Better Than A Web Cam
Pros:
Loaded with features, small, and light.
Cons:
Mediocre resolution and light sensitivity.
The Bottom Line:
I would recommend this camera as an inexpensive supplemental camera for all computer camera needs and for casual picture taking, but not as your only camera.
|
|
Overall Rating:
|
 |
|
Author's Review
This little digital camera is loaded with big ticket camera features, and some surprising innovations. The 3.0 MPixel resolution is not quite crisp enough for professional or keepsake quality picture taking, yet it is a capable camera for those who don't want to lay out the bucks on a higher resolution camera.
The lack of a view finder causes the picture taker to use the LCD screen as the view finder when taking pictures. This is great as long as there is enough light. In low light situations, the LCD is practically blank or black, and you just have to trust your aim and the flash to get the picture.
The camera is fairly slow to respond to the shutter button, and slower to get ready for the next shot. You have to plan your pictures with posing, and make sure your subject stays still long enough to get the shot. It takes several moments for the picture to download into memory after you take a picture, depending on the resolution. While it is downloading into memory, the camera is not available for other shots.
The price I paid for this camera makes up for it's lower resolution and slow response time. The features make it flexible.
I especially like the macro feature combined with the 4X digital zoom. These features allow you to take close-up pictures that would be good for online auctions, or documenting your home inventory.
The camera also has a fairly functional video feature that allows you to capture medium resolution video at 10 frames/second for up to or more than 2 minutes, depending on memory available. This feature would be excellent for capturing live action that is not easy to capture with the digital picture mode.
It has a red-eye reduction feature that seems to work well in conjunction with the flash. I also like that it works with standard AA batteries, although it seems like the battery life is a little short. Keep some extra batteries with you, especially if you are using the flash.
The software driver is simplicity at its best. When you plug the camera into your computer, it acts as a removable disk drive. Getting pictures or videos off of your camera is as simple as moving files and folders around on your computer. Also, as an unexpected benefit, you can use the memory in your camera as a storage device. It allows you to transfer ANY file to and from the camera. You could use this feature to share files between computers, using the camera as a removable USB disk drive. You can also use the camera as your Web Camera, allowing online video conferencing.
The included bundle of application software is fairly typical and full of features that I have yet to explore.
There is also a video out feature that allows you to connect your camera to your TV or VCR, functioning as an inexpensive video only camcorder or allowing you to view your picture slide show on the TV.
For the price, I think this camera offers features that are on par with expensive cameras. It is a great casual camera, small and light. Just be sure that if the pictures are important, that you have a backup 35mm camera with you for nice crisp detailed shots. But keep this camera with you for those spontaneous casual picture taking moments, because it's less expensive than film and more convenient.
