Aiptek keeps the crap flowing with AHD 300 "1080p" camcorder

To be completely honest, we're not so sure there's any real difference between any of Aiptek's crapcorders. They all seem to boast some form of HD capturing abilities, utterly worthless digital zooms and expansion slots for your SDHC card of choice. Additionally, they all produce output that's marginally better than mediocre and cost next-to-nothing compared to "real" HD camcorders. Are we missing anything, or do you really want us to run down the official specs list of the £129.99 ($249) AHD 300?

Via The Gadgets Weblog]

[RiversideGuy Posted Aug 12th 2008 1:37PM]

Uh, not sure where you are coming from, but a guy at the office gave me a few files he had shot (480p/60, 720p/60, 1080p/30 in bright sunshine). Quality of image was fabulous, clean and sharp with very good saturation.

The only downsides I saw were that the meter was slow to react to changing light conditions, the autofocus was also a tad on the slow side, and camera shake can be serious as there seemed to be no stabilization to speak of. All these issues I CAN mitigate to a degree because I know how to shoot. AND all those downsides cut about 800 bucks from the price of cameras that are not as afflicted with such.

I had compared the Aiptek to one of those Flip Video gizmos. The Flip had the same issues, but a smaller video (640 x 480, not even widescreen). Video quality also was not at all bad, just smaller and not as high a frame rate. But that was a 130 buck to a 200 buck camera comparison, so very apt.

[ryaninc Posted Aug 12th 2008 3:08PM]

Geeze, Darren, tell us how you really feel. I happen to own one of their 720p camcorders and it's one of the best camcorders I've ever owned. Some of us can only afford the cheapest and this is an incredibly appealing option for people who can't buy the $1000+ HD cameras.

[(Unverified) Posted Aug 12th 2008 5:25PM]

Head on over to Engadget.com's mirror version of this and witness Darren getting rightfully smacked around:

http://www.engadget.com/2008/08/11/aiptek-keeps-the-crap-flowing-with-ahd-300-1080p-camcorder/#comments

Will he/she be issuing an apology?