Sylvania HD1Z Camcorder Reviewed
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Some people have questioned why I usually have good reviews on the products we have here, alluding to the fact that maybe I prop up some items that maybe shouldn't be. But I really do try to pick winners instead of losers; I don't actually like reviewing bad products, and if I find something to be genuinely bad, I won't review it.
However, today I did want to attempt a review of the Sylvania HD1Z HD camcorder, which is featured as an Amazon Deal of the Day (via Woot). Unfortunately, it's not a good product. It's not an awful product, but the fact that the Sylvania HD1Z camcorder is labeled as HD makes people think that they are getting a fantastic bargain, when it's just a standard pocket camcorder.
Sylvania HD1Z Pocket Camcorder for Sale at Amazon
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HD1Z 720p HD Video Camera Blue (HD1Z-PB)
Sale Price: $19.99  |
The Sylvania HD1Z camcorder is capable of recording in 720p at 30 frames per second. You will notice a lot of choppiness in this 30fps video, so while the picture is crisp, movement isn't all that appealing.
New and Used Sylvania HD1Z Pocket Camcorder for Sale
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32GB SD SDHC PRO MEMORY CARD 4 SYLVANIA HD1Z CAMCORDER CLASS 10
Selling for Only: $29.95 Sale Ends In: 1d 24m |
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Sylvania HD1Z SD/SDHC/MMC 720p HD Pocket Video Digital Camera/Camcorder
Selling for Only: $30.00 Sale Ends In: 4d 18h 3m |
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Purple Sylvania HD1Z SD/SDHC 720p HD Pocket Camcorder
Selling for Only: $57.99 Sale Ends In: 6d 19h 4m |
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Peacock Blue Sylvania HD1Z SD 720p HD Pocket Camcorder
Selling for Only: $57.99 Sale Ends In: 6d 19h 4m |
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Sylvania HD1Z 64 MB Camcorder - Blue
Selling for Only: $30.00 Sale Ends In: 8d 52m |
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Sylvania HD1Z Pocket HD SD/SDHC/MMC Digital Video DV Camera/Camcorder - New
Selling for Only: $39.99 Sale Ends In: 8d 1h 43m |
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PNY 16G SDHC SD card for Sylvania HD1Z HD camcorder
Selling for Only: $36.95 Sale Ends In: 11d 17h 36m |
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Sylvania HD1Z SD/SDHC/MMC 720p HD Pocket Video Camera
Selling for Only: $41.19 Sale Ends In: 12d 1h 30m |
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Sylvania HD1Z 64 MB Camcorder - Blue 8GB memory card
Selling for Only: $79.99 Sale Ends In: 12d 16h 19m |
The Sylvania HD1Z is much better at taking photos, with its 5 megapixel camera. The camera doesn't have manual shutter or exposure settings, so everything outside of the focus is automatically chosen for you, based upon the scene you are in. With regards to focus, the HD1Z has a 4x digital zoom focus, but no optical focus.
The Sylvania HD1Z camcorder only has 64 megabytes of internal memory, not much for a camera that can record HD video. So you will want to purchase one or two SD/SDHC memory cards to complement your purchase (if you decide to do so after this glowing review).
The display on the Sylvania HD1Z is pretty standard for a pocket camcorder at 2". It's nice and bright, and fairly easy to see unless you are standing with your back to the sun.
When all is said and done, the Sylvania HD1Z camcorder isn't too terrible a camcorder, if you are paying less than $50 for it. You have to remember that Sylvania isn't known for making camcorders or cameras, so this is obviously going to be a cheap product branded as a Sylvania product. I would much prefer to spend a little extra, and purchase a Flip UltraHD camcorder instead. But that will run around $150, far higher than the cheap bargain you get with the Sylvania HD1Z camcorder.
Sylvania HD1Z Pocket Camcorder Photos
Sylvania HD1Z Pocket Camcorder Specs
* Model / ASIN: HD1Z / B004K9CL6S
* Colors Available: Blue
* Resolution: 5 Megapixels
* Digital Zoom: 4x digital zoom
* Video Recording: Yes; 720p and 640x480 capable at 30 frames per second
* Minimum Focus Range: 120 centimeters
* LCD Display: 2" TFT LCD
* Flash: No
* File Format: JPEG for still photos; AVI for HD movies
* File Storage: 64 Megabytes of internal memory; compatible with SD, SDHC, and MMC memory cards (up to 16Gb)
* Outputs: HDMI (x1); USB(x1)
* Power: Rechargeable Li-ion battery
* Dimensions: 4 2/5" x 2 3/10" x 4/5" (L x W x H)
* Release Date: December 2010
Reference
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Sylvania HD1Z SD/SDHC/MMC 720p HD Pocket Video Digital Camera/Camcorder ...
Sylvania HD1Z 720p HD Digital Video Camera
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Sylvania HD1Z Pocket Camcorder - Youtube Video Review
The Best Little Actor! (Apples & Ketchup)
1 May 2012 at 5:15am
B. Daniels is the lead review expert with Find Cheap Bargains. B. was more than likely the person responsible for the hands-on review of every product on the site. He also spends time searching for sale bargains when not conducting and writing the reviews.
I purchased this camera in Trinidad from a vendor selling electronic accessories out of a kiosk in one of the large shopping malls (Trincity Mall).I knew I was taking a risk not buying from a Sylvania approved dealer, but the item was do cheap I couldn’t pass it up. I am happy to say that I have been completely satisfied with the product so far (I have have had it for about two weeks).First of all the reviewer complains about choppy video playback.Did you use a class 4 (or better yet class 6) sd card? I am using a class 4 4 gigabyte micro sd card with an adapter that I got at a bargain price at the radio shack in the same mall. The videos are excellent both at 720p and VGA quality, with only the occasional jump, which I understand is due to using a class 4 sd card.If I upgraded to a class 6, from what I have read from another user, I would have perfectly smooth recordings.
The only problems I have had with it are two bugs that appear to be firmware related: the first one, which is slightly annoying, is the camera sometimes failing to turn on: the sylvania splash screen would appear and then the screen would go blank, with the camera not responding to any of the buttons; the only way to wake up the camera is to take out the battery and put it back in.The other bug, and one which for my purposes is insignificant, is the firmware crashing if the ISO setting is at the highest level (800).I don’t take pictures in very low light with this camera and I wouldn’t expect good results in low light anyway.
Other than these issues, this is a very good little camera.I contacted digital gadgets and their only recommendation to me when I told them about the bugs was to return the product to them for a replacement (which of course I am ineligible for as I did not buy the product from an “approved dealer”). I was hoping that they would offer firmware updates, as other manufacturers do, but apparently that is not their policy. I am using the camera regularly, and I am extremely happy with my purchase,in spite of the occasional firmware related hiccup.Overall, for the price, a very good buy.
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