BenQ has joined the ranks of consumer camcorder vendors with two new models, the S11 and the S21. The S11 (which we are looking at here) is what I call a “mini camcorder”. That is, it is of the Flip or JVC Picsio style, aimed at being thrown in a purse or backpack ie: extremely portable.

As such, these types of camcorders are not terribly flexible; they are the point-and-click of the digital still camera world. But there are some neat touches too.

Physically, the DV-S11 is around the size and shape of an iPod and half as thick again. The rear is taken up with the large LCD screen (3 ½” but vertical not horizontal) and the top of the camera has an on-off button, speaker and a small toggle/rocker combo for zoom and wide shots. Under a flap on the right hand side is a slot for an SD card (not supplied) and below a recording on/off button, a  similar flap on the left covers headphone, USB (which doubles as a charging port) and an HDMI port. And joy of joys! BenQ supply an HDMI cable – take note other vendors! But one has to ask why a basic 4GB SD card is not also supplied?

One of the nice features now being mimicked by Sony on its bigger Handycams is the inclusion of a Pico projector on the right hand edge. It can play back full HD at up to 50” in size and you can record (or take stills) and project at the same time.

All controls are touch screen based.

The lens in the S11 is a F/2.8 F:4, 86mm that while not stunning – mas you’d expect in a camera of this type – is adequate for the market it is aimed at.

In use, and it’s a personal thing, I do not like this shape camera at all whether be a dedicated camcorder such as the S11 or a hybrid iPhone / Nokia / Motorola being used as a camera/camcorder. I just cannot get the stability I want. Perhaps I am being too picky and many would be happy with this, but I also feel this breed of camera is going to struggle as just as with the Toshiba Camilio reviewed back in February. Its market demographic is the rampant mobile phone video/still picture taker for YouTube etc and although the quality out of the S11 will far surpass anything most phones can dish out, it will still be a very hard sell.

Having said that, the Pico projector may just be its saviour as long as sales staff concentrate on that aspect as the sizzle not the steak. That and the fact it is 1080P hi-definition and shooting conditions can be met for most conditions with ten shooting modes available from full auto to fireworks, water and portrait ie all the things a smartphone cannot do.

The BenQ DV-S11 sells for $299 and is available in three different colours. Contact BenQ at www.benq.com.au

By David Hague

David is the owner and publisher of AusCam Online. He has a background in media dating back to 1979 when he first got involved with photojournalism in motorsport, and went from there into technology via a 5 year stint with Tandy Computers. Following that, he ran a software distribution company on the Gold Coast and was one of the first to recognise the potential of Microsoft Windows.

Moving back to WA, David wrote scripts for Computer Television for video training for the just released Windows and Office 95 among others, and was then lured to Sydney to create web sites for the newly commercial Internet in 1995, building hundreds of sites under contract to OzEmail including Coates Hire, Hertz Queensland, John Williamson, the NSW Board of Studies and many, many more.

He went back into full time journalism as the Managing Editor for Channel 7's 'Gadget Guy', Peter Blasina's publications VideoCamera and Pixelmag, before starting Australasian Camcorder magazine when these publications were shelved. He lives at Sydney's Avalon Beaches nearly on the ocean front with dog Budweiser and in his spare time is a nut for motor sport, road safety, fishing, science fiction - especially Dr Who - and technology.

David can be contacted via david@auscamonline.com