Best Camcorders Under $200 5
RCA Small Wonder EZ205
Though it uses the same basic technology as the Flip Ultra and Flip Meno cameras, the RCA Small Wonder EZ205 comes in a slightly smaller shape with rounded edges and has a flip out LCD screen. As with all the other sub-$200 USB cameras, the Small Wonder comes with built-in software -- the RCA Memory Manager -- that installs automatically as soon as you plug the retractable USB arm.
What we like: The LCD screen can be flipped around to face the subject, meaning you'll have no problem centering the frame on yourself when shooting self-portrait-style videos. By dragging the videos you want to edit into a timeline-like desktop 'stage,' the RCA Memory Manager software lets you do most basic editing tasks such as editing sections out of longer footage and splicing together several different movie clips at once. Movies can be uploaded in seconds to YouTube or Box, and are automatically resized for e-mailing. The dedicated button on the outside of the camera for shooting Web-ready still images while you're out on the field is handy. Unlike the other cameras, the Small Wonder comes with a case and offers up custom skins from SkinIt. We also like that this camera runs on two standard AA batteries, which means you don't have to worry about running out of power (provided you're willing ot shell out for batteries, of course).
What we don't: VIdeo quality may be decent on the Small Wonder's tiny 1.5-inch screen, but it's a bit grainy and washed out when plugged directly into a TV (using the included A/V cable). Still, it beats what we usually shoot on our cell phones. The RCA Memory manager lacks some "for dummies" editing macros found on programs such as Muvee that automatically make mini-movies out of your footage, adding special effects and music, etc. Also, it converts edited videos to Windows Media Files automatically, which makes them less flexible if you want to play them on, say, your iPod (in other words, edit your videos with a third-party program that'll let you edit the raw footage files). Lastly, we had trouble getting sound out of our videos when we first plugged them in.
Verdict: In most respects, this camera performed reliably and was easy to use. Our only (minor) complaint would be that the proprietary software that comes with the Small Wonder is lacking in some of the niftier photo-ediitng features (namely, special effects), but that's why you'd want to take MPEG-2 movies this camera creates and edit them on a more versatile program like Muvee or iMovie. The flip-out LCD screen, and the funky-patterned skins you can use to customize the body make the Small Wonder an ideal pick for home movie auteurs and the fashion-conscious alike.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
nobody666 said 8:10PM on 9-08-2008
I have had one of these for over a year and am not a photo nut. It is easy to use with the add in memory the record time is great and it doesn't eat up the batteries faster than you can film. The stills and auto white balance are almost better than my 12mp digital camera. Great little unit and would recommend for anyone not a pro.
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