Aiptek Action HD GVS 1080P High Definition Camcorder with 5x Optical Zoom (Silver) by Aiptek Inc.
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Digital camera reviews of Aiptek Action HD GVS 1080P High Definition Camcorder with 5x Optical Zoom (Silver)
Digital camera Review: Just the facts...
Summary: 4 Stars
This is not a bad camera for the price. It does not work very well in 1080 mode, lots of compression on anything moving, or panning shots, and no stabilization. However, if you run it in 720 60fps mode it looks great. And the image stab only works in the 720/60 mode and the WVGA mode. Battery life is about 60-70 minutes, buy a spare when you order, I got some cheapos on here for about $5 that work ok. Also note that the battery recharges in the camera, there is no supplied external charger, and recharge time is about 3 hours. On the upside, you can recharge it on the USB cable or some USB style adaptor. Buy a high speed SD card as well, class 6. I got a 16GB class 6 card on here for $30. 16GB will give you 4.5 hours at 720/60fps. The still frame camera on this thing is OK for the "opps, I forgot my real camera" moments, but the quality is less than the $50 Fuji I have, passable but not good. Low light response is poor all around, this camera likes light. Anything weaker than a very bright room will not look good. Outside during the day, in or out of shade, that's where it works best. For indoors or studio type shots you really need to pump up the lumens to get good quality, or it will get noisy.
The lens is tight, great for longer shots, but you will find that if you shoot indoors at events you will need to get way back, it's def not wide angle. The 5x optical is very good, and the digital zoom is remarkable in my opinion. I hardly ever use DZ, but this thing can resolve much better than you would expect even at max DZ (if you can hold it still!) The controls are a bit awkward, but you get used to them. I recommend a little tabletop tripod or a "gun" style grip to mount it on so you can use both hands to hold it, it makes a world of difference in the smoothness of the shots and one hand can work the controls while the other steadies the shot.
***Most important: go to [...] and update the firmware! High pitched whine in audio and a few other problems are fixed...read the FAQ first. And the 16gb card I used works fine for the update, contrary to the website FAQ.
Digital camera Review: Nope!!
Summary: 2 Stars
Had it for one week and sent it back. I advise anyone who purchases the Aiptek Action HD GVS (the GVS by the way is a joke) to record in a silent room with the lens cap on and then listen to the recording. It took me a while to notice, but all my recordings had a noticeable high pitched tone. The view finder door (which houses the internal mic) emits this hum. If you do a search online, you will find others have the same problem. Sorry, but for a price tag almost over 200 dollars, this was a deal killer.Digital camera Review: Not bad for an inexpensive camera- but be realistic
Summary: 4 Stars
Negative:
*Construction is a bit cheap
*Controls are frustrating
*It doesn't work well in low light at all. Picture is grainy and dark for inside shooting. Backlit subjects are even worse.
*Even with "image stabilization" it is hard to keep it from shaking
*There is no pause function, so every time you stop, it creates another "clip" file. This turns out to be a huge negative for me.
*The video format (quicktime) isn't terribly easy to edit or convert under Linux (like other formats are) and throws lots of errors in mplayer for playback (plus audio out of sync with video). Some other container format for the H.264 video would have been better.
*No way to edit the video, in any manner, in the camera
*No way to fast forward or rewind video playback in the camera
*No built-in light for video mode
*Default lens is quite non-wide, so you have to stand way back
*Zoom is not variable speed
Positive:
*Very nice, large screen that also flips around
*Lots of included accessories- tripod, cables, carry case, lens cap, remote, etc
*USB charge option as well as included charger
*Works fine with all my SDHC cards
*Powers up quickly
*5x optical zoom is useful and quiet
*Nice auto-on and auto-off when opening screen
*Non-interlaced recording
*Built-in headphone jack and external mic jack
*Standard tripod mount
*Pretty design, also very compact
*Requires no software for file transfer
*Low price
Neutral:
*Video quality is not terribly great. My old, low-def Sony DVD camcorder has better video quality (sharpness, brightness, smoothness). Yet, it is probably better than one would expect from an inexpensive camera.
Conclusion:
I would have gladly settled for only 720P@30PFS, no flash, and no stills, if it meant better light sensitivity, sharper image, and better file format. As it is, it is not a terrible product, but prepare to be realistic about your "HD" expectations. The technology has certainly improved in inexpensive, hand-held, flash based video cameras.
Digital camera Review: Not bad for the price
Summary: 4 Stars
I purchased this camcorder for a trip to the Bahamas and just wanted something low end. It did not disappoint. The pictures it takes are not bad for a 5 mp. The video does need a lot of light indoors but does well outdoors. Need to have a steady hand on 1080 mode. I have been happy with it. One problem......it does not go to my imovie for some reason but I download mplayer and it allowed me to see the video.Digital camera Review: Not bad, but not great either,,,,
Summary: 3 Stars
Buying this type of camcorder was a leap for me. I have always used my Cannon D-10 Mini DV. I was looking for something that was easy to carry with you and that would take good HD footage. In many ways I got what I was looking for, in other ways, I did not.
Size: The size is great. It fits in your pocket. It is easy to pop out take a pic or video and slam back in your pocket to go. Well constructed and looks great. I LOVE the pistol grip.
Menu/Software: Both are easy to use, easy to navigate.
Controls: Easy to switch settings with a quick filp. The buttons are little too stiff. When taking a picutre you really have to work at keeping the camera still. Be sure to give yourself plenty of room with your video because you are going to shake the camera hitting the REC button on and off.
Picture Quality: Being a 5 resolution, it's hard to expect a lot. If you are taking a picutre of something static, you will be pleased. If you are looking to take pictures of anything moving, you will be disappointed.
The video is another chapter,,,,I am still tyring to figure out how to get the video to look good on my HD TV. The video looks good on the CPU and the viewfinder, but if this is 1080P, then I'm a monkey's uncle! On 1080P if you try to pan the camera, the video jumps around and blurs. I found that the 720P-60 FPS was the best setting. The picture quality looks better when panning or zooming. All of this is in the eye of the beholder though.
Format: This camera records in a .MOV format. I had to download a video file converter to change over to a mpg2 or avi to use with my current video editing software. Not a big deal, but makes the production process even longer.
Summary: If you are looking for serious quality and serious value in a camera, do not buy this camera. If you are looking for a good way to take good quality pictures and quick and easy video at your fingertips, this is a great deal.. Also, keep in mind, you get what you pay for!!!!!!!! There is a reason these types of cameras are under $200!!!!! But, I do love this camera, but I would not rely on one of these to video my wedding or anything else of great importance.