Good clear video but LED video light of little use
4 out of 5
One of the problems with devices like this, is the lack of reviews by professional camera/camcorder review sites. In the rare case that they do a review, they will be given a poor score because the reviewers seem to always look down at them from a prosumers point of view rather than as a consumer. Consumers quite often are simply looking for a fun device that provides convenience, is inexpensive in case of loss, and does the job rather than something that produces output fit for a movie theatre with a price to match! Therefore customers like you and I either have to take a chance and make sure the store has a good return poilcy or hope that another customer has already done so and written a basic review, and here is mine.
The video quality in it's high quality mode of 640x480/30fps is very good and clear for the price of the device. It is very easy to use and you can get it up and running without much reference to it's manual. You can record up to 80 minutes of video in high quality mode per 1GB and considering it can take a 2GB card, this should easily be more than enough for most people.
One thing you have to remember though, is that these devices are very poor in low light such as indoors in the evening unless you have very good lighting. If you intend to use it mainly outdoors you won't be bothered by this.
The device has a small non swivelling 1.5 inch LCD which makes it a little more awkward to use than those equipped with the swivelling type. The SD/MMC card slot is at the rear under a rubber flap and there is a tripod socket on the bottom.
This is one of the first devices of this type to incorporate an LED video light to help with the low light but unfortunately it seems to be little more than a gimmick. It is not that the LED's are not bright enough (They are almost blinding!) or that they don't illuminate a close subject enough. It just seems that the devices sensor is only sensitive enough to pick out the very brightest center portion giving you a tunnel effect. If used to film someone in low light or darkness for example, you get a similar effect to a flash light being held up to their face in that it is only a their face and little else that is visible. I don't expect miracles with a cheap device like this, but I would've thought it would've have been at least better than this so it would pick up their shoulders for instance.
The summary is that this camera seems like it would take a few knocks and is very compact ie a true palmcorder. If you ignore the useless LED video light and only intend to use it during daylight hours outside, then this would make a great beach camera for instance as you wouldn't be as worried dropping this in the sand or water given its price!
as previous models
3 out of 5
this is the newest Aiptek device out for the Northern region, but not the only one to come. there are other models soon to hit. first tawain, england/france//germany then the USA
the IS-dv was the first stabilizer hybrid, this is not the IS-dv2 it is the done over models simular to the dv3300-4500 series.
an aa battery system makes it better for fast replacement offresh ones, the led lights do no have magnifications , and that will limit to 3 feet of portraid shots.
simple science
take a led plash light amd place directly in or below the lens, ot and away to the object. You gt a video or shot ofa person, that's what Aiptek thought it would do. threw in 3 cents of leds and found a way to fraw battery life quicker out of the camera
on a good note. Consumers have to remember it is a PC camcorder, not a home movie orpro camcorder. on the fly, snap it ot and 7 secs you have instant vid in a 20 foot surrounding
what more then 20 feet to view a professional device is better.
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