First things first. There's a lot to like about a high def camcorder that shoots 720p and 1080p video and sells for around $185. So my first impression would be to like the DXG-595V. And I do, though with a slew of reservations. For this price you assume there are compromises and limitations--there are.
It is a hand sized camcorder weighing in at a little more than half a pound. That is a blessing and curse. I took it on a hike up Sleeping Giant Mountain this afternoon--just shoving it into my pants pocket. But small also means it's difficult to hold steady. Without the mass of a heavier and larger cousin it's everything you can do to keep it from bobbing and weaving especially when zoomed in.
DXG could have... no, should have compensated for the small mass with a wider angle lens. The wider your lens the less motion matters. Even without wobble consumer cameras need to start wide because that's how camcorders are used. If you're shooting family or friends you're probably going to be close. On the DXG-595V that means most of a face or maybe an eye and nose. Up on Connecticut's Sleeping Giant Mountain I couldn't move back far enough to capture the three story stone tower in the frame. And though there is digital stabilization in every mode but 1080p it wasn't effective.
I was surprised to find an actual 5:1 ratio zoom lens going from medium to long telephoto (one of the few moving parts on this digital machine). It's real zoom, though there is also the digital zoom hocus pocus usually found on low priced gear. If you're shooting sports the zoom lens will definitely come in handy.
Played back on my Vizio 47" HDTV the quality is surprisingly good. It looks like compression artifacts are compensated for by sharpening. The video is soft and sharp at the same time! The colors were reasonably saturated and true. Video played from the camera is smooth. Playing it back off a hard drive on a variety of PCs here at home produced jumpy video except when played through the supplied ArcSoft TotalMedia Theater. Just what I needed--one more video player!
What's sorely lacking is the ability to easily use this video after it's shot. The camcorder comes bundled with the Presto! VideoWorks. That means this HD camera comes with editing software that won't render HD video as HD! Maybe I'm just not using the software correctly. The documentation's entire chapter on supported formats reads, "Presto! VideoWorks supports video, image, and audio files, in several formats that you can import, edit, and produce your finished project according to your needs." Gee, thanks.
I was hoping to try other software but the H.264 encoded MOV files were incompatible with anything else I've got.
This is the kind of camcorder I'd take on vacation in a New York minute. It's a camera for someone who doesn't use or need one often and is wondering if they can get away with spending less than $200. It's simple, small and beyond lightweight. A carrying pouch, easily adjusted wrist strap and internal lens cover are included.
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November 18, 2008 11:16 PM
On the website www.dxgtechusa.com the camera look different thenthe one here on your site??? do you have a different model??
November 19, 2008 1:32 PM
Kyser -
I agree.
However, if you look at the page, there is a second photo (lower left) which is the model I reviewed. I suspect, because the main picture shows "10X" zoom and this camera claims "20X" (with digital zoom), they've mistakenly used an older photo. The photo in this post was taken by me (my water bottle out-of-focus in the background) and the camera is most definitely a DXG-595V.
November 19, 2008 8:39 PM
Geoff,
I've used an Aiptek A-HD (720p) for about 6 months and recently upgraded to this DXG. For under $200, the best options for 1080p are the Aiptek Action HD and the DXG. I believe the DXG is the better buy because of an increased bitrate (less compression), elec. image stabilization @ 720p60 and a stereo mic, albeit with limited channel separation.
Good review, thanks.