Hitachi DZ-MV780A 1.3MP DVD Camcorder w/ 10x Optical Zoom
By: Hitachi Average Rating: 4.5 Total Reviews: 2
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 On: 2005-09-22
Overall its good product, but some thing could be improved.
1. Low light video recording seems to be jerky, looks like frame count was sacrificed for exposure times
2. Low light performance of still camera is inadequate, its impossible to use autofocus feature. Even picture in viewfinder or on LCD screen is clear, photos is out of the focus. Probably same deal with long exposure times, camera becomes susceptible to tiny hands tremors.
3. Viewfinder is almost unusable due poor picture quality, so its narrows you down to only LCD screen usage.
4. Mini DVD-RAM discs are hard to find. Its important to mention that Mini DVDRW+ discs for Sony even harder to find.
5. No auto prompting for format fresh DVD-RAM discs. Make sure to format it yourself before usage, camera doesnt seem to care if you use blanks, but you will lose all your images.
6. All extra accessories, including bag, tripod and set of lenses cost extra.
All above problems are minor. Camera is absolutely right for the price tag under 600$. You will get crisp colorful movie and OK still photos, which can be viewed on regular DVD player. Sound quality is also good; wind noise filter option is a plus.
by: ambrose01 On: 2005-06-18
This camcorder is awesome. It is easy to use, has solid video and sound, and is from Hitachi - the firm that invented the DVD camcorder. Actually, consumer reports has been very favorable towards Hitachi camcorders in general.
Basically, Hitachi has been doing this longer than anybody else, and so the end product is a bit better. They also dont nickel and dime you. This camcorder not only comes with plenty of cables and a remote and stuff like that, but it also comes with the battery for the remote.
The camcorders battery last quite a while, while I find it convenient to use DVD-R discs. I havent bothered with the DVD-RAM discs since they dont seem worth the extra cost to me.
I should add that the single advantage that the Sony models have has over the Hitachi models is that Sonys can use DVD-RW discs which give you much of the DVD-RAM advantages at a lower cost. The Hitachis are better in that they typically come with higher resolution and better reliability. Also, with some Sony models the users complain that they can hear the sound of the DVD spinning in the background of their videos. Such sounds can not be heard on my Hitachi.
I cant tell you much about the Panasonic models, except the features and ratings didnt seem as good.
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