Creative Labs Vado Pocket Video Camcorder (Silver) OLD MODEL by Creative
|
List Price: Our Price: $40.00 You Save: $59.99 (60%) Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Category: Digital Camera See more digital camera details and other models |
|---|
Digital camera reviews of Creative Labs Vado Pocket Video Camcorder (Silver) OLD MODEL
Digital camera Review: Easy to use
Summary: 5 Stars
My 10-year-old loves this! He and his friends are making stupid movies and posting them on youtube for the rest of their friends to enjoy. I control what gets posted to youtube with password security. Anytime someone uses his name or some other detail that you don't want to share with child-predators, I just refuse to post it. The kids are learning a little internet safety while having fun being silly kids and creating movies and silly storylines. I highly recommend this as a toy for the middle-school age group.Digital camera Review: Excellent Pocket Cam!
Summary: 4 Stars
This is an excellent pocket camcorder and it does what it was meant to do very well. While I would not play the video's on my television, it is excellent for making small snippets of movies that can be combined and put on the web for relatives to watch. I have but two complaints that kept me from giving it a 5 stars.
1 - When you zoom, it does not focus very well and seems to have a hard time re-focusing when you pull back.
2 - It records audio a little weak and you have to make up for it by using a program that allows you to increase the level.
I use MS Movie Maker that comes free with the XP operating system and allows you to combine clips, make transitions and add other effects very easily. Plus, it allows you to increase the volume of the audio to make up for the shortcoming I spoke about in number 2 above.
Make sure after you buy this that you upgrade the firmware (if it is not upgraded already) to the latest version from Creative's website.
Tony
Digital camera Review: Excellent for 59 dollars
Summary: 4 Stars
Very nice product for a low price, has some disadvantages in that it does not have all the "bells and whistles", but what would you expect for the low price or size. Very nice for video notes, casual times, and fun with the kids. Editing can then take place later. Battery runs out quickly and the screen is small. Would not use this if I was serious about doing a video to impress anyone with my creative skills. It is a small thing, limited controls and zooming, sound is medium. But, I can carry this in my pocket and get it going in very little time and record an event with very little effort or thought. No hassle or worry. Just fun and convenient with instant gratification! The first one I received had the power button quit working after less than 15 minutes of use but Amazon quickly sent a new one that has so far worked very well each and every time I have tried to use it.Digital camera Review: Expected Better From Creative
Summary: 1 Stars
Bought this a while ago but used it only a couple of times. Seemed to work fine and I was satisfied (but not impressed) with the ease of use and quality. I am a "get what you pay for" believer.
I used it in May when my grandson visited and it worked fine. I wanted to use it again this month (Jan) but it would not turn on. Charged the battery and it still would not turn on. Bought a new battery and it still will not turn on. I got to use this camera 3 or four times max and I figure I did not get what I paid for. Creative "support" is basically non-existant. I would now hesitate to buy another of their products and would certainly not recommend one to others.
Digital camera Review: Fun & functional as a toy, emergency backup or when discretion is required
Summary: 3 Stars
Customer review from the Amazon Vine™ Program (What's this?)
For this price range (under $100) this tiny video camera is a really fun toy that you might give to a teenager, use as an emergency backup, or use when you're just too afraid you might break or lose your better equipment (on a roller coaster, in a kayak on a river, etc.).
Pros:
Very lightweight, portable and compact.
Easy to use.
Files easy to download. I have an Intel Mac and I just plugged it in the USB port and dragged and dropped. No software is required to do this.
Inexpensive.
Neutral
VHS quality at best. Not much more can be expected at this price point.
Cons
Zoom function is very choppy. It's not smooth as you go back and forth and it looks like it's stopping at various increments.
Audio is acceptable at best. It's a very general mic that seems to pick up a lot of ambient noise.
The size and weight of the device can actually make it harder to have a steady picture.
One of the things I try to do with reviews is compare the item to your other options. I own a 6MP Canon S3 point and shoot camera that also shoots VHS quality video. You can currently (2008) get a quality used S3 for about $250 or a Canon S2 with 4MP (which has almost just as good video) for as low as $125. The Canon's video is far superior in all ways. The audio is focused, clear and adequately loud. The zoom is smooth. And you're only limited in length by the size of your SD memory card. If it were me making this purchase, I'd probably go the route of having both a digital camera and a video recording device all in one. It's not that much more expensive and the quality is simply better.
Still, the Vado has its major advantages. It's smaller, more compact and more easily carried around in your pocket. As a result it's a video camera you'll be able to use when discretion is paramount. It's less expensive and thus more expendable - better if you're giving it to a teen. It's far easier to use so it would be great for someone who needs things as simple as possible.
So I recommend the Vado with reservations. Know your needs and what you'd like to get out of your equipment. For some this will be a great item, for others who could use better video and more versatility it will be worth it for them to spend a little more for something like a Canon S2.