Fisher FVD-C1
 

Has anyone on this board used the Fisher FVD-C1. I'm considering one for my trip to Asia next month, but it's been hard to find reviews.

From the website: http://www.fisherav.com/FVD-C1.htm

I know that this camcorder records onto a SD card in MPEG4 format, which is a bit lossy. However it has a 3.2 megapixel digital camera and flash built in, so that seems nice.

I know where to get one for $500, so it seems like a good deal. Anyone have any input?

Scott Wilson

The FVD-C1 shoots for 1 hour on a 1GB card while a MiniDV cams shoots for 1 hour on a 13GB tape. There is going to be quite a quality decrease with Fisher compared to any MiniDV. Its not really a camcorder and probably a less than average digital still camera. It reminds me more of a digital camera with a decent movie mode. There are plenty of digital cameras that have 640x480 30fps movie modes.

Personally, I'd stick with MiniDV camcorders in that price range.

hmm, that's quite an interesting fact. 13 times the data on a miniDV tape.

I also considered the Panasonic AV-100 Dsnap. It records MPEG2 on a memory card. However now it seems that even that video would be losing quite a bit of quality.

I want something really small and portable. Something I can take with me 24/7 without lugging it around my neck. Looks like until technology progresses I'll have to lug for a while...

Scott Wilson

MiniDV and compact.. No problem!

Check out the Canon Optura 300 (around $700) and many others.

Here is a review of the Optura 300 with pics: Its tiny!

http://www.dvspot.com/reviews/canon/...ew/index.shtml

Find even more here!

http://www.dvspot.com/features/

The new Sony DCR-HC40 is definitely compact and affordable!

http://www.dvspot.com/reviews/sony/h...ew/index.shtml

Thanks for the info!

However I'm searching for something pocketable without any discomfort, something that could fit into blue jeans. Also I think there is something really cool about solid state electronics (no moving parts). Another handy feature of this camera is how it has a 3.2 megapixel still camera with a flash.

The greatest thing about something this small is that you can have it with you while travelling and not even think about it until you want some video or stills. So many times I have experienced something that I wish I could have captured, yet my camcorder sat at home gathering dust.

Scott Wilson

I see what you're saying.

Basically you want a micro digital camera but with video quality like a full size camcorder. I was going to recommend the Sony DSC-T1 as its a micro 5 megapixel digital camera with a 640x480 30fps video mode but it seems they use less compression as you only get about 6 minutes HQ video on a 512MB Memory Stick.

http://www.dcresource.com/reviews/so...ew/index.shtml

I've actually contemplated the Sony for the same reasons you mentioned about lost moments due to cam size. I love my D-SLR but its definitely not a spur-of-the-moment cam..

Let us know what you end up going with.

Tommy,

I also considered that camera, I love the design how it has an integrated lens cover and the size of a deck of cards. Also the LCD is HUGE! However one major drawback is the lense. If you look at the lens on that Fisher FVD-C1 it seems quite large. The camera seems to be built around it instead of the other way around. And as most of us know, lens quality can have a major effect on picture quality.

I think I'm going to try the Fisher, just seems like a good all around gizmo with tons of features. And the price is just right.

I'll post a review with some samples when I get it.

Scott Wilson

Before buying the Fisher, you may want to take a look at a recently established site for Sv-AV100 users. There are some clips posted of video taken with the SV-AV100 that are not bad. Not good by dvinfo standards, of course, but acceptable for home video in the context of taken on the spot with a tiny cam:www.jackbrown.us/camera. (P.S. I looked at the Fisher months ago at a Sears store; I actually like the way it feels in your hand better than the Panasonic, but I think the Panasonic output may end up giving you more options in the end...)

Patricia,

Thanks for that link!

I have thoroughly researched both the AV100 and FVD-C1. And price wise I think the FVD-C1 comes out on top. As of 03/28/04 I can find the AV100 for no lower than $700 new, however the FVD-C1 can be had for $450 new. Since half of what I want is to take decent digital photos, the FVD-C1 has 3.2 megapixels with a flash and the AV100 has 2 megapixels with no flash. Like you I also like the form factor of the FVD-C1. Also if you read this pdf you'll see how much effort Fisher put into this little thing. It has so many features I can't even remember most of em.

http://www.sears.com/download/misc/fisher.pdf

Think I'll try the Fisher FVD-C1, and if the video is so horrible I cannot stand it, then I'll sell it and get something else.

Scott Wilson

Great. I am always interested in smaller format cams, so please let us know how it works out. (Yes, I saw the Fisher brochure when it first came out. That's why I searched all over town to get my hands on one.) Can't beat the price on the Fisher (I think this is actually a Sanyo cam, BTW) right now.

Yeah, Sanyo owns the "Fisher" name, and has for quite some time. Thankfully this isn't the original Fisher company, from what I remember they had some poor quality control.

Scott Wilson

I'm very interested in how this cam works out for you Scott. I can definitely see advantages of having a cam at all times as I have a 2 yr. old daughter and twin boys arriving anyday.

Does it offer any form of image stabilization?

Tommy,

The unit has no image stabilization due to size constraints, however it comes with software that is supposed to provide a post production version of image stabilization. Who knows how well the software works, I'll test it and let you know.

Scott Wilson

I also found this page of stills from the DMX-C1 which seems to be the exact same cam (Japanese equiavlent).

http://www.okimoto.ne.jp/muray/Review/Dmxc1/Page.html

Would be nice to have an example of video footage or a decent review (not epinions or TechTV).

Looks really good in black (not so sure on red).

Black
http://www.watch.impress.co.jp/av/docs/20040212/c1k.jpg

Red
http://www.watch.impress.co.jp/av/docs/20040212/c1r.jpg

I just located a review of the Japanese Sanyo that includes both video and stills to download/review. The link below is translated to English.

http://babelfish.altavista.com/babel...1.htm&lp=ja_en