Review: Creative Vado camcorder

The Creative Vado differs from conventional digital camcorders in that it doesn’t use tapes or discs.

Instead, up to two hours of video can be saved to its internal memory. It also looks more like an old iPod than a video camera, a design that makes it easy to carry in a pocket.

Although moulded in plastic, the device has a high-quality feel and its shape means it fits well in the hand.

The battery is removable, so it can be replaced when it reaches the end of its useful life. It charges up in just two hours over a USB connection, and gives up to two hours of recordings.

We found the Vado very straightforward to operate: recording is simply a case of switching it on and hitting the record button, a simplicity that will appeal to those who find conventional camcorders confusing.

The camera's 2in screen is bright and clear, and doesn’t suffer from any flickering as the camera is moved around. We weren’t so impressed with the Vado’s 2x digital zoom, however, it being jittery and causing a drop in video quality.

In standard mode the camera can record up to two hours of video but we weren’t particularly impressed with the quality using this setting. Using the high-quality setting improved things considerably and we were able to shoot reasonably clear and detailed video which could be played back in good quality in full screen on a computer.

Transferring video to the PC was as simple as connecting the device to a spare USB port and using the software (included on the camera's internal storage) to view videos or copy the to the computer's hard disk.

The software can be used straight off the camera and doesn’t need to be installed, so the Vado can be used instantly on any PC. There’s also an option to upload videos to Youtube or pictures to the Photobucket website in one click (once you've set up your account).

As a fun way to shoot decent quality video while out and about, the Vado is a good choice. However, if you are looking to record a whole holiday’s worth of video or if you want archive-quality video you’ll be left wanting more than the Vado can offer.

See also:

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The Sanyo Xacti VPC-CA6 camcorder looks good, but the awkward design and high price let it down  17 Oct 2006

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