Toshiba Camileo S10 Review – Digital HD Video camera

June 2, 2009

Last year, the electronic market witnessed a stunning hit by Toshiba when it launcher it’s cool and hi-tech venture Flip Mino camcorder. Keeping its former reputation in view, Toshiba has attempted at impressing its customers again and has succeeded to quite an extent. The Toshiba Camileo S10 is a nice combination of Flip Mino camcorder and a portable camera with more advanced features.

As compared to other models such as Kodak Zi6 which captures a high resolution video of 720 fps, this mini camera has a better performance in sense of image quality. Since it captures video at 1080p, the small dimensions of the mini camcorder doesn’t effect the detailing and colors of a photo as observed in other mini cams because it has a relatively large sensor that heightens up the picture profile.

The Camileo S10 gives a digital 4X zoom and has a 2.5 inch LCD screen. Though internal memory is small; only 128 MB, it can be increased by loading SD cards. So, now you can shoot longer duration videos with better results. Another edge over the Flip Mino is the availability of HDMI so that after making videos you can easily transfer them to your HDTV and view them. The memory can further be enhanced by using a 4 GB SDHC card that will cost you only £15 approximately, but will enable you to record 60 minutes of clips and high quality. It also offers a very easy way of uploading videos on You Tube, thanks to the proficient ArcSoft software available.

Cheaper than Camileo H20 (around £50) Camileo S10 also is faster in photo shooting and transferring. No light or low-no problem at all. Camileo can fix the light problem with the far-reaching settings available including 20 cm macro mode, White balance, Exposure, etc, as well as the famous Night Mode which allows you to capture videos and photos without worrying about the illumination. With such functions available, it is now possible to create HD movies and pictures with clarity and brilliant colours. The focusing and light adjustment is just fantastic.

Though the market is buzzing with all kinds of latest mobile phones that offer high definition shooting modes and pocket sized camcorder properties, the stylish Flip-out LCD though may act as a drawback since it’s a bit difficult to hold, it makes Camileo a classic piece. It has an 18mm thick shiny metallic cover that gives it a sleek and lustrous look. At least that justifies the price.

The camera gives you the best quality HD movies and pictures owing to the Auto Focus service that provides quick focus of the subject though you may find the Zoom button a bit sticky! Another major problem with this piece is that it has fussy assortment of keys and controls such as separate buttons for video and picture recording which only adds up to the hassle.

What Camileo S10 has better than the Creative & Flip Mino, is the 2.5 inch LCD Screen that allows the user to view the clips with ease. The black coloured suits all ages and its pocket able size makes it handy to take anywhere. Most of you might want to go for something classier but then at this price it’s not at all a bad deal.

Written by admin · Filed Under Toshiba Digital Cameras

Comments

One Response to “Toshiba Camileo S10 Review – Digital HD Video camera”

sd-dubai on September 28th, 2009 1:39 pm

I bought my Camileo S10 few days back, did some heavy duty shooting around and let me assert here that this is a preety good camcorder, as well.

I took a whole day, visiting various retailers, testing the Sony Webbie, Kodak Zx1, Aiptek z700, Xacti CG10 and the Camileo P30 & S10, besides the Samsung ST550 [TL225 elsewhere] (a Digital Camera doing 720p HD). These were the compact camcorders available here (Flip Ultra HD, Samsung U10 & Kodak Zi8 are not yet marketed here) and settled down for the Camileo S10 due to:
1. Great form factor.
2. Lightest among all.
3. *Best HD clips (2nd was Aiptek z700).
4. *2nd best Still shots (best was Aiptek z700), but very-very good.
5. **Li-ion Battery (keeps the device slimmer).
6. ***Upto 32 Gb SD Card compatible.
7. Got an 8 Gb SD card free from the store.
8. Similar priced; under USD 160/- [the CG10 is a bit costlier (and the P30 is no better, but bigger)].
9. HDMI port (a must, so that we enjoy Full HD footage on an FHD TV).
10. ****Deal breaker: Slips easily into my shirt pocket, with ZERO bulge.

*Both clips & shots analyzed by playing on a 42″ FHD LCD TV. [remember, it shoots just one step lower than 1080p, which is as good as 1080p, an ordinary guy like me would'nt notice the difference at all].
**Bought another Li-ion battery for Stand-by (these are the same as used in most of the cameras & camcorders; thus, readily available – not proprietary; costed only USD 8/-).
***Note: standard SD card, NOT Micro SD; thus, cheaper.
****The S10 is a Flat device, half the thickness of my cigarette pack (B&H 20’s) and only half inch taller than it.

EDITING & BURNING DVD:
I edited the clips & burnt a (regular) DVD – and wow! the movie was stunning. To note here, the supplied ArcSoft Suite is “just OK”, but I had no problem making my DVD thru the Cyberlink PowerDirector Express, which is a good movie software and came with my JVC HD7.

MY VERDICT:
Friends, don’t have any 2nd thoughts. If the 10 pointers I mentioned above are also your considering factors, go for the Camileo S10.

It is better than the rest. AND be assured, the vids are VERY SIMILAR to that of a Hi-End HD Camcorder (I have one), if you can overcome the top-notch movies you get from them due to their manual controls. But then, we are talking about a “Pocket Camcorder”, whose basic purpose is to carry everywhere and shoot at the spur of the moment and under 1/10th of the price the Camileo S10 is a steal.

I am deeply satisfied with my Camileo; and so would be you!!!