- In this report
- Overview
- RCA Small Wonder EZ201A
- Pure Digital Flip Video F160B
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August 2007
RCA Small Wonder EZ201A: First Look
We preview this flash-memory-based digital video camera from RCA
RCA Small Wonder EZ201A
Price: $130
What it is: The RCA Small Wonder EZ201A is a compact digital camcorder that records up to an hour of video on 512 megabytes of built-in computer memory. Powered by standard AA batteries, it has 2x digital zoom and buttons that control play/pause, delete, record, and power on/off. A four-way navigation key controls playback volume, fast forward, and rewind, and a switch sets the recording mode to High Quality (HQ) or Long Play (LP).
Like its predecessor, the EZ101, the camera has a pop-out USB connector and connects to PCs running Windows 2000 or Windows XP with service pack 2. Specs don’t indicate compatibility with either Windows Vista or Apple Mac software, but we found that both operating systems will recognize the camcorder as a flash memory drive. That allows you manual access to the video files if the camera is connected to the computer's USB port.
The EZ201A feels more like a camcorder than the EZ101, thanks to new and improved features such a slot for additional memory cards, a 1.5-inch LCD that now flips out (see image), and a tripod mount. Accessories include a wrist strap, an audio-video cable for connecting to a TV or VCR, a carrying case, and a quick start guide. This unit has a 90-day warranty on parts and labor.
HIGHS
Ready to use. Two standard AA alkaline batteries are preinstalled in the camera, so it's ready to use right out of the box. One push of
the power button and you’re greeted by a splash screen, then the word “Ready.”
On-board memory. You can start shooting without having to buy removable media, though the internal 512 MB of memory limits you to 30 minutes of video in HQ mode and 60 minutes in LP mode.
External memory option. The current model now accepts SD/MMC flash memory up to 2 GB. This significantly increases recording capacity, a plus considering the limits of the built-in storage. With a 2-GB card, the camera can hold 2.5 hours of HQ video or 5 hours of LP video.
Built-in software. Once connected to a Windows-based computer, video software lets you save, play back, e-mail, delete, and combine videos in a new order. Video to be e-mailed is reduced in size and may be saved to a folder or directly attached to your default e-mail application.
Handy features. The LCD display can flip out for self-portrait type recordings. It displays the remaining recording time over the "live view" of what the lens sees. A built-in tripod mount allows the camera to be attached to any standard tripod stand for more stable recordings.
TV connections. With the included audio-video cable, you can plug the camera into any TV and play back its video clips or switch to a "live view" from the camera lens.
LOWS
Poor video quality. While recordings looked passable when viewed on the Small Wonder’s tiny display, they deteriorated when viewed on any TV screen. Given the very low bit rates of these digital recordings, that’s not surprising. The stair-step-edged video looked much like clips from video-capable cell phones. Even recordings shot in the high-quality mode in good lighting looked very soft, without much detail. Dim lighting, zoom, and the LP mode made things look worse.
Quirky memory slot. Video clips can be moved from the camera's internal memory to any SD/MMC memory card inserted into the slot. But once video clips are moved to the memory card, the camera can’t play them back. What's more, it took about 2.5 minutes to transfer one hour's worth of video clips to an external memory card. And the camera doesn't display a progress bar or provide any other feedback on how long a transfer takes.
No Web cam capabilities. The camera can't be used for online chats or Internet-based video conferencing.
Feature quibbles. There’s no image stabilizer, so picture quality may suffer from “the shakes.” You can’t shoot a still image, as you can with most camcorders, but you can capture a still from video transferred to a PC and save it as a JPEG or .BMP file. Also, the proprietary audio-video cable may be difficult or costly to replace.
BOTTOM LINE
The RCA Small Wonder EZ201A has more and better features than its predecessor, the EZ101, or the more expensive Pure Digital Flip Video F160B we previewed. It’s easy to use and adequate for “quick and dirty” situations--for your kids to record memories from summer camp or to create videos to share over the Internet, where quality doesn’t matter much.
Its video quality doesn’t approach what you’ll get with most digital camcorders (which admittedly cost more) or point-and-shoot cameras that cost nearly the same as the EZ201A yet offer more capabilities and features. Check our latest camcorder and Ratings (both available to ) to explore better options for digital video recording.
What it is: The RCA Small Wonder EZ201A is a compact digital camcorder that records up to an hour of video on 512 megabytes of built-in computer memory. Powered by standard AA batteries, it has 2x digital zoom and buttons that control play/pause, delete, record, and power on/off. A four-way navigation key controls playback volume, fast forward, and rewind, and a switch sets the recording mode to High Quality (HQ) or Long Play (LP).
Like its predecessor, the EZ101, the camera has a pop-out USB connector and connects to PCs running Windows 2000 or Windows XP with service pack 2. Specs don’t indicate compatibility with either Windows Vista or Apple Mac software, but we found that both operating systems will recognize the camcorder as a flash memory drive. That allows you manual access to the video files if the camera is connected to the computer's USB port.
The EZ201A feels more like a camcorder than the EZ101, thanks to new and improved features such a slot for additional memory cards, a 1.5-inch LCD that now flips out (see image), and a tripod mount. Accessories include a wrist strap, an audio-video cable for connecting to a TV or VCR, a carrying case, and a quick start guide. This unit has a 90-day warranty on parts and labor.
HIGHS
Back view of the RCA Small Wonder EZ201A
On-board memory. You can start shooting without having to buy removable media, though the internal 512 MB of memory limits you to 30 minutes of video in HQ mode and 60 minutes in LP mode.
External memory option. The current model now accepts SD/MMC flash memory up to 2 GB. This significantly increases recording capacity, a plus considering the limits of the built-in storage. With a 2-GB card, the camera can hold 2.5 hours of HQ video or 5 hours of LP video.
Built-in software. Once connected to a Windows-based computer, video software lets you save, play back, e-mail, delete, and combine videos in a new order. Video to be e-mailed is reduced in size and may be saved to a folder or directly attached to your default e-mail application.
Handy features. The LCD display can flip out for self-portrait type recordings. It displays the remaining recording time over the "live view" of what the lens sees. A built-in tripod mount allows the camera to be attached to any standard tripod stand for more stable recordings.
TV connections. With the included audio-video cable, you can plug the camera into any TV and play back its video clips or switch to a "live view" from the camera lens.
LOWS
Poor video quality. While recordings looked passable when viewed on the Small Wonder’s tiny display, they deteriorated when viewed on any TV screen. Given the very low bit rates of these digital recordings, that’s not surprising. The stair-step-edged video looked much like clips from video-capable cell phones. Even recordings shot in the high-quality mode in good lighting looked very soft, without much detail. Dim lighting, zoom, and the LP mode made things look worse.
Quirky memory slot. Video clips can be moved from the camera's internal memory to any SD/MMC memory card inserted into the slot. But once video clips are moved to the memory card, the camera can’t play them back. What's more, it took about 2.5 minutes to transfer one hour's worth of video clips to an external memory card. And the camera doesn't display a progress bar or provide any other feedback on how long a transfer takes.
No Web cam capabilities. The camera can't be used for online chats or Internet-based video conferencing.
Feature quibbles. There’s no image stabilizer, so picture quality may suffer from “the shakes.” You can’t shoot a still image, as you can with most camcorders, but you can capture a still from video transferred to a PC and save it as a JPEG or .BMP file. Also, the proprietary audio-video cable may be difficult or costly to replace.
BOTTOM LINE
The RCA Small Wonder EZ201A has more and better features than its predecessor, the EZ101, or the more expensive Pure Digital Flip Video F160B we previewed. It’s easy to use and adequate for “quick and dirty” situations--for your kids to record memories from summer camp or to create videos to share over the Internet, where quality doesn’t matter much.
Its video quality doesn’t approach what you’ll get with most digital camcorders (which admittedly cost more) or point-and-shoot cameras that cost nearly the same as the EZ201A yet offer more capabilities and features. Check our latest camcorder and Ratings (both available to ) to explore better options for digital video recording.
