Creative Labs Vado HD 720p Pocket Video Camcorder Now Shipping

If you’ve been looking for an inexpensive HD pocket camcorder, then take a look at the Creative Labs Vado HD 720p Pocket Video Camcorder with 8 GB Video Storage and 2x Digital Zoom (Black), now in stock and shipping for just under $200. It has one touch recording with a spacious 2 inch anti-glare display (which is larger than the 1.5″ of the competing Flip MinoHD. The 8GB hard drive allows you to record up to 2 hours of 720p HD or 4 hours of VGA footage. It comes with Vado Central software and a pop out USB tab for easy editing and transfer to YouTube or other online sharing sites.

Best of all, it’s pocket sized at 0.6 x 2.2 x 3.9 inches and weighing just 3.5 ounces. The best video camera is the one you actually have with you and not sitting in your closet at home. The biggest advantage of the Creative Labs Vado HD is that you can have an HD camcorder with you at all times so you’ll never miss a moment. The battery is removable, so you can pop in a spare if you need it, or charge up via USB. The camera is also the only pocket camcorder to include an HDMI cable for direct connection to your HDTV. A great little travel and fun camcorder to have.

Rolling WowWee Spyball Spycam

How cool is this? The just announced WowWee Spyball Spycam rolls around your floor, controlled by remote. At the push of a button it changes from ball to camera and is ready to stream video back to your computer via WiFi. You can even send video to any other WiFi enabled device, like a cellphone. Ideal for mobile spying. The ball is weighted so that when it stops rolling, the camera is on top. Expected cost is about $170. It reminds me of something Inspector Gadget would use. Go go gadget camera ball!

Lego Digital Camera

Lego is getting into the consumer electronics field. Coming soon will be the Lego digital camera, video cameras, MP3 players, walkie talkies. The devices themselves are made of solid plastic andnot individual bricks, although it does appear that you can easily add on your existing Lego bricks to the top and maybe bottom of the camera. Definitely looks like a cool kid friendly beginner camera that I assume has some tolerance for being dropped and thrown at your younger sister because she won’t share. Legotronics (I made that word up, I think) will be available in stores over the summer.

Sanyo Xacti Cameras Go Full HD and Waterproof

The folks over at Sanyo went announcement crazy today, offering up a plethora of new Xacti models for 2009. Personally, I’m a huge fan of the Xacti line and I use an Xacti HD 1010 almost daily. Without going into a full review I’ll just say that the ease of use, quickness of startup, image quality, size and feature set are what sets it apart in it’s price range.

On to the new models! The first is the full HD, DMX-HD2000 model (pistol grip style at left) and the FH11 (a horizontally oriented model) which will be offering 60fps video at 1920 x 1080 resolution. The 60p video will allow for vivid and smooth progressive quality HD video. It will also be able to take 8 megapixel photos even while shooting video at the same time. The lens has a 16x zoom.

Next up is what Sanyo dubs to be the world’s first waterproof HD cameras- models DMX-CA9, DMX-WH1. They can be submerged in water up to 5-10 feet deep and still function properly. While clearly not a scuba diving camera, the ability to shoot HD in damp, snowy or rainy weather without fear of damaging the equipment or needing a special covering is huge! The DMX-WH1 will have a massive 30x zoom.

Sanyo will also be selling the DMX-CG10 which is pistol grip style model but ultra compact and slim. Obviously they are looking to compete somewhat with the pocket cameras like the Flip Mino and Creative Vado but it offers a 3 inch foldout screen and many more features than the Flip such as 10 megapixel stills and anti-shake mechanism.

Price has not yet been set on any of these new Xacti models and release dates are throughout February, March and April beginning with the DMX-HD2000 on February 6th. Click here for the full press release from Sanyo.

Shoot Things with a Gun Movie Camera

It’s a vintage Vietnam era Hi-8 camera for sale fashioned with a rifle stock back and was allegedly made for a military reporter. The rifle part, besides looking really freakin’ awesome, probably would be pretty helpful in stabilizing the camera to get a steady shot since it’s generally used to stabilize rifles for a steady shot. I would have to question the wisdom of heading out into a warzone (or anywhere really) with a camera that looks like gun. And I doubt you could get this thing past airport security! It comes with a black case and 5x lenses and I would assume the manual too (since it’s pictured).

Hello Kitty Takes Over the Flip MinoHD

There’s something about Hello Kitty that just really gets under my skin. I don’t know why, maybe she’s just too cute, too over the top, too pervasive, too commercial. Does everything in the world need to be Hello Kittyized? I guess so since she’s taking over the Flip Mino and Flip Mino HD pocket cameras with 11 different Hello Kitty designs. ELEVEN! Wait let me write that again. ELEVEN. The best part for Hello Kitty fans is that they cost the same price as the unbranded Flip video cameras. So it’s basically a buy a Flip, get your Hello Kittyization for free. This type of behavior should not be encouraged. I can’t seem to find any purchasing information on the Hello Kitty branded Flips, but if you go to Flip’s Site you can customize a Flip using any image you care to upload.

Peephole Camera and DVR for Home Security

You can never be too safe in today’s society and you never know who’s knocking at your door. But with a Peephole Camera and DVR you can have the security of knowing who’s on the other side of the door without having open the door or approach the door.

Just mount the peephole camera where you existing peephole is and it will wirelessly transmit images to the LCD screen panel inside your home. The DVR can record all the action while you’re not home, so you can find out who has been stealing your packages and leaving flaming bags of poop on your doorstep (not that I would know anything about that!)

Gem Camera is Truly Outrageous, Truly Truly Truly Outrageous

The GemCam is a fully functional Ultronic camera completed covered in acrylic gems. It looks pretty blinged out (or at least fake-blinged out anyway). I assume those gems are on the lens cap, not the lens itself unless you want all your pictures to look like Rainbow Brite in the Fortress of Solitude.

Quickpod Extendable Handheld Tripod

The QuikPod Handheld Convertible Tripod is a neat little gadget that will help you take better photos. It fits any still or video camera that has a tripod socket. The quickpod folds up small so it can fit in your pocket or purse. You attach your camera to it and extend the arm, allowing you to take great photos of yourself (better than just holding your arm out) or you can hold your camera well above crowds or other objects. Now you no longer have to ask strangers to take your picture, you can do it yourself; ideal if traveling places where you don’t speak the language.

Underwater Headband Video Camera

Neat idea- a waterproof video camera that straps to your head with a headband for shooting underwater videos. The tiny tube-shaped camera records video only (no audio) at a puny 320 x 240 pixel resolution. It can shoot for up to 3 hours on one charge. It connects and charges via USB (what doesn’t these days?).

Now before you start having dreams of becoming Jacques Geeksteau or Steve Nerdwin or something, you should know this is made by legendary crapgadget maker Thanko, which means it’s from Japan and probably of iffy quality. You’re probably better off rigging up a regular waterproof camera to a headband with some duct tape.

Camera Cube Bubble Level Keeps Your Shots Square

A professional photographer or an amateur with a pro-style camera can do everything right when setting up a shot- getting the focus, white balance, ISO exposure settings all in place for the perfect shot- but if the camera’s not level it’s going to look like a 16 year old high school girl took the shot at a funky angle for her myspace page. All the photography tips and tricks in the world aren’t going to help you if you hold the camera crooked, particularly if you are shooting something with straight lines- it will be painfully obvious if your shot is not level.

A hot shoe mountable Bubble Level for your camera is the quick and easy solution to getting level shots each and every time. Just slide it on top of your digital camera or video camera and line up the bubbles. Works whether you’re holding it in your hand or on a tripod. Ideal for better landscape and architecture photography.

Amazon has a wide selection: Bubble Levels