1.0MP, 10x Opt, 240x Dig, 2.5'' LCD - MPN: DZMV380A
Strengths: Size, design, user friendly, great picture quality, convenience.
Weakness: long start up time (about 15-20 seconds to read the disk)
I haven't bought a camcorder for about 6 years, so I was amazed at the progress that had been made since the last one . When I found out I could record directly onto a DVD which would play on my home DVD player or computer, I was sold!! Not only this, but to find a camera which takes and stores good quality still pictures also and was less than half the size of the old one was a miracle to me. It is wonderful to be able to pop the DVD out and stick it into your player and get a thumbnail directory of exactly which scenes you would like to see. No more hooking up the camera to the TV and fast forewarding and rewinding to find what you are looking for. This camera is easy to use and to carry!! And even my wife can stick a DVD into the DVD player!!!! Love this camera!!!!!!
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The third time is definitely a charm for Hitachi's re-designed tapeless camcorders. Home DVD players are now more common than ever and Hitachi has taken a leadership role in the evolution of disc-based cameras. The third-generation DZ-MV380A shoots directly to mini 3-inch (8cm) DVD-RAM or DVD-R discs that should play back in many home DVD players. This camera will appeal to anyone who would like...
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Hitachi DZ-MV380A DVD-R/DVD-RAM Digital Camcorder
Strengths: DVD format. Compact size. Ease of use. Great versatility in control choices. Clear high resolution. Great sound. Very good still photos. Very good optical zoom. Good colour. DVD burning capability.
Weakness: Poor low light capability. Digital zoom degrades picture badly at full telephoto. High price of extra battery. Power button too easy to leave in "on" position.
At first I wasn't sure about this camcorder after trying a demonstrator. But when I tried the brand new one, manufactured months after the demo, I seemed to see quite a difference in resolution and low light capability. Probably just my improved competence after practicing. I was worried about the software in my PC after reading bad reviews about the DZMV270 problems but there was no cause for concern as the current software worked well and did not seize up my computer.
The optical zoom is really good and the quality of picture in high resolution mode is good even on my 43 inch Sony HDTV. Stereo sound is really good.
Still photos are pretty good.
The camcorder produces better shots the more one uses the control options other than all-automatic.
The DVD-R discs can be used in your DVD player with good results. The DVD-RAM discs can be reused endlessly. I really love the thumbnail search function which is a stellar improvement over tape.
On the down side, the digital zoom degrades the picture badly as you go to full telephoto. When it matters, just switch off the digital zoom to keep good quality.
The low light recording is poor compared to my 7 year-old Sony. Taking video of a first communion in a brightly lit church was disappointing. The light came out orange on TV. I should have turned off the Electronic Image Stabilzer and used a tripod and external light to get better results.
An extra battery is too expensive now at $120US.
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