Vivitar DVR-508 High Definition Digital Video Camcorder

I bought this for my 10 yr old son for Christmas. It's ok for a child but not for much else than a toy. The picture quality isn't great, the controls are very basic.

I never complain, so take this into account when you read this! Do NOT waste your money. This should have been in the toy section (though I wouldn't even buy it as a toy). Cheap plastic, limited capabilities, battery life short-lived (maybe 2-3 minutes of recording!), lousy picture--an overall piece of junk. Shocked that Vivitar allowed it to make it to the production line. Sickened that they let it off the production line and onto store shelves.

I bought this as a quick replacement when I realized I needed one for a kids school program in a couple days. This camera is Listed as all the same specs as the Jvc we had (lost charger). Since we didn't have time to receive a new charger we decided on this BC of the value, ease of finding it & the specs. We will be returning this since using it. Around the house for a test run it did good, decent quality(didn't expect greatness from a 'cheapy' camera). BUT did horrible for a school program! I was 2 rows back, very very low quality, couldn't make out faces at all when I scanned in, makes a clicking sound when zooming in & out that can be heard in the video, when scanning(on a tripod, very slowly) blurs the entire frame until you stop. Also couldn't adjust to the dark audience & bright stage. Overall, very disappointed. I thought you'd at least be able to make out kids faces, scan & zoom with decent quality. It's more of a kids video. Takes AA batteries, almost dead by the end of 15min program. Lastly, it did have a glitch every time you started recording it would stop recording, stating 'not large enough card' or something similar. I had a 16g card. I would have to press record again & then no error. Missed a lot of recording bc wasn't aware it stopped recording after message. If you need something small, light weight, and low quality this would be it. Otherwise look elsewhere. You'd bd better off with your phone video recorder.

A camcorder under $25.00 that performs reasonably well is in my opinion an excellent value. I rated battery life only good because it only uses 3 vs. 4 batteries. I'm using rechargeable batteries and my charger works with 2 or 4 but not 3. I have to keep up with a battery rotation schedule for the odd battery. I suppose if you use throw-away batteries that's not an issue. I don't see where the minimal zoom function works. Perhaps my camera is stuck in the closest range because I don't feel it offers a wide enough scene capture field. With all of that said, I'm happy with the camera for what I paid for it.

Bought this for 21 dollars. Very lightweight. Easy to use.