Electronics & Computers Deals here!
CNET editors' review
-
CNET editors' rating:
stars
OK
Detailed editors' rating
- Reviewed on: 05/10/2006
- Released on: 05/03/2006
Last year, when the drugstore chain CVS started selling a $30 single-use digital camcorder, we thought it was a pretty dubious idea. We're not sure how it did, but Pure Digital Technologies, the company behind the product, has removed the disposable label and added a hideaway USB connector and built-in viewer software to make a simple plug-and-play model that it calls the Point & Shoot Video Camcorder. RCA has licensed the technology from Pure Digital and is marketing the same model under the name RCA Small Wonder EZ101 for the same price ($130).
The lightweight, 5-ounce camera stores up to 30 minutes of VGA-quality video on 512MB of internal flash memory (sorry, there's no expansion slot). It has a 1.4-inch LCD screen on back for instant review, so you can delete any undesirable clips right away, and it has a video output, so you can view clips on any TV with a composite-video input. The unit is powered by two AA batteries and comes with a felt protective carrying case.
Currently, there are several inexpensive cameras on the market whose sole purpose is to capture MPEG-4 video, which is more compressed--and, thus, lower in quality--than the MPEG-2 video recorded by MiniDV camcorders. Video quality is steadily improving with these sorts of cameras, but it's really designed to be viewed in small windows (read: not at full screen) or on portable devices with small screens. Though the video is generally smooth, it's usually a little grainy and sometimes pixelated. In other words, it's a step up from the video quality of a camera phone, but it's on a par with what you'd record on a basic digital camera's Movie mode.
Continue readingMost helpful user reviews
- Average user rating: 2.5 stars out of 7 reviews
- My rating: 0 stars Write review
-
Showing 3 of 7 user reviews
-
1 out of 1 people found this helpful
- See all 7 user reviews Write review
Submit your review
Where to buy
RCA Small Wonder EZ101:
$66.95 - $163.99
| store | price | in stock? | rating |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Amazon.com Marketplace
|
$163.99 | See Site |
|
|
$66.95 | Yes |
|
