Vivitar HD Itwist 8.1MP Digital Video Camcorder Black

I'm not one to do too many reviews for consumer electronic items,such as camcorders and such. But as a photographer it seemed necessary to address many issues regarding this camera. Now I actually thought recently that I really enjoyed the look of HD (high definition) video and the quality it seemed to create via YouTube videos I was watching that used the format. So I was at the local Big Lots store and say this mini camcorder along with many others made by Emmerson,Kodak,etc. Anyhow because this seemed to offer the best features for the best value,and mainly due to my lack of experience I decided to do something very out of character-buy on impulse. Well it's impulse buying by my standards. Never usually pick up any even low end electronic item before looking at data and doing a great deal of research. My own personal experience with this camera isn't what I want to discuss here because I had a lot of trouble shopping for my first SD digital camcorder in the first place. But as with my other two camera reviews I'll just stick with the facts. It's likely the best way to express my thoughts on this device.

First of all I'll start with the pros. The camera is strongly built and the menu provides both a lot of option AND is easy to use-that's actually a pretty rare combination for these types of devices. Also it provides you with a lot of features for the still camera part of it. As a matter of fact it offers more features for that than the camcorder element. Basically it seems to be more geared toward being a still digital camera and from the limited part of that aspect of it I tested it did that job reasonably well for such a small device. It even handled low light conditions well. And that goes into the cons of this device when used as a camcorder. And this con is sadly so big that it almost totally outweighs it's better features. I tested this camera in a variety of lighting conditions. And in all honesty this camera has absolutely no ability to pick up even strong lighting. For all the different lighting settings,including night and beach side photography the videos were very dark and blue tinted in color that all the camera settings seemed for not.

So in the end,this cameras faults don't really lie in the features. Or how it works as a still camera even. It has to do with a cameras most basic function-it's ability to receive light. Something this camera seems to be entirely lacking in. Sadly enough,in the end if you looking for the best quality inexpensively there's simply no way of getting around doing research. If your in the state of mind for impulse buying best to keep it on a more sure bet such as a DVD and/or Blue Ray player. Something that would require the minimum of research and does it's job without a lot of fuss. Because a camera or camcorder is a creative tool as opposed to an static one (such as a television or MP3 Player).......there's no way of getting around the fact that it just doesn't lend itself well to being purchased as an adult electronic toy. It is going to be a serious commitment involving a lot of research and time. And maybe a little more money spent. But it's definitely worth that time and effort so you won't end up with hassles such as this. So if you like high quality results,your just going to have to settle for camcorders in the triple digit price range. I don't like that it has to be that way. But it is. So another word to the conscientious electronics consumer.