RCA's EZ201 Small Wonder camcorder now shipping
By Darren Murph 
posted May 13th 2007 2:25AM
posted May 13th 2007 2:25AM
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]
how is this better than the camera on my cell phone?
It doesn't suck quite as hard as your cell phone camera.......
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
Isn't this the same product as Pure Digital Technologies' Flip Video Camera?
http://www.theflip.com/products.shtml
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!
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??
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?