Panasonic SVAV50 MPEG-4 SD Video Camera:

Brand new, never been used, small size digital camera Mp4 - combines photo, video, and audio capture; plays music files and recorded TV shows.

Stylishly small and loaded with multimedia functions.

Manufacturers are cramming so many functions into their products these days, it's hard to know which ones to refer to as all-in-one devices. If anything qualifies, it would have to be the cell phone-size Panasonic D-snap SV-AV50, which combines a 1.95-megapixel camera, a 320x240 MPEG-4 video camcorder, a digital voice recorder, an MP3- and AAC-format music player, and a digital video recorder that can grab and play TV programs.  The SV-AV50 is so small you really can carry it anywhere. Remarkably small and lightweight at 4 by 1.95 by 0.81 inches and 4.2 ounces with the battery installed, the stylish Panasonic D-snap SV-AV50 can fit into a shirt pocket with plenty of room to spare. A side panel swings out and twists to position the 2-inch LCD on one side of the unit and the lens on the other. The screen swivels 180 degrees to allow self-portrait, overhead, and floor-level shots. The rounded, silver-colored case (it's also available in blue) is constructed of sturdy plastic with metal trim. It appears to be durable, as do the buttons that line the back of the case. The D-snap is made for handheld use, so there's no tripod mount.

You navigate menus with the orange jog ball. The button with the red dot works as a shutter release in photo mode and a record button in video and voice modes.

The LCD menus are clearly marked and logically organized, in part because each function has only a few options. A mode button lets you toggle through photos, videos, and voice when recording and through photos, videos, voice, and music when playing back.

The two controls above the power button on the rear of the device let you switch between capture and playback and choose operating modes, including photo, video, voice, and music.

The SV-AV50 is so lightweight, you won't become tired holding it for extended periods of time. The fixed lens provides a wide-angle perspective, which means that your finger doesn't have to be directly in front of it in order to show up in the picture. 

Pressing the Night View button brightens up low-light videos.

The D-snap SV-AV50 stores all recorded media on an SD card. Plan on buying a high-capacity card to get the most out of the device.

Like circus clowns who keep rolling out of a small car, an extraordinary number of functions are packed into this tiny device. You can save photos as JPEG files at three resolutions (1,600x1,200, 1,280x960, or 640x480) and two compression rates (Fine and Normal). There are four MPEG-4 video settings: Extra Fine (320x240 at 30fps), Super Fine (320x240 at 15fps), Fine (320x240 at 12fps), and Economy (176x144 at 6fps). A 2.5X digital zoom is available. Monaural voice recordings are saved in a proprietary format.

Panasonic provides a software program to help you bring your music into the D-snap SV-AV50. SD-Jukebox 4.0 converts your CDs to 96Kbps AAC files and transfers them to the device via a USB connection. You bypass the computer entirely when bringing prerecorded video into the D-snap. In addition to recharging the battery, the USB cradle acts as an A/V input/output adapter. A supplied cable provides composite-video and stereo-audio plugs, which you can connect directly to a VCR, a DVR, an A/V receiver, or a TV for video recording and playback.

Other noteworthy features include a Night View mode that brightens the image but lowers the frame rate of video recordings, stereo earbuds (the camera's built-in microphone, however, is mono only), and a remote control that's handy when you're listening to music files. There are no manual exposure settings or specialized shooting modes other than Night View. The camera's fixed-focus lens can't focus on subjects within 1.7 feet, which will disappoint macro fans.

The D-snap SV-AV50's tiny rechargeable lithium-ion battery held out for just 255 photos.

What's in the Box
This package includes the Panasonic SVAV50A digital camcorder, 8 MB SD memory card, USB cradle, battery pack, AC adaptor, stereo earphones with remote controller, USB and A/V cables, carrying case, cleaning clot, neck strap, and CD-ROM with USB drivers for Windows and the following Panasonic software (not Mac compatible):

• SD MovieStage Ver. 2.5 displays MPEG4 motion images and JPEG still images in thumbnail form and plays them back on a PC. You can also cut and edit motion images and send e-mail with motion images attached.
• SD Jukebox Ver. 4.0 Software transfers music from your SD memory card to your PC and allows you to rip CDs to your PC and convert music data to different PC music file formats. When ripping CDs, music information from the CD database (CDDB) is obtained automatically, including album title, artist and song title. You can also organize your songs by artist, title or personalized playlists. There is also a "Mood Analyzer" (Music Sommelier) that automatically selects songs to match your mood.