DXG DXG-505V 5.1 MegaPixel Camera with 2.4" Rotating LCD

The DXG-505V is an inexpensive, value-packed multi-function device that tries to do everything, but is spread a bit thin in terms of practicality. As a camera, its pictures are mega-sharp although it's surprising to experience internal mechanical focusing noise (and such short battery life) on a solid-state camcorder that has no moving parts. DXG should have really bundled in the optional NP-60 Li-Ion rechargeable battery (found online for under $11) and a 2GB SD card (about $25) and raised the price accordingly, because you WILL be buying these items.As far as features go, let's run down the list:1) Pictures. Quite good! Very basic lens, but sharp with decent color, 5.1MP resolution, auto-focus, & flickery electronic flash.2) Camcorder. Grainy, even in HQ (640x480) mode, with rather low color resolution. Spend $25 and get yourself a 2GB SD card. Haven't tried the Direct Printing support, but it's in there.3) FM radio & MP3. These work, barely. Clumsy and primitive.4) Webcam. Yep, this works. You can capture pics or movies with it in Pinnacle Studio or Vegas. Bonus for also being able to record and playback via NTSC.5) Flash drive. Works just like any other, very easy to get your files in and out of the camera.6) Audio recorder. Primitive. Sound is fixed at 12KHz mono, and record levels are not adjustable.So, you get the idea. The LCD rotatable LCD display is excellent, and the firmware is very well done for the most part - so as long as you keep your expectations modest, it's a very fun device but strictly for kids and hobbyists.

What this is supposed to do best is probably the worst feature of this product, which is recording video. If you don't mind low res video, and just want something to mess around with, then it's fine. It does take good pictures, but if I wanted good pictures, I would've bought a digital camera. Same goes for the mp3 player, radio, and voice recorder. I wanted this for capturing decent video, and it does a really lousy job with what they should have made thier number one priority. I didn't expect too much from this camcorder for it's price, but it's pretty bad when my brothers digital camera, which was cheaper than this, takes much better quality video. So yea, your probably just better off buying a digital camera that records video, because it'll probably be better at pictures and video than this sub-standard camcorder.

Overall the camera is "okay." It does not come with a memory card so be sure to keep that in mind when purchasing because those alone can cost anywhere from 20 to 200 dollars! I have a 512MB one in it right now, and it's not enough. The camera takes pictures okay, but only in very good lighting. Don't try to use it inside...even the very cool lighting features can't save the poor quality pictures it produces in poor lighting situations. Also, unless you have a very steady hand, most of your pictures will come out blurry or with a glare created from the flash....not sure why that is though...The video it takes is very very very pixeled. You can see colorful dots all over the picture, even when you transfer it to either dvd or your computer. The MP3 features are neat, but it eats up too much space for what it's worth. The camera comes with headphones, usb ports and cords to hook into your tv. Pretty cool, I think. All in all, it's a good camera for what you are paying for...but I would reccommend saving for another month and buying a step up. It's good for a college student like myself, who will in the next few years be building a family and purchasing a better quality camera. :) Hope this helps...

I am pleased with the purchase I made and the price I paid.I am still getting aquinted with it. I have one problem, I don't know how to erase the internal storage, which is very little. If there was some more internal storage, it would have beem great. Could do with some help there.

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