Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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74 of 76 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Vivitar Vivicam 6200W, 21 Sep 2007
We bought this camera for our 5 & 8 year old daughters to use, the main attraction being it is rugged & simple to use. Other digital cameras at this price point, whilst maybe having more features, do not appear to have the build quality that would stand up to the inevitable knocks and drops that go with use by kids, although time will tell how this one survives!
I was pleasantly surprised at the build quality, this camera is quite heavy, but it looks and feels very well screwed together. Even the waterproof cover that protects the batteries, memory card and USB port on the side has a reassuringly solid double locking mechanism.
Another reviewer commented on the quality of the supplied manual. To be honest, we've not needed to look at it. The set-up system will be obvious to anyone who has used a digital camera before, and if a 5 year old can pick it up, turn it on, take pictures and work out how to view them on the screen, then I'd say the manual is pretty much redundant anyway. Also in the box you get 2 batteries to get you started, a usb cable, case, neck strap & a spare o-ring for the waterproof door.
This camera has fixed focus and no optical zoom (it has digital zoom, but thats just as pointless as it is on any other camera). It most certainly DOES have a flash, as other reviews/information sources have suggested it does not. It has a 6mp sensor, and picture quality is good, with or without the flash. It has fast startup & slick menu operation, and viewing your pictures is also very easy.
In closing, whilst this camera may not have all the features to satisfy a keen amateur photographer who takes alot of pictures whilst diving, who would probably be better off with a £200+ compact in a waterproof case.
It is an excellent 'fun' camera, extremely suitable for children, great for holidays on the beach, robust, very easy to use, and very good value at the price. I've knocked a star off for the lack of zoom & autofocus, but I'd only have knocked half a star off for this if I could.
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47 of 48 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Best underwater for the price, 7 Dec 2007
A trip to the Red Sea became the test for this little gem. Its water proof, shoots video and still photos up to 10 metres deep, which is deep enough for snorkellers and amateur divers. Nowhere on this camera, in print or in the description does it say "shockproof". Its a digital camera so I wouldn't advise giving it to kids. An earlier reviewer seemed somehow surprised that they were smashed to bits when handed over to their kids.
A 1GB memory card was more than enough. I shot about 20 minutes of footage and 184 stills on one card and only changed the batteries once. Buy two memory cards if you intend to shoot more.
The water temperature will affect battery life, since most electronics die in cold weather. So pack a few extra AA's.
The photos themselves were a little overexposed when used above water and at times in low light they were blurry, due to shutter lag. My best advice is to keep still for two seconds when taking the shot and get some photo editing software to bring out any underexposed colours.
The weight of the camera is both a plus and a minus. If you're diving or snorkelling in deep water without the strap, it will sink into the abyss if you let go. But this also means that in calmer and shallower waters it can be propped against rocks and on the floor for some good self timed photos and videos. Its does have a tripod mount bracket on the bottom, so purchase a cheap little flexible tripod incase you can't find flat seabed or rocks. It also means the fish will swim really close to it in curiosity, without you scaring them off.
The screen is a handy size, the menu's are easy to navigate and the buttons, although a little chunky, make it easier to use if you're diving with gloves on.
The lack of zoom is a necessity. Adding one would substantially reduce the waterproof depth with all the external moving parts involved. I preferred the extra waterproofing, knowing I wouldn't be using a tape measure to check my depth every time I went under made me more relaxed about using it.
Switching between video and photo mode is done with one button press, which proved handy when an eagle ray sailed past me at quite a pace and knowing a photo would be too blurry, a quick press produced some great video.
Overall, take spare batteries, an extra card and hold on tight to it when in deep water. Don't go to a world class diving site without one you won't find a better video or photo camera for the money.
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21 of 21 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Vivitar 6200W, 18 Oct 2007
What a cracking little Camera. I bought it as a weather proof, point and shoot camera for use by a Pillion Passenger on a motorcycle to take pictures on the move. While the LCD display is not always easy to see, for the use I put it to, it doesn't matter as it is impossible to compose a shot in these circumstances in any case. But it is quick to turn on and fairly quick between shots. Taking a picture is about as easy as it gets, even with a gloved hand and the results are quite impressive for what the camera is. It's weather protection and ability to absorb knocks is also very useful in these circumstances. Battery life is quite good but removing the SD card is fairly fiddley to say the least. I wouldn't want to try with cold, numb hands. The Camera is no lightweight, but that is a benifit in these circumstances as it is easier to oriantate with gloved hands. Provided it is waterproof to the depth claimed then you wont go far wrong with this. A camera that I would imagine all of the family could use with ease. Because I bought it knowing what to expect, it has met those expectations and for that reason I would not knock it back on any points.
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