Creative Vado HD

Discontinued

Reviewed

November 2010

Pros

Stores two hours of top-quality footage
HDMI cable, microphone jack
Wide-angle lens
Easy to use
Software works with both Mac and PC
Snaps still photos

Cons

Video not quite as good as rivals'
Some find buttons overly sensitive
No memory-card slot

Where to Buy

for $139.99

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The third-generation Creative Vado HD gets more props from critics than earlier efforts by this brand, but top experts still prefer the Kodak Playsport (*Est. $125). Adequate though it may be, the Vado HD offers nothing you can't find on other brands, reviewers say -- and it lacks a few important features. Notably, you can't expand the Vado HD's 8 GB memory (it has no memory card slot), and it's not waterproof like the Playsport. Its 720p video looks fine under most circumstances in tests, but experts aren't as impressed as they are with the Playsport's 1080p video. Still, the Vado HD earns some recommendations from reliable experts, who say it offers decent video quality and a lot of features for its class. Of particular note are the wide-angle lens (so you'll capture more within your frame), the ability to snap still photos (cell-phone quality, reviewers say), Mac-compatible built-in editing software, an HDMI cable included in the box, and an earphone jack that doubles as an external microphone jack -- you can even use your earbuds as the microphone.

We found plenty of expert tests of the third-generation Creative Vado HD, including those at ConsumerReports.org, CNET, PC World, TechRadar.com and Pocket-Lint.com. Some experts like it better than others -- and the same is true for owners posting reviews at Amazon.com.

Kodak PlaySport (Zx3) HD Waterproof Pocket Video Camera (Purple)

from Amazon.com

New: $149.00

In Stock.

Average Customer Review:

Where To Buy

Creative Labs Vado HD 720p Pocket Video Camcorder with 8 GB Video Storage and 2x Digital Zoom (Black) OLD MODEL

(334 reviews)
Buy new: $229.99 $139.99 12 Used & new from $65.00

In Stock.

Our Sources

1. ConsumerReports.orgDetails/Subscribe

ConsumerReports.org includes the third-generation Creative Vado HD in its latest rankings of pocket camcorders. Editors rate 16 camcorders on nine criteria, including video and audio quality, ease of use and battery life.

Review: Mini Camcorder Ratings, Editors of ConsumerReports.org

2. CNET

The third-generation Creative Vado HD improves itself enough to stay competitive with its rivals, but it "doesn't do quite enough to distinguish itself from the competition," David Carnoy says. CNET gives the camcorder 3 stars out of 5.

Review: Creative Labs Vado HD 3rd Gen (120 Minutes, Black), David Carnoy, Jan. 15, 2010

3. PC World Details/Subscribe

Earning 4.5 stars (out of 5), the Creative Vado HD is one of PC World's top-rated camcorders. The third generation is good enough to compete with Flip and Kodak pocket camcorders, Tim Moynihan says.

Review: Creative Vado HD (Third Generation), Tim Moynihan, Feb. 17, 2010

4. TechRadar.com

The third-generation Creative Vado HD is one of the highest-rated pocket camcorders at this British website. Dave James especially appreciates the external microphone jack and manual exposure settings.

Review: Creative Vado HD 3rd Gen Review, Dave James, April 1, 2010

5. Pocket-lint.com

Like CNET's reviewer, Chris Hall concludes after testing the third-generation Creative Vado HD that it "doesn't offer much that you won't find elsewhere in the pocket camcorder world." He gives it a score of 7 (out of 10).

Review: Creative Vado HD 3rd Gen Camcorder Review, Chris Hall, March 24, 2010

6. Amazon.com

The latest version of the Creative Vado HD earns a rating of 3.7 stars out of 5 in over 35 owner reviews here. A few of the 5-star reviews sound a little contrived, but most users are genuinely pleased with the camcorder. Some complain that the new Vado isn't as good as the old one, and/or that video quality is poor.

Review: Creative Labs Vado HD Pocket Video Camcorder 3rd Generation, Contributors to Amazon.com

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