RCA's EZ201 Small Wonder camcorder now shipping

Keeping its promise to have the EZ201 Small Wonder on store shelves this Spring, RCA has just announced that its flash-based camcorder is available now at Circuit City locations. As expected, this 5.25-ounce video recorder sports a ho hum enclosure, no optical zoom, 512MB of internal memory, a 1.5-inch LCD, MemoryManager software, and a SD expansion slot as well. The device is also compatible with Box.net's online storage / sharing service, touts an EZ Grab feature that allows users to easily snag still shots from live action footage, and can function for two solid hours on a pair of AA cells. Best of all, however, is the price that CC is currently charging for this budget-minded device, as the $119.99 asking price is a full $10 less than we had previously seen, and you'll even get a 1GB SD card thrown in gratis.

[Via Physorg]

[fearless_fx @ May 13th 2007 3:01AM]

how is this better than the camera on my cell phone?

[Thameth @ May 13th 2007 5:33AM]

It doesn't suck quite as hard as your cell phone camera.......

[Urza @ May 13th 2007 10:30AM]

Well, if it didn't have a 1GB card with it, I'd say that's waaay too damn expensive. As it is, it's only a bit too expensive. Big question is the resolution, but if it's at or above 5MP, it might be worth the price.

[Stux @ May 13th 2007 2:24PM]

5MP? This is a video camera not a still-shot. You'd get only a few seconds of video on 512MB. The resolution is a mere 640x480 at "HQ" (not even 0.4MP). Explains the 30 min recording time. Took me a little bit of digging but the specs are here:

http://www.mysmallwonder.com/support/pdfs/EZ201_SS.pdf

[Urza @ May 13th 2007 4:32PM]

ohh, video. only a few seconds on 512 MB??? I think you meant minutes. I can get over an hour on my Fujifilm Finepix with a 1GB memory card, at 30FPS...though it's only 320x240. Still, 'a few seconds' seems pretty damn small estimate.

But who wants to pay that much for video-only? Though I suppose it is pretty good resolution for the price. Many digital cameras that I've seen in that price range only go to 320x240.

[Thameth @ May 14th 2007 3:46AM]

You misunderstood, he said it would only get a couple of seconds of 5MP on a 512mb SD "IF" it shot that resolution. But it doesn't, it shoots standard def 640x480 in HQ mode, which translates to 30 minutes per 512mb. So a 2gb card will get you 2hrs of Standard def recording.

Try to find a better tapeless video camera under $150. The only other competition is the ATC-2000 helmet cam but it doesn't have a screen and its made for another purpose mainly.

[Sam Peck @ May 15th 2007 12:35AM]

just gave it to my wife for mother's day. It's perfect for her. We have three kids under age 6 so the size, simplicity and functionality are huge for her. Used it all day yesterday and edited the video together into a post mother's day montage this evening. Much better than flowers.

[Charles Hanna @ Jun 12th 2007 12:05PM]

Isn't this the same product as Pure Digital Technologies' Flip Video Camera?

http://www.theflip.com/products.shtml

[lkmn @ Jun 18th 2007 1:28PM]

This device is in the same category as the "Pure Digital Technologies Flip Video Camera" But, it is certainly not the same. The RCA Small Wonder EZ20 has a few features that make it a way better product:

A flip around screen (invaluable to me)

Expandable memory with a SD slot(up to 2GB/5hrs recording time)

Included USB Extension Cable (which a most Flip Video users need to buy seperate)

A better product finish.

It's cheaper!

The Pure Digital Technologies Flip Video Camera is a good product. But, the RCA Small Wonder is just a step ahead and better overall!

[maryann @ Jul 19th 2007 10:37AM]

can someone please tell me how the resolution of this RCA camcorder compares with the pure digital one? Is it the same or is this one a step above??

[Sam @ Jul 30th 2007 1:07PM]

Are you saying that if I buy an RCA Small Wonder EZ201 at Circuit City, I will get a free 1GB SD card to go with it?