a lot of power. With so many features and enhancements discussed above, the battery life certainly decreases. Since the battery life is low, it is always advisable that you must at least have another spare battery that is fully charged, so that you can replace the older one when it is over.

Warranty and Service:

Canon offers its camcorder parts and labour warranty for a period of one year from the date of purchase and the company also has a central and multilingual helpdesk in Europe. There are toll free numbers for you to call the Canon helpdesk whenever you have a doubt or a problem regarding the functioning of the camcorder. The helpdesk gives you expert advice so that small problems can easily be solved by yourself without any delay. But if the experts find that the problem is not a small one and it needs attention, they will send a technician within a few days and the problem will be rectified.

Verdict:

The Canon XM2 is one of the most impressive camcorders in the market. It looks like a television camera, but is certainly very useful for home and outside shooting. It is so easy to use that even novice users get adapted to it easily. The new unique features and enhancement facilities, combined with excellent performance, make it a most wanted camcorder. It is also very durable, unlike many others which may malfunction over a period of use. But, the cost is very high for less frequent usage such as shooting at home. It is more suitable for students of photography and also for professional photographers, who regularly use it. So, novice users may first opt for smaller and cheaper camcorders, get used to photography, and then go for camcorders as good as this one.  An important advice is that it is better if you get this cam insured since it is very pricey and a small damage may cost you quite a lot especially when the warranty period is over.

Check other Canon Camcorder Reviews, Specs in this website.

Canon DM-XM2 Digital Camcorder – Technical Specification Details

Manufacturer	Canon
Model Name	Canon DM-XM2
Camcorder type	Mini DV Camcorder
DIMENSIONS AND DISPLAY
Dimensions (W x H x D)	11.8 x 13.6 x 30.6 cm
Weight	300 gm
Display	2.5” LCD Screen
Display Pixels	200,000
Multi image screen	No
Viewfinder screen size	0.44″
Viewfinder pixels	180000 colour
VIDEO FEATURES
Formats Supported	Standard Definition
Still image resolution	1.7 mega pixels
Compression of still image	JPEG
Image Size	1488 x 1128
Maximum Luminosity	100 Lux
Minimum Luminosity	3 Lux
AUDIO FEATURES
Audio System	Stereo
Built in Microphone	Stereo, zoom microphone
Specific features	Built in Speaker
CAMERA FEATURES
CCD Type	3 x 1 / 4? 3CCD pixel shift
Camera Range	35 mm
Filter Diameter	58 mm
CCD Quality	470,000x 3 / (1.7M Still)
Effective pixels	440,000 x 3
Filter diameter	58 mm
Memory Still Resolution	1.68 megapixels
CCD Filter	RGB independent primary colour
Specific features	Image Stabilisation, Pixel Shift, Shooting Modes, 2 Channel Audio Control
LENS AND ZOOM
Lens	L-Series fluorite
F	1.6
Focus Range	4.2 mm to 84 mm
Zoom Ratio (Optical)	20x
Zoom Ratio (Digital)	100x
Maximum aperture	f/1.6
Minimum focusing distance	10mm
Image Stabilizer	optical
PORTS AND CONNECTIVITY	Audio Output, Digital Video Output, S-Video Output, USB Output
Battery Life	One Hour
Warranty	One year

Panasonic is a very well reputed manufacturer of electronic appliances. It has been competing very hard with its counterparts in producing good quality goods over the years. One of the finest products from Panasonic has been their range of camcorders. A lot of revolutions have been taking place over the years in the production and the quality of the camcorders. And there have been a lot of miniaturisation has taken place even in the case of the camcorders. In order to keep with the developments in technology and also with a view to provide latest of technologies to the people, Panasonic has released a new cute looking camcorder, the Panasonic SDR-S15. Although there are many camcorders in the market, none of them is as cute as this one.

Design:

Built and Display:
The Panasonic SDR-S15 SD Camcorder looks as if it is a plaything. It is very cute and small in size, very comfortable to carry and to hold in the hands. Its dimensions are (W x H x D) 43 x 59 102 mm and it weighs just about 165 grams. So, by any standards, this is a very comfortable camcorder that is available out there. It is very easy to hold too, if you close your hands around it to make a fist, the camcorder itself would almost disappear. It feels a little bit plastic-y, but not so much as to upset you. Less noteworthy is the fact that the S15 is available in reddish brown, black, silver and pink.

The flip-out screen is nice and all the main control options are positioned at a comfortable place for operation with your thumb and fingers, so you do not need to reach out for those buttons with the second hand.

The SDR S15 Flash memory Camcorder has a very generous 2.7 inch wide LCD display with 123,200 pixels, gives you a very good picture of the images and the videos beforehand and during operation. But, there is no viewfinder to help you compose your shots. This means you have to rely on the LCD monitor, which can be difficult to see in bright sunlight.

Connectivity:
There is an interface for the AV out and another one for the USB 2.0 Hi-speed. These can be very useful when playing of the videos and pictures is needed. With these interfaces, the camcorder can be connected to a TV or a PC, to play and store videos and pictures. The SDR-S15 falls down in only offering standard-definition MPEG2 video capture and having a USB cable socket instead of an arm that plugs directly into a Mac. However, this pocket camcorder features a few neat image-enhancing tricks that the others do not.

Memory card slot:
With no internal memory to fall back on, there are optional yet essential SD/SDHC card slots in the camcorder’s base that provides you internal memory to store all the media. These cards may vary in their capacity and they can always be upgraded. You can also have a new card for your camcorder, but that should be an SD card too. This memory card compartment is shared with a rechargeable lithium ion battery, and there is a screw thread just in front for mounting the device on a tripod.

Features:
When it comes to the features, it is not a toy though. Everything works in perfect order and just considering the fact what it costs, there are some surprisingly very advanced features packed in it as well.

Intelligent Auto Mode:
There are lots of features to talk about when it comes to the Panasonic SDR. The best of them is the Intelligent Auto Mode, with which you can shoot amazing videos. This feature is a mix bag of several important functions that enhance the picture quality and automatically switch on the options that make your videos look better. One of such is the Face Detector, which automatically detects the faces of the people in the scene and hence adjusts the exposure settings in view of scanning the faces of people more effectively. Another one is the Intelligent Screen Selector option that, when switched on, automatically adjusts the shooting conditions and also accordingly selects the scene settings. The On- Screen display comes out in many languages such as English, French, German, Polish, Spanish, Italian, Turkish and Swedish.

YouTube Uploader:
Another interesting feature is that of the YouTube Uploader. With this option, uploading of your videos on to YouTube becomes a lot easier. For this, you are required to only set the camera up to the Web mode, and then the cam records the videos and then converts automatically the videos into formats that are compatible with that of YouTube. This enables faster uploading and then sharing them with your dear and not necessarily near ones. The SDR-S15 ultra compact size camcorder has a feature that eases the process of copying recordings from either of a memory card and a hard disk drive to a DVD. By simply connecting the camcorder to a DVD burner and then pressing the burn button, you can burn the DVD out of an external memory device. This DVD can in turn be played on any DVD player.

Quick start option:
There is also a Quick start option that allows your cam to start the recording in just 0.6 seconds after opening the LCD screen. This is a near instantaneous start up and along with this, you are also allowed to have a shot composition and review. This is by far, the fastest. The PictBridge software is the one that allows easy copying of the pictures and printing them easily by directly connecting to a printer. It is also very fast in recording on to a DVD, within 2 seconds. You get all this in pretty good MPEG2 quality.

There is a built-in LED Video Light to compensate for any dullness in the light conditions. These features are indeed very useful and they add to the value of the camcorder.

Performance:

This is the most important area of any camcorder. The Panasonic SDR is a decent performer and the extra features and options on offer only enhance the same. With the stereo audio recording and zoom microphone features, it contributes to a much better audio performance than most of the cameras that you would get in this price category. And with the aid of the very effective electronic image stabiliser, you will be able to achieve reasonably steady shots all the way through its 10x optical range; about which we have discussed below. The latter is a yet another very grown-up feature they you do not get to see in cameras that are this cheap.

Zoom:
The camera is a pretty good one. The Panasonic lens is good and has up to 10x zoom. Also, there is an option for digital zoom, with which you can zoom up to 25x and then the Super Digital Zoom option zooms the pictures up to 700x. But this also effectively reduces the image quality significantly.

Lens:
The camera‘s focal length lies between 2.3 and 23.0 mm. The F value of the lens is about 1.8 for WIDE and 2.4 for TELE. With this camera, you can also capture 35mm films. There is a 35mm film camera equivalent with the specifications as 44.4-444 mm for motion images and about 43.4-434 mm for still images. It has an automatic focus option but you can always change it manually. The iris can also be set to automatic or it can be adjusted manually. The Electric Image Stabiliser can give you better pictures by stabilising the objects seen through the lens. The camera has a shutter, whose speed is about 1/25.

Lighting:
The camera has a standard illumination of 1440 lx. But the minimum illumination is about 6 lx for low light conditions and 2 lx for colour night view mode. White balance option is also available. With this you can change the colour balance of the images. This option is, by default, set as automatic but it can always be altered manually, if needed. There is also Backlight compensation facility that compensates the poor light conditions, and hence ensuring that the quality of the image is not damaged.

Imaging and Recording:
The camera is designed to capture images in JPEG format. The size of the image is about 0.30 megapixels (640 x 480). About 999 images can be stored in it. As discussed above, the PictBridge helps in printing these images easily. Talking about the recording section, motion pictures are recorded in MPEG2 format. The audio is recorded in MPEG1 AudioLayer 2 format. The recording modes are XP (10 Mbps), SP (5 Mbps), LP (2.5 Mbps). There are two types of microphones, the Stereo mic and the Zoom mic and the speakers are dynamic in type. There is an indication for the Media remaining in the memory.

Video Quality:
Dipping into the Panasonic SDR-S15’s basic on-screen menu options reveals five pre-optimised scene modes covering common subjects including sports and portraiture. However, it is very disappointing that the video quality of the camcorder is sadly lacking. While the camcorder shoots at 704 x 576 pixels resolution at 50 fields per second, which turns out to be 25fps once you see it onscreen, it is hardly surprising to find that the details captured lags behind 720p cameras, such as the Flip Mino HD and also the 1080p cameras like the Toshiba Camileo S10.

We had our test done with the Panasonic SDR S15 Camcorder with MPEG2 Recording both indoors and outdoors. We did our tests outside on a cloudy day and the indoor lighting were 100% artificial. The end result was dull and bereft of life. The focus seemed to be extremely soft and though the colour noise was not much of an issue in low light, there was noticeable distortion where straight edges looked bent and the chromatic aberrations in the form of purple fringing were rife.

Power Consumption:

The battery is Lithium-polymer type. The Panasonic SDR-S15 Mini HD Camcorder needs a supply of 5.0 V (for AC) and 3.6 V (for DC). On an average it consumes about 2.9 W of power for full charging.

Warranty:

Panasonic offers a warranty period of one year from the date of purchase.

Verdict:

The Panasonic SDR-S15 is a good camcorder to have. It is better than many when it comes to the design. It really is small and extremely portable. It has a lot of advanced features, which were discussed earlier. The performance is good, but not as good as the camcorders from the other brands. Particularly as the cost is a bit low, it is common that not a mind blowing performance is expected from it. This is the only minus in the video quality. Features wise, it is excellent. So, due to its performance issues, it is not suitable for the professional shooters or photographers. It may serve as a good one for the novice users. Overall, it is a very handy camcorder, if you are not a professional.

Check other SD Camcorder Reviews, Models in this website.

Panasonic SDR-S15 Digital Video Camcorder – Specification Details

Manufacturer	Panasonic
Model Name	SDR-S15 SD Camcorder
Model Number	S15
Camcorder type	Mini, HD Camcorder
Dimensions (W x D x H)	43 x 59 102 mm
Weight	165 grams
Colours	Reddish brown (SDR-S15EB-T), black (SDR-S15EB-K), silver and pink (SDR-S15EB-P)
Monitor	2.7-inch TFT LCD
Video Resolution	640 x 480
Still Picture Resolution	640 x 480
Image Sensor	1/6″ CCD
Lens (focusing)	Optical auto focus
Zoom	Yes. Up to 25x
Exposure control	Auto
White balance	Auto, Sunny, Cloudy, Fluorescent, Tungsten
Motion Detection	Yes
Shutter type	Electronic
Frame rate	30 fps
Flash light control	Flash for still picture (Auto/On/Off) LED light for video recording (Auto/On/Off)
Video compression format	AVI
Audio input	Microphone
AV out/earphone phone jack	HDTV component-out and normal AV out + earphone-out
Speaker	Yes (stereo)
Digital voice recorder	Yes
MP3 player	No
TV playback	Yes
Self timer	10 sec delay
Auto power off	No
PC interface	Mini USB
Power adaptor	Mini USB
Accessories	AC Adaptor, AC Cable, DC Cable, Rechargeable battery pack, AV cable, USB Cable and VideoCam Suite V2.0 software
Battery	Li-ion rechargeable battery
Warranty	One Year

Toshiba Camileo S10 1080p High Definition Camcorder

Toshiba announced the release of its new high definition Camcorder into the market, the Camileo S10, which is a pocket-sized and a swank Camcorder. It looks just like any modern mobile phone and finally, Toshiba has kept its promise of releasing a mini cam. To compete with its counterparts, Toshiba has slenderised its new cam to a great extent but at the same time, amplified its features, making it a camcorder worth-buying.|

A Renovated Design:

A lot of renovations have been taking place in the design and performance of camcorders, especially from Toshiba. When all the other companies have tried their best in releasing high-definition cams with a maximum of 720p, Toshiba has unleashed its whopping 1080p HD cam, menacing the other brands in the market. The new Camileo S10 Pocket Camcorder looks very stylish when compared to its precursors from Toshiba. It is just about 17.9 mm thick, with its full dimensions as (W x H x D) 57 x 100 x 17.9 mm and is implausibly light in weight, weighing just 87 grams. Its 2.5-inch LCD screen is another asset, and added to that, you can rotate the screen at any angle on its axis, making it very comfortable for filming purposes. The 2.5 inch LCD Screen in Camileo S10 Camcorder is also a comfortable enough one to look at, before filming.

This particular design is very useful when you wish to film yourself. Many companies, at present, do not have this feature and this already resulted in the dissatisfaction of the customers. So, this time, in this area, Toshiba took a lot of care in producing such a design. The overall design is not as alluring as expected, since it is not garnished with shiny and vibrant metallic colours, but its dimensions make it look so smart. As it is easy to handle and simple to use; the novice users will not have any trouble using it.

The Camileo S10 HD Camcorder comes with a Wrist Strap that helps the cam to cling on to your wrist, while capturing a picture or a video. So the chances of the cam slipping from your hand are slim and it adds good value for the money paid.

Features:

Lens:
The Camileo S10 features a 5MP CMOS camera which gives a crystal clear image with no blurs. The camera’s auto focus is also very quick and it detects the faces of people better than any other cam. The Camileo boasts a very detailed HD pictures with superior quality. The CMOS sensor also gives a picture that is so vivid in appearance.

Focus and Resolution:
Toshiba Camileo S10 1080p HD SD Camcorder has a fixed focus lens that helps you fix the object and hence, increases the quality of the image. The Focus ranges from 20 cm to infinity, giving you such a wide range of focus. The still picture resolution of 3200 x 2400 gives a fantastic image quality. The variable focus range of the cam enhances its capturing power a lot, making the lens work more naturally. Just as a human eye, the lens can focus itself on objects at different distances and can give you very sharp and distinct images. Also, the combination 1080p and 30 fps of movie resolution can produce high-definition videos, giving an impression of HD movies.

Zoom:
The 4x digital zoom is also another feature that helps you a lot, even though it gives a bit low quality output for videos.

Memory:
With the help of a SDHC card of 32GB capacity, one can get high quality video recording for more than an hour. It also allows you to store all the pictures and videos into a memory card. The built-in 128 MB NAND Flash Memory, which has a usable memory of around 96 MB, is an extra feature which allows you to store more pictures and videos than normal.

Capacity:
With the Camileo S10 Compact Video Camcorder, you can store up to 327 photos of 8MP, 446 photos of 5MP, and 817 photos of 3MP with a 1 GB SD card. You can as well store up to 15 min of video of 1080 p, 30 min of video of 720 p, 1 hr of VGA and 4 hrs of QVGA types of video. If you wish to have more picture storage, you can always integrate your SD card further.

Picture options:
The NightShot option can be used at nights or during dim light conditions, for better picture quality. It is supported by a Backlight, which has an LED that emits light to give better effects. But, this is not considered as the best of Backlights available, especially during bad light conditions. The pictures or the videos can be captured either in the classic colour format, in black and white format or in the negative format. The cam has a Self-Timer for approximately 10 seconds. The ‘+/- 1 EV’ exposure is also an additional feature. Hence, with the Camileo S10, there are always multiple options for you to choose.

Enhancement Features:
Video stabilisation also minimises the blur effects caused due to moving objects. The scene support helps you choose the right scenario in which the pictures are taken and then make the photos or videos apposite to the scene. The skin tone option allows you to set the skin tone of the persons in the photo. You can also set it to Auto mode and the cam sets itself up for the right skin tone. To store in your personal computer the pictures or videos you have taken, you need to install the software that supports this function, using the CD that is given inside the box.

Software Bundle:
The most important and attractive feature in Toshiba Camileo S10 4x digital zoom Camcorder is the Easy YouTube upload feature, which can be done with the help of ‘arcsoftware’, which is an unforeseen addition. With this software, you can immediately upload and share your pictures and videos onto YouTube easily. Here, the Camileo S10 scores over its competitors. You can also upload them to YouTube from your computer as there is a USB cable which helps you to connect to any computer easily.

HDMI Connectivity:
The HDMI cable connects to a HD TV, and a video cable to any video player, for playing your pictures and videos on the screen.

Performance:

Coming to the performance, the Camileo S10 is a very user friendly cam and it does not trouble the users often. The performance is excellent in the daylight. But at night, the quality of the picture or video decreases considerably and even if there is a backlight, the camera is not that effective in dim light scenarios. Many people have already commented on this stating that the results are not as good as expected, when it comes to indoor shooting. The zoom function degrades the quality of the image or video, particularly at night.

System requirements:

The system requirements are, your computer must have an operating system of Microsoft Windows 2000/XP/Vista. The CPU must be of Intel Pentium III or above, with at least 256 MB of RAM and 700 MB of hard disk space. The synchronisation can be done only by using the USB port.

Package contents:

The box contains the Camileo S10 High Definition Camcorder itself, USB Cable, Video Cable, HDMI Cable, Power Adapter, Warranty Leaflet, Quick Start Guide, CD, Wrist Strap, Pouch, Tripod and a Cleaning Cloth.

Battery:

The NP60 Lithium ion rechargeable battery can support uninterrupted video capture for about 100-120 minutes, which is very much considerable. The cam also has a power saving mode for about 3 minutes. A Power Adapter is given along with the cam and it gets fully charged in just a few minutes.
Also, the battery is irremovable, which makes it very difficult for people who constantly travel and if the existing battery is over, they need to wait till it gets recharged again and if the circumstances do not allow the charging of the battery, then they are in trouble. So, the absence of a removable battery is certainly a big minus.

Warranty:

The Company offers the customers a warranty for a period of 2 years. One can extend the warranty online by visiting the Toshiba website. It also offers a complete money back offer within 7 days from the date of purchase, if the customer is not satisfied with the product.

Verdict:

The Camileo S10 PX1506K-1CAM camcorder gives you a good value for your money. The new style, improved picture quality and a good collection of features are the highlights of the device. It has a high picture resolution and its rotatable screen also make it very pertinent to its cost. The screen is big enough and the 5MP camera is a very common feature nowadays. Its battery life is good. Though there are a few concerns over the performance of the camcorder, the device has a quality that is good enough for casual shooting. The battery being irremovable which is certainly not a good news, especially when you are taking it out for a holiday.

Regarding warranty, it is appreciable to have a warranty period of 2 years and many companies do not dare to challenge the customers for a complete money back offer. So, it shows that the cam is durable. Also, the Toshiba Camileo S10 is certified with FCC, CE, RoHS, GOST, SABS and SASO. But above all, the price is reasonable when compared to the other cams. Overall, the Toshiba Camileo S10 Camcorder is a good tool to have, both to the novice users particularly for outdoor shooting. But for the professional photographers, Sony Handycam will be the brand to look for.

Check other Toshiba Camcorder Reviews, Specifications in this website.

Toshiba Camileo S10 Pocket Size Camcorder – Technical Specification Table

Manufacturer	Toshiba
Model Name	Camileo S10 HD Camcorder
Model Number	PX1506K-1CAM
Camcorder type	Mini, HD Camcorder
Dimensions (W x D x H)	70 x 33 x 113 mm
Weight	177g
Colour/Finish	Black
Monitor	2.5-inch TFT LCD
Video Resolution	1400 x 1080p
Still Picture Resolution	Low: 2048×1536 Standard: 2592×1944 High: 3200×2400
Image Sensor	5 megapixel CMOS (2592×1944)
Lens (focusing)	Optical auto focus zoom
Zoom	3x optical zoom
Focal length	Capture 5cm close-up image
Aperture	f=6.8 – 34mm; F3.5 -3.7
Exposure control	Auto
White balance	Auto, Sunny, Cloudy, Fluorescent, Tungsten
Sensor resolution	5 megapixel
Motion detection	Yes
Red Eye Reduction	Yes
Shutter type	Electronic
Frame rate	30 fps
Flash light control	Flash for still picture (Auto/On/Off) LED light for video recording (Auto/On/Off)
Video compression format	H.264/MPEG4 AVC, JPEG, WAV
Image File format	JPEG
Video File Format	AVI
Memory	128MB built-in memory expandable up to 32GB with SD card
Continuous recording time	120 minutes in high definition
Audio input	Microphone
AV out/earphone phone jack	HDTV component-out and normal AV out + earphone-out
Speaker	Yes (mono)
Digital voice recorder	Yes
MP3 player	No
TV playback	Yes
Self timer	10 sec delay
Auto power off	3 minutes
PC interface	Mini USB
Power adaptor	Mini USB
Tripod stand	No
Features	Digital Video Camcorder and Still Camera Digital Voice Recorder Mass Storage Device 3x Optical & 4x Digital Zoom H264 video format 5 mega pixel CMOS sensor Night Mode
Battery	Li-ion rechargeable battery
Warranty	Two years

The most visible trends in camcorders this season, is the sudden spurt of adoption of smart features of digital photo cameras into video camcorders.  The new cameras are trying to attain higher levels with features like automatic scene selection and face recognition. The Video cameras are not far behind. They now have full HD Video, Longer optical zoom and higher resolution stills.  Another noticeable trend is the success of the HDD and flash drive formats. Camcorders now are smaller than ever and store large amounts of HD video without worrying about space.

The 2009 Line of Panasonic Camcorders includes the standard definition lineup with three new solid state memory camcorders: the Panasonic SDR-S15, the Panasonic SDR-S26, and the Panasonic SDR-SW21. The key features of the range include cheap prices and compact colourful designs and use flash storage cards. The SDR-S26 is Panasonic’s top of the line standard definition flash memory camcorder. It features the improved iA Technology, the Advanced Optical Image Stabilization and the 70x Optical Zoom, which is branded as the USP of this camcorder.

Design:

The Exteriors:
The first thing that you notice about the Panasonic SDR-S26 is its compact design. Being small, you can get a steady footage most of the time with ease. The Camcorder is available in 4 attractive colours: Red, Black, Chrome and Blue. However, its sibling the Panasonic SDR-SW20 is visually more appealing due to its dual tone colour scheme. The textured LCD exterior is no more available.  From the aesthetic point of view, Panasonic seemed to have placed the older camcorders’ soul in a newer body. External design happens to be the most drastic change in the camcorder, without tinkering much with the inner working.

The battery of the SDR-S26 SD camcorder is tucked inside the camcorder’s body, giving it a much classier appearance than many of its “booty” battery siblings (Panasonic SDR H80K, Panasonic HDC SD20 K and Panasonic HDC SX5).

Dimensions and Display:
The (H x W x D) 107 x 56 x 65 mm camcorder is not as compact as its predecessor the Panasonic SDR S7, but it still would slip comfortably into a bag or pocket.  It weighs about 235 grams, so it would not weigh you down.

The 2.7 inch touch display with a 180 degree swing makes following all the action a lot easier. The cam is solid and sturdy, so you can let your kids play around without any worries.

Buttons and Navigation in SDR-S26:
The SDR-S26 uses the traditional joystick interface, located outside the LCD cavity. It is responsive and easy to use. However, one needs to use both hands to make menu adjustments. The buttons could have been slightly bigger as selecting controls is laborious. There is also a button provided for accessing various features through the menu. On the left of the LCD frame are the main menu button and the joystick. The joystick enables you to navigate and make menu selections.  A video light is present right under the lens, in front of the camera.

Connectivity-Interface:
A USB 2.0 Socket is provided for the handy-cam.  One disappointing fact about the S26 is the lack of HD.

Protection:
Regarding Shock protection, the SDR S26 resisted a couple of smashes on a concrete sidewalk. You will be able to shoot without any problem. However, any harm caused to your camcorder while testing its strength is not covered under warranty.

User Interface:
Under the menu, the focus option contains the Auto and the Manual sub-options. The Auto Focus option enables the cam to focus as per the need of the situation and provide optimal focus. The Manual option allows the user to set focus as per the need. The White Balance option has the Auto, Indoor, Outdoor and the White set sub-options.  The Indoor filing of most videos is grainy. To reduce graininess, put the balance on the indoor mode.  The Iris option has the Auto and Manual Sub-options.

Features:

The S26 is light weight and so compact that it can fit in your coat pocket. It has features like the Optical Image Stabilizer and the monstrous 70x Zoom. The SDHC format makes it very easy to transfer files. The Webmode helps you to upload your videos on YouTube-a popular video sharing site. We will discuss each of these features in detail below.

Memory:
The Panasonic SDR S26 Flash Memory Camcorder captures movies and stills to SD and SDHC in MPEG2 and JPEG Formats. The advantage of the SDHC format is the ease of which transfer of files can be done. It offers the “Mass Storage “support, which means that you can see all your files by connecting your camcorder with a USB to your PC. Though Storage capacity of the gadget depends on the card, about 50 minutes of video can be crammed into a 4GB SD card. By standards, that is of a reasonable value.  Use a 32 GB Card and in LP Mode, you could record up to 26 hours non-stop. The SDR-S26 allows you to use SD/SDHC format cards ranging from 128MB to 32GB. The usage of SD card is also a contributing factor for its compact size.

The Zoom and Image Stabilizer:
Perhaps, the USP of the camcorder is it’s 70x zoom. While most camcorders fumble reaching 10x magnification, the SDR-S26 Compact Video Camcorder manages to provide clear dynamic images of distant subjects in still images with the help of the Advanced Optical Image Stabilizer.It eliminates the slightest effect of handshakes to provide crystal quality stills and videos.  However, a tripod would be necessary to make the best use of it. The Focal Length of the lens can be adjusted from 1.5 to 105 mm.

Intelligent functions:
The iA function of the SDR-S26 detects shooting conditions and selects the most ideal shooting mode automatically. The Advanced Optical Image Stabilizer eliminates blurring due to weak hand grip.

The Intelligent Scene Selector determines the shooting conditions and selects a suitable “Scene” Mode that it assumes will provide optimal results. It also has Face Detection which adjusts exposure to capture all the faces perfectly.

Easy YouTube uploading:
One more attractive feature of the SDR-S26 is the “Easy YouTube Uploading” Function. It allows you to upload your videos to the YouTube website for sharing them with the world.

In order to do that, Install the VideoCam suite (included with the camcorder) and connect the camcorder to the PC using the USB. Follow the specified procedure mentioned in the window to upload your videos. To be able to upload those videos on the site, they should be recorded using webmode. The maximum length of a video that one can upload is 10 minutes.

Quick Start:
If you suddenly spot something and want to record it, just turn on the cam; recording can begin in just 0.8 seconds. This ensures that the sudden memorable and exciting shooting opportunities are not missed.
Easy video copying to DVD:

If you want to transfer your videos to a DVD, simply connect the camcorder to the VW-BN1 DVD burner using the USB Cable, your recordings can be copied to a DVD disc (DVD RAM/-RW/-R/-R DL). Playback should not be a worry as it can be played on the DVD Players.

Performance:

Resolution and Audio Quality:
Most movies on the S26 offer a decent detail and a fair accurate pallet of colours and the audio is clear. Its low resolution makes it handy for uploading videos to the internet. In the Web Mode file sizes are kept down. However, in the Top Quality mode, the footage is not great and you get mosaic effects while shooting moving objects. The VGA stills are murkier than a mobile phone.  It is a common feature amongst camcorders like the S26. The shoddy low light performance can annoy one especially if you are watching clips that keep going in and out of focus.  The Recording format of the Videos is .MPEG2 and for the images it is .JPEG format. The Maximum Images it would store is around 999 pictures. The Still pictures would be of 0.3 Megapixel category [(680x480) in case of 4:3 aspect ratio)] and 0.23 Megapixels [(640x480) in case of 16:9 aspect ratio)]. The Audio Recording system is Dolby Digital (2ch) and the speaker is Dynamic.

Great Video in Sunlight, Poor Otherwise:
All you need to do to use the still cam and the camcorder is to point and shoot.  In Bright conditions or outdoors, the clarity of the cam is excellent. However, darker are the surroundings, grainier the quality of the video. In Low light, the video quality is horribly poor. The stills taken are of very low resolution. Like camcorders of its size, it lacks HD quality. However, the saving grace is the 70x Optical zooming, which allows you to zoom on objects as far as 200m away with ease.

Very Simple Shifting Among the Modes:
On switching on the camcorder, the screen shows the recording mode and by pressing the menu button, you can alter the settings/scene/mode. You could choose the Webmode for uploading videos on the net. Unlike most of its competitors, it has a reasonably simple interface and it is easy to shift from one mode to another.

What about the rivals?

The Canon FS 100, another SD Cam, is in the same league as the Panasonic SD 26. The 37X Zoom of the FS 100 is dwarfed by the 70x Zoom of the FS26 and the latter’s Advanced Optical Image stabilizer makes it a winner. However, the FS100 has a resolution of 1.7 MP, much higher than the S26 which can only conjure 640X400 snaps.

The Sony Handycam DCR SR67, released around the same time as the S26, is another serious competitor. It has HDD and 80GB Internal Storage, which beats the S26 flat.  However, the zoom ratio is 1:60 and it uses more power and is more prone to physical damage. Also the Memory Stick PRO Duo is more expensive and less versatile compared to the popular SDHC option.
The features such as Face Detection, Colour Night View and the Pre-recording mode make it more productive.  The Pre-recording feature, when activated keeps a buffer of 3 seconds in video, so that you would not miss the vital frames.

Battery life:

The Panasonic SDR-S26 runs on a Lithium Ion Rechargeable battery (940 mAh). A full battery at optimal usage might last around 40 minutes. If you want to record something longer than that, connect the camcorder to a power source using the adapter.

Accessories:

Along with the camcorder, an AC Adaptor, an AC Cable, DC Cable, an AV Cable, a USB Cable and a set of Rechargeable batteries are provided. The Software Video Cam Suite 2.0 is also provided with it.

Warranty:

Panasonic offers its SDR-S26 a warranty period of up to 1 year for maintenance and service.

Verdict:

The Panasonic SDR-S26 is highly impressive in sunlight or well lit places. However, the video quality is not that great in dimmer conditions.  It is an entry level camcorder that lacks scene modes and other menu options. It does not have HD Recording facility either.  Panasonic has models which are more superior to the SDR-S26. However, considering the price tag and the features you get with such as the Advanced Optical Image Stabilisation, Intelligent Auto function and the 70x Zoom, this compact camcorder is well priced.  If you are looking for a mini movie maker without bothering about the quality of the video, then this is a great deal.

Check 2010 Best Camcorders, other Panasonic Camcorder Reviews, Specs in this website.

Panasonic SDR-S26 SD Camcorder – Technical Specifications, Features

Manufacturer	Panasonic
Model Name	Panasonic SDR-S26
Camcorder Type	SD Camcorder
Dimensions (W x D x H)	57 x 17.9 x 100 mm
Colours available	Red, Black, Chrome and Blue
Weight	235 grams
Display type	Widescreen LCD
Display Size	2.7 inch
Display Form Factor	Swivel
Built-in lens shield	No
Digital Video Format	.MPEG2
Still Image Format	.JPEG
Image Stabilizer	Advanced Optical Image Stabilization
Shooting Modes	Digital photo mode and Video mode
Exposure Modes	Manual and Automatic
Widescreen Video Capture	Yes
Supported Flash Memory	SD Memory Card
Flash Memory	Internal 128MB (SD card slot up to 32GB)
Total Pixels	0.8 Megapixels
F Value	F1.9 (wide) / 5.7(tele)
Maximum Focal Length	105mm / 23mm
Lens Aperture	F/1.8-2.4/F/1.9-5.7
Lens system type	Zoom lens
Minimum Focal length	1.5mm/2.3mm
Recording Mode	XP [10Mbps/VBR], [704 x 480] SP [5Mbps/VBR], [704 x 480] LP [2.5Mbps/VBR], [704 x 480]
Playback Mode	XP [10Mbps/VBR], [704 x 480] SP [5Mbps/VBR], [704 x 480] LP [2.5Mbps/VBR], [704 x 480]
Audio Output	Yes
Speaker	Dynamic type
Audio Recording Format	Dolby Digital [2ch], MPEG1 Audio Layer 2
Still Picture Recording	Yes; 0.2 M [640 x 360] [16:9], 0.3 M [640 x 480] [4:3]
Minimum Illumination	6 Lux (1/30 Low Light Mode), 2 Lux (Magic Pix)
35mm Film Camera Equivalent	45.6-3194mm [4:3], 37.3-2610mm [16:9] [Motion Image] 45.4-3180mm[4:3], 37.0-2592mm [16:9] [Still Image]
DPOF	Max. 999 stills
PictBridge Compatible	Yes
Image Sensor (Effective)	0.38 megapixels [16:9], 0.29 megapixels [4:3] [Motion Image] 0.38 megapixels [16:9], 0.29 megapixels [4:3] [Still Image]
Audio	Built-in Microphone
Low Lux / Night Mode	Yes
Digital Still Camera Function	Yes
Built-in Light	Yes
Additional Features	Advanced Optical Image Stabilization, iA function, 70x Optical Zoom, Web mode and USB 2.0 Compatibility
Software	VideoCam Suite 2.0
Operating System Support	MS Windows XP, Apple Mac OS X, MS Windows 2000, MS Windows Vista
Connectivity	1x USB port and 1 SD Card
Carrying Case	Pouch
Cables Included	USB cable, AC Cable, DC Cable and AV Cable
Power Device	AC Power adapter – External
Power Supply	DC 3.6V/5.0V
Battery Type	Rechargeable Lithium Ion
Supported Battery	Kodak KLIC 7004
Warranty	1 year Limited warranty

DCRSR37ES – Digital Camcorder with Built-In 60GB HDD from Sony

The hard disk drive is a relatively new digital video recording media, but it is a one that is worth checking out. You can enjoy a lot of advantaged by opting for a camcorder with the media as HDD and this is because you can enjoy a lot of advantages. One of the major advantages of the camcorder is that, they have no extra costs that are associated with recording video and some of the other advantages include higher memory, easy viewing and simple editing. The following review is on one such camcorder using HDD media, the Sony DCRSR37ES Handycam.

Design:

Light and compact:
The Sony DCRSR37ES Handycam being an entry level model of the DCR SR series, still managed to pull up a very light, compact and stylish camcorder. It comes in quite attractive aluminium like silver and matte black finish, with the sliver part dominating the finishing. It has a 2.7″ hybrid LCD display which is touch-sensitive too. Being extremely compact, it is suitable for any kind of environment. The physical controls of the camcorder are of textbook design with the start and stop buttons being at the back and the zoom rocker up in the front of the shutter release for the snapshots in photo mode. The hand strap is comfortable, but we feel that it is a little low and since the HDD camcorders have become so light, there is barely a bump encasing it, making the camcorder’s body, mostly the lens.

Buttons and controls:
You will be able to find the battery jutting out from the back and just beneath it along with the Memory Stick Pro Duo card slot and the power input. In the front, just below the lens, there is the AV output that is hiding behind a small door. Once the touch screen display is flipped open, you will be able to find an array of buttons in the body cavity for power, on and off the display information, direct to DVD recording, changing over to the playback mode and an easy button that locks down the camcorder’s few advanced features. In addition to this, you will also find a button that automatically adjusts the exposure for the backlit subjects and an uncovered USB port.

Ease of use:
The ease of use is also very high in this Sony DCRSR37ES Hybrid Camcorder partly because of the touch screen based menu navigation and also partly because of its dearth of shooting options. This type of menu system will be very handy for consumers who do not like to make many changes to the standard settings. Though the system is very responsive, it can be very confusing for the novice users who are new to Sony handycam menu systems. Pressing over the menu gives you access to the context sensitive shooting options and to get into any other set of features, hit over the home button. One of the major issues that you would face with the menu system is that, you might not know which function rests where, however Sony has offered the manual with the menu tree, but for day to day shooting, looking at the menu each time will be not a pleasant task to do. With more practice, you will not have any of the above mentioned troubles with the menu system.

Features:

Not much option:
Since the camcorder had mainly designed for the sake of hassle free recording, the DCRSR37ES does not have a lot of shooting options. You are offered with some more scene options if you want to be specific and the same applies for white balance. Total control of the focus and exposure can be got by touching the spot on the screen you would like the camcorder to get its information from.

Incredible zoom and lens:
Sony has equipped DCRSR37ES with an incredible 60X zoom range. This extraordinary zoom range would get even the most distant objects fill in the frame. We were honestly dumbstruck to see such clear and amazing set of details and packed up close up shots. This is also aided by the handycam’s high quality Carl Zeiss Vario-Tessar lens. This lens is specially recommended by professional photographers for offering precise colour, excellent contrast and an unbelievably low distortion at any focal length.

Picture Motion Browser:
Managing all your clips can be very easy with the Picture Motion Browser that is included for free with your camcorder. With the help of this software, you will be sorting, searching and editing the clips just in seconds.

Mammoth Hard Disk Drive Capacity:
The selling point feature of the DCRSR37ES tape-less camcorder is that, it comes with a massive 60GB hard disk drive that can record upto 45 hours of high quality standard definition video. You also get to use the HYBRID recording on an optional memory stick.

Other common features:
Some of the other common features included in DCRSR37ES handycam too include SteadyShot Image Stabilisation, Face Index and Film roll index that allows you to make very quick and easy searches and also the One Touch Disc burn and easy backup via the USB2.0 high speed connection.

Performance:

Ready in an instant:
Being a low end camcorder, the DCRSR37ES puts up a great performance. The instant on feature gets the camcorder instantly ready and up for getting those special moments by just opening the LCD display. Though this is a very common feature, it is good to have it though. Though the autofocus is quite responsive, when the camcorder is zoomed out, the autofocus is left hunting for focus especially in the low light areas and conditions.

Video quality:
The overall video quality is soft. You will be able to get the ultimate sharp pictures in TeleMacro mode. You will be able to notice a lot of noise and digital artifacts until they are scaled down to smaller dimensions. The colours look bright and white balance is good too. Shooting in the low light areas, you will find that the video is of decent quality but then, there will be quite a lot of noise. Unfortunately, Sony’s  DCRSR37ES handycam did not manage to maintain its decent performance in the still shots shooting also, we recommend to use your camera phone for this handycam.

Clear audio:
The audio is quite clear with Sony’s super smart microphone. It eliminates the background noise and all the other off camera noises to the maximum when you are focussed on your subject.

Warranty:

Sony DCRSR37ES Handycam Camcorder with Built-In 60GB HDD comes with one year limited warranty for parts and labour.

Battery:

A fully charged battery of DCRSR37ES will give you about 11.5 hours of life. But if you are switching on and off continuously, this rate will reduce considerably. Since the stand-by battery drain is very low, you can always be ready to catch that special moment.

Verdict:

It is very true that you will be able to get a camcorder with better performance for a few more pounds, but the Sony DCRSR37ES HDD camcorder justifies its cost. The standard definition videos are also very less demanding to play and edit on an average system and they are very inexpensive ones too. In fact, with DCRSR37ES you are just trading off the quality of video for the sake of higher storage and 60x zoom. And on the positive side, it is light weight and easy to use. All that we are trying to say is that, when you are paying for Standard definition, you can expect only SD and not HD.

Some other popular handycam from sony are Sony Handycam DCR-SR290E,
Sony HDR-SR11E and Sony HDR-TG7VE.  You can read reviews and find specification details in this website.

Sony DCRSR37ES Digital Camcorder – Technical Specification Table

Manufacturer	Sony
Model Name	Sony Handycam DCRSR37ES
Camcorder type	Tapeless
Dimensions (W x H x D)	68 x 60 x 105mm
Weight	300 gm
Display	2.7″ Hybrid LCD Touch Screen
VIDEO FEATURES
Formats Supported	Standard Definition, MPEG2
Video Signal	NTSC color, EIA standards
STILL IMAGE FEATURES
Still image resolution	6.1 mega pixels
Compression of still image	JPEG
Recording Media	Memory Stick DUO
Image Size: VGA	640 x 480
Specific features	Still image recording on Memory Stick Still image recording on internal HDD Memory Stick PRO Compatibility Index Playback PictBridge compatibility
AUDIO FEATURES
Audio System	Dolby Digital 2ch
Built in Microphone	Stereo, zoom microphone
Specific features	Built in Speaker
CAMERA FEATURES
Image Device: Size	1 / 8″ CCD
Image Processor	BIONZ
Number of Pixels Gross (K)	800
Shutter Speed	1/3-1/3500 (including Scene Selection)
White Balance	Auto / Outdoor / Indoor / One-push
Scene Selection	Twilight, Twilight Portrait (Still Image), Candle, Sunrise & Sunset, Fireworks, Landscape, Portrait, Spotlight, Beach, Snow
Specific features	Advanced HAD technology, x.v.Colour, Full Range Auto focus, Manual focus, Spot Focus, Spot Meter, SteadyShot (Image Stabilisation), Camera Noise Reduction, Auto Slow Shutter, Colour Slow Shutter, Backlight compensation, Telemacro
LENS AND ZOOM
Lens	Carl Zeiss Vario-Tessar
F	1.8-6.0
Filter Diameter (mm)	30
Zoom Ratio (Optical)	60
Zoom Ratio (Digital)	2000
Precision Digital Zoom	No
PORTS AND CONNECTIVITY	Audio Output, Video Output, S-Video Output, USB Output
Software	Picture Motion Browse Editing Software
Package contents	Sony Handycam DCR-SR37ES, quick reference guide, camcorder, instruction manual, product registration CD, rechargeable battery, multi AV cable, CD-ROM and European warranty card
Warranty	One year