Polaroid XS100 Extreme Edition HD 1080p 16MP Waterproof Sports Action Video Camera With Full Mounting Kit Included
CUSTOMER REVIEW
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Please note that my review is for the XS100, not the XS100i which has WiFi. For some reason the seller has put my review of the XS100 under both the XS100 and the XS110i product which is confusing to people.
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The Polaroid XS100 impressed me in many ways with its image quality and usability. My video review will cover most everything but I'll highlight a few things here.
I also own the GoPro Hero3 Black. Although the video quality of the Polaroid isn't quite as good as the GoPro, it's pretty darn good especially when you take the price into consideration. In fact, unless you were able to directly compare the GoPro video to the Polaroid video in a direct A-B comparison, as I was able to do, you'd think the Polaroid quality was excellent... and it is very good indeed, just the colors are a bit off (I've included still photo from the Polaroid and one from my GoPro to illustrate the color issue at the end of my video review) and overall image sharpness is not quite as good as the GoPro. The GoPro has higher resolution video options but when you compare similar resolutions between the GoPro and the Polaroid SX100, the Polaroid definitely holds its own. And in fact, the Polaroid seems to have superior low-light performance. And the Polaroid has image stabilization that the GoPro lacks. That can make a very significant difference in the viewing experience having image stabilization.
Here are some of the specs:
1200 mAh built-in battery giving just over 2 hours of recording time.
170 degree wide angle lens
Video resolutions - 1080p, 960p, 720p 30fps/60fps
Still image resolutions - 16MB, 5MB, 3MB, VGA
Still image has 10x burst mode or singe shot mode
Time Lapse: one frame each 5, 10, 30 or 60 seconds
I've used the time lapse mode to get some awesome sky/cloud videos. You have to set this mode via the software interface when connected to your computer.
Other than changing between HD and FHD video mode, you must make all other changes via a software interface when the camera is connected to your computer. Obviously this could pose challenges if you're in the woods mountain biking and don't have access to a computer. The GoPro on the other hand lets you change all settings from the camera directly because it has a LCD screen which the Polaroid lacks.
I'm not thrilled with the software that accompanies the Polaroid. PC software (polaroid.exe) installs itself from the camera to your memory card but Mac users will have to visit the Polaroid website to download the application and then add the application to their memory card. The software interface is the same for both MAC and PC and my video will walk you through the various settings available to you. It's a very basic and clunky kind of interface but it gets the job done I guess.
Another feature the camera has is that when connected to an HDTV with the provided HDMI cable, a menu automatically pops up on the screen and you can preview, playback, and delete files or format the MicroSD card through your TV screen. I found this very difficult to use however and it's so flakey I rarely use it. But if you can figure it out, it does come in handy at times.
Polaroid has included a decent, although somewhat flimsy set of mounts for attaching the camera to your handlebar and helmet.
What's very cool is that the camera creates dual-files when recording. One of the files is a much lower resolution "thumbnail" file and that's pretty handy if you want to send smaller file versions of your exploits via email or for quick web uploads.
A feature that the Polaroid has that even the GoPro does not have is a G-sensor. This auto-rotates the image so if you need to mount the camera "upside-down" the image is automatically oriented correctly without having to go into the software prior to shooting to change it. This is something the GoPro does not do and I can't tell you how many times I've viewed video from my GoPro only to discover that it's upside down or sideways. This is not an issue with the Polaroid XS100.
You can turn off the auto-rotation for those situations where it would not be desirable to have the camera auto-rotate the image.
Please note that some others have incorrectly described how the auto-rotation works. To clarify: the auto rotation only corrects itself for the initial orientation of the camera when it is first turned on. Changing the orientation of the camera after recording has begun DOES NOT cause the camera to correct the orientation. It's also important to know that the reduced resolution file that the camera creates in addition to the full resolution file, is NOT auto-rotated, ever.
The anti-vibration feature of the camera is outstanding and extremely effective. GoPro does not have anti-vibration at all and it really helps as my video shows. It smooths out bumpy roads that otherwise would show up in the video as jitters.
The camera is waterproof up to 30 feet with no additional housing needed. Cool. As anyone who has used a GoPro knows, once your GoPro is in the waterproof housing, the audio recording is basically worthless. The Polaroid doesn't need an additional housing and audio recording quality is much better because of that.
The camera has some haptic feedback and vibrates to let you know that it has begun or stopped recording and there is a small LED indicating same.
The camera build quality is OK but does not necessarily give you the impression of being 100% bullet-proof. Of particular concern is the plastic threads for the tripod/mounts. These could easily strip if accidentally cross-threaded or overtightened. The back cover that is removed to gain access to the USB, HDMI ports, microSD card slot and HD/FHD switch is a little flimsy feeling and not that easy to open and close. Fortunately you don't need to open or close it very often.
You can put up to a 32GB memory card in the camera... it will not support more than that. Although the user guide suggest at least Class 6, I'd suggest you get Class 10 for optimal read/write speeds. At the rate of 4GB per half-hour, a 32GB card will record full high definition (FHD) video for approximately 4-hours (1080p@30 fps or 720p@60 fps)
PROS:
-Great quality HD video
-Excellent anti-vibration
-Pretty good audio quality
-Extended recording time of up to slightly over 2 hours on a single charge
-An excellent set of features some of which aren't even on a GoPro Hero 3 Black
CONS:
-no ability to swap batteries since the battery is built-in.
-tripod mount has plastic threads which could strip easily if overtightened or cross-threaded
-the dome covering the lens can cause halos around the video in certain lighting situations.
-some of the included mounting parts don't seem very durable
-very clunky interface when connecting camera to HDTV
-you cannot change most camera settings unless connected to your computer
Overall the XS100 is a LOT of fun to use and captures fantastic video and still shots. The price is right and you get a lot of camera for the money.
I was provided a sample for review.
via Amazon Best Seller V2 copy copy http://ift.tt/1Lr2TBF
