Gateway DVS20 MPEG4 Pocket Multi-Cam

Average customer rating: 3.0

Good Camera but not So Good
wow what a camera, for $139.00 this is the best deal on the net
A solid, cheap camcorder and camera.
Little Gateway Delivers
Item is not that great as it seems

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Gateway DVS20 MPEG4 Pocket Multi-Cam

Manufacturer: Gateway
Product Group: Photography
Binding: Electronics
ASIN: B0000UL3EM

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Amazon.com Review

Not a full-fledged camcorder, and yet very much more than a toy, the Gateway DVS20 MPEG4 Pocket Multi-Cam is one of a new generation of "convergence" devices that take both still images and tapeless digital video. In a head-to-head contest with a full-featured tapeless camcorder--something from Panasonic D-Snap's line, for example--it may not come out all that well, but at this price range a more fair comparison would be with an entry-level digital still camera. Seen in this light, the DVS20 does very well indeed. In fact, I now find myself favoring my Gateway over my everyday digital camera, a low end Olympus.

<table cellpadding="7" align="left"> <TR> <TD> <img src="http://images.amazon.com/images/G/01/electronics/detail-page/ccrd_gtwdvs20_large.jpg" align="left"> </TD> </TR> <TR> <TD> The DVS20's compact body </TD> </TR> </table> The first advantage it has over almost every still camera in its price range is the swiveling LCD that lets you take photos from awkward angles--you can shoot holding the camera over your head for example, by angling the LCD down, or capture stylish, cinematic low angles. And the shutter action is above average, with very little of the dreaded shutter delay effect of many digital cameras (you know, when you press the button and the picture gets taken sometime the following week).

So what about video? The DVS20 does okay, though it would be better to think of video as a bonus function rather than its main purpose. It performs middling to poor in low-light conditions, but in daylight it takes pretty clear, if somewhat herky-jerky footage. A memory card is a must if you want to do any significant amount of taping--the size of the internal memory is actually pretty generous at 64 MB, but this will hold a maximum of 18 minutes of video, and that's at the lowest resolution (a very grainy 320 x 240). It's worth noting that the mic performs much better I expected. I was able to tape a public event, getting very clear audio for both the PA and the ambient crowd noise.

One real downside is the rate at which this thing eats through batteries--one day of sporadic use was all that a pair of alkalines lasted me. Do not proceed without rechargeables! And while we're talking downsides, I should also mention that the flash tends to wash out facial features at distances under ten feet. Overall, though, you'd be hard put to find a better value in this price range. --David Stoesz

Pros <ul>

Above-average performance for its price range

Swivel-view LCD

A/V and USB outputs

SD card slot

Very compact body--comparable to a pack of cigarettes. </ul> Cons<ul>

Devours batteries like sweet, sweet candy

Only so-so low light performance

The flash tends to wash out details </ul>

Product Description

DV-S20 is the pocket size digital camcorder and camera in one for a breakthrough price. With the DV-S20 you get multiple devices in one. Small and light, you can take it everywhere. It uses no tapes - all digital functions means it's simple to use and easy to share content. Capture all your moments on video or photo. The DV-S20 includes everything you need to share your footage over the web or on your TV. 64MB of built-in memory is enough for almost 18 minutes of video and hundreds of photos.

Customer Reviews:

Good Camera but not So Good.......2006-12-12

when i bought this Camera i read other Reviews about it and i saw almost every one agree about the Quilty of the Video that it was not Good and i would agree witht hem too Ecery thing is looks good and Smoooth but if u plain to Shoot Video , Do not try that indoor it has to be Outdoor where is ligh and it has less than 20 feet for Good zoom .

if you buy this Camera be sure you not looking for very Good Quilty Video , Do not write back and say this Camera has Bad Quilty of Video every one here telling you its not agood Camera if u plan to Record your Wedding or Birthday Party .

i just Bought it and i thought to Return it back becose the bad Quilty of the Video but i thought to keep it and give it to one of my Family Kids.

wow what a camera, for $139.00 this is the best deal on the net.......2005-11-07

I think that this is the best buy on the net, great video, excellent controls. Recommended.

A solid, cheap camcorder and camera........2005-10-18

While the DVS20 doesn't provide high-quality video, it's very adequate, especially considering the price. I am a college tennis player and use it to tape my tennis matches. The quality is just fine. The DVS20 takes decent pictures as well. I'm happy with this product and would recommend it to those who don't need serious, high-quality video.

Little Gateway Delivers.......2005-10-14

I read the reviews before I bought this little multi-cam, so I knew what I was getting. I also knew that for the price, this was not going to be some high-end piece of equipment. That said, it was exactly what I wanted. Something easy to carry and that takes decent short videos and still pictures. We recently took it camping with us and took several videos of ourselves and our dog. And, you cannot beat the price.

Item is not that great as it seems.......2005-10-11

Well, at first it was a nifty little camera, but after a week, it something started to go wrong with it. I don't exactly know what it was, but now it won't turn on anymore, I tried new batteries and still nothing. The quality of the pictures is pretty good for being a 2.1 Mp, and its a nice little camera if you want to take pictures once in a while, but be carefull because they are defective.

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