Vel Lanquibo » HD http://vel.lanquibo.com Surfing the Interweb Fri, 12 Aug 2011 21:34:23 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.5 Canon Vixia HF20 http://vel.lanquibo.com/2010/04/15/canon-vixia-hf20/ http://vel.lanquibo.com/2010/04/15/canon-vixia-hf20/#comments Thu, 15 Apr 2010 22:50:54 +0000 veltronic http://vel.lanquibo.com/blog/?p=92 Canon Vixia HF20

The Canon Vixia HF20 is an excellent Full HD camcorder. It’s a small durable camcorder that has some advanced features. It’s been reliable and has given me excellent results. Please read the full review for more details.

PROS

  • Dual Flash Memory- 32GB Internal Flash Drive & SDHC Card Slot
  • Aperture and shutter priority recording modes
  • Durable and small package with a strong build quality
  • Good quality Full HD videos (1080i)
  • 24Mbps bit rate AVCHD recording
  • Fly-up menu has intuitive options and layout
  • Simple user interface
  • Good low light video performance
  • Optical image stabilization

CONS

  • AVCHD videos use the MTS file format, which requires a higher end PC to play the files smoothly or to edit the videos
  • Macs currently convert AVCHD videos to AIC, which increases file size
  • Can not charge battery and use camcorder simultaneously
  • Average quality photos (3.3MP)
  • Expensive – $750+

LINKS

]]> http://vel.lanquibo.com/2010/04/15/canon-vixia-hf20/feed/ 0 Nuite Blanche http://vel.lanquibo.com/2010/03/21/nuite-blanche/ http://vel.lanquibo.com/2010/03/21/nuite-blanche/#comments Mon, 22 Mar 2010 02:53:17 +0000 veltronic http://vel.lanquibo.com/blog/?p=252 An inspiring and impressive video by Arev Manoukian called Nuit Blanche.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_tifuN6P7go

]]> http://vel.lanquibo.com/2010/03/21/nuite-blanche/feed/ 0 Panasonic DMC-FZ35 http://vel.lanquibo.com/2010/02/25/panasonic-dmc-fz35/ http://vel.lanquibo.com/2010/02/25/panasonic-dmc-fz35/#comments Thu, 25 Feb 2010 15:39:54 +0000 veltronic http://vel.lanquibo.com/blog/?p=162 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ35

I originally bought the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ35 camera to avoid buying a full HD camcorder after having some problems. Unfortunately, the photos were highly compressed and were worst than my Canon PowerShot SD780. However, the video mode was great since it allowed you to zoom and reset the focus as you recorded a movie. Importing the AVCHD Lite videos did NOT work properly with iMovie 2008. The video length was half the original since it imported it at 59.94fps, so the audio was cut in half. I returned it after poor results from multiple tests with various programs.

PROS

  • Quick Menu has intuitive options and layout
  • RAW file capture
  • Manual controls- Shutter, Aperture, Exposure
  • Good low light video performance
  • Flexible video recording options

CONS

  • Highly compressed and noisy photos
  • AVCHD Lite videos can be difficult to import
  • Weak build quality- feels like it’ll shatter if dropped

LINKS

]]> http://vel.lanquibo.com/2010/02/25/panasonic-dmc-fz35/feed/ 0 Sony HDR-XR500V http://vel.lanquibo.com/2010/02/23/sony-hdr-xr500v/ http://vel.lanquibo.com/2010/02/23/sony-hdr-xr500v/#comments Tue, 23 Feb 2010 15:27:16 +0000 veltronic http://vel.lanquibo.com/blog/?p=104 During the holidays I searched for a full HD camcorder. The first one I bought was the Sony HDR-CX100, but I returned it because the video quality wasn’t much better than my Canon PowerShot SD780 camera. Future Shop had good Boxing Day deals on some camcorders. I got the Sony HDR-XR500V camcorder for $350 off the original price. I tested it for about a week before returning it. Please read the full review for more details.

PROS

  • “Exmor R” CMOS sensor takes great quality videos in low light
  • Strong build quality
  • Night vision (NightShot)
  • Manual focus
  • Viewfinder
  • 120GB hard drive
  • Charge battery and use camcorder simultaneously

CONS

  • Poor photo quality considering the sensor size
  • Poor life with the included battery
  • No manual shutter speed or aperture settings
  • GPS features only supported with supplied PC software
  • Touchscreen user interface and menu layout

LINKS

]]> http://vel.lanquibo.com/2010/02/23/sony-hdr-xr500v/feed/ 0 Canon PowerShot SD780 IS http://vel.lanquibo.com/2010/02/20/canon-powershot-sd780-is/ http://vel.lanquibo.com/2010/02/20/canon-powershot-sd780-is/#comments Sat, 20 Feb 2010 18:08:45 +0000 veltronic http://vel.lanquibo.com/blog/?p=67 Canon PowerShot SD780 IS
I bought the Canon PowerShot SD780 IS Digital ELPH camera last summer. The main selling feature for me was that it shot 720p HD video in a small package. I’ve used it for many family videos and for some public events like the Marina Skateboard Plaza Grand Opening (video embedded below). Overall it’s been reliable and has given me good results. Please read the full review.

PROS

  • Under $300
  • Durable and small package
  • Good quality HD videos (720p)
  • Decent quality photos (12.1MP)
  • Simple user interface

CONS

  • Not suited for fast motion videos/photos since you can’t manually set the shutter speed
  • Videos- You can’t reset the focus after zooming
  • HD video quickly drains the battery, usually within 45 mins
  • Battery must be charged with external charger, so you can’t use it while charging (No DC adapter)
  • Poor low light performance and sensitive to lights/reflective surfaces (vertical bars of light)

LINKS

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