This is a common configuration for an inexpensive, consumer-grade video camera these days, and I’ve used several of them over the past few years. This one is the best of them. Resolution has improved dramatically so that we’re up to 5K here, which will look spectacular on any playback device. Functionality is excellent. In the past, I’ve had cameras that couldn’t livestream (which I needed during the pandemic lockdown), cameras with bizarre menus, cameras that responded lazily to the zoom toggle. No such problems here. Like most of them, this one is activated by swinging the hinged viewing screen open, which also reveals a selection of buttons to access a menu and choose among the choices. The three-inch touch screen also offers choices, accessed through little icons that hug the screen’s edges. But this camera is so easy to use right out of the box that you may never look further than its defaults (provided you at least set the date and time). The Mode button on the top of the camera switches you from video to photo to playback – remember to switch out of video if you want a snapshot.
It takes a standard-sized SD card rated U3 or faster, although I had success using a Micro SD with an adapter. The battery charges on the camera using a USB-C connector located below the menu buttons, where is also where you’ll find the microphone input and HDMI port. (An HDMI cable is included.) There are a built-in mic and built-in speaker, both of which are adequate, but the external microphone that’s included will improve the sound quality appreciably. The included remote control is a nice touch, but those have never been useful to me with this kind of camera. A built-in anti-shake mode, called EIS (for electronic image stabilization) uses software algorithms to compensate, but that feature can’t be used with 5K resolution. Speaking of which, video is saved in the standard MP4 format, with a default of 5K but the ability to bring it down as far as 720p. The camera is fixed-focus. It defaults to an auto-ISO mode, but you can manually override that; likewise, white balance has a default setting that you can change if necessary. There’s no aperture setting option, but using the EV (exposure value) feature lets you fine-tune the exposure. There’s no lens cap, but the camera comes with a lens hood that offers some protection. There’s also a handle assembly that attaches to the tripod mount, then goes around the back of the camera to the handle above (see photo). I’ve never used one of them, but I assume it’s for run-and-gun shooting where you don’t need to see the viewfinder.
Built-in WiFi will connect to your camera using a proprietary app. A small tripod is included. The camera is powered by an NP-180 lithium battery and comes with two of them. It charges through the camera using a USB connection; extra batteries and an external charger are easy to find online. All in all, I’m very pleased with this camera’s ease of use and cascade of extra settings.
