Samsung SC-D372 (SCD372) Review
November 3, 2007 | Leave a Comment
The SC-D372 is Samsung’s lowest priced camcorder on the market today. The Samsung SCD372 is a miniDV video camera that is pretty simple to use. It is among one of the cheapest budget camcorders and one of the most compact. It has a handy 2.7 inch LCD flip out LCD screen that makes shooting video simple. A review of the Samsung SCD-372 find that its low, low price is one of its best features. You won’t find many other name brand camcorders for $175.
Samsung SC-D372 Features & Specifications Review
- Recording Format: miniDV
- Screen: 2.7 inch LCD
- Optical Zoom: 34x
- Digital Zoom: 1200x
- Built-in Light: Yes
- Image Stabilization: Yes
- Warranty: 1 year
- Digital Still Camera: No
- Special Effects: Ball, Sepia, Emboss, Mirror, Mosaic, Pastel, Black & White
- Dimensions: 2.2 inches wide, 4.7 inches deep, 3.7 inches high, 12 ounces
The Samsung SCD372 has adequate features for its price range but is missing some of the popular features of some higher priced video cameras like the ability to take digital still pictures. Many people are finding that miniDVD and hard drive camcorders are also simpler to transfer video as well. Overall, the SC-D372 is one of the cheapest cameras available so its options are somewhat limited. If you are looking for a very basic, simple to use camcorder, the Samsung SC-D372 is an option to consider.
Find the Samsung SC-D372 at one of these online retailers:
Circuit City | Amazon.com | Best Buy | Buy.com | Target.com | Wal-Mart
Sony Handycam DCR-HC48 (DCRHC48) Review
October 31, 2007 | Leave a Comment
The Sony Handycam DCR-HC48 (DCRHC48) is a digital miniDV camcorder available at popular electronics retailers like Circuit City and Amazon.com. The DCR-HC48 includes popular features like digital still image capability, a Carl Zeiss lens and a large LCD touch screen. The Sony Handycam DCRHC48 is definitely packed with the latest features. The unique Handycam station is similar to a laptop docking station which makes re-playing and transferring your videos fairly simple. The DCRHC48 is the top model available of the 3 that Sony recently released. Night vision, digital still picture ability, improved zoom and the Handycam station are some of the advanced features you won’t find on the lesser models. At just over $300, the Sony Handycam DCR-HC48 is still a pretty great deal compared to the fairly expensive hard drive and miniDVD camcorders.
Sony Handycam DCRHC48 Features & Specifications Review
- Camcorder Type: Digital
- Format: miniDV
- Screen: 2.7 inch Touch Screen
- Connection: USB 2.0, Firewire
- Optical Zoom: 25x
- Digital Zoom: 2000x
- Image Stabilization: Yes
- Digital Still Capability: Yes
- Digital Still Resolution: 1 megapixel
- Memory Card Type: Memory Stick DUO
- Warranty: 1 year
- Special Effects: Sepia, Still, Trail, Mosaic, Pastel, Monotone, Old Movie, Flash Motion, Negative Art, Solarization, Luminance Key, Low Shutter Speed (LSS)
- Shooting Programs: Beach, Candle, Sunset, Sunrise, Fireworks, Landscape, Spotlight, Portrait mode, Sports lesson, Twilight mode
- Aspect Ratio: Widescreen
- Dimensions: 2.5 inches wide, 4.5 inches deep, 3.3 inches high, 16.4 ounces
The popularity of miniDVD and hard drive camcorders are increasing but miniDV is still selling extremely because of what you get for the money. A review of the Sony Handycam DCR-HC48 shows that you can still get a really great camera for a reasonable price. You don’t get the convenience of minDVD or a hard drive but the rest of the features are superb. The DCRHC48 has received great reviews across the board and should definitely be a considerable option if you are purchasing in this price range and type. Shopping around could be key. We have found prices range from the low $300’s to the high $300’s.
Find the Sony Handycan DCR-HC48 at one of these retailers:
Amazon.com | Circuit City | Best Buy | Buy.com | Wal-Mart | Target.com
Panasonic SDR-H18 (SDRH18) Review
October 22, 2007 | Leave a Comment
The Panasonic SDR-H18 (SDRH18) is a digital camcorder the records to a 30GB hard drive or optional SD memory cards. Hard drive camcorders are slowly growing to replace video cameras that record to tape or discs because of the simplicity of not having to deal with those types of recording media. They may have some additional costs initially but not paying for tapes or even more expensive mini discs may save you money in the long run. It is pretty simple to transfer to computer. The biggest downsides are limited storage space. You can always record to SD memory cards but these can quickly get expensive. The 30GB hard drive is big enough for most users but if you were unable to empty the hard drive, you may run out of room. You also are forced to store your empty your hard drive on to something unlike tapes and discs where you can permanently keep your video.
Panasonic SDR-H18 Features & Specifications Review
- Camcorder Type: Digital
- Recording Type: Hard Drive & SD memory
- LCD Screen Size: 2.7 inch
- Output: USB 2.0
- Optical Zoom: 32X
- Digital Zoom: 1000X
- Image Stabilizer: Yes
- Still Pictures: Yes
- Warranty: 1 year
- Dimensions: 2.9 inches high, 2.8 inches wide, 5 inches deep, 15.5 ounces
The Panasonic SDRH18 has some great features including its impressive zoom, recording capabilities and impressive video quality. The SDR-H18 is comfortable to hold and the image stabilization feature really helps you shoot a steady image. There are a few negatives although they are pretty minor. Some of the controls are hard to access with one hand and the USB port is tucked away behind the battery so its pretty hard to quickly access. Overall, the Panasonic SDRH18 is a great quality camera. You may want to compare it against JVC and Sony’s hard drive camcorders as they are similar quality.
Check prices for the Panasonic SDR-H18 at one of these online stores:
Circuit City | Best Buy | Amazon.com | Buy.com | Target.com | Wal-Mart
Samsung SC-D372 Review
October 18, 2007 | Leave a Comment
The Samsung SC-D372 is a budget line Mini-DV tape camcorder and can typically be found for under $200 at popular electronics outlets. It’s pretty average from its features, silver and black exterior and flip out LCD screen. It includes important features like digital image stabilization, back light and decent zoom. The best part of the Samsung SCD372 is its simplicity. Almost anyone could power this up and start shooting video in no time.
Samsung SC-D372 Features & Specifications Review
- Camcorder Type: Mini DV
- LCD Screen Size: 2.7 inches
- Outputs: Firewire
- Optical Zoom: 34x
- Digital Zoom: 1200x
- Light: Built-in
- Image Stabilization: Yes
- Warranty: 1 year
- Remote Control: No
- Special Effects: Ball, Sepia, Emboss, Mirror, Mosaic, Pastel, Black & White
- Microphone: Built-in
The Samsung SC-D372 is a very inexpensive camera and it matches up to its price. It’s easy to record video but its missing quite a few features and the overall video quality is not that great. It’s easy to begin shooting video but the controls for the menu are more difficult to use. On the Samsung SCD372 you’re also missing the very popular still image picture ability which is available on some slightly more expensive cameras. Overall, the SC-D372 isn’t quite as great as its competitors but is an okay option if its the only one in your price range.
Find the Samsung SC-D372 at one of these popular online retailers:
Best Buy | Circuit City | Amazon.com | Buy.com | Wal-Mart | Target.com
Canon ZR800 Review
October 15, 2007 | Leave a Comment
In the budget line of camcorders, Mini DV is one of the most popular options. Among the Mini DV manufacturers, Canon continues to be one of the strongest options. The Canon ZR800 is a very popular Mini DV camera because it comes with all the basics at a very reasonable price. It doesn’t quite have every bell and whistle but it has all the necessities with a quality picture, which is what really matters in the long run. The ZR800 is a very compact video camera that fits right in your palm comfortably. With some impressive features as well as quality, the Canon ZR800 is a great deal at around $250.
Canon ZR800 Features & Specifications Review
- Dimensions: 3.6 inches high, 2.2 inches wide, 4.7 inches deep, 13.2 ounces
- Format: Mini DV
- Digital Zoom: 1000x
- Optical Zoom: 35x
- LCD Size: 2.7 inch
- Image Stabilization: Yes
- Video Light: Yes
- Manual Focus: Yes
- Records Audio: Yes
- Viewfinder: Color
- Remote: No
- Warranty: 1 year
As you can see the Canon ZR800 is packed with the essential features. One pretty common feature that is not included is the ability to take still pictures. Although this is nice on some cameras, many people find that the quality of video camera still pictures is not great enough to leave your regular digital camera at home. Overall, the Canon ZR800 is a great entry level video camera at a very attractive price.
Find the Canon ZR800 at one of these online retailers:
Best Buy | Circuit City | Amazon.com | Target.com | Wal-Mart | Buy.com