Video and Still Optics
Using the MPEG4 format, the SVAV25 saves video to Secure Digital (SD) and MultiMedia (MMC) memory cards (an 8 MB SD card is included). With the small size of MPEG4 files--featuring resolution modes of either 320 x 240 or 176 x 144--you can easily post video to your Web site or send files to friends and family via e-mail.

The D-snap cradle is equipped with an A/V terminal that makes it easy to connect to a TV or VCR and record TV programs onto an SD card. Using the SVAV50 for playback, you can watch the news, a movie, or other programs just about anywhere.

The following shows the approximate amount of continuous video that can be recorded on several sizes of SD memory card (including larger optional cards):

• Super Fine (320 x 240, 1 Mbps): 0.9 minutes (included 8 MB card), 7 minutes (64 MB card), 15 minutes (128 MB card)
• Fine (320 x 240, 420 Kbps): 2 minutes (included 8 MB card), 17 minutes (64 MB card), 35 minutes (128 MB card)
• Normal (176 x 144, 300 Kbps): 2.5 minutes (included 8 MB card), 25 minutes (64 MB card), 50 minutes (128 MB card)
• Economy (176 x 144, 100 Kbps): 8 minutes (included 8 MB card), 70 minutes (64 MB card), 150 minutes (128 MB card)

The SVAV50 has a 1/3.2-inch CCD for a 2-megapixel resolution--capturing enough image data for print enlargements up to 8 x 10 inches. It features 1600 x 1200 (2 MP), 1280 x 960 (1 MP), and 640 x 480 (VGA--great for sending in e-mail) resolution modes. You can zoom in on subjects using the 2.5x digital zoom.

Audio
In addition to its motion and still image capability, the SVAV50 can also be used as a digital audio player--just slip in an SD card loaded with tunes and listen via the included earphones. It's compatible with MP3 and AAC audio files. And with the built-in microphone (monaural), you can easily record voice memos, lectures, interviews, and reminders to the SD card.

More Features

• 2-inch flip-and-twist LCD with 117,000-pixel resolution
• Connects to your PC via USB 1.1 connectivity
• Lens: F4 (4.5mm focal length)
• Measures 4 x 1.94 x .81 inches (H x W x D)
• Weighs 3.7 ounces

What's in the Box
This package includes the Panasonic SVAV50A digital camcorder, 8 MB SD memory card, USB cradle, battery pack, AC adaptor, stereo earphones with remote controller, USB and A/V cables, carrying case, cleaning clot, neck strap, and CD-ROM with USB drivers for Windows and the following Panasonic software (not Mac compatible):

• SD MovieStage Ver. 2.5 displays MPEG4 motion images and JPEG still images in thumbnail form and plays them back on a PC. You can also cut and edit motion images and send e-mail with motion images attached.
• SD Jukebox Ver. 4.0 Software transfers music from your SD memory card to your PC and allows you to rip CDs to your PC and convert music data to different PC music file formats. When ripping CDs, music information from the CD database (CDDB) is obtained automatically, including album title, artist and song title. You can also organize your songs by artist, title or personalized playlists. There is also a "Mood Analyzer" (Music Sommelier) that automatically selects songs to match your mood.

PROS:
- Super Small
- Large LCD
- Excellent Prodcut Design
- Many "Features"

CONS:
- You're finger easily gets in the way of the lens(1 in 3 shots are finger shots)
- The digital photos are VERY grainy in ALL light conditions (I would not even post the photos to my web site)
- No "Red Eye Reduction"
- The video quality is medium, definitel not a camcorder replacement
- Audio files need to be translated to some "native" format, using included software... no drag and drop here!

I will most likely return it, despite my desire to like all that it offers and how cool it looks. It just not deliver quality on the images and video.


One Nifty Little Gadget   March 23, 2004
 20 out of 22 found this review helpful

This is a very cool gadget, but it has a very specific target audience - people who need a camera and a Dictaphone with them at all times. If that's not you, consider a Palm Zire 71, or maybe a camera phone.

Unlike many other combination devices, the D-Snap 50 doesn't try to do too much, just a few things fairly well. The MP3 player is as good as any other card-based unit, the voice recorder is on par with the most expensive Sony stand-alones, and the digital camera is good enough for small jobs and web work... but until you get used to using it, you'll think you need to cut off your index finger to take a decent picture. Also, I haven't yet decided whether including an 8 MB memory card with the unit was meant as an insult or a joke.

Most of the negatives associated with the D-Snap 50 can be cured with three things: patience, practice, and an extraordinarily large SD memory card. After you've taught yourself how to hold it, and jacked up all the settings to acceptable quality, you will wonder how you ever did without it. As for durability, we'll have to wait and see, but I trust the brand. Three and one-half stars.


Great Multi-Tasking Product   November 20, 2005
 7 out of 8 found this review helpful

The Panasonic D-snap, model SV-AV50, is a great product. The D-snap can be used for many different tasks. It is a digital camera, camcorder, mp3 player, and voice recorder. The D-snap is small and portable. The D-snap is so small that it can fit into your pocket easily. The Panasonic D-snap is easy to recharge the batteries.

The D-snap has a cradle included. Once the D-snap is connected to the cradle, many things can be done. The cradle connects the D-snap to the television set and the computer. There's an earphone and a remote controller included. The earphone is to listen to music when the D-snap is used as an mp3 player. The remote control is to help the person using the D-snap to easily press the record button or control the D-snap away from the camera.

The Panasonic D-snap is simple to use. All the data is stored on a SD memory card. After taking pictures, video record, or voice record, the pictures, video clips, or voice recordings can be displayed right after by switching a switch from record to play. Afterwards, the data can be transferred into the computer. The camera can be connected to the television set and the data can be transferred to the screen.

There are a few bad things about the Panasonic D-snap. First, the D-snap is so small, most of the times when the camera or camcorder feature is in use, the person's finger may get in the way and covers the lens of the camera. Second, when the video clips are transferred to the television screen, the clips are not as clear as it appeared on the LCD of the D-snap. Third, each task feature uses up too much of the memory card. Finally, when using the night vision feature, the camcorder slows the recording down.

Overall, the Panasonic D-snap is very handy, useful, and convenient. It takes up little space in a female's purse, can be fitted into the pockets, and also takes up little space in the suitcase. The D-snap can perform many tasks, leaving a person less objects to carry around. If the person is taking a trip somewhere, he or she can just grab and pack the Panasonic D-snap and leave. The person does not have to look around for his or her mp3, camcorder, or camera.


Holy Carpe Diem!   September 16, 2004
 5 out of 18 found this review helpful

i bought this 5 days ago and the device may "work" but the cradle doesn't. After installing the USB drivers a dozen times and being put on hold by three differnt companies, i have had it. I bought this because i need a mp3 player and a digital camera. Silly me, I thought that companies want my business. Panasonic tech support is a joke. Sony has the best music. Microsoft can megabyte me. I am returning this device for the cheaper Palm zire 72. Which uses the same memory type.


Caveat Emptor ('Buyer Beware')   November 2, 2005
 5 out of 7 found this review helpful

This camera is a piece of crap.

It is poorly constructed (2 screws have already fallen out of mine) and it is repleat with poor photographic and videographic recording capabilities.

I bought one of these for my wife for Christmas 2004, and was severley disappointed in the quality of the videos and photos. Yes, it is a small, compact package, but I've seen cell-phones that take better pictures than this. I even purchased a 512MB memory card for her so that she could shoot some decent length videos, but the picture quality is so bad that she hardly ever uses it.

This camera doesn't even have a firewire connection (something I should have checked on before buying), so we can't download the videos to our Macs. The photos are often blurry and/or grainy (low resolution, even on the 'high reso' setting) and are really not the quality we are accustomed to. I have a Canon Powershot S40 that takes MUCH better photos (and up to 30 seconds of video) than this camera.

I will not EVER be buying a Panasonic/Lumix camera again. Fool me once shame on you; fool me twice, shame on me.