Q. I've been looking at buying this camcorder here. http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/160695287131 And was wondering if anyone knows how well would the picture quality of a lens of this sort rate on the megapixel scale?
-John J
-John J
A. don't put much stock in the hype, do your research first before putting out the money.
first, Sony did not invent the camcorder, so to say this model was the "first" is a gross mis-statement. The BMC 110 is probably the first Betamovie camcorder in 1983, only a Beta expert would say for sure. The camcorder was invented by Kodak, here in the USA. Kodak partnered with Sony in 1981 to make the first camcorder, and this was not it. The first used what we now call Video8 format and was compact. It did not sell well at first mostly because RCA had not yet invented the CCD which was the key component for making quality video in small cheap packages. Kodak pulled out after the first year and left Sony with a license to use the Video8 system. By 1985 Sony had cross licensed with Ampex and thereby finally got access to the RCA CCD imager for its BMC 550 model and other video cameras.
As to portable color cameras, they were around long before. Both VHS and Beta had battery portable camera/recorders prior to camcorders. And what was known as the "porta-pack" or portable camera and recorder was around long before VHS and Beta, it used 1/2 inch open reel tape in the EIAJ format in the late 60s and later the 3/4 inch U-matic cassettes in the early 70s.
These earlier color cameras, and the camera section of the BMC110 used a single tube imager. Resolution of the imager was poor, about 200 TVL in the 1/3 inch consumer version. But considering that Betamax itself was only 230 TVL, that was an acceptable match. Converting that to the digital equivalent in pixels, that would be about 0.064 Megapixel resolution. In terms of light sensitivity it required 35 lux minimum, compared to 2 lux of a modern camcorder.
If you want an early camera with decent resolution, you need to look at the EDBeta or the Betacam versions of about 1986. Both of these produced a near broadcast quality, but they were not consumer items by a long shot.
first, Sony did not invent the camcorder, so to say this model was the "first" is a gross mis-statement. The BMC 110 is probably the first Betamovie camcorder in 1983, only a Beta expert would say for sure. The camcorder was invented by Kodak, here in the USA. Kodak partnered with Sony in 1981 to make the first camcorder, and this was not it. The first used what we now call Video8 format and was compact. It did not sell well at first mostly because RCA had not yet invented the CCD which was the key component for making quality video in small cheap packages. Kodak pulled out after the first year and left Sony with a license to use the Video8 system. By 1985 Sony had cross licensed with Ampex and thereby finally got access to the RCA CCD imager for its BMC 550 model and other video cameras.
As to portable color cameras, they were around long before. Both VHS and Beta had battery portable camera/recorders prior to camcorders. And what was known as the "porta-pack" or portable camera and recorder was around long before VHS and Beta, it used 1/2 inch open reel tape in the EIAJ format in the late 60s and later the 3/4 inch U-matic cassettes in the early 70s.
These earlier color cameras, and the camera section of the BMC110 used a single tube imager. Resolution of the imager was poor, about 200 TVL in the 1/3 inch consumer version. But considering that Betamax itself was only 230 TVL, that was an acceptable match. Converting that to the digital equivalent in pixels, that would be about 0.064 Megapixel resolution. In terms of light sensitivity it required 35 lux minimum, compared to 2 lux of a modern camcorder.
If you want an early camera with decent resolution, you need to look at the EDBeta or the Betacam versions of about 1986. Both of these produced a near broadcast quality, but they were not consumer items by a long shot.
How good is the Kodak Zi6 compared to other portable handheld cameras?
Q.
A. Flip UltraHD Camcorder is alot better than the Zi6
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0023B14TK?tag=dcmb-20
Review:
If I'm going to spend more than a hundred bucks on an item or somewhere around there, I do extensive research first to know I got the best bang-for-the-buck and, consequently, dodge any potential future buyer's remorse.
I've realized that the time I spend doing my product comparisons is often time that others don't have so I may as well share what I can.
I'll start by saying that you'll see my "Verified Amazon Purchase" on the Flip HD Ultra Camcorder review because, obviously, that's the one I wound up buying and I'll share with you why. But what I like in a camcorder may not suit your own needs so I'll break it down and let you decide what's best for you via what I found out:
Here are the pocket camcorders I compared:
Flip UltraHD (will be referred to as "F")
Flip Mino HD 2nd generation (Will be referred to as "M")
Creative Labs Vado HD 8 GB 2nd generation (Will be referred to as "CL")
Kodak Zi6 Pocket HD (Will be referred to as "K")
Why HD cameras only? Brighter colors and better images, wider images
HD SHOOTING TIME:
F: 120 minutes.
M: 120 minutes
CL:120 minutes
K: 25 minutes with batteries they included, 120 minutes if you buy an SD card
MEMORY:
F: 8 GB
M:8 GB
CL: 8 GB
K: internally only 30 MB recording space but it has 32 GB expandable SD/SDHC card slot. Because it comes with such small recording space you really need to buy an SD or SDHC card to maximize its potential, but the potential is really good and this will increase your ability to shoot longer.
RESOLUTION:
All 720p which is excellent, just one step below the top 1080p format.
SOUND:
F:Premier AAC audio. Best sound quality but still not great in winds
M:Premier AAC audio. Best sound quality but still not great in winds.
CL:Poor sound quality; had issues with sound and picture not being in sync.
K:Poor sound quality
ZOOM:
F: 2x
M:2x
CL:2x
K: poor quality zoom on the one I tried but I still think it's 2x. It has a great macro focus for very close-up objects if, for example, you see a bumble bee and want to shoot it on a leaf a few inches away! Kinda cool.
SIZE AND WEIGHT:
F: 6.2 x 3.1 x 3.1 inches ; 11.2 ounces
M: 2 x 0.7 x 3.9 inches ; 1 pound
CL: 3.3 x 7.9 x 6.3 inches ; 11.2 ounces
K: 4x 5x 2.5" 2.4 lbs
TECHNICAL DETAILS:
F: USB cable pops out of the back so you don't need to keep up with a separate cable. Comes with Flip Video rechargeable AA battery pack (recharges when connected to USB); also supported by standard AA batteries. Note: Some sets come with the HDMi mini included and others come with the rechargeable battery pack on Amazon. Looks like one or the other but of course if you need both you can buy the other.
M: USB cable pops out of the back on this one as well. Has child safe button to prevent accidental deletion of videos. Internal lithium ion battery recharges through built-in USB arm
CL: USB cable in camera. Included in box are HDMI cable, USB extension cable, silicon skin & rechargeable battery.
K: Included in box are HD and AV cables and wrist strap and rechargeable batteries and battery charger. Has built in USB arm.
SPEED:
F: 30 frames per second.
M: 30 frames per second
CL: 30 frames per second
K: choice of 30 frames per second or 60 frames per second.
VIEWING SCREEN: All 2" except the Kodak was the largest at 2.4"
IMPORTANT NOTES:
F: Best low-light performance for the mini cameras (though not perfect at all) and least amount of blurring and dropped frames in my opinion. You can get an underwater case for this one! Though that may sound crazy for a Texan, we use the camera non-stop on vacations and even when we aren't IN the water, we are around the water...on boats, in the sand with sea mist, etc. Then we can dive in and record the fish. Comes preloaded with flipshare software...just plug in to computer and it pops up.
M: Colors don't appear as good on the Mino as the other cameras. Thinnest camera. Make sure you get the one that only comes in the color aluminum or brushed metal. If it comes in any other colors it is the 1st generation MinoHD and they improved upon that one in the newer models. Great audio. Better shooting in low light than most mini cameras. Camera comes preloaded with FlipShare software. Can get still images through flipshare software.
CL: Decent filming in low light. Software is preloaded in camcorder.
K: The only camera in my list without image stabilization which results in very shaky filming. The others have built-in image stabilization to help correct it. What appears to be metal in picture is actually a chrome colored plastic. That said, this had the largest viewing screen of all of them. 2.4" Very poor in low light and seemed to have far more shaking and blurring due to lack of image stabilization. It also takes still pictures but they are really rea
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0023B14TK?tag=dcmb-20
Review:
If I'm going to spend more than a hundred bucks on an item or somewhere around there, I do extensive research first to know I got the best bang-for-the-buck and, consequently, dodge any potential future buyer's remorse.
I've realized that the time I spend doing my product comparisons is often time that others don't have so I may as well share what I can.
I'll start by saying that you'll see my "Verified Amazon Purchase" on the Flip HD Ultra Camcorder review because, obviously, that's the one I wound up buying and I'll share with you why. But what I like in a camcorder may not suit your own needs so I'll break it down and let you decide what's best for you via what I found out:
Here are the pocket camcorders I compared:
Flip UltraHD (will be referred to as "F")
Flip Mino HD 2nd generation (Will be referred to as "M")
Creative Labs Vado HD 8 GB 2nd generation (Will be referred to as "CL")
Kodak Zi6 Pocket HD (Will be referred to as "K")
Why HD cameras only? Brighter colors and better images, wider images
HD SHOOTING TIME:
F: 120 minutes.
M: 120 minutes
CL:120 minutes
K: 25 minutes with batteries they included, 120 minutes if you buy an SD card
MEMORY:
F: 8 GB
M:8 GB
CL: 8 GB
K: internally only 30 MB recording space but it has 32 GB expandable SD/SDHC card slot. Because it comes with such small recording space you really need to buy an SD or SDHC card to maximize its potential, but the potential is really good and this will increase your ability to shoot longer.
RESOLUTION:
All 720p which is excellent, just one step below the top 1080p format.
SOUND:
F:Premier AAC audio. Best sound quality but still not great in winds
M:Premier AAC audio. Best sound quality but still not great in winds.
CL:Poor sound quality; had issues with sound and picture not being in sync.
K:Poor sound quality
ZOOM:
F: 2x
M:2x
CL:2x
K: poor quality zoom on the one I tried but I still think it's 2x. It has a great macro focus for very close-up objects if, for example, you see a bumble bee and want to shoot it on a leaf a few inches away! Kinda cool.
SIZE AND WEIGHT:
F: 6.2 x 3.1 x 3.1 inches ; 11.2 ounces
M: 2 x 0.7 x 3.9 inches ; 1 pound
CL: 3.3 x 7.9 x 6.3 inches ; 11.2 ounces
K: 4x 5x 2.5" 2.4 lbs
TECHNICAL DETAILS:
F: USB cable pops out of the back so you don't need to keep up with a separate cable. Comes with Flip Video rechargeable AA battery pack (recharges when connected to USB); also supported by standard AA batteries. Note: Some sets come with the HDMi mini included and others come with the rechargeable battery pack on Amazon. Looks like one or the other but of course if you need both you can buy the other.
M: USB cable pops out of the back on this one as well. Has child safe button to prevent accidental deletion of videos. Internal lithium ion battery recharges through built-in USB arm
CL: USB cable in camera. Included in box are HDMI cable, USB extension cable, silicon skin & rechargeable battery.
K: Included in box are HD and AV cables and wrist strap and rechargeable batteries and battery charger. Has built in USB arm.
SPEED:
F: 30 frames per second.
M: 30 frames per second
CL: 30 frames per second
K: choice of 30 frames per second or 60 frames per second.
VIEWING SCREEN: All 2" except the Kodak was the largest at 2.4"
IMPORTANT NOTES:
F: Best low-light performance for the mini cameras (though not perfect at all) and least amount of blurring and dropped frames in my opinion. You can get an underwater case for this one! Though that may sound crazy for a Texan, we use the camera non-stop on vacations and even when we aren't IN the water, we are around the water...on boats, in the sand with sea mist, etc. Then we can dive in and record the fish. Comes preloaded with flipshare software...just plug in to computer and it pops up.
M: Colors don't appear as good on the Mino as the other cameras. Thinnest camera. Make sure you get the one that only comes in the color aluminum or brushed metal. If it comes in any other colors it is the 1st generation MinoHD and they improved upon that one in the newer models. Great audio. Better shooting in low light than most mini cameras. Camera comes preloaded with FlipShare software. Can get still images through flipshare software.
CL: Decent filming in low light. Software is preloaded in camcorder.
K: The only camera in my list without image stabilization which results in very shaky filming. The others have built-in image stabilization to help correct it. What appears to be metal in picture is actually a chrome colored plastic. That said, this had the largest viewing screen of all of them. 2.4" Very poor in low light and seemed to have far more shaking and blurring due to lack of image stabilization. It also takes still pictures but they are really rea
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