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Genius G-Shot HD520 Photo and Video Camera The HD520 Photo and Video camera is small, lightweight, and looks like it means business. The 2.5 LTPS color view finder is activated when you open and turn the side panel into the view position. You will hear a tone that tells you it is ready. The HD520 is one of many do-it-all-in-one products coming on the market. The MSRP is $169.00. It can be purchased on the Genius site for $139.00.
Like most consumers I took a look at the Quick Guide (5 small pages) so I could learn what buttons to push and proceeded to start shooting anything is site. A number of the photos and many of the videos were shaky. I looked all over for an anti-shake mode but was unable to locate one or any setting that would turn on that option. I did not have the time to mess with this as it was just before leaving on the trip. To see more photos and videos taken with the HD520 CLICK HERE. When I arrived in China I still was having the same results. Luckily I had printed out the entire 24 page on-line manual before I left home. I spent some time reading it. It turns out there is a setting for recording video called EIS that removes shaking. Unfortunately I could not find an anti-shake for still photos. My solution was to stop taking photos on the run and hold the G-Shot HD520 tightly against a solid surface. The results improved considerable. I also noticed one of my fingers was appearing at the bottom of some of the shots. That was my fault. In The Box CD includes: Basic Specs: I concentrated on the Photo and Video functions for this test. The included HDMI cable lets you output to hi-resolution flat panel TVs. Image compression using MPEG4/H.264 allows you to make files small enough to send to friends and relatives. Although it is a 5 MP photo camera it also does 11 MP. That increase in ability is done digitally. The 5X zoom is Digital ONLY but seem to do the job. I did not test face detection. The camera will shoot in continuous mode or single photos. The flash is very powerful and worked well. The Genius G-Shot HD520 has many positive points. The photos and videos that were good were taken when I was being more careful to hold the camera pistol grip and the viewfinder as steady as possible. I blame the poor results on my tendency to take photos on the run. I do feel the included manual was short on instructive material. If I had not printed the 24 page manual from the website I would never had known the full extent of the G-Shot HD520 capabilities or found what the EIS setting meant. At $139.00 the G-Shot HD520 did give me a viable, lightweight, and inexpensive solution that works well for short videos and acceptable photos. It is a quick fix when on the road and traveling light. I just needed to slow down<G>. |
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