Product Description

DV-S20 is the pocket size digital camcorder and camera in one for a breakthrough price. With the DV-S20 you get multiple devices in one. Small and light, you can take it everywhere. It uses no tapes - all digital functions means it's simple to use and easy to share content. Capture all your moments on video or photo. The DV-S20 includes everything you need to share your footage over the web or on your TV. 64MB of built-in memory is enough for almost 18 minutes of video and hundreds of photos.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #16978 in Camera & Photo
• Color: Titanium Silver
• Brand: Gateway
• Model: DV-S20
• Number of items: 1
• Display size: 1.5

Features

• Digital camcorder and camera in one
• Tapeless MPEG-4 video format
• Capture up to 18 minutes of video or 700 still pictures to the 64MB internal memory
• SD slot for expanded memory
• About the size of a bar of soap

Amazon.com Review
Amazon.com Review Not a full-fledged camcorder, and yet very much more than a toy, the Gateway DVS20 MPEG4 Pocket Multi-Cam is one of a new generation of "convergence" devices that take both still images and tapeless digital video. In a head-to-head contest with a full-featured tapeless camcorder--something from Panasonic D-Snap's line, for example--it may not come out all that well, but at this price range a more fair comparison would be with an entry-level digital still camera. Seen in this light, the DVS20 does very well indeed. In fact, I now find myself favoring my Gateway over my everyday digital camera, a low end Olympus.

The DVS20's compact body

The first advantage it has over almost every still camera in its price range is the swiveling LCD that lets you take photos from awkward angles--you can shoot holding the camera over your head for example, by angling the LCD down, or capture stylish, cinematic low angles. And the shutter action is above average, with very little of the dreaded shutter delay effect of many digital cameras (you know, when you press the button and the picture gets taken sometime the following week).

So what about video? The DVS20 does okay, though it would be better to think of video as a bonus function rather than its main purpose. It performs middling to poor in low-light conditions, but in daylight it takes pretty clear, if somewhat herky-jerky footage. A memory card is a must if you want to do any significant amount of taping--the size of the internal memory is actually pretty generous at 64 MB, but this will hold a maximum of 18 minutes of video, and that's at the lowest resolution (a very grainy 320 x 240). It's worth noting that the mic performs much better I expected. I was able to tape a public event, getting very clear audio for both the PA and the ambient crowd noise.

One real downside is the rate at which this thing eats through batteries--one day of sporadic use was all that a pair of alkalines lasted me. Do not proceed without rechargeables! And while we're talking downsides, I should also mention that the flash tends to wash out facial features at distances under ten feet. Overall, though, you'd be hard put to find a better value in this price range. --David Stoesz

Pros

• Above-average performance for its price range
• Swivel-view LCD
• A/V and USB outputs
• SD card slot
• Very compact body--comparable to a pack of cigarettes.

• Devours batteries like sweet, sweet candy
• Only so-so low light performance
• The flash tends to wash out details

From the Manufacturer
The Gateway DV-S20 Pocket Multi-Cam is an affordable way to capture great times with friends and family. The extremely versatile DV-S20 is a digital camcorder and camera - all in one compact, lightweight design. At just 4.3 oz. and 1.2" thick, it fits neatly into your pocket or purse perfect for people on-the-go. Track all the action with the 1.5" LTPS flip-out and reversible color LCD. You won’t miss a thing with the 320x240 MPEG4 QVGA video and 2.5x digital zoom. Plus, pictures stay crisp and clear with the 2 megapixel camera, internal flash and an image resolution of up to 1600x1200.

The DV-S20 captures up to 18 minutes of video with or up to 700 still pictures directly into its 64MB internal memory. That means no tapes to buy ever! For extra room, use the SD memory card slot for memory expansion with a single 512MB SD card you can record more than two hours of video or up to 5600 still pictures. Sharing the fun is easy just download video and images directly into your PC through the DV-S20’s standard USB port. Then use the included Pinnacle software to edit and create home videos or short films. Or use the audio/video output for instant TV playback. The the Gateway DV-S20 Pocket Multi-Cam is perfect for always keeping with you and capturing great videos or pictures.

.

Customer Reviews

Handy digital camera
OK, first off, I read the reviews here, and it seems people were mislead by Gateway calling this a 'camcorder' and are upset when it doesn't do as well as a real camcorder costing a lot more, all this is is a 2 MP digital camera (lower end at that) with video and audio.. I sell cameras as part of my job (I work for Staples) and am my store Digital Camera person, I see all of the ones we get in and test all of them, yes 'some' cameras that do video will do better job, but they also cost more, and yes they have optical zoom, but it either doesn't work in video, or can only be zoomed *before* the video is started, anyway, the Gateway DV-S20 isn't a camcorder replacement, what it is is a very handy, easy to carry, camera with an adjustable viewscreen, flash, and a much smoother vdeo mode than most of the other cameras on the market (most only do 15 fps, this does 22-25)with audio (most others have audio, but not all), I bought mine for use when I dont wanna carry my regular digital 8 camcorder, or places where a camcorder isn't allowed, since this is a digital camera it is usually allowed in, and then I get to have videos of the things I am watching, not perfect, but still, I have something *smiles*
there are some things I wish this had, a focusable lens for one, so it could get closer than the 1.2 meters it is rated for (there is a way around this, if you have close up lenses from another camera, you can hold them in front of the lens, and then you get closer focus). People complaining about Battery life, what brand batteries are you using? I have used Rechargeable NiMH, Duracell Ultra AA, and CRV3 batteries, and Everready Titainium, and Photo Lithium AA batteries, I have yet to get less than the rated ammount of time on any of them, you can't use cheaper batteries in this camera or it won't last the rated time. (Kodak CX and DX line of cameras have this problem also, which is why Kodak tells you NOT to use Alkaline AA batteries, only AA Lithium, NiMH, or CRV3 batteries).
anyway, as for the DV-S20, I am VERy happy with it overall, once you learn the limits of what it can do, it will do well, just don't expect miracles lol

Great Product Overall
The small camcorder is great. You can take it anywhere. [I recommend getting the accessories--to have 90min of [rechargable] battery power. You should also get the 512mb sd--2 hours of recording time with it. If not the five twelve, get 256, but nothing less, for you won't have enough recording time.] The zoom is not powerful, but it gets the job done just fine. The size, 2 megapixels, and extremely low price are the best reasons to purchase this product. The camcorder is a fine product and is great for anyone who wants small size, good clarity, and low price. [ You should check the Gateway website from time to time, if you are thinking about buying this. They have recently released a free shipping coupon and $100 rebate (12/12/03)--just $99 after the purchase. Gateway has made a great offer.]

You Get What You Pay For
I purchased a DV-S20 last week. Well, I have to agree with what the people who give this product one and two stars have to say. I really cannot add much more to what's been said about it, but I can confirm that it performs poorly in pretty much all aspects of operations. The one thing that I truly did not care for, is that the camera insists on taking pictures at 1/30 of a second, no matter how much light is available. I adjusted the ISO by bumping it up to 400, but to no avail. In some cases, the shutter operated at 1/6 of a second! With shutter speeds that slow, it's no wonder that most of the pictures were fuzzy. Once in a great while, I was able to get a good, clear picture. But that was only achieved by holding the camera perfectly still with two hands and leaning up against something solid. Unfortunarely, this method isn't very practical in the real world. I used up the batteries very quickly because I spent so much time deleting a lot of bad pics. The video I took of my normally graceful gray tabby made her look as if she was in an earthquake. It was very jerky.