Aiptek AHD200 review

Aiptek AHD200 Review

Reviewed by: Rich Trenholm

Reviewed on: 26 February 2008

The Aiptek AHD200 has to be one of the best deals on high definition camcorders going, at a meagre £150. While Sony, Canon and other manufacturers compete on image quality and features, Aiptek has nipped in with models like this. We gave this affordable camcorder a thorough going-over to see if it's cheap at twice the price or a false economy.

Design
The AHD200's design is simplicity itself: you turn the pistol-shaped camcorder on by flipping out the screen, and off by closing the screen or hitting the off button next to the screen. Playback controls are positioned beside the 61mm (2.4-inch) LCD. At the back of the camcorder, the right thumb operates mode and menu buttons, a still shutter release, and a small joystick. The only other controls are a switch on the lens barrel to toggle between portrait/landscape and macro modes, and the record button in the index finger 'trigger' position.

The AHD200 is powered up by opening the 61mm (2.4-inch) screen with playback controls next to it, while a joystick at the back controls shooting

Keep your finger on the trigger that starts and stops recording and you have the advantage over rear-placed record buttons in that it keeps you from covering the flash with your finger. This is a common problem with the pistol form factor.

Although the rear-mounted buttons feel plasticky, the AHD200's overall construction is sturdy, without too much flexing and creaking. The thumb-level joystick is flexible enough to be fun to use, although zooming is brisk and takes practise for sensitive movements. The stick is set in an illuminated well that flashes while recording. This is distracting, but at least it provides a visual cue that the camera is rolling.

Features
The AHD200 doesn't really do features: witness the meagre 2x zoom and fixed focus. As well as video, it takes stills -- but not while filming -- records voice clips and plays MP3s. There are exposure compensation and white balance options, but again these cannot be altered during filming and both require entering the menu.

The method of getting to your images and video is also somewhat fussy. There isn't a direct access to recorded footage; instead, a press of the Mode button takes you into a menu that allows you to scroll to My Works, containing stills, video and voice recordings. Another button press accesses footage. There isn't a dedicated Delete switch either, necessitating more button-pushing.

One letdown on the HD front is the lack of HDMI. You only get USB and component outputs.