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Description

Panasonic DMC-FH20K Digital Camera Features28mm Wide-angle LensThe 28mm wide-angle lens* lets you easily capture large groups of people indoors or expansive architectural structures and scenes with dynamic width and rich perspective, even from short distances.* Converted to standard 35mm camera equivalent, at the maximum wide position.Powerful 8x Optical ZoomThe DMC-FH20 sports a powerful 8x optical zoom lens (35mm camera equivalent: 28-224mm). This gives you highly natural expressions from people and animals that you can’t get close to. And its slim, compact, pocket-sized body can easily go wherever you do for both everyday snapshots and traveling.iA (Intelligent Auto) ModeWhen you don’t know which mode will give you the best shooting results, or when a sudden photo opportunity pops up and you don’t have time to make any settings, simply choose iA (Intelligent Auto) Mode by simply pressing the dedicated button and let the camera do it all for you. You just choose iA Mode, aim at your subject, and shoot. 4 detection and correction functions are simultaneously activated to optimize the settings, so you get stunning photos every time.HD Movie Recording (1,280 x 720 pixels at 30 fps in Motion JPEG Format)The DMC-FH20) can record motion images in high-definition (1,280 x 720 pixels at 30 fps in Motion JPEG format). The pixel mixed readout method enables bright motion-image recording even in low-light settings. The DMC-FH20 can also record full-size motion images in WVGA (848 x 480 pixels at 30 fps) or standard motion images in VGA (640 x 480 pixels at 30 fps) and QVGA (320 x 240 pixels at 30 fps).Extended Battery LifeThe energy-saving Venus Engine IV image-processing engine and the efficient, rechargeable lithium-ion battery which has been slimmed down to fit into thinner camera bodies work together to extend the shooting time of the DMC-FH20. This lets users take approx. 300 shots on a sin

Features

• 14.1-megapixel effective recording
• 8X optical zoom (4X digital zoom/32X total zoom)
• 2-11/16″ LCD screen
• Optical image stabilization
• Sonic Speed AF for quick focusing on moving subjects

Reviews

A great Camera and Price

by David R. Hawkins from Fairfield, CA on 2010-09-08
I’ve been looking for a compact camera for several months. I”ve gone to “Box Stores’, read reviews and had this model in mind plus others.
After doing my research, I decided on the FH 20. If you follow the basic operation manual, you can’t go wrong. The advanced manual is on the disc under operation manual. This is some 147 pages long. I printed only the pages that I was interested in. It sure helps when you want to do some technical settings. I have only had this camera for 45 days, the quality of the pictures are great. Looking for more fun with the camera.

Everything I expected

by ginarex from Chicago, IL USA on 2010-09-06
I did a bunch of research before buying this camera – and boy did it pay off! This little monster is the neatest thing since sliced bread. The Intelligent Auto feature lets me take beautiful pictures every time – and I am somewhere below rank amateur. It shows things the way I see them, and I don’t have to monkey around with lenses and light adjustments. It’s much lighter weight than I expected – the heaviest part is the telescoping lens. Use the string to make sure you don’t drop this baby.

Oh, you will want to read the instructions that come with it – unless you speak pictograph. The only English is on the front of the camera.

Memory Card – Make sure you buy the correct one!!!

by Don K. from on 2010-09-05
This is not a review of the camera itself. Other folks have done that quite well. It’s a good little camera for the money. I own one and use it as a supplement to a high end SLR that I also own.

What I’m commenting on here concerns the MEMORY CARD. If you buy an additional card, make sure you buy a card rated “CLASS 6″ (or better). That’s the recommendation from Panasonic.

Amazon is doing a disservice to its customers by listing a Kingston “Class 4″ card in its “Frequently Bought Together” section of this camera. Kingston makes great cards. But a class 4 card is not what this camera needs.

Here’s the deal. The camera takes “SD” type memory cards, so of course, you have to buy that type of card. But beyond that, you also must purchase a “CLASS 6″ type SD card. Not to get too technical, but the “class” is the speed rating of the card and it measures the minimum sustained write speeds. A camera designed to record to class 6 media (this camera) may suffer dropouts or corrupted video on slower media like class 4. And PANASONIC RECOMMENDS CLASS 6 (or more) type cards for this camera. So look for it. The class number will usually be included in the name of the card. Don’t buy a Class 4 card.

Since I’m on the subject of cards, there’s one other thing to be aware of when getting an additional memory card for this camera: storage size. As you probably know, storage size is the space on the card that stores your shots or videos. It’s measured in GB (gigabytes). The more storage the better: 8 GBs is better than 4 GBs, 16 GBs is better than 8 GBs, etc. If you plan on taking some videos with this camera, which consumes lots of memory, very quickly, get the highest storage size you can afford. Even if you don’t take long videos, the higher the GBs, the more shots you can take before running out of storage space where you can’t take any more shots.

initial experience with panasonic DMC- PH20

by Eugene Y. Moroz from on 2010-09-02
Only have had preliminary experience with the Lumix, but it has been a pleasure taking pictures with it – particularly like its 8X optical zoom. It is well worth my investment.

So far, fantastic

by Otter425 from on 2010-09-01
Did about a month’s worth of research for a DigiCam around the $150-$200 price point. Was replacing an old Cannon 3MP Elph (great product).

The Panasonic has two features that stand out to me – 8x optical zoom and lightning fast shutter. Nothing was worse with the old camera, or with a cell phone camera, than waiting for the image to store. You hear a click, count to 2 mississippi and then your image is saved. NOT WITH THIS CAMERA! If you’re using the auto focus, it snaps almost instantaneously. I can’t overstate how wonderfully responsive this camera is.

The zoom is great as well. Not a lot of cameras in my price bracket have more than a 4x optical zoom. Added to the shutter speed, and I can get great shots of my little one from across the room before a distraction ruins my shot.

Other features:
-Solid pictuee quality – very happy with this, especially since that’s the point of a “point-and-shoot”!
-intelligentAuto setting is solid, very happy with its selections so far
-ability to tinker with settings if I want, though no need to thanks to iA
-burst feature for taking multiple pictures (though to take continuous shots, you lose MP depth)
-standard size 2.7″ screen
-surprisingly easy controls and menus
-solid feature set for the price
-HD video capability (720) – but the zoom feature is deactivated while shooting.
-14 MP

All in all, I highly recommend this camera. Friends have the Casios, I’ve had good experiences with Cannon, but this is, so far, my favorite.

I’d give it 5 stars, but have only had it a month. I’d prefer having it longer before going all the way.

Description

Package Contents:
Panasonic BL-C1A Wired Network Camera, bracket, power supply, mounting hardware, CD-ROM, software and instructions.

The Panasonic BL-C1A Wired Network Camera handles your digital photography needs at a price that won’t hurt your wallet! This color surveillance camera allows remote video monitoring of a home or business. Remote home and business surveillance just got a lot more affordable. Receive an e-mail image when the home security camera detects motion–you’ll always know what’s going on at home or at your business. The 10X digital zoom and color night viewing makes sure you don’t miss a detail. It’s easy to install, easy to operate and requires no additional software for viewing on your PC. Indoor use only.

Server Features:

Image Buffer–About 250 frames (320 x 240, standard image quality). Image transfer via e-mail (SMTP) or FTP. View snapshots and control them from a compatible cellular phone Supports up to 12 cameras IPv4 Multi-Language Interface – English, German, Spanish, Italian, French and Japanese Camera Features – 1/4 320,000 pixel CMOS image sensor 10 digital zoom Viewing Angle – 53° horizontal, 41° vertical Auto exposure Aperture – F2.8 Illumination – 10 – 10,000 lux (normal), 4-10,000 lux (night view) Motion Sensor with Email Alert Auto & manual White Balance Network Connection – RJ45 Ethernet (10Base-T/100Base-X) System Requirements – Windows 98SE, 2000, ME and XP; Internet Explorer 6.0 or later Camera Dimensions(WxHxD) – 3-3/8 x 3-3/8 x 1 Weight – 0.22 lbs Networking Protocols – HTTP, FTP, SMTP, TCP, UDP, IP, DHCP, DNS, ARP, ICMP, and POP3 before SMTP

Features

• Color Video
• JPEG image compression & video streaming
• Video Resolutions – 640 x 480, 320 x 240, 160 x 120
• Frame Rates (Max.) – 7.5 fps @ 640 x 480; 15 fps @ 320 x 240; 15 fps @ 160 x 120
• Authentication – ID/Password authentication (Administrator / General Users – up to 50)

Reviews

NICE camera and very fair price.

by Kenneth Sands from Syosset, LI, NY, USA on 2010-06-27
A little tricky setting up over the net and multiple cameras; had to get tech support’s aid, because documentation STUNK. BUT they got me going. Great image now and great price.

This is the low-end version in Panasonic’s lineup

by TomK1 from Brookeville, MD on 2010-06-26
This is the 2nd network camera I’ve purchased from Panasonic. The first I purchased about 6 months ago, and it is the Panasonic BL-C131A, which I rated very highly (and is discontinued).

This one isn’t quite as good, but it’s also less than half the price. Let’s talk about what it doesn’t do:
1) This is a wired camera only (obvious from the description)
2) There is no ability to remotely swivel the lens (which is obvious from the pictures)
3) It does not do sound
4) Some software options are missing, the one that I find frustrating is the time-stamp on photos which lets you immediately see when they were taken
5) The motion sensing is significantly less sensitive and you have to fiddle with settings to get it to work.

It makes up for it in that the mounting bracket is nicely designed and was easily screwed into the top of window frame with two supplied screws. It also looks decent, and not too “techy”.

But for the money, all things considered, it’s a great choice.

Here’s my tip if you buy this: Don’t use the software supplied with it. It’s useless.

Instead, plug it into your internal network and type this into a browser:

[...]

Very first time only! It will prompt you to create an ID & Password

After that, access it by typing:
[...]

It does include the [...] DDNS service and uPnP (Free for Panasonic customers), which makes setting up your router a breeze and sets up the correct URL for you to access the router from outside your firewall.

I wish this camera had more features, but for the price, I’m willing to live with the compromise over the more expensive Panasonic camera.

I’m a picky person.

by E. Mattar from CA , USA on 2010-06-21
Setting up this camera was hard. I had to call customer support for it.
They were patient and nice and made it work.
Thanks.

.

DO NOT BUY Motion detection does not work!

by P. Borntrager from Ohio USA on 2010-06-02
Generates video with 3 second stills. Motion detection generates hundreds of blank files along with the ones that have motion. The setup of the camera went pretty quick. The web site setup went smoothly.
The product is useless. Software in the camera does not work and/or is poorly designed. It will not buffer images. Motion detection does not have a hot zone. Client viewing software motion detection places hundreds of small null files in the directory. Every 10 seconds. So there is no good way to quickly view motion files. Video files are in proprietary format so you cannot view them without going to their software. The software is crippled, but you cannot buy an uncrippled version. Are you serious that you could actually ship software this bad with a product. It’s worse than a joke. I’ll never trust the brand again.

Setup a breeze, excellent image

by Vegas user from NJ United States on 2010-05-29
Compared to previous webcams I’ve setup, this was a breeze. No fooling around assigning and re-assigning IP addresses and still not having them work. It took about 10 minutes to fully setup. I set it up to view over the internet using the [...] “service” that the software points you to. This was a little confusing, as it asks you to setup an account, so I assumed when I go to the url, that I need to input the username and password for [...] but it was really the camera’s username and password that it wanted. It only took a few minutes to figure this out. The setup was very easy and I never had to login in the router to open any ports, everything was taken care of by the installation software. fyi, I am on FIOS.

The picture quality is really very good for $78. I plan on picking up a few more of these, or the wireless version.

Sale Price: $19.99

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Description

The VholdR Vented Helmet Mount features an easy and secure strap system to get a clean profile without a bunch of duct tape. Additionally, adjustability comes from a 7-degree notch system that gives you the flexibility to mount your helmet cam and then dial in your line of sight.

Features

• Easy and secure strap system
• Adjustability comes from a 7-degree notch system

Reviews

I would not buy one again

by Tony from Sacramento, CA on 2010-08-17
Strap design wouldn’t really ever get fully secure on my helmet, though it didn’t matter because one crash and the plastic ribs in the middle tore right off. I know you want to have a weak link somewhere, and better on that than your camera, but maybe a detachable design or something with a little more thought. It also did not offer much in regards to adjustment with the “rocker plate”. In the end, I still love my Vholdr camera, but I got little use out of this cam mount before it was completely toast.

Two thumbs down for a badly designed product.

Do Not Buy

by Michael D. Blakeslee from Pittsfield, NH United States on 2010-07-27
As others have stated, the pin that the mount pivots on is not secure on the sides. It can (and did) come free while I was using it and my camera fell and has been damaged. This is a big flaw in the design, and needs to be addressed! I’m going to look for another solution, and hope to hear back from VholdR about repairing my camera….

Pin Broke Off the Base Right Away!!!

by Rex V. Polito from Los Angeles, CA USA on 2010-05-21
Good tilting concept but absolutely poor design and plastic material on the base saddle.
The pin which holds the slider to the base of the mount broke off right after I landed
a jump off a 4 feet ramp while snowboarding. The plastic saddle is too weak/thin to hold
the camera securely. The side of the camera touches and exerts some pressure against
the base of the mount which causes the pin to pop out from its saddle.

Don’t buys this! Vholdr makes good cameras but this accessory is absolutely disappointing.
Look elsewhere or wait until they correct and improve this design.

Don’t buy this if you value your camera.

by Dr. D from on 2010-05-14
Like another reviewer states, the pin will pop out once any tension is put on the straps. There is no stop for it and you will likely lose your camera. This is a serious design flaw but the tilting concept is good. Luckily mine popped out before I even used it and I promptly made my own mount.

Quality product

by Jeremy B. Kough from on 2010-04-08
The product performed to my expectations. The mount secured easly to my Bell Variant helmit and the camera slid in and held fast in the bracket without any play. The mount can be tilted either up or down, just like Vholdr calims. The seller was very responsive in delivering the devise. I would do business with the product manufacture or this seller again.

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Description

See the difference.  A new world of imaging.  Creative photos and movies in full HD.Shoot HD movies with single-lens-reflex photo quality.Full-HD Movie Recording in AVCHDWith the GH1, shooting incredible photos is only part of the fun. You can also shoot beautiful, richly detailed movies in full HD (high-definition) (1920 X 1080) at 24 frames per second, or smooth HD (1280 X 720) movies at 60 frames per second in AVCHD format (MPEG-4/ H.264) with continuous auto focus.* You can record for a longer time without running out of memory because AVCHD stores less data than Motion JPEG while maintaining stunning image clarity and detail. A separate button on the back lets you instantly start recording movies while shooting photos, without having to make any extra settings. *Full-HD (1920 X 1080) movies are output by the image sensor at 24p (NTSC)/25p (PAL), and recorded at 60i (NTSC)/50i (PAL). HD (1280 X 720) movies are output and recorded by the image sensor at 60p (NTSC)/50p (PAL).”AVCHD” and the “AVCHD” logo are trademarks of Panasonic Corporation and Sony Corporation.Full HD (1920 X 1080) at 24 frames per second faithfully shows every detail.HD (1280 X 720) at 60 frames per second smoothly and carefully reproduces moving subjects.LUMIX G VARIO HD 14-140mm/F4.0-5.8 ASPH./ MEGA O.I.S. for Outstanding HD Movies This kit lens boasts a focal length of 28-280mm (35mm camera equivalent) and supports a continuous auto focus function that works for both photos and movies. The aperture adaptively adjusts to each scene, letting you capture the kind of delicate, softly focused movies that only a digital interchangeable lens camera can produce. Thanks to a silence design that helps suppress lens drive noise, the GH1 with its new kit lens records sounds with amazing clarity. This kit lens also incorporates MEGA O.I.S. (Optical Image Stabilizer) that helps eliminate blurring from hand-shake. For th

Features

• 12.1-megapixel 4/3-type MOS sensor; interchangeable lens system digital camera
• Capture 1080/24p or smooth 720/60p HD (High Definition) movies in AVCHD format
• Live View Finder and bright 460,000-dot resolution, 3.0-inch LCD
• New Contrast AF (Auto Focus) function; Face Detection and Intelligent Auto (iA) mode
• Capture images to SD/SDHC memory cards (not included)

Reviews

Excellent for professional video

by D. J. Haynes from Florida, USA on 2010-09-02
This review is for the GH1 in shooting video. Stills-wise, it is very good but doesn’t compare to the Nikon cameras and lenses we use for production stills so we’ve rarely used it for photography.

As a cinematographer and director making broadcast documentaries, I picked up a GH1 a few months ago as a ’suicide camera’ – a lock off camera to use in dangerous industrial areas where we didn’t care if it survived or not. But the GH1 proved so good that we quickly developed it as a secondary camera on all shoots – it is now a part of our standard kit alongside Sony HDCAM cameras.

There are a lot of indepth reviews on the GH1 so I’ll just add some of the most important aspects from our experience…

Video quality is excellent (with the hack) and sits nicely in our shows alongside the main HDCAM footage. We use it for picks ups, awkward/dangerous places, timelapses and B Roll. Converted to ProRes or imported direct to Avid MC the quality is dependable and good.

Choice of lenses. The stock lens is pretty good – we’ve used it in all sorts of places. But the true gift of the GH1 is being able to use lenses from other systems via adaptors. We use ours with Nikon lenses (70-200, 24-70, macro and superwide angle glass) as well as the Voigtlander 40mm f1.4 – which gives a beautiful look. Adaptors are available on ebay and cheap. Have a play.
The stock lens has stabilisation – which is very good – any other type of lens does not. But use the thing on a tripod – or a mount for mobile work.

Rotating flip out screen – very useful for those awkward spots or lower angles on the tripod. Once you’ve fitted a Zacuto finder on it though it tends to droop. Jam some gaffer tape on the hinge to help. Using one of the Canon’s without a flip out screen is a true pain for real world filming.

Autofocus. We tested it but avoid it. I never use autofocus on our cameras – don’t even have it on the high end ones of course. Its nice that you can move the autofocus area around on the screen – so you don’t have to keep your subject centered – but ultimately it is too easy for the auto to fix on something else – and in the heat of the action it isn’t always obvious that it is shifting focus from one thing to another. Autofocus not available on other brand lenses of course.

No zebras – so use the histogram – it works just fine.

Can set color temp direct – dial in degs K. This is a very nice feature missing on a lot of high end minicams even.

There are a vast array of accessories for the HDDSLR world – largely because they are a pain to use mobile. But you don’t need everything you see, tempting tho it is. Essentials are Audio system, ND Filter and Zacuto style viewfinder hood (I know there are other types but the Zacuto seems best to me). That’ll give a good working system. Shoulder mounts, follow focus and matte boxes etc depend on your style of shooting – we have them but tend to use the GH1 with just the ND filter and a clip on lens hood.

Takes a Zacuto finder ok – if you use the Jr you’ll need the special GH1 mount – available from Zacuto direct. You really do need something like this to be able to use any HDDSLR in the field – and they help in handheld stability as well so are worth the money. You can also switch them between cameras so it’s not an investment only for the GH1.
The electronic viewfinder is really very good – and perfectly good enough for a lot of work. But the flip out screen allows better use on a tripod.

ND Filters. Can’t get around this – you need one/several depending on type. We settled on the Singh Ray (the Fader ND is cheaper and supposed to be equally good) and it does the job nicely. Buy a clip on lens hood and you can do away with a matte box for a lot of work. The filter rotates but the clip on hood is easy to shift back into position. The 77mm thread of the Singh Ray fits directly to the front of Nikon professional glass, and accepts the Nikon lens cap.

As with audio and Zacuto style finders, your ND filter will work with other HDDSLRs so isn’t a wasted investment.

Audio. You need an external recorder and decent mics. Same is true for any of the HDDSLR cams – most of which have worse mics than the built in stereo mics of the gh1. Nothing you can do about it – bite the bullet and pickup an external recorder – we use a Sony PCM-D50 because we had one around – but there are a bunch of cheaper ones available. The GH1 audio track is then used for sync – buy a clapper board and look ridiculous or click your fingers for free.

SD cards are cheap. Very. Buy loads. I love them – and have filmed with P2, SxS as well as every type of tape. Get Class 6 at least to cope with the higher data rates with the hack. Class 10 better.

I’ve used the GH1 in a range of environments – including the desert in 127 degrees of mid-day heat. It runs hot but still works. Battery life is good – but if it’s your main camera then get spares.
It’s a little small – easy to hit buttons accidentally as you use it. The menu system is straightforward. This is a very easy camera to use and I remain amazed at the quality of the video.

The poor cousin to the Canon range – and usually ignored in all the books and blogs – the GH1 is a stunning little video camera with a range of features all its own.

Awesome Camera Loaded w/ Features

by carolina2834 from on 2010-08-31
I recently reviewed the E-P1 a couple months ago stating it would be my last camera. Well, I lied. I started getting into video more, so I wanted a camera with full manual control and 24P at an affordable price. That narrowed it down to a 7D, T2i, or GH1. I chose the GH1 mainly due to lens compatability and size. My feelings towards the camera were a bit cold at first. I knew that it was loaded with features, but I guess the E-P1’s aesthetics (and my G11) just felt “warmer” when using it. The GH1 is a bit more industrial, but now that I’m used to it, it really doesn’t matter much.

The main feature that separates the GH1 from many cameras, not just m43, is the high-bitrate 1080P video (after hacking). I won’t get into technicalities, but I will say that most of my footage has been nothing short of amazing. I shot a little movie on backyard bugs (lame, I know) for a couple of days after receiving the camera and the footage really does look like something from National Geographic or Discovery Channel. The only gripes I have about the video is the banding at ISO’s past 800. If not properly exposed, the footage is borderline unusable for full-screen viewing. It’s not too bad for small-screen web viewing, but if I’m doing something presentable, 500 is probably my limit.

Pictures from the GH1 are pretty nice too, but the JPEGs aren’t as good as the PENs. In my opinion, if you’re not feeling too inspired to edit each and every photo, and you just want a great out-of-the-box JPEG machine with nice skin-tone, colors and all, get a PEN. You definitely will not be dissapointed. (Who knows? Maybe you’ll even find the JPEGs from the GH1 better than the E-Ps.) I’ve made prints from both the GH1 and the E-P1, and I can honestly say that the E-P1 looks better. If you’re shooting RAW, it won’t matter. The GH1 has better ISO sensitivity (worse banding control, however), and I wouldn’t mind pushing a photo to 1600 or even 2000 since I have Dfine and can easily clean up most of the noise and banding that shows up at high ISOs.

While the GH1 is bigger, uglier (IMO), and less portable than the PENs, it makes up for it with good ergnomics, a swivel LCD, and a nice and bright EVF. The PEN looks better than the GH1 when displaying the two bodies next to each other, but the GH1 feels better in the hand after getting used to it’s aesthetics. Although the GH1 really isn’t that much bigger than the E-P1, the extra protrusions from the viewfinder, and grip may make it less portable for some who value size over function. It’s definitely not as large as my old E-620 or E-510, but it is large enough that I’ll consider leaving it at home or in the car if I don’t have my messenger bag on me or my girlfriend with me (to use her purse).

Overall, I have to say that I really like the GH-1. Video is amazing, pictures are great, and as of now it’s probably the best all-around camera in the m43 range. I honestly can not find a reason to even glance at the GH2 unless if Panasonic can somehow get the AVCHD bitrates remotely close to 35-40MBps. (It won’t happen.)

If you’re looking for high quality videos at an affordable price, it’s hard not to recommend the GH1. If you don’t care too much about 1080/24P video and can settle with 720/30P with great JPEGs, then I recommend the E-PL1 or E-P2 (E-P1 has no manual controls for video to stop strobing at high shutter speeds). In the end, I say 4.5 stars, but I’ll give it 5 because of Amazon’s star rating-system.

The most versatile camera I have used

by George from Salt Lake City, Utah on 2010-08-22
Cameras are still at a stage where size matters. I own full frame Canon and the images are stunning but the body and lenses fill a large backpack and weigh a lot. For an easy walking around camera I have a Canon G10 which fits in my pocket but is limited to one lens and the images, though surprisingly good in the right circumstances, are not comparable to the big camera. The G10 is almost useless for shooting children or moving subjects. The Lumix GH1 was designed to fit in between both functionally and in terms of size, and offer a good movie option as well.

It is bigger than a point and shoot but still smaller and lighter than any regular dslr. Easy to carry with a strap over the shoulder or in a small backpack. The kit lens is very good and combined with an equally good 7-14 zoom offers a range from extreme wide angle to long telephoto, way beyond the capability of any point and shoot. It focuses fast and reliably, especially when shooting children with face detection. The stills are better than a point and shoot but not quite as good as a full frame dslr. The colors are deeper and richer than a point and shoot but the color balance is not quite as stunning as the big Canon. Grain and detail are very well controlled up to 800 ISO. The movies are good quality and the sound is captured well both close and far.

But there are compromises. The size is achieved by eliminating the mirror and pentaprism of a dslr using a live electronic image instead. This is generally useful for framing but not for detailed review of the shot beforehand. For example, the effect of a polarizer cannot be seen through the viewfinder. Precise manual focus is difficult or not possible.

It is also difficult to shoot more than one shot quickly. Each shot is frozen in the viewfinder for a few seconds before it returns to live view and another shot can be taken. So the GH1 shoots one shot quicker than a point and shoot but does not allow a fast series of shots like a dslr. This is a real limitation when shooting children or sports.

The biggest challenge I have found is the color. Canon has generally gotten color right. Panasonic has a slightly different balance and though generally very good the prints just don’t grab like the big Canon’s do. I suspect that it is partly due to the smaller sensor. Getting the color right will likely improve with experience. It is also easy to inadvertently hit the color balance button on the back of the camera. Fortunately the menu is obvious in the viewfinder but you need to learn to pay attention because it disappears as soon as the shutter button is pressed.

So, this is now my main travel camera, what I use to photograph my grandson when the big camera is too big to haul around, and my new movie camera. It is well designed and generally keeps the compromises to a minimum. Face detection and an articulating screen are a real plus. Overall, pricy but good quality and unmatched for versatility.

picture quality is good but build quality is really bad

by K. Mizoo from Kinnelon, NJ on 2010-08-21
I have being using this camera for over a year and use it almost everyday.

The body size is good and portable. The picture quality is good for the size, takes good movies as well.

Takes good still photos for the still subjects, but not for moving subjects… the auto focusing of this camera is too slow for moving animals or small kids playing.

The build quality of this camera is the worst part. The strap holder broke off twice. I got a replacement camera in June of 2010 but the left side holder is already loose :(

The lense (14 -140mm) produces very sharp images and quiet. BUT the problem of this lens is that the zoom ring rubber gets loose. When you want to zoom in/out, the operation (rotating the zoom ring) slips and frustrates me. The zoom ring rubber got loosen twice also.

This camera is not tough, rather very fragile. Picture/Movie quality itself is good but the build quality spoils everything.

lovely camera

by K. Strand from Oregon on 2010-07-24
I ordered this particular camera for the new micro four thirds format and also thanks to many reviews citing Lumix as the the industry standard in this new format. This is a lovely camera, especially for its performance in low light situations. I am finding it less compact than I had hoped, not that much smaller than a standard DSLR. However, even a small size difference helps when travelling, and I really enjoyed shooting with this camera on my recent trip to Italy.

Description

The UltraPod I is a small, convenient tripod that can be taken and used anywhere. Its 3 legs offer a stable base for your small camera, and the strap allows you to attach the UltraPod to a fence, rail, or tree. The strap is black Velcro “one wrap” and designed to be easily removable. This is designed to be a fun tripod for use with small digital cameras, web cams and more. Can also be used to mount remote flashes to light stands using the Velcro strap. Weight: 1.7oz.

Features

• Extremely lightweight and compact with sturdy fold-out legs.
• Unique ball and socket camera mount assembly for easy adjustment.
• Strong Velcro strap allows attachment to posts, tree limbs, railings, pack frames, or any similar sturdy object.
• Weighs only 1.7 oz. Folds to 4″ for easy packing.
• Made in the USA.

Reviews

Love it

by L. Olson from on 2010-08-10
I use this for my LG HS201 Slim LED Projector. It works well for this purpose and makes it easy to set the projector up anywhere I need it.

The Best Portable Tripod you can find

by E. Guo from VA USA on 2010-06-29
I’ve been an Ultra-pod II user for over 10 years, always carry one in my bag. Recently, I bought this smaller version Ultrapod which would be too weak to support SLR with a lens on. I carry this small Ultrapod in bag to use with my pocket camera (Sigma DP1 and Canon G), and take the old Ultrapod II only with my DSLR(Canon 5D), saved more bag space.

some issues that could be improved:
1) I have to find my own bag/case for each of those portable tripods, it would be much batter if a matching soft nylon case came with it.
2) when shooting vertical, this small one is not as good as the Ultrapod II, because the shorter neck of the small tripod, and not as sturdy/staple as the bigger one, of course

I like both, but this smaller modle is better to carry with compact cameras and bigger one can support DSLR with some light/normal lens weight

lightweight and easy to use.

by photobug from on 2010-05-21
lightweight, easy to use, very portable and perfect for what I need. the velcro strap is a neat feature, too.

Essential accessory

by Roger Harris from Colorado Springs, CO USA on 2010-03-29
I’ve carried one of these in my camera bag for many years and found it to be very handy. The velcro strap is indeed very useful, and you may be surprised how often you’ll think of a way to use it. But I seem to have lost it, and after using one of little tripods with flexible legs for a few months, I’m here to get another Ultrapod — I just don’t like being without it.

Great little tripod

by Once in a while from on 2010-03-27
I chose this tripod after watching a YouTube video of one of those segmented bendable mini-tripods in action. After watching, I decided the bendable kind looked too wobbly.

So I chose this one instead, and I’m happy I did. This little tripod is very stable. And when you have the legs folded together it makes a nice pistol grip for your pocket camera, something I don’t think the wobbly segmented kind would do well.

The velcro strap is about a foot long, which means it will wrap around just about anything the bendable tripods will, and, I think, holds the camera much more safely and securely.

The head tightens nicely and doesn’t slip. I tried the tripod with a Panasonic DMC-ZS3, which is fairly heavy as far as pocket cameras go, and it held securely without a bit of slip in the mounting head.

And it really is very light.

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Description

The Tamrac 5696 Digital 6 Camera Bag is designed to carry larger digital cameras and compact digital camcorders. It has Dual Foam Technology that combines closed-cell foam to provide maximum shock protection with open-cell foam for vibration dampening and a custom fit. It features a Speed Flap top for quick access, a zipper-closing Speed Pocket on the lid and a Windowpane-Mesh pocket inside the top for filters and lens caps. A front accessory pocket with Universal Memory & Battery Pockets inside secures various types of memory cards and batteries. A fitted pocket holds extra memory cards or floppy disks. The Digital 6 is carried by an EasyGrip carrying handle, an adjustable, removable shoulder strap or a belt loop to carry it hands-free on a belt. Features Dual Foam Technology that combines closed-cell foam to provide maximum shock protection with open-cell foam for vibration dampening and a custom fit. Speed Flap top for quick access Windowpane-Mesh pocket inside the top for filters and lens caps Front accessory pocket with Universal Memory & Battery Pockets inside secures various types of memory cards and batteries. Fitted pocket holds extra memory cards or floppy disks. Carrying options include the EasyGrip carrying handle an adjustable, removable shoulder strap and belt loop to carry it hands-free on a belt.

Built for larger digital cameras and smaller digital camcorders, the Tamrac Digital 6 features a specially designed front pocket. Built-in elastic loops hold extra batteries, while the pocket itself will securely hold memory cards, tapes, or other media. A mesh pocket underneath the top flap can hold filters and lens caps. The Digital 6 has a removable shoulder strap, as well as a belt loop and handle, for secure transport. The completely padded bag protects your camera from shock and the elements.

Features

• Made for digital cameras
• Adjustable shoulder strap
• Belt loop for easy belt mounting
• Zippered front pocket for accessories
• Internal dimensions: 5.5 by 3 by 5.75 inches

Reviews

Great bag, but may be a bit small for camcorder plus accessories

by JB from Eastern USA on 2010-04-04
I have two smaller Tamrac Digital series bags, and have been very pleased with the construction, looks, and convenience of them. I am likewise impressed with the Tamrac 5696 Digital 6 bag.

Unfortunately, despite Amazon’s description that this is “built for larger digital cameras and smaller digital camcorders,” I will have to return the bag as it is too small to fit my Panasonic camcorder and accessories. The camcorder itself (Panasonic HDC-TM700K Hi-Def Camcorder) fits OK, but there really isn’t enough room left over to hold the AC battery charger plus cord, a component video and/or HDMI cable, extra battery, and camcorder remote. I ended up getting a Lowepro Camera/Camcorder Bag (EX-140) at a local store which is about 1″ taller and 1″ wider and has enough extra room to carry the TM700K plus accessories comfortably. (Amazon’s Lowepro Adventura 140 Camera Case appears to have dimensions similar to the EX-140.)

So just a suggestion to consider not just the camera or camcorder you’ll be carrying but also the accessories you need to bring. If it all fits in the 5696 then this bag is a solid choice.

Dont go based on their info

by V Lady from Middleton WI on 2010-02-05
I went to the company’s website to the chart which tells you which bag to get with your camera, and it just does not cut it on size at all!! From the photo it looks like its wider then what it is in real life. I could have gotten myself a bigger bag to put everything in it including my slim point and shoot from Walmart for $10 cheaper, and still had the memory foam inside! The front zip open pocket is too small, there is no way to fit 4AA batteries in the pouches as it shows, and there really is no room for anything like extra memory cards, ext as it claims. Save your money and get something you can look at in person when picking out, the photos on Amazon and their own website are very deceiving when it comes to size and what can go into the bag. It is well constructed, but not for my camera and needs. Paid way to much for the name on the bag, and for something I will gift to someone with a smaller camera and no use to carry anything else since shipping back will be a pain!! You really need to pick out the bag in person since the dimensions provided are also very wrong!!

Nice camera bag.

by E. Wamser from Elk Grove, CA on 2007-04-01
As with all of Tamrac’s products it is inexpensive and well made. This is the 5th Tamrac bag that I have bought for various cameras that I have. The first one I bought is still holding up almost 10 years later.

A really nice camera bag for compact digital cameras

by Richard O. Mccoy from Louisville, KY USA on 2007-02-17
A really nice camera bag for compact digital cameras. This bag will hold most accessories a compact digital camera owner want to carry and can be either used with the shoulder strap or the belt loop.

Tamrac 5696Digital6 Digital photo bag

by Gail L. Pence from on 2007-01-09
I like the bag but it is not as large as I had hoped. I am able to get the supplies into it, but it is not roomy and I cannot fit the guide book in. If I had it to do over I would not have purchased the bag. I would have waited, and gotten a larger bag at Walmart. Then I would not have had the shipping or the size issues.

Description

The JVC Everio GZ-MG630 Hard Disk Camcorder is a compact camera for the home movie crowd. Whether you’re capturing your growing child’s first few years or family vacations, the MG630’s 60GB hard disk drive gives you ample room to store digital stills or over 14 hours of video on the highest quality setting. Should you need more space, optional microSD/SDHC cards can hold overflow video and stills.The camera features a 1/6″ CCD sensor, a KONICA MINOLTA lens with 40x Dynamic Zoom and a 2.7″ LCD. The display’s Laser Touch Operation system gives you control of the camera’s zoom and recording functions, along with intuitive menu navigation.Sharing on social media sites is most definitely in your plans; One-Touch Upload to YouTube offers an easy way to share videos with far off family and friends. Other One-Touch features include, One Touch Upload to iTunes, backup to PC and DVD creation with the optional SHARE STATION.

Features

• 60 GB HDD for up to 75 hours of recording
• 40x Dynamic Zoom with Konica Minolta lens
• Laser-touch operation with sub-trigger and zoom
• One-touch upload to YouTube
• Digest Playback; Auto Illumi. Light

Reviews

USB Connection Issues

by Randy Stanfield from on 2010-08-29
Just bought a NIB GZ-MG630SU camcorder online after reading most of the reviews being very good except one. Talking about not being able to upload. Thought it was just a fluke or user didn’t know how to follow instructions. But now I’m in the same boat. I like the ease of use and picture clarity. But not being able to upload them to the computer or create DVD from defeats the pupose. JVC’s web support hasn’t been very good to this point either.

Does anyone have any suggestion for getting the device to show up in Win/XP SP3 please let me know.

Very difficult to download to a PC

by Kendra E. Williams from Rockville, MD on 2010-06-06
The video quality, size and durability of the camera is good. However, that does not do you any good if you cannot get the files easily onto your computer. The user manual gives you options for uploading to YouTube, making an iTunes video, or making a DVD. However it does not address what to do if you simply want to put them on your PC. I am very computer saavy and have been very frustrated with their software. The software that comes with it is horrible and not user friendly. Their instructions in the user manual are very unclear. I’ve found a way to copy them from the device onto my PC, reorganize them, and then edit them in Windows Movie Maker. However, it takes time and it is not what I wanted from a nice video camera. I’m probably going to sell mine and find something that’s more user friendly.

Great Cam!!!!

by Sirreal from Florida on 2010-03-19
The Is The Best Cam I Brougt. Easy To Use!! The Only thing I dont like is the making of the DVD is to slow. But other then that I love it..

JVC Everio Gz-MG630RU Gives You Poor Quality Video

by Carl Franciose from Flanders, NJ USA on 2010-02-20
I barrowed this camera to help out a friend record at a party and created a DVD of the event for them. To my surprise the video quality was at VHS tape standard. I thought the camera was a High Definition at first but found out later it was not. The logo on the camera HDD is misleading. I own a Canon VIXIA HG20 and the difference between them is night and day. If I were to record in my lowest quality with the Canon HD20 it is still better then the ultra fine mode of this JVC camera. The camera comes with a small light which is absolutely worthless unless you are in a completely dark room. By the way, the camera light does not act as a flash, so if you take still pictures, you better make sure you are in a well lighted area. I guess you get what you pay for, so I am glade I have my Canon HD20. So if you are looking for good digital quality video, your are not going to get it with this camera.

Nice Product

by Mark A. Schwarting from phx, AZ on 2010-02-06
I checked a few stores around town too hold and get afeel for what i wanted in a video camera. I was very pleased with the whole amazon experience, the price was about a $100.00 cheaper than i found elsewhere and the ease of purchasing and sending the product was awesome. If i had to come up with a drawback, there was slight damage to the box due to shipping im sure. other than that totaly awesome.

Description

EVA Digital Camera Case

Features

• EVA shell comes in a variety of colors
• Super-protective, yet lightweight
• Internal memory card pocket
• 4 3/4″ W x 5 3/4″ H x 1 1/2″ D
• Detachable wrist strap keeps your camera close at hand

Reviews

PowerShot SX210 does not fit

by Joyce ~ Massachusetts from Weymouth, MA United States on 2010-08-28
My PowerShot SX210 does not fit in the case. The case seems like a nice case, with room for extras, but my camera does not fit.

Cheap-looking

by donna s. from Los Angeles, CA on 2010-08-23
This case looks better on the web than for real! Very rough exterior and no plush lining inside. The logo of the one i got is tilted and out of place. The EVA molded compact is much better. It’s also a bit too bulky for new models of small digital cameras. I think this one was made for the earlier digital cameras that use AA batteries.

Nice Camera Case

by Mary Holloway from on 2010-08-16
This is a sturdy camera case. It really protects my digital camera from being crushed! A great item for protecting your expensive camera and extra battery or SD card! I chose red because most other people have black or gray and I want to be able to recognize mine when we have family or church gatherings!

Case Logic ECB-1 EVA Digital Camera Case

by Steve Taylor from Only visiting this planet on 2010-08-13
It’s a nice simple case with a solid plastic zipper, Rubber tabs over the zipper ends, canvas feel to the outer fabric, spring loaded hing and a fabric lined interior. It’s good enough to protect a small camera or a GPS and most of all my wife likes it and since it’s for her that’s all I need to be pleased with the purchase.

What do you buy a small camera case for?

by R. Briggs from on 2010-08-03
Bought this to protect my Panasonic DMC-ZS7. It is one of the larger and more expensive compact digital cameras. Sure if you have a digital SLR costing $1000 you probably want a large compartmented bag for extra lenses, etc. If you bought a compact digital camera you are probably looking for a decent camera that is always around when you want it without toting a portable studio with you! Put this little case on your camera and toss it in your purse or backpack. It hardly adds any size to the camera and protects it well. It’s been on a 10 day Ireland trip, to Breckenridge, and all around DFW in my wifes purse. It simply protects the camera, and very well for the money.

Description

When memories fade, print another copy. We combined the outstanding optical performance of Bushnell binoculars with a high-resolution digital camera, so you could see the moment with amazing clarity and save it to memory-built-in RAM or SD card-eith the push of a button. Image View binocluars are compact enough to fit in a pocket and come in a variety of models to suit everyone from sports fans to adventure travelers. Remember these, and unforgettable moments are a lot easier to come by.

Features

• Combines powerful performance of a binocular with a compact digital camera
• 3.2-megapixel still pictures with AVI video clips
• 16 MB of internal flash memory and SD card slot
• 1.5-inch LCD screen for viewing camera images and menu choices
• 8x binocular magnification and 8x camera magnification; powered by two AAA batteries

Reviews

Basically, it’s just JUNK

by P. Strong from Chicago, IL on 2008-10-25
Unreliable electronics that ‘locks up’ and requires removal of the batteries to free it up for use. The camera part takes a picture that is offset from what you are looking at through the binocular: i.e. look at a building through the binocular that fills the field of view and take a picture of it. You only get the top half of the building and half a frame of sky. I returned the first pair shipped due to this defect, and the second pair is just as bad. Will return for a full refund and find another brand.
Peter

Description

Panasonic DMW-BCG10 ID Secured Battery for LUMIX FeaturesID Secured Battery for select LUMIX Digital CamerasBattery InformationBattery Rechargeable: YesBattery Size: ProprietaryBattery Chemistry: Lithium Ion (Li-Ion)Battery Capacity: 895 mAhBattery Energy: 3.30 WhOutput Voltage: 3.6 V DCCompatibility: Panasonic Lumix Digital Cameras: DMC-ZS3 , DMC-ZS1

Features

• Rechargeable lithium ion battery
• Designed for use with select Panasonic digital cameras
• Rated at 3.6V, 895mAh
• Appoximate weight: 1.6 ounces
• Warranty: 1 year

Reviews

Panasonic Lumix ZS3 battery

by Drummer from on 2010-09-07
Battery works as intended. Got it in a timely fashion and this is real Panasonic battery as shown. I will recommend anyone looking to replace or buy this battery.

Panasonic DMW-BCG10

by Fae Z. McLean from on 2010-09-05
This battey charged quickly and I have not used it for any extended time. Purchased it as a second battery for a trip to Africa that I have coming up in October. It appears to be exactly like the one that came with my Panasonic camera.

Identical to the Battery that came with the Lumix DMC-ZS7 camera

by Frank D. Ireland from frankland on 2010-08-31
I PURCHASED THIS BATTERY FROM AMAZON.COM (Prime member shipping).

I read a number of reviews from people complaining that the battery was not the correct type, and that it would not function in the Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS7 camera (that is the camera that I am using). The battery that I purchased is identical in every way to the battery that came with my camera from Panasonic, and it functions perfectly. The markings are identical, and I cannot even tell the two batteries apart.

The only reason that I gave the battery 4 stars instead of 5 stars is that I believe that Panasonic should be using batteries with higher mamp/hour ratings, as 895 mah is somewhat low for this type of camera.

For the Lumix DMC-ZS7 camera, I highly recommend that you have at least on spare battery.

exactly that offered,

by Jose from on 2010-08-28
exactly that offered, I buy in amazon.com it is made in china,
but their performance is equal to the Japanese

does not work

by tomtownsend from on 2010-08-27
Panasonic camera software in some cameras, detects that the battery is genuine…..this one, though it looks the same, is not and will not work….so a pain for all involved!