Aiptek High Definition Pocket DV Z300HD (720P) Camcorder (5MP CMOS sensor, 2.4″ LCD Display, 3xOptical Zoom, SD card format)

February 28, 2008 | By Doug In Digital Camcorder |

Aiptek High Definition Pocket DV Z300HD (720P) Camcorder (5MP CMOS sensor, 2.4″ LCD Display, 3xOptical Zoom, SD card format)
Technical DataStorage Floppy Drive / TypeNoneTechnical DataDisplay (Projector) / TypeLCD displayTechnical DataDisplay (Projector) / Diagonal Sizein2.4Technical DataDisplay (Projector) / TechnologyTFT active matrixTechnical DataVideo Input / TypeCamcorderTechnical DataVideo Input / Digital Video FormatAVCHDTechnical DataAudio Input / TypeMicrophoneTechnical DataDimensions & Weight / Widthcm3.3Technical DataDimensions & Weight / Depthcm7Technical DataDimensions & Weight / Heightcm11.3Technical DataDimensions & Weight / Weightg172Technical DataVideo Input / Still Image FormatJPEGTechnical DataOptical Sensor / Optical Sensor TypeCMOSTechnical DataViewfinder / Viewfinder TypeLCD monitorTechnical DataHeader / Product LineAiptek High-Definition PocketDVTechnical DataHeader / ModelZ300HDTechnical DataHeader / ManufacturerAIPTEKTechnical DataHeader / Packaged Quantity1Technical DataViewfinder / Viewfinder Colour SupportColourTechnical DataLens System / TypeZoom lensTechnical DataLens System / Lens ApertureF/3.6-6.7Technical DataLens System / Min Focal Lengthmm7.5Technical DataLens System / Max Focal Lengthmm21.5Technical DataCamera Flash / TypeBuilt-in flashTechnical DataLens System / Optical Zoom3Technical DataVideo Input / Special EffectsBlack & WhiteTechnical DataCamcorder Features / Low Lux / Night ModeYesTechnical DataVideo Input / Shooting ModesDigital photo modeTechnical DataDisplay (Projector) / Display Form FactorRotatingTechnical DataBattery / Battery Form FactorManufacturer specificTechnical DataBattery / Manufacturer Battery NameAiptek NP-60Technical DataOptical Sensor / Camcorder Sensor ResolutionMpix5Technical DataCamcorder Features / High Definition Video Support720p

Customer Review: An eveyday star
OK it’s a toy - the optics are limited and the sound is mediocre- BUT it’s a lovely camera for carrying around and capturing the unplanned happenings of everyday life - great for parties, concerts, podcasts, youtube and sports- in fact the stuff that makes up 90% of what video recorders are used for.

I’ve got a Mac and with MOV files as the format, video clips are very quick to transfer to iMovie for editing.

The HD mode is very good for landscape- as long as you put it on a tripod. The D1 mode is responsive enough for most other situations.

If you want to make a ‘real’ movie then buy one of end-of-line DV cams- I think the limitations of the Aiptek give it some character and charm - and what do you expect at this price? (I got mine for ?117)

Customer Review: V HAPPY BIRTHDAY GIRL!!
I love this camcorder! I was thinking of buying one of these however reading some of the reviews put me off - don’t let them! - i got one for my birthday and have hardly put it down.

The recording quality is great - within minutes i can playback on my tv or pc using the supplied cables.

It has a camera built in with 5 megapixels which produces great quality pictures. The great thing is you don’t feel like your carrying around a big bag - its so compact i take it everywhere.

Even though I received it as a gift I knew how much it cost and I think its great value for money!

Sony Vegas Movie Studio +DVD 6 (Platinum Edition) (PC)
Price: ?79.99
Customer Review: This is the one to buy!!!
Having spent many hours editing and the trying to render various pieces of video footage on to a Pinnacle software system (with no success what so ever) I decided to go on previous recommendations and buy the Sony Vageas Movie Studio +DVD 6 (Platinum Edition). After taking delivery, editing with it and rendereing a superb quality DVD at the first attempt, my thoughts were “why didn’t I but this one from the very start, instead of wasting my time with other feeble excuses of editing software?”. This software didn’t “hang up” the P.C. once during either the editing stage or the rendering stage. Previous software I’ve used was “hanging up” everytime I tried to do anything with it. If you are looking to buy some video editing software, without spending the amount the professionals do, then get this one. It is the only one I’ve found that actually works!!! Superb features and once you get the hang of how to do things through the use of the excellent tutorials, it’s a breeze to use and the results are great. Not that I have ever used “professional” software, but I would imagine it performs just as well on this version and at a fantastic price too!! What can I say except “Thanks Sony, you’ve made me believe that their are some companies that can at least get software to work. Forget Pinnacle and Roxio, this is the one to get!!!!
Customer Review: Value for money
This product cannot be beaten on value for money. It is overloaded with features and if you want great looking productions your search is probably over. Not all features are are straight forward but with a little time and a clear understanding of what you want to achieve, then most things you want will be manageable. If you get more serious a switch to Sony’s full blown package Vegas will be a breeze.

Sanyo Xacti HD2 High Definition Digital Movie Camera
You can film and take photographs whenever you like with the Xacti Digital Movie VPC-HD2 camcorder from Sanyo! This hybrid camcorder features a 7.8-megapixel CCD sensor and a pushdown flash behind its lens for clear, sharp results. It has a shutter speed of 1/15 sec and ISO sensitivity up to 3200 in video mode, to ensure that you capture even the tiniest details. You can save your videos and photos to an SD or SDHC memory card. Because it’s compatible with PictBridge and features a USB 2.0 connection, you can print your images. The Xacti Digital Movie VPC-HD2 camcorder from Sanyo also comes with a docking station and several video outputs including an HDMi socket, so you can connect your camcorder to a high-definition television or DVD player. Both practical and smart, the Xacti Digital Movie VPC-HD2 is a compact camera that?s perfect for sports and technology fans on the move!
Amazon Price: ?332.90
Used Price: ?265.00
Customer Review: Excellent machine.
I bought my camera from Singapore last year where it was ?50 cheaper. My requirement was to combine still camera with movie camera in a super-portable form - and this camera achieves that. The picture is lush… the colours vibrant and sharp. I happily take the camera everywhere….it’ll fit comfortably in a trouser pocket (or the wife’s handbag)… battery lasts for ages…The quick-start is a real plus - just take off the lens cap and it’s shooting. I love the way I can slot the memory card directly into my PC and download the files in seconds. Only complaint is the user manual, which isn’t great. I just don’t understand why other manufacturers have caught on to this design and functionality!
Customer Review: Great entry level hd
This is a great budget hd camcorder and has been unfairly judged on hd camcorders that are much more expensive. For general family stuff and holidays this is ideal better than tape for sure, ok its not great in low light like a lot of camcorders, but how often do you need it in low light? If so switch some friggin lights on and its ok. I have found that getting the right iso settings and choosing the right colour setting helps lots also.The size of it and gun style grip appeals and seems more natural than other designs. Also if you have a huge tv i.e around 50 inch then its going to push the boundaries and stretch a few pixels but on an average size tvs its great.I would have liked a wider angle lens but you carn’t have everything at this price.

Panasonic NV-GS230EB-S Mini DV Digital Camcorder Mini Dv (2.3MP Stills, 3 x CCD, 10 x Optical) 2.5″ LCD
With its 2.3 megapixel Tri CCD sensor, digital image stabiliser and photo-on-memory-card mode, the NV-GS230EF-S from Panasonic provides you with the very best technology for your video recordings. In fact, this camcorder records your most precious memories onto miniDV, while its SIS stabiliser corrects blur and image distortion. It comes complete with a 10x optical zoom, allowing you to record detailed and vibrant images even when subjects are far away, and a sensitivity of 1 lux, so you can film your family gatherings and parties with friends perfectly. The NV-GS230EF-S saves video images and fixed images onto memory cards at the same time, and replaces your digital camera by offering a host of practical and user-friendly scene modes for your photos. What’s more, the NV-GS230EF-S camcorder has an AV output, an S-video output, a FireWire port, a USB 2.0 port, an accessories shoe (for video lights, for example), a microphone socket so you can record in a professional manner, and a headphones socket to control sound. The NV-GS230EF-S is a great camcorder that can be used by all the family!
Customer Review: Caveat Emptor
Whether this product is great or rubbish I have no idea. It was purchased from Pixmania (a non-UK company) via the Amazon marketplace. It arrived poorly packaged but on time. It showed clear signs of having been used - opened box, crumpled packaging, loose items etc. All of the instructions were in French and German but then again they would be - the item was an NV-GS230EF not the NV-GS230EB as advertised - never intended for the UK market. Pixmania insist that their own website makes it clear that the instructions are not in English (indeed if you look hard enough at their massive site you will find this somewhere). I remember buying it through Amazon though, where there is no such mention of non-english documentation. Certainly, there was no mention of second hand goods on either website. Pixmania insist (on their national rate phoneline) that they do not sell second-hand goods but offer no rational explanation as to why the product had clearly been used despite the transit box being sealed. Do I keep it and find out whether it works once I’ve found a download site for the instructions? Do I pay to have it sent back to Pixmania and hope for a refund? Perhaps Pixmania will collect it at their expense and make more effort to let buyers know they are buying goods never intended for the UK market.(!). I’m sure this product is great but I’m going to have to wait to find out. The service has definitely NOT being worth the small savings - buy from the UK or USA !!