Well, I've only had the DXG-305v for a couple of weeks now, but have learned quite a bit about it in that time. It was a gift for my 11-year-old, although I of course had to thoroughly check it out myself first. I like the product a lot, but I do have a few complaints and some important "secrets" to reveal in this review, so read on...
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br /Specifications: The real specifications for many of the camera's features are almost impossible to determine from DXG's published information. In many cases, completely different specifications appear on the downloadable data sheet, the downloadable user manual, the printed user manual, and the product box! Which (if any) of these actually apply to the camera? Fortunately it is possible to determine what the camera can do through experimentation, and to analyze the digital files it produces to get some reliable specifications. The specifications on the product box seem to be the most accurate.
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br /Memory capacity: There is a total of 32MB of built-in memory and about 30MB of that is available for your use (some of the older specification sheets say it's only 14MB out of 16MB total), but that won't get you very far. You'll need to buy at least one SD memory card. The specifications say that the camera supports up to 512MB cards, although DXG technical support says it will probably also recognize 1GB cards. Since I have serious doubts that the support people really understand this product, I stuck with 512MB, which is plenty. This will hold up to 90 minutes of video, or 500+ high quality photos, or about 8 hours of typical MP3 files.
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br /Battery life: New users will complain that the camera goes through AAA batteries way too fast. The fact is that you MUST get rechargeable batteries for this camera. A set of rechargeables will run the camera for more than an hour of continuous video recording, or about 3 hours of audio recording (with the LCD turned off), which is really very good. These batteries are inexpensive and they can be recharged hundreds of times. There are also chargers available that can recharge all four batteries in as little as 15 minutes. Repeat: Forget about regular AAAs - get some rechargeables and a fast charger!
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br /Still camera: I'm an experienced photographer, and have used many different film and digital cameras. The results from the DXG-305v are nothing to get excited about, but they're better than I expected, at least for outdoor use in good light. Indoor shots are poor unless the room is well lit. The white balance setting is adjustable, but I got the best results leaving it on auto. Again, I'm referring to outdoor shots - changing the white balance for indoor shots has virtually no effect on the image.
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br /Flash: The flash works as described. It's really only effective up to maybe six feet away, but it does the job. You can turn the flash off if you want to, but unfortunately, you can't set it to fire with every shot. It only works in auto mode, meaning that it will fire only if the camera decides that the light level is too low. Also, the flash will refuse to fire at all if the batteries are not freshly charged. Once the charge drops a little, the flash does not respond even though the rest of the camera operations are fine. Disappointing! Also, the flash is positioned in a place where it's very easy to cover with your fingers when shooting.
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br /Video: Video image quality, like still image quality, is much better outdoors than indoors. The low resolution (320x240) video mode works as advertised and delivers 30fps. In high resolution (640x480) mode, however, the camera does not deliver the 15fps rate claimed in most of the product literature. Actual results in high resolution mode are about 10fps, as described on the product box. In my opinion this slow frame rate is much too choppy and makes the high resolution video mode unusable. The speed of the memory card is not a factor in this. I tried two different types of memory cards - the relatively slow standard SanDisk 512MB card and the much faster SanDisk Ultra II 512MB card - and got exactly the same results. An output jack and special cables are included for connecting the device to other audio/video components for playback.
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br /PC camera: I conducted some PC camera tests using Windows Movie Maker 2. When connected to a computer with the USB cable, the DXG-305v at first appears to deliver 30fps in high resolution mode, but this is only half true. In this scenario the sensor is actually working at only 320x240 and this low resolution image is simply scaled up in size to 640x480. Changing the resolution to true 640x480 via software settings drops the frame rate down to about 20fps maximum. On the plus side, the software settings do allow a great deal of control over how the camera behaves in PC mode. Adjustments are included for brightness, contrast, saturation, sharpness, and hue. The internal microphone does not function in PC camera mode - you'll have to use your computer's microphone instead.
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br /Audio recording: The audio recorder function generates 4-bit 8kHz mono files, which are good enough for voice recording but not exactly pleasant to listen to. For some strange reason the audio is stored in WAV format instead of the far more efficient MP3 format. With these settings a 512MB memory card can hold about 12 hours of audio. But how often will you want to record half a day's worth of low quality sound? I would much rather have higher quality audio options with reduced recording times. Audio recording can run for about 3 hours on a full battery charge if you keep the LCD display closed.
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br /MP3 playback: This is a feature that currently sets the DXG-305v apart from most other combo cameras. The device recognizes and plays stereo MP3 files transferred from your computer, and music playback quality is fine when using a good pair of headphones. Playback through the tiny built-in speaker is pretty awful, but that's to be expected. Music playback can run for about 2½ hours on a full battery charge if you keep the LCD display closed.
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br /Software: I have briefly experimented with the included video editing software, and it looks very good. In addition to editing your videos, you can apparently also use the program to burn VCDs (but not DVDs - to get that ability you'll need to pay for an upgrade). If you prefer, the camera's ASF video files can be edited in Windows Movie Maker 2, or presumably just about any editing program. I haven't yet experimented much with the included photo editing software.
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br /Miscellaneous: The internal clock/calendar does not keep accurate time, and it resets itself whenever you change batteries. And although the camera has a self-timer, there is no tripod socket! This is just bizarre and inexcusable.
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br /Conclusion: Although I thought it was important to point out issues in this review, let me assure you that I really like the camera. It's certainly not perfect, but it does more than anyone should reasonably expect for the price. People who plan to use it as their only camera are likely to be disappointed. It's much more appropriate as an extra camera for fun and experimentation. I think it will appeal mostly to gadget-heads and pre-teen kids.
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br /Anyone interested in the DXG-305v is invited to join the new DXG-Digital user group at Yahoo! to discuss all DXG products:
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br /http://groups.yahoo.com/group/dxg-digital
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This camera was a present for my 13 year old son and he could not be more delighted. Neither could I, and now I want one myself. It takes clear pictures and the video is good in adequate light. I had trouble when I transferred over the mp3s because the title tags did not show up on the DXG. I wrote to CS at DXG and received an immediate response with a number and a person to call. I called the CS person who told me how to fix the problem. I also emailed to ask about mac compatability and was again given an almost immediate reply. I was really impressed with their customer service. A 512 sd card is a must. It does use up batteries pretty quickly, so the next item on my list is an AAA battery recharger and rechargeables. My son was pleased with the sound with the included headphones. It sounds tinny without them, but you can hear it very well. All in all, it was a great present.

I don't know much about cameras, I just want to be able to record or take pictures for events and such. This camera is perfect for that. I love the small design, it's very easy to handle. My only beef is that this camera does not do well in low light. Unless its the middle of the day and I have all my curtains open, it was impossible to get a good picture inside the house., I've only had my camera a month and I'm still getting to know my camera, but other than the lighting, I am very happy with my purchase.

I am happy with the camera. I have yet to use all of it's features, but have extensively used it for photo shots and videos. The lighting has to be just right to take good photo shots and the videos can only be taken at a certain time of the day..preferably at dusk. All in all I am happy with it. Being a full time student, I spend my bucks on books, not overpriced cameras, and for the price of this one, it is a great deal.

I no longer own my previous and much finer camcorder, so I finally found myself in the market for purchasing some kind of camcorder until I could get back on my feet to get another good one. I thought this one may do, good price, looks sharp, purchased on impulse . . .big NO-NO.
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br /I will say the camera takes decent pictures (as the previous reviews state, almost exclusively outside in broad daylight or indoors with
br /very good lighting). Other than that, don't bother. The MP3 is a cute
br /function (and quite possibly the most practical). The video, UHH, let's
br /not even go there. The voice recorder, also not bad - records in WAV format and can be transferred to PC.
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br /Jack of all trades, master of none . . .I guess that would be the best
br /way to finally describe this item. I will say that I'll be saving up now
br /for much better camcorder and no more "I just gotta have this right now"
br /Save your $, find a quality product - even if you have to pay a little more for it. Trust me, it will be overall better in the long run . . .

This is a cool camera, I enjoy playing around with all the features like the Mp3 player and the voice recorder. But it does take 4 AAA batteries so it is best to buy some rechargables. The still camera takes good 3MP pics but you can't shake the camera at all or the picture will be a bit blurry. The video feature isn't too bad if you keep it on the lowest res. An SD card is a must have cause the 32MB internal memory won't hold that many pics or videos. I suggest buying a 512MB SD card.

We got this camcorder for our daughter for her birthday and she loves it! Her only problem with it is that a memory card is needed because there isn't as much space as she would like and alot of light is needed to film. We were aware of both of these complaints when we purchased it but we were certain that she could work around them. We were also aware of the battery problem, so she got rechargeable batteries. Awesome little camcorder, especially for the price.

If you are going to buy this camera, don't count on it to be great. You should only get it if you already have a good video camera. But it is pretty good for taking still pictures. It does have all the features of a nice camera, but the quality is pretty bad. If you are going to buy this camera for the price, its not worth it; just spend another hundred on a better camera. Also, you have to buy a 512mb memory card just to have a little over an hour of film.

i was thinking maybe it was just other peoples point of views that the pictures were bad, dark and fuzzy. they were TOTTALLY right though the camera has the worst lighting EVER u have to have super lighting just to see on the lcd screen and when u finally do see the pictures/videos show up still kind of dark..i was very disapointed in this camera it should not even be called a camera becuase it is soo bad, but the built in mic is good and when u have the headphones that came with the package plugged in the sound quality is very good so i would call this is a mp3 player and nothing else becuase the camera is very bad and seemed like they rushed making it. im the type of person that likes to have a camera for "the moment" AND nice "show" pictues and this camera is VERY not that becuase it will all show up VERY black or bearly lit, except for the size and mp3 part. I will NEVER buy from DXG again

Some of my friends and I are into wrestling. We make videos of us wrestling and put it on our website. I use this camera for outside videos and it works great with the timer. But inside it is horrible. The picture appears orange unless you have every inch of the subject covered in light. If you take a picture of anything black like a cat or dog it appears as a black blob not a dog. And why did they put the voice recorder on there? There was no need. The mp3 was okay until it could only hold 4 songs with no videos, pictures or voice recordings. Even with a 1GB SD/MMC card the batteries hardly last long enough to listen to a song! However, it is all I could afford for now because it was $98.00 at the store I went to. When I do have enough money I will get a good quality camera with what I need, not with 3 extra things on it that just take up space in the camera and hardly work. So overall it was good for what I needed.

I will be leaving for college this Fall and wanted a little something that was easy to handle to send home videos, or post them.
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br /It works great! And I am especially excited about compiling them onto a DVD with my laptop's DVD burner. It's is so tiny it fits in my pocket and it is VERY good on batteries, you will need to buy a scan disk (I suggest 512 MB or 1 GIG) but it still turns out cheaper than a regular clunky sized video camera. Of course it isn't AMAZING quality but it is small enough to take anywhere to capture every and anything.
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br /Great deal for the money!

This is the worst camera i've ever seen for many reasons:
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br /1. This camera only works outdoors or in a cmpletely iluminated room.
br /2. The flash is very useless at night.
br /3. It consumes batterries extrmely fast (it uses AAA)
br /4. The still pictures quality is very bad.
br /5. The videos have awful sound and a extremely poor quality. They appear with those big pixel squares.
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br /I don't recommend this camera for anyone. Not eve a 5 years-old kid will enjoy it.

This camera has an attractive look and price but it does not take good pictures. I bought this camera for my 12 year old daughter and although she was happy with it (she's happy with anything pink) I was very disappointed at the quality and functionality.

my parents bought me this camera for x-mas four years ago and since then it has been sitting in my closet collecting dust. There is a lot to this camera that is wrong.
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br /1. The picture quality is HORRIBLE! The pictures are too dark even with the flash on.
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br /2. Getting photos on the computer is a pain. My brother is a computer wizz and he could not get the photos onto the computer.
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br /3. The battery life is pathetic. You take three to four shots and your`e done you need to go buy more batteries.
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br /So save yourself the trouble and do NOT buy this camera unless you want another thing in your closet collecting dust.

As a general rule, I think buyers should beware of any product that combines more than two functions. This combination camera/video recorder/voice recorder/mp3 player is a prime example. If it did just one of these things well, it might be a useful item. Unfortunately, it takes mediocre pictures and records substandard video due to its cheap optics. It would have been better marketed as a cheap mp3 player that also happens to take pictures. That being said, it's not completely useless- a kid would probably love this thing. If you want a fun gift for a youngling who's only interested in taking silly snapshots and recording fart noises, this would be a decent choice.

I bought this camera because I'm going to Jamaica and I needed a camera, the video camera was a bonus. When I first tested it, it was during the night time, however in a well lit room, but I couldn't see anything. I figured I could deal with that as long as it took good pictures during the day. When I stepped outside ,which was very bright and sunny, all I could see on the screen was white. I tried all the settings and still encountered a white screen. The only time I actually saw anything on my screen was when I was inside during the day.
br /I brought it back right away, thankfully I had bought it at Wal-Mart and they were happy to refund my money.
br /I hope anyone reading this review will take my advice and not buy this video camera. I would have loved to give it zero stars if amazon gave that option.

I was very fascinated when I saw all in one features. I was never able to take a good picture. Nothing comes up when you click a picture inside the house. It is better to spend a little more on a good quality proudct than this.

I bought this camera for my son because I thought it had everything a child would want and I was right. My son spents tons of time with his little camera, I enjoy this camera too when I get bored I get my son's camera and listen to the music on the mp3. This camera is very nice and it is really cheap. the only bad thing is that it does not has a rechargable batterie on it but that does not matter if you buy some AAA rechargable batteries and a charger. I totally recomend this item to everyone who is interested on it.

this product was horrible, the quality of the pictures it took was just i cant even explain it, i was extremely dissapointed.

I bought this camera because I liked the idea of a webcam, digital camcorder, and digital camera all in one. The MP3 player was a bonus, but not a needed one for me. The camcorder was such poor quality that if it was dark outside and I tried to use the camcorder in my kitchen with artificial light, the person or object I was filming showed up only as a dark dark blob. It looked as though I had filmed them in the dark with only a dim flashlight on. The webcam never worked, it froze up everytime I tried to use it and I had to take the batteries out to get the camera to turn off and work again. I am hoping that I just got a bad camera and that this thing isn't really for sale like this! Needless to say, I sent the camera back and won't be trying another one.

This camera/Mp3/camcorder/webcam/voice recorder is way to good to be true! I brought one because it was cute and looked perfect for mini movies. But I was sadly mistaken... This camera just takes cheap pictures and videos. The only thing that actully worked properly was the voice recorder that I had no need for. After about 3 days of trying to make it work a little better I gave up and sold it on eBay for the same price as I brought it for. It's a great idea... but it just isn't a good camera but if you want a voice recorder this is pretty nice. The Mp3 player isn't all that wonderful either. It doesn't work with iTunes. Or easy work with Windows. Hope this helps... I wish I would have read this before I brought this camera.

NOT MAC COMPATIBLE, NOT STILL ENOUGH, FREEZES UP, LOOK'S LIKE AN 1980'S SERVALENCE CAM.

This was a present from my son, I loved it and played with it the whole day. Takes nice pictures but....It's taking me awhile to get used to the idea of the shape of the camera. I'm not used to it and I'm having a hard time finding the buttons when I have to use it.

My son loves the camera, the only thing I didn't realize that it takes AAA batteries. I know that there are some cameras similar to my sons that take AA. Other than that were good. Thank you.

this camera looks soo beautiful with pink.....and looks very cool. i'm hoping that it will be worth my money
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br /I'm a teenager who wants to get a nice little video camera to take with me on my graduation in June...i'm just hoping i can use this camera....my friend is moving to florida and i want to capture her on my camera for keepsakes.
br /i hope that this camera won't let me down