New RCA Small Wonder video cams now available

The EZ210

(Credit: RCA)

The latest iteration of RCA's Small Wonder video cameras is now available. Along with Creative's just-released $99 Vado, the new trio of Small Wonders is competing with Flip Video's popular budget cams, which--by some estimates--have snagged up to one-eighth of the overall camcorder market.

We liked how previous Small Wonder models had a flip-out LCD, and we're happy to report that two of the new models sport this feature. It's also worth noting that all the models have some form of removable memory, which means you can always carry around an extra card with you to store more videos. Alas, RCA hasn't gone with a rechargeable battery--but the new models are pretty affordable. Two come in at less than $100, while the splash-resistant Traveler model comes in at $149.99.

There was some talk at CES about the EZ300HD, a Small Wonder that would allegedly shoot at "HD" resolution (1,280 x 720). However, that model hasn't materialized yet.

Here's the lineup:

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Small Wonder Traveler (model EZ210, pictured above)

* Splash resistant

* 2.4-inch color LCD screen designed for high-visibility outdoor use (320x240-resolution)

* 2GB SD card provides one hour of near-DVD-quality recording time and up to 4 hours using the Web Sharing mode; expandable to up to 16 hours with 8GB SD card (not included)

*Comes with removable carrying and attachment clips, shock-proof battery contacts, carrying case, TV/AV input cables, wrist strap, AA batteries

*Available: Summer at Amazon.com

*MSRP: $149.99

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Small Wonder Pocket (model EZ205)

The EZ205

(Credit: RCA)

*1.5-inch flip-out LCD screen for self-recording; offers improved low-light recording

*1GB microSD card provides 30 minutes of recording time in near-DVD-quality mode or two hours in Web Sharing mode; expandable to 16 hours with 8GB microSD card (not included)

*Optional "exact-fit" custom skins from SkinIt for customization *Available: Summer at Amazon.com

*MSRP: $99.99

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Small Wonder MyLife (model EZ200)

The EZ200

(Credit: RCA)

*1.5-inch LCD flip-out screen (improved low-light recording) for self-recording

*1GB microSD card provides 30 minutes of recording time in HQ mode or one hour in Web Sharing mode; expandable to up to 8 hours with 8GB microSD card (not included)

*Optional "exact-fit" custom skins from SkinIt for customization

*Available: Summer at Amazon.com and Fry's Electronics

*MSRP: $89.99

[chuchucuhi]

I didn't even know there were products like this. I have been trying to figure what I want to get to take on our next vacation. I'm not looking for great quality, just decent and something like this is cheap enough you could really have more than one with different family members recording their own vid segments. Could be fun in a way...

[anderlan]

Meh. Most $85 decent still cameras do 640x480 30fps (slightly better than VHS quality) video already and they have card slots for expansion and swapping. Unless these camera's do better video than that, there's no reason not to get a camera that aims to do passable still photos as well.