- CNET Editors' Rating 7.2/10 Very good Editorial policies >>
- Average user rating from 24 users 7.6/10 Very good Read user opinions >>
The good: Ultracompact clamshell design; five-in-one device; includes a cradle for TV recording and playback.
The bad: Image quality is no match for that of dedicated cameras and camcorders; ships with a paltry 64MB SD card; no lens cover.
The bottom line: It can't replace a camera or a camcorder, but the SV-AV30 is a friendly, all-in-one A/V solution that fits in your pocket.
Specs: Dimensions (WxDxH): 2.4 in x 1 in x 3 in; Display type: 2 in - Color; Weight: 3.4 oz See full specs >>
CNET editors' review
- Reviewed on: 08/19/2003
- Released on: 04/15/2003
The SV-AV30 is the latest addition to Panasonic's e-wear line of all-in-one portables. The device combines the basic features of a digital still camera and camcorder, an MP3 player, and a voice recorder with personal-video-player (PVP) capabilities, which enable playback of TV shows and movies.
Functionally, the AV30 differs little from the original e-wear product, the SV-AV10. The new model uses the same bare-bones MPEG-4 camcorder, with its paltry 320x240-pixel resolution and its fixed-focus, fixed-focal-length lens. Photos remain at 640x480 VGA resolution, but you also still get the helpful built-in flash and the easy, intuitive interface. You'll barely need to consult the manual except for the more-advanced options, such as manual white balance. The capable MP3 playback and voice recording are also back with no changes.
While not revolutionary, the SV-AV30's improvements are worthwhile. The clamshell design is somewhat squarer at 2.4 by 1.1 by 3 inches, so you can pocket the unit as easily as a cell phone. The USB jack on the body precludes the need for the separately bundled SD-card reader that the SV-AV10 required. And the new docking cradle provides easy recording and playback of MPEG-4 video on any standard TV. For $60 less, you can get the SV-AV20, which ships without the cradle but is otherwise identical.
The PVP features are a nice addition to the SV-AV30's bag of tricks. With its 2-inch screen and flash-based storage, the Panasonic can't compete with the larger, hard drive-based Archos AV320, but it was still cool to watch a TV show on the subway. Movie lovers, beware, however: The SV-AV30 respects Macrovision copyright protection, so you won't be able to record many of your DVD and VHS flicks.
For all its improvements, the SV-AV30 shares many of the original e-wear model's shortfalls. The included 64MB SD card stores barely an hour of music and only eight minutes of highest-quality video. Panasonic would do well to include higher-capacity media. Furthermore, the lens desperately needs a cover to protect it from the smudges and the scratches that will inevitably threaten it during everyday use.
This jack-of-all-trades can't replace even budget camcorders, digital cameras, and PVPs. But gadget freaks looking for an ultraportable device that can record and play small, Web- and PC-friendly video files may find the SV-AV30 a nice toy. We won't use it to shoot our vacation movies or family photos, but we had fun with it.
User opinions
WRITE YOUR OWN REVIEW How would you rate this product?
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6/10 Good June 22, 2007
"It's fun and handy to have around." Read more >>
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4/10 Mediocre January 15, 2005
"Ok for the fun stuff" Read more >>
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8/10 Excellent January 12, 2005
"A great little camera." Read more >>
- WRITE YOUR OWN REVIEWSee all 24 user opinions >>
