When you think of camcorders, we're betting Toshiba isn;t one of the brands at the top of your list. However, they're making a push into the market with the Camileo X100.

The Camileo X100 is a flash-based camera. The 4GB of in-built memory will get you started but the SD HC slot lets you boost that to a theoretical 32GB. It's a little surprising that the emerging SD XC standard, that supports up to 2TB of storage isn't part of the package.

In the hand, the X100 is comfortable to hold and the 3-inch touchscreen LCD makes it it easy to frame your shot. In video mode, the X100 can shoot in 1080p and includes image stabilisation. The 1-x optical zoom moves smoothly without losing focus - something we've found in other entry level, cheap camcorders.

Connection to your PC for editing, using the supplied ArcSoft software for Windows or with iMovie if you use a Mac, is via USB. This simultaneously charges the X100's battery. If you like to shoot and watch your footage straight away, there's a HDMI cable in the box as well an RCA lead in the box. The ports are all easily accessible under a cover on the camera.

The LCD was crystal clear. It can be turned so shooting your self from a tripod was straightforward - there's a remote control in the box for controlling zoom and other functions. It's also a touchscreen so you can control various camera functions from there as well as using the other buttons on the X100.Video quality was very good and sound was far better than we expected.

The X100 can shoot still photos at 10MP and there's a flash for low light situations. Toggling between video and still modes, controlling the flash and moving from shooting to viewing video and photos was easy as the controls were perfectly placed and accessible with your thumb.

The Camileo X100's biggest issue is price. With an RRP of $499 it's placed in a very competitive category. However, for those looking for an easy to use, light camcorder the X100 is worth a

By Anthony Caruana

With a diverse educational background of biological science, education, information systems and theology, Anthony Caruana drifts between being the "most technically literate end user and least technically focussed IT expert". For Anthony, the technology is all about how we can get the most from it rather than entering into pissing contest about the fastest processor, biggest hard disk or most RAM.

With three young kids, the video and photography bug has bitten hard. Anthony shoots, edits and publishes several videos each year of various school productions as well as the occasional instructional video. Most of this work is done on a couple of Macs running in his office as well as MacBook Pro that is almost always in a bag hanging off Anthony's shoulder.

As well writing for auscam and a number of other publications and newspapers, Anthony works full time as a project manager in the energy industry, studies part time, delivers corporate presentations and is addicted to chocolate. His personal blog, that isn't updated nearly as often as it should be is at www.pocketmojo.net

Comments(1):

1. How does this compare

   How does this compare to say the Panasonic HDR-SD60 or Sony HDC-CX110 ?

   Sunday, August 15, 2010 Nicholas