MN200NV32 - 1080p Full HD IR Night Vision Camcorder

I was only able to use the camera once because the bottom was defective and could not be placed on a tripod, so I had to process a return the following day, but here is my reviewI got the camera yesterday, I was a bit disappointed about the quality of the image, it's kind of grainy at the highest resolution at 30 fps (frames per second). The night vision is not so good either but a bit decent, although you will not get a high quality as well.I always wanted to have a camera that could record at night. The camera night vision range is about 6 feet or so before it loses focus and image on people.The camera's recording time is about 30 to 40 mins at the most at the highest resolution. I did charge the battery for a bit over 2 hours.I have to point out that the camera is 24 mega pixels, so maybe that's the main reason why at a higher resolution the image is not at its best, I noticed there some from the same brand but different models that go to 30 mega pixels, maybe the quality of image will be best.In regards to the sound, the sound is very poor and is not so clear per say, it captures better if the person is very close to the camera because at 6 feet the sound is lost especially if there's a sound closer to the camera of 1 to 2 feet.Years ago I bought a camera on sale of a different brand but did not have night vision, it cost me 20 dollars when the price was around 45 to 65, so I got a good price and the camera is good, great quality of image, great sound, etc, but no night vision. :(TO END THIS REVIEW:I had to return this item because the bottom part was defective, I could not place it on a tripod. I would advice anyone buying a camera to always, always look at the bottom in case it's defective and you can't place it on a tripod. I think I'll try the same brand but a different model with a higher pixelation which is the part I missed, maybe then I'll be satisfied.

Originally I reviewed this camcorder and gave it 3 stars because I thought there was an issue with the external microphone port, the primary feature I needed and the main reason I purchased this camera over others.After doing some extensive troubleshooting I discovered the external microphone connection works fine with corded microphones, but the wireless mic I connected didn't work because the mic had a pairing problem, not a fault of the Minolta MN220NV.The camera features a hotshoe, and though my external Azden Shotgun Microphone doesn't require a hotshoe to operate, it's a nice feature to have.I mounted the shotgun microphone onto the hotshoe, plugged it into the external microphone port and turned on the camera to record. The sound was clear, warm, and without distortion. Problem solved .Other features of this camera include the ability to operate it on it's own WiFi using your smartphone, and much to my surprise it worked flawlessly. I was able to record, zoom, without touching the camera which is perfect on a tripod to prevent shake and blur.Admittedly this is not the best camcorder available, but I found other brands didn't have some of the functions and features this camcorder has.For a long time, Minolta produced some of the best cameras available in the 70's, 80's, and 90's, my first SLR 35mm camera was a Minolta SRT101, it shot hundreds of rolls of film, working flawlessly.Like most cameras with zoom, the MV220NV uses battery power fairly quickly. I contacted Minolta Support to find the correct battery knowing I would need several more to get through a typical day of filming in the field. Minolta responded in 24 hours with a hyperlink to the recommended battery on Amazon, and I was able to find the correct charger. The lens is threaded for filters, so I attached a 37mm UV Filter for protection from dust and scratching.At the price point of under $200, this camcorder is a good deal. You can spend much more, but many more expensive camcorders don't have an external mic port, remote WiFi operation, nor the ability to use accessories like screw-in filters. One function I have not yet used is the IR Night Vision, so I did not consider it in my rating.I rated at 4 stars but it's closer to 5 for function and features. I can recommend this camcorder.