Hitachi DZ-BX35A
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CNET Editors' Review
The good: Relatively compact, this moderately priced DVD camcorder is easy to use, offers the convenience of burning to mini DVD, and has a strong, 25X optical zoom lens.
The bad: Writing to disc takes time, the autofocus is sluggish, and the image stabilization does little to compensate for camera shake.
The bottom line: For a moderate price, you get the convenience of recording your video directly to DVD media, but the entry-level Hitachi DZ-BX35A offers only basic features and can't deliver the image quality of Hitachi's step-up DVD camcorders.
Like most low-end camcorders, the Hitachi DZ-BX35A, which includes a 25X optical zoom lens and sub-megapixel CCD, isn't loaded with fancy features. That said, this
... Expand full reviewLike most low-end camcorders, the Hitachi DZ-BX35A, which includes a 25X optical zoom lens and sub-megapixel CCD, isn't loaded with fancy features. That said, this is a pretty compact camcorder; weighing in at 1.1 pounds and measuring less than two inches thick, it's slim and light enough to take almost anywhere. We also like that it's fairly intuitive to use, and if you stick to auto mode, it's ergonomically sound. With the camcorder in hand, the power switch/mode dial and the record button rest just under your right thumb while the zoom rocker and still-image shutter release sit under your right index finger. For basic shooting, you'll have no problem operating the camera with one hand, and we like that the buttons are large and tactile.
However, if you like to fiddle with the settings while you shoot, you may run into some snags. Like Hitachi's other DVD camcorders, the DZ-BX35A carries over the design of last year's DZ-GX20A. The downside to that is the handful of touch-sensitive buttons hidden behind the 2.7-inch, wide-screen LCD. Since they're mounted flush on the camera's body, the buttons are hard to tell apart by touch alone and difficult to use while shooting. Most other controls are well placed, and the menus are intuitive and easy to navigate.
This camcorder uses a tiny 680,000-pixel CCD to capture images, and while it's pretty typical for budget DVD models, ideally you would want a larger CCD. The result is less-than-stellar video quality (compared to MiniDV) and still photos that aren't much better than what you'd get from a camera phone. The images are suitable for e-mailing but not necessarily for printing out.
The BX35A can record to 3-inch DVD-R, DVD+/-RW, and DVD-RAM media. You can set the camera to record in 16:9 wide-screen, but once you start recording on a disc, you can't change the aspect ratio. Its 25X optical zoom lens lets you capture shots from far away, but if you want shake-free images, you'll need to invest in a tripod. Alas, while the camcorder uses electronic image stabilization, it does little to counter the effects of shaky hands at higher zoom levels.
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"Diffucult to upload videos to youtube" By lorihum
Pros: I like how compact it is.
Cons: Playback sound is minimal at best. Unable to find A/C connection to back of camera to enable a/c power, the cord has been misplaced and I cant find it anywhere online! Video files are difficult to upload to youtube and/or Facebook. paid $500.00 + new
Summary: Do Not buy this Camera there are too many other quality inexpensive products on the market.
"You get what you pay for." By artxslp
Pros: The price and the size
Cons: You get what you pay for... let´s leave it like that.
Summary: Very basic camcorder with low quality images. Doesn´t come with any software and had to work with third party like Nero. Battery life is shorter than what it is supposed to be. In short, I got what I piad for...
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