Toshiba Camileo BW10
A new waterproof camcorder
Live and record your adventures with the new Camileo BW10 because Toshiba is introducing a new camcorder in the class of `extreme sports footage`.
1080p full HD resolution
The Toshiba Camileo BW10 records 1080p full HD resolution video at a 30fps frame rate, encoded as H264 (AVC), which basically means you can successfully use it for spontaneous moments in your holidays, but don`t expect too much of the video quality.
One great selling point is that Camileo weights only 3.5 ounces and is only 4.2 x 2.2 x 0.9 inches long, making it easy to handle and carry around. The camera is fashioned to be held upright when you record or take photos, just as you do with a phone camera. Also, the simple and ingenious design allows you to rapidly switch from off to recording. And when taking pictures, you can watch previews in a small LCD screen (no larger than 51 mm) on the rear.
Not impressive picture quality
And since we are talking about pictures, you need to know the quality is pretty mediocre. The Camileo lacks the technology that other such devices benefit of nowadays, namely high-quality lenses or advanced image sensors. Our tests have shown it doesn`t help much if you want to take pictures of a faraway subject either, as it only has a 10x zoom.
You will be happy to hear that you can take Toshiba Camileo BW10 underwater with you. Not more than 2 metres beneath the surface, but perfect for family fun at the pool. From the tests we have conducted, we can safely say that you have nothing to worry about if it somehow accidentally gets below the 2 metre threshold for a short period of time. At most it can catch you swimming to get it back.
Weak digital image stabilizer
As a downside to being so very light, we found it difficult to keep the image steady. Camileo does have a digital stabilizer, but it does not do magic. Reviews of the product featuring it as great for sports footage determined our team to heavily test this. The results were far from satisfactory, as images were more than often shaky and blurred and could only be used on YouTube. As an alternative, you can always purchase a monopod or a tripod, and fortunately BW10 goes with any standard such device.
Fervent reviewers of Toshiba Camileo BW10 have also pointed out its deficit in filming in difficult, low light set-ups. This was confirmed by our team, which has run a series of evaluation in dusty basements and semi-dark woods. Outcome – we were not very happy with the quality, but we certainly had fun.
Medium battery life
However, what we really appreciated was the safety system of the camera – the battery, the memory card and micro USB are covered in hard plastic, keeping it away from trouble if the situation turns bumpy.
In terms of pricing, the camera is considered by some reviews as a bargain. You will find it at around $150, but honestly, seems to us a little overpriced given the weak points we have presented above. Moreover, the original box does not even include a charger. This means that after approximately 70 minutes of recording you will need a computer to plug it in the USB, which can be rather inconvenient. The battery life was not impressive at this chapter. You won`t get with it the necessary SD memory cards either, but it is good to know the Camileo BW10 can work with SDXC cards up to 64GB in capacity, which means around 10 hours of 1080p video.
Test and review conclusions
All in all, you will surely enjoy the new Toshiba Camileo BW10 if you are looking for a small, waterproof, easy to handle device.
Technical specifications and features
| Maximum optical zoom: | 10 x |
| Maximum image resolution: | 2592 x 1944 pixels |
| Megapixel: | 5 MP |
| Lens focal range: | F=2.8 |
| Digital zoom: | 10 x |
| LCD display size: | 5.08 cm / 2 inch |
| Focus Range: | 30 cm – infinite |
| Image sensor: | 5 MP CMOS sensor |
| Video file resolution: | FH (1920 x 1080p / 30fps), HD (1280 x 720p / 30fps), VGA (640 x 480 / 30fps) |
| Self-timer: | Action mode Timer (movie) |
| Exposure: | Auto |
| Lens: | Fixed focus lens (F=2.8) |
| Expansion: | SD/SDHC/SDXC card (up to 64 Gb) |
| Storage Media: | 8 Mb Nand Flash Memory |
| Image Resolution: | 5 MP (2592 x 1944) |
| 2 MP (1920 x 1080) | |
| 0.9 MP (1280 x 720) | |
| 0.3 MP (680 x 480) | |
| White Balance: | Auto |
| Connectivity: | mini HDMI, micro USB 2.0 |
| TV Output: | Digital (HDMI) |
| Face Detection: | up to 12 faces |
| Video Stabilization: | EIS (Electronic Image Stabilizer) |
| Flash (for still): | LED on/off |
| Light sensitivity (photo): | ISO 1600 max. |
| File Format: | MP 4 (video), JPG (image) |
| Light filming capacity (video): | 15 lux |
| Battery Type: | Li-ion Battery PX1686E-1BRS |
| Maximu Operating Time (with LCD on): | 75 min. |
| External size (WxDxH): | 22.8 x 107 x 55 mm |
