26 February, 2010

I've had several Video Cameras in my life and they all had their strengths and weaknesses.  My Sony stopped functioning so I purchased the DXG595V.  I was led to that camera by the Digital Goddess, *Kim Komando and then by doing a little reading of the specs.  I was impressed enough to buy one.

It's a nice looking camera but, like most others, has several problems.

1) When shooting video in HD, the resulting video undulates with areas of the picture moving in different directions.  It can be difficult to view.  I stopped shooting my videos in HD.  That was one of the main reasons for buying this model.  I asked the manufacturer about this via email and never received an answer.  Perhaps the message wasn't received.  View an example.  Notice how the video moves in and out. 

2) The focus is very slow and may change with the zoom.  While zooming in on a subject, you may lose focus of that subject.  At that point, you'll wish you had a manual focus control.

3) Forget low light video.  A scene within the home, which looks just fine to you, may be dark in the video. 

4) The viewing screen, while indoors, is bright, crisp and clear.  Outdoors, you'll wish you had a viewfinder.  It's very difficult to see the subject of your video.  I generally aim the top of the camera at the subject in order to get video.  Of course, the zoom function is out because I can't see the resulting picture.  Do you think it's a reasonable expectation to be able to see an image when viewing the screen while outdoors?  I do.  View photos 1 and 2 and 3 for comparison.  Photo 3 is a photo of what you should be able to see in the viewing screen of the camera, shown in photo 2.

Click this to view a sample of what happens when you can't see the image.  Even on this overcast day, all I could see in the viewing screen was the white of the snow and dark of the tree line.  I could not see the aircraft.  I was guessing as to it's position when shooting.  This clip also shows the loss of focus then the slow recapture of focus.  Notice the jumpy picture.  It's not from the wind.

The camera is close to being a very good product but not being able to see what you are shooting is a show stopper.

I again sent an email to the company and did get an answer.  There were several to and fro emails and I finally stated I won't be buying any more of DXG's products.

At 6:35:15, 26 Feb, I  received a phone call from (626) 820-0802, Carlos Castillo, who took offense at my statement of no more DXG products in my home. He reminded me of the buyer beware axiom!  Can you believe it.  I finally hung up on him because of his unprofessional manner of conversation.

Much was said during the conversation which isn't portrayed here.  I will say he suggested I use a hood when using the camera outdoors.  Funny, I didn't need a hood with the old Sony.  I could see the image just fine even in bright Sun.

I don't have a record of the first email but the following links are of the subsequent conversations:

Link 1     Link 2    Link 3

If you, the viewer of this page, have experienced interaction with DXG or have comments, good or bad, on the DXG595V, please email those comments to dxg@graceallen.net.  I will post your comments to this site.

Would I buy another product from DXG.....?   You make the call!

*Kim, perhaps you should look a little deeper into the products you promote.