Evaluating the new RCA Small Wonder EZ209HD camcorder

(Excuse the shakiness of the video. I was holding the camera in my hand instead of setting it up on the tripod like I should have done. Hard to do two things at once and do either well.)

Over a year ago I purchased an RCA Small Wonder camcorder. It resembles the Flip video camera that everyone "flips" over, with two exceptions: It has more features and it's less expensive. Those were the exact reasons I purchased it too. 

Almost from day one I've been an ardent evangelist of the Small Wonder and more than once have stood toe-to-toe with a Flip user in defense of the Small Wonder's many attributes. (Attributes such as an SD card expansion slot which extends the memory, and a rotating view screen that allows the videographer to be in the picture and see what's being recorded at the same time. Oh, and did I mention it costs less? Very important point.) I even talk about it in my new book. 

My devotion to the camcorder finally paid off. In fact, it got the attention of RCA itself, via a member of their PR department, Caitlin Malone. We had a nice, long email conversation that resulted in Caitlin offering to send me their brand new HD model as a gift of appreciation. As much as I would have loved to accept it, I had to refuse. I don't accept either remuneration or gifts in return for my opinion. 

We did reach a compromise, however. I agreed to try the camcorder for 30 days giving it my honest, heart-felt opinion. And while I'm predisposed to liking it, given my past experience with the model I purchased, I'm going to do my best to give it an objective review. Then, I'll either buy it or send it back. 

My plan is to use the camera on an almost daily basis for 30 days, checking things like battery life, ease of use, convenience, ease of upload to YouTube and the like. I'll also give points for style, a category where the Flip has trumped heretofore. 

Some critique at the outset

RCA has done a less than stellar job in creating marketshare among social media types. For example, the Small Wonder Web site is the same one that's been there since I bought my device well over a year ago. In fact, it still features that same model! That's ridiculous. 

Compare it to the Flip Web site, which features their latest models, the ultra and ultraHD. It's a much more engaging site (once the flash loads). The company also offers the cameras to charitable organizations for use free of charge through their Flip Video Spotlight program. 

I think RCA could gain ground by engaging in social media and create good will through a charitable program of their own (Giving cameras to elementary schools in lower income neighborhoods perhaps?). But, why is there no Small Wonder Twitter account or Facebook Page? Easy enough to set up and inexpensive to run, yet could pay huge dividends. 

Caitlin has an RCA-related Twitter account which she doesn't really use (she's young; give her time), but that's about it on that front. To its credit, RCA does have a Facebook Page, but not one for the camcorder specifically (which is my point). In fact, that Page has less than 800 Fans and has not claimed its vanity URL either, which says someting about how much stock-and-trade the company is placing on it. 

Alternatively, what about a micro-site similar to that created by Sharpie, Sharpieuncapped, that pulls content from YouTube, Flickr, the Sharpie blog and other sources. A similar approach would work extremely well here and could replace the dated site that currently exists. 

I hope you can see from the above that I'm not fawning over the company, as much as I do like my camera. And, if anything, this is a prime example that the best product isn't always the one to win. Flip certainly has the upperhand in the word of mouth marketing department. 

It may be braggadocious to say, but I think I could teach this company a thing or two about how to use conversational marketing to engage Small Wonder customers, excite word of mouth among them, and maybe even win over some Flip users. 

So, the experiment begins. My next installment will be a overall review of the camcorder's features, or lack of them as the case may be. I also hope to compare the Small Wonder against a Flip camera. Just so happens our executive assistant owns one. Finally, part of my experiment will include allowing others to try the camera and express their opinion. 

Comments

[adrian]

Looks good quality - i am always looking out for a bargin. If it has the features of the more expensive models then for the sake a brand name ...this would be my choice of camera!

[mlgreen8753]

You should submit this video to http://www.adwido.com

[echinacea]

I just want to say that what a beautiful colors over here!! Colorful features with colorful models! I just love it. This February,on my wife's birthday, I am going to give surprise gift to her. She will love it. I am sure about that! Thank you very much for giving a option to select a my wife's gift!

[routeur]

This little camcorder is a GEM! I really am amazed at how good it is. Very light weight, great battery life (like 3 hours) , and excellent video quality.

When I took this guy out of the box, I read the quick start guide that came with it and quickly learned several things.
1. It needs to be charged before use (even though when I turned it on, it was at 75%).
2. The power on/off switch is a sliding switch on the right side of it. It's kind of springy, and you just slide it down and release it.
3. It has three resolution modes, and you need to just switch it to HD (720P!) and not look back. (Left side of camcorder).

After it was fully charged, I plugged it into my PC and Windows detected it, and asked me if I wanted to install the Memory Manager software. I said yes. It installed Memory Manager and immediately told me there was a new version. Cool! RCA made some improvements or something, so I let it update it. After it installed it again, it told me that the camcorder it self also had an update. Wow! I let it update the camcorder. It was very simple!

I have been playing with the Memory Manager software and it is very slick! It lets me edit and cut videos into a larger (or smaller) video and save them. I can even splice different resolution of videos together. I can also use it to create a smaller size video to email to friends, or upload to Youtube! This thing is SWEET!

[remedies]

Hi..
This product really nice..
I would like to purchase one.

[Bill]

Routeur,

Another "cut and paste" review on this camcorder... your reviews smell fishy to me. Stop spamming your positive "cut and paste" comments and let real people talk about their experiences.

I would remove his review.

[iyenk]

Ah..look like its good review, so RCA product is the product that you recommended, is there any comparison for this product?

[Lebron London Cleaning]

Handy cameras are convenient especially if you're traveling from place to place. But i still prefer those complete but large things because of the complete features in it. :) cool post. very informative

[Drew Loan]

This is a really nice product. Gonna buy this soon

[Kevin End of Tenancy Cleaning]

Finally. This is the one that I've been looking for. I saw this one in a mall, I forgot to ask the sales lady about the model that is why I was looking for it here. Thanks for posting!!

[Escorts London]

Compare it to the Flip Web site, which features their latest models, the ultra and ultraHD. It's a much more engaging site. The company also offers the cameras to charitable organizations for use free of charge through their Flip Video Spotlight program.

[translation services]

People says that it resembles to the Flip video camera that everyone flip and get the snap.The main things is that it has the great facility as well as the less expensive.People like the it by using it.Over all review is quiet successful.

[Debt Management]

This small and compact digital camcorder is the perfect camera phone to record video on the go. He is ready to record at any time. Besides the sleek design and 720p HD video recording, the memory manager software included perfect for sharing your favorite videos with You tube or e-mail.