SiPix StyleCam DV100 Digital Video Camera
Details
- Availability:
- No longer available through SilverGelatin.net
- List Price:
- $129.99
- Average Customer Rating:
- 4.0 out of 5
- Manufacturer:
- SIPIX
Features
- A versatile pocket-sized DV camera about the size of a bar of soap
- Combines in one unit a digital video recorder, digital still camera, and audio recorder
- 1.3 Mega Pixel resolution for crisp details and vibrant colors
- Built-in 8 MB flash memory with SD/MMC card slot
- TV output feature for easy playback
Description
The SiPix StyleCam DV100 is a multi-functional pocket-sized DV camera that captures motion pictures, still images and voice annotation. The StyleCam DV100 is comparable to the size of a soap bar, so that you can take it anywhere, anytime to capture clean, crisp digital video with sound. The StyleCam DV100 also performs as a point-and-shoot digital camera. Take outstanding still images at 1.3 Mega Pixel resolution and playback both digital video and pictures using the 1.6" color LCD monitor.The StyleCam DV100 comes with 8 MB built-in flash memory that stores up to 80 photos or 180 seconds of digital video. To expand storage capacity, the StyleCam DV100 accepts a Secure Digital or a MultiMedia Card memory card up to 256MB. Featuring 2X smooth digital zoom, you can zoom in on your subject at the precise magnification and get the perfect picture. The StyleCam DV100 has TV output feature that allows you to playback your video clips, pictures, and audio recordings on a TV screen with the supplied A/V cable. Sit back, relax, and share your fun moments with friends and family.
There are two things that stand out immediately about the about the StyleCam DV100--size and price. A digital still camera, digital camcorder, and audio recorder in one, the DV100 is about the size of a bar of soap and is priced at a fraction of the cost of next cheapest digital camcorder. Too good to be true? Not at all. The camera is everything it claims to be, is easy enough to be used right out of the box, and overall makes a decent entry-level digital camcorder.
So what’s the catch? The big one is that without a memory card (and it does have a slot for either a MMC or SD card), the camera will be maxed out before you’ve even really started. How many photos and how much video the camera can hold depends on the level of quality you choose. At the lowest resolution (640x480), you can take a respectable 80 still shots, but at a more standard resolution level (1280x1024) that number is less than half, and if you take even two minutes of video, you won’t get more than ten or so shots off before the dreaded "Memory Full" message. Purely as a camcorder, it is not very useful without external memory since you won’t get much more than about ten minutes of footage. And the fidelity of the video, at 8-15 frames per second, is not exactly HDTV-ready (although we are actually kind of fond of the low-budget indie film look).
Another minor drawback that should be mentioned is that the shutter button is awkwardly positioned just to the right of the viewfinder so your index finger must bend nearly in half in order to reach it. A quick word about the software that comes with in the package, PhotoImpression and VideoImpression: It’s not junk (call us cynical, but we’ve come to expect this). The software’s big, friendly graphic interface let you do quickly and easily do all the basics: crop, adjust contrast, re-size, etc. Unlikely to be mistaken for Adobe PhotoShop, but perfectly usable nevertheless.
Sure, this camera has its limitations, but these must be weighed against its combination of price and size, which is nothing less than astonishing. --David Stoesz
Pros
- Easy to use
- Ultra compact
- Great value
Cons
- You are liable to get a cramp in your finger trying to reach the shutter
- Limited built-in memory
- Video fidelity likely to remind you of The Blair Witch Project
Spotlight customer reviews
Great for its price!
[ Posted: 2005-11-16 ]
I am a very avid filmaker. My parents bought this for me more than a year ago. It's really small and useful. The lighting is really pretty bad, but this is a great camera for a beginner. I have good cameras that I can use for other, more important things, but if you're going out you can just put it in your pocket, and take it with you.
Does good clips for my groups
[ Posted: 2005-03-23 ]
I crossdress and do a lot of flashing and upskirting-I use the video camera to take clips of me and put then in my groups-they have a small file size-I can get about 20-25 second clips in less than 1 meg-I would recomend this camera to anyone who wants to email clips or put them in communities or groups-Also small enough it can be set up and not really be noticed
Bought this for my then 13-year old son.
[ Posted: 2005-02-23 ]
My son is an avid skater and has been begging for a video camera to film their antics. Got him this last Christmas, for about $100 after rebate, and more than a year later it's still holding up. He hasn't broken any part of it and continues to blaze through the AA batteries. Can't get much better than that. I wouldn't give it to a child younger than about 12 years old because it's not a Fisher Price - it's a little more delicate than that - but 12 and over for sure! The only drawback is that it's only good in bright sunlight. He can't shoot anything in the evening and he would like to.
Great starter camera
[ Posted: 2004-07-23 ]
My 8 year old wanted a digital camera/camcorder and i didn't like her using mine and I wasn't going to spend hundreds of dollars for one for a child. So this was a great and welcome alternative. It works great, she is thrilled to bits. I love the fact that you can hook it straight up to the vcr and playback and record her creations without having to upload to a computer.
She and her siblings played with it all day long. I purchased the 128mb card for ours and it's enough for us. I agree with the other review in that I wish it had a power supply. But I guess rechargeable batteries will be the best way to go. Overall extremely pleased with the product for the price.
Great on the go Camera
[ Posted: 2004-07-11 ]
When I started my family, I bought an 8mm camera. I can probably count the number of times I used it on one hand in the five years I've owned it. It was bulky, needed frequent recharging, and frankly, after a while, I would forget to bring it out. I was looking for something small, digital, and of course inexepensive. I gave the SiPix a shot. I love this little camera. I can take it everywhere and it's very simple to use. The software is also simple, but it doesn't have alot of features. If buying this camera, it is a MUST to purchase a memory stick, at LEAST 256 MB or you can't record video for more than a couple of minutes. Also, there is no flash, so only outside or in lit areas. I was dissapointed that there was no flash or lighting options, and battery life (2 AAs) doesn't last as long as I like (but longer than the 8mm NiMH, how sad). Overall, this camera had performed how I expected it to for the cost. The quality is not the best, but decent, and it works great to record little moments on family trips and the kid's activities. If you are looking for portable, digital, and an inexpensive camera to start with; and can live with "ok" quality, this is the camera to buy. Especially since it's a great starter camera if you're not sure you want to upgrade to digital camcorders because of price. The money you spend on this camera is worth "experimenting" in the digital world, before you upgrade to the "big dogs"