Fisher FVDC1 3.2MP Digital Camercorder with 5.8x Optical Zoom (includes 512 MB SD Memory Card)

by Sanyo

Product Details

Product FAQ [325kb PDF]

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Data Sheet [173kb PDF]

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Supplementary Guide [325kb PDF]

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Product Manual [173kb PDF]

• Product Dimensions: 2.7 x 1.3 x 4.3 inches ; 1.5 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 3 pounds
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B0001X5A6A
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (18 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #22,593 in Camera & Photo (See Top 100 in Camera & Photo)
• Date first available at Amazon.com: March 19, 2004

Product Description

From the Manufacturer

The Fisher CameraCorder is the first camera to incorporate both a True 3.2-Megapixel digital still camera and a MPEG-4 digital camcorder offering DVD-like video quality captured onto a removable Memory Card and not Video Tape, all in one pocket-size product.

The remarkable Fisher CameraCorder lets you shoot either Digital Still Snapshots or Video with one pocket-size lightweight 5.4 ounce solution! It even lets you take still shots and video at the same time! Or capture an image from video footage.

Digital Still photo performance is unparalleled, True 3.2 Megapixel Digital Still Images and 5.8X Optical Zoom Lens; 10X Digital Zoom and internal special effects make the digital still operation of this camera capable of photos very close in quality to professional 35mm shots.

Digital Still storage capacity (with supplied SD 512MB Memory Card): 491 Pictures in Super Fine 3.2 Megapixel Resolution (2048 x 1536) mode 786 Pictures in Fine 2.0 Megapixel Resolution (1600 x 1200) mode 3931 Pictures in Normal 0.3 Megapixel Resolution (640 x 480) mode

The Fisher CameraCorder achieves its video performance with our own exclusive state-of-the-art MPEG-4 chip. This leading-edge technology enables the Fisher CameraCorder to record at the 2Mbps bit rate needed to capture over 30 Minutes of DVD-like full-motion, VGA 640x480, 30 frames-per-second video on the supplied SD 512MB Memory Card. The Fisher CameraCorder offers a total of five MPEG-4 modes to capture full motion video. Ranging from larger file sized High Quality DVD-like video clips (31 minutes of record time) to smaller file sized (151 minutes of record time), easier to E Mail video clips.

The Fisher CameraCorder easily connects to PC, MAC or TV, allowing you to effortlessly view, edit and enjoy your Digital Stills or Full Motion Video.

Features:

• Tape-free design simplifies operation; SD memory card provides instant access to files
• Distinctive design allows a nice fit snug in the palm of your hand
• Built in Flash
• Rotating, trans-reflective 1.5-inch TFT LCD color monitor with Mirror Mode. It makes it easy to shoot from virtually any angle
• CD-quality stereo sound (AAC Audio)
• Simplified on-screen menus
• Auto focus for fine-tuning auto focus sensitivity
• Multifunction Docking Station with handy infrared remote control
• High-speed USB 2.0 connectivity
• 9-image display playback for up to nine thumbnail views at a time on the monitor screen
• Included soft case
• Lithium-Ion battery and AC operation
• Dimensions: 2.7" (W) x 1.3" (D) x 4.3" (H) (approx. 9.1 cubic inches)
• Weight: 5.4 oz. approx. (main unit only); 6.1 oz. approx. (including battery and SD card)

The Fisher CameraCorder—truly the best of both worlds!

Product Description

What will it be: Snapshots or video? Until now, it has been one or the other, unless you wanted to lug around two cameras. With the remarkable Fisher CameraCorder, there is no choice to make. It lets you do both with one pocket-size lightweight solution! It even lets you take still shots and video at the same time! Or capture an image from video footage. Baby taking his first steps? Simply push the video button and catch those toddling beginnings. The twins playing dress up? Push the digital camera button to capture those lipstick smeared moments forever. Junior’s big game this afternoon? While you are catching the action on video, you can simultaneously take some snap shots of his game winning hit, too. And don’t forget to take a picture of the new home to e-mail to relatives and friends across country. The Fisher CameraCorder is the first camera to incorporate both a 3.2-megapixel digital still camera and a MPEG-4 digital camcorder offering DVD-like video quality in one pocket-size product. Plus, the CameraCorder easily connects to a TV or PC, allowing you to effortlessly view and enjoy your work, no matter what mode you shot in.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

148 of 149 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great Second Camcorder, December 31, 2004

By 

TOL (Long Island, NY) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Fisher FVDC1 3.2MP Digital Camercorder with 5.8x Optical Zoom (includes 512 MB SD Memory Card) (Electronics)

First, lets clear up a few bits of misleading advertising by the many manufacturers of camcorders that record mpeg's directly to flash memory cards. Most of these devices record at very small resolutions (320x240 or less) and slow frame rates (15 frames per second). This is not unlike the movie mode found on most digital cameras that are available today (except that these devices can record in clips greater than 30 seconds). Anyone who has recorded video at these resolutions and/or speeds knows that the output quality is virtually useless for anything other than e-mailing clips of events that you have no intention of preserving for the long-term.

If you want an mpeg recorder that is even close to the quality of your MiniDV or analog camcorder, than you need to find one that is capable of recording in resolutions of 640x480 or higher and frame rates of at least 30 fps. The manufacturers cal this "DVD quality" which, in my opinion, is very deceiving because most people would expect to get video that is every bit as clear as what they would buy on a DVD. Not so. Just because you have a device that records at "DVD Quality" resolution and frame rate, it doesn't mean, by any stretch of the imagination, that the picture quality itself (lighting, clarity, fluidity of movement, etc.) will be anywhere near "DVD quality". So you have to know what you're buying and, unfortunately, in the quest to sell more camcorders, most manufacturers do a lousy job of informing their customers of these small details.

So you should know that no camcorder that records to memory cards is going to give you even close to the same quality as a camcorder that records to digital tape. Why? Because, in order to reduce the file size enough to stream it and fit it onto a memory card, you have to compress the video to the point where much of the detail is lost. So why buy a memory card camcorder? Well, with tape-based camcorders (whether it is analog or digital), you have to play back the entire recording in real-time in order to capture it into your computer. With card-based camcorders, you just put the card into a reader and transfer the file electronically.

So, now that we know the background, if you're still convinced that a card-based camcorder is for you, you should know that, as of the date that this review is being written, I know of only 3 devices that are capable of recording full-length video directly to memory cards at resolutions of 640x480 or higher: The Sanyo/Fisher FVD-C1, The Panasonic SV-AV100, and the JVC Everio line. Of the 3, the Sanyo/Fisher is by far the cheapest. But you get what you pay for, as the saying goes...

Of the three devices, the Sanyo/Fisher has, by far, the worst picture quality - particularly indoors or in low lighting. The picture is grainy and the motion is choppy. But that's only the start of the problems. The autofocus, especially when it is fully zoomed in, is really touchy. So much so, in fact, that the camera never knows what to focus on and the motor is constantly buzzing in and out. Realizing this problem, Sanyo/Fisher has included a quick way to lock the autofocus by pressing a single button (remember to check the manual for this because YOU WILL NEED IT OFTEN). But, still, it can be very annoying. The motor noise of the zoom and autofocus is also pretty loud and is audible in the recordings. But, to me, this is the trade-off for such a small and compact design.

On the good side, the "cameracorder" features a 3 megapixel digital camera which takes fairly decent pictures both indoors and out. Also, the unit is very small and features its own semi-soft case and docking station. The style and erginomics of this camera are also excellent, with everything laid out just where you need it and in a very attractive fashion. It features a portable external battery charger which is very small and very convenient for charging a second battery while still being able to use the camcorder. Finally, and perhaps most importantly, this device records its movies directly to an .mp4 format, which can be opened directly by Apple's very commonly available Quick Time application. Both the Panasonic and the JVC write to their own proprietary formats which must be first manipulated in their own software before you can use it across computers. In my mind, this is a big detraction from those products because the whole point of getting a card-based camcorder is to have the file readily available without further manipulation. So, in this regard, the Sanyo/Fisher got it right.

In short, I think that the people who have panned this device in reviews are expecting far too much from it. Compared to the Panasonic and the JVC, this one wins in the category of style, price, and convenience. The others win in the category of picture quality. But, remember, none are as good as a tape-based recorder. So if you are buying any of these units with the intention of replacing your existing camcorder, forget it. That being said, as a second ultra-portable very convenient camcorder for a very decent price, I'd go with this one. And I did.

33 of 34 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great Little Camera, June 14, 2004

By 

Tucson Trooper "Charge It" (Tucson, AZ United States) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Fisher FVDC1 3.2MP Digital Camercorder with 5.8x Optical Zoom (includes 512 MB SD Memory Card) (Electronics)

This is a great little camera. I wish this had come out 2 or three years ago, when I bought the first miniDV camera that came out.

I am currently in Kuwait. I brought my miniDV Video Camera with me to record my time here, but the dust contamination is so bad here, it is destroying my camera. I started looking for a video camera with no moving parts. Thank God for this Fisher. No moving parts, USB connection, 3.2 Mpixels resolution. Best thing, no rewind. It took forever to get to the front of the tape to see what the video looked like.

There are just a few bad points to this model. The cover to the memory card slot is fragile, so a lot of care needs to be taken to keep from breaking it off when opening the compartment. The view finder/screen is a bit small, so it is hard to see unless you hold the camera closer to your face.

Granted, a miniDV can record more info, but you just can't beat this little guy for versatility.

31 of 34 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Camera - I don't leave home without it., April 14, 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: Fisher FVDC1 3.2MP Digital Camercorder with 5.8x Optical Zoom (includes 512 MB SD Memory Card) (Electronics)

I have owned 5 or 6 camcorders in my lifetime. Formats ranging from VHS then VHS C, then 8MM, then Hi 8MM then finally Mini DV. Film cameras were always 35MM. I spent a lot of money on cameras both Video and stills that spent more time in closets then they did being used. Vacations and birthday parties. Then back in the closet until next time. The last thing I needed was another camera to store in my closet.
My wife wanted to get a digital camera for her usage so she could store and e mail her photos. I did some research and was intregued to get a digital camera because its the obvious technology in photography. So I went to SEARS to pick up one up for her and came across this little Fisher that does it all. It does everything it claims to do very, very well. Digital pictures are clear and crisp and the camcorder area of the camera is outstanding in the HQ mode. It's easy to use with my PC. It comes with every accessory you can ever need. In fact I don't even wire it to my PC to download, I just take the 512MB SD card out that it comes with and plug it into my computers multi card reader. Bingo. Done.
Everytime I leave the house I have my cell phone and this camera on my person and I am using it more then any other camera I ever owned. I bought it for my wife from SEARS but I'm not giving it up. I buying another one for HER usage from Amazon because she gets jealous.

Great Camcorder and camera! Very cool and very practical