Product Description

680,000-pixel CCD * digital photo mode * photo resolution options: 1024 x 768 (interpolated); 640 x 480 * Motion JPEG (M-JPEG) movie mode * SD Card slot for use with separate MultiMediaCard or SD (Secure Digital) memory cards -- card not included * 2-3/8" color viewscreen * color viewfinder * PCM stereo digital audio (12-bit or 16-bit) * variable-speed 20X optical zoom lens (digital zoom to 400X) * ... Read more

Features

• Has special high-resolution 16:9 widescreen recording format
• Analog to digital converter for converting old analog video
• Image stabilization
• Shoots video and still images
• Powerful 20x optical zoom, 400x digital zoom

Reviews (1)

Works great, easy to use, a few minor complaints
This camera replaced Canon's ZR85, which was another lightweight, no-frills camera.This one is even lighter, and a fair bit smaller.It fits just right in the palm of my hand.If it was any smaller or lighter it would be awkward -- I like there to be a little bit of weight to a camera, since that gives it a litle bit of stability due to inertia; as it is it is just right.

It has more functions than you'd really want in such a camera -- if you are ever going to do something with the footage you will be using a computer and an editing program, so you don't really need the editing modes on the camera. Still, there's no complaint here, and it's flexible enough for most non-professional, home users.

My only complaints are: when they "upgraded" to the ZR200 from the ZR85, they got rid of the neck strap.So this unit is totally free floating and you have to be more careful about dropping it.I suppose you could rig a neck strap but it isn't included and it would be a little more awkward, as it would have to be tied to the hand strap.I really liked the neck strap on my ZR85 as a way of stabilizing the camera: I could put the camera down near my waist, and look through the LCD monitor, and the tension from the neck strap would help me keep the camera steady as I walked, usually while filming my children ahead of me.The other complaint is that the viewfinder on this one no longer swivels up and down, but is fixed in place.This makes it much less usable for me -- because it means that the camera has to swivel with your head if you are using the viewfinder.It means that I use the LCD screen much more often than I used to, and that runs the battery down much more quickly.Still, for simplicity and convenience and ease of use, you'd be hard pressed to find a better camera at this price. ... Read more

Product Description

The EOS Digital Rebel XT features Canon's 8.0 Megapixel CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) sensor, which captures images of exceptional clarity & tonal range & offers the most pixels in its class.This APS-C size sensor (22.2 x 14.8mm) has the same 3:2 ratio as film cameras, creating an effective angle of view that is 1.6x the normal EF Lens focal length.Featuring an on-chip Noise Reduction Circuit with an expanded ISO range, the Digital Rebel XT's sensor offers professional sophistication in a consumer package.Digic II Image Processor: The EOS Digital Rebel XT's sensor is driven by the DIGIC II Image Processor, which has been enhanced across the board with improvements in speed and image quality.Information captured by the sensor is processed & assembled into images of exceptional clarity & resolution. Consuming very little energy, DIGIC II works with the sensor to ensure natural colors, accurate white balance & speedy write times, letting you focus on taking pictures.Smallest & lightest EOS Digital SLR to date (as of February 2005) Much smaller than its predecessor, the Digital Rebel XT measures 4.98" across, 3.71" tall & only 2.63" deep, so it fits perfectly in your hand. Plus the Digital Rebel XT weights less than two pounds, too!Fast 3 frames-per-second shooting with a 14 frame burst & 0.2 second startup time The EOS Digital Rebel XT was designed from the ground up to be faster & more intuitive th ... Read more

Features

• Fast start-up time--.2 seconds
• Powered by rechargeable Lithium-ion battery (included, with charger)
• 8.0-megapixel CMOS sensor captures enough detail for photo-quality 16 x 22-inch prints
• Captures images at a rate of up to 3 frames per second
• DIGIC II Image Processor provides fast, accurate image processing

Reviews (29)

Great dSLR especially for the money
Got this camera after considering between this and the 20D.Was very impressed with the 20D, but the price difference could easily give me a very good lense, and the feature differences are minor, so Rebel XT it is.I am a photography enthuiast who wishes he had the budget for a canon 1D MarkII but instead have the budget of a mortal and have to pay for a personal camera out of his own pocket.
I have been reading some other reviews on this site and other sites regarding digital SLR cameras in general.I had to admit, most of the reviewers really are better served with a point and shoot.This is a SLR camera, it will take great pictures in automatic modes, but if you use your camera in those modes, get something like the Canon Pro1.This camera is to be used in Av, Tv or Manual modes, maybe in Program in a pinch.It requires you to understand WB, depth of fields, exposure metering as well as other wide array of nuances that come with a SLR camera.If you don't want to spend some time to learn some details about photography, you will be better served with a point and shoot.If you decide to use the attached flash for in door portrait shots, you're probably better served with a point and shoot.If you need to frame your shot on the LCD, you're better served with a point and shoot (becasue the whole SLR concept of through the lense view of the scene, DOF checking, focus accuracy is completely lost by that opinion).Yes the sensor on dSLR's will get dirty and require maintenance.Some one mentioned why don't engineer design the sensor to have the opposite charge to rebel dust.Well, dusts don't have one single polarity in their charges, so 50% of the dust will be attracted to the sensor doesn't matter what polarity the sensor is charged with.
Also, this is not a Canon 1Ds either, so it does have its limitations, but then again, people who will feel completely limited by this camera should have gotten a Canon 1D series camera anyway.
The best merit for this camera is foremost image quality.It's extremely low in image noise all the way up to ISO 800.ISO 1600 is completely usable if you stay below 8x10 enlargement and don't mind photoshopping your image a little.Again, if you don't ever want to bother with photoshop adjustment of you pictures, you probably will be better served with a point and shoot.The kit lense is of decent quality again for the price, but you're definitely short changing yourself if that's the only lense you decide for have for this camera.If you want to buy the kit and had no intention to buy another lense, you shoud seriously be considering Canon Pro1, it's got a L glass and a good match between the lense and the body.Buying this camera will be at most 50% of your investment if you truly want to make it worthwhile, the other 50% will be needed for buying good lenses (get the Canon 17-40mm USM L lense, the 70-200 4L zoom, and the 28-135mm as a walk-around, the Tamron 28-74 is an excellent medium range lense as well and is probably a superior substitue for the Canon 28-135 USM).
I would have to say lack of spot metering does give the Nikon D70 an advantage, but this camera does have a center metering mode with exposure lock, so it is not really a show-stopper. Compared to the D70, the Rebel XT has superior noise level performance.This is from my personal experience as well as photos from a wide variety of sites on the net.Low noise level is very important to me, so if this is on your priority list, you really can't go wrong with the Rebel XT at this price point.
What I want to emphasize here is seriously consider your needs before buying this camera, to make this camera truly worth the money you spent, you need to spend a bit more of your money and a lot of more of your time on learning how to properly handle a piece of equipment like this.Otherwise, you guessed it, Canon Pro1 is a very very good candidate.

This is one awesome camera
I bought from amazon after being let down by Dell. It arrived next day and on the weekend i gave it a good workout at a local airshow. I took just under 1000 photos and was amazed by how well the shots came out in sport mode. Very quick focus and spot on.
excellent camera and well built , not small as some people have noted, works for me...

Awesome!
What an amazing small compact SLR camera! I originally purchased the 20D but I found it a bit too big for my taste. The Digital Rebel XT is small and compact and perfect for my wife and I. Although small, the battery can easily shoot 230 shots in a single charge (20% using flash).

I highly recommend this camera it's perfect for amateur photographers. This is an excellent upgrade from my previous Canon G2. If you are new to photography I would recommend the G6 before this camera. But the best nest step would be this one.

Also, with the $700 dollars that I saved getting this instead of the 20D, I purchased a new Canon 17-85mm EF-S lens. What an AMZING lens!

Hope that this help!

Top Notch digital
I bought this camera as soon as it was available on Amazon, and have had it for about a month now.The experience has been fantastic.The pictures are nothing less than stunning.Colors are great, resolution is amazing, and the software package is very complete and easy to use.

Probably the best features are the number of modes that are available, and the ease of use.It can be set to a full program mode, and used as a point and click snapshot camera by anyone at all, or put into full manual mode for the more experienced.

I do have a couple of suggestions.Order this body without the Canon lens.I upgraded to a Sigma 28-300 mm Macro Zoom for about the cost of the original lens, and now have one lens for virtually any situation.

Also, get top notch compact flash card.I bought high speed, 1 GB Lexar 80x flash because I really wanted the ability to take high speed repetative pictures.I was not disappointed.You can either take one picture after another about as fast as you can hit the sutter, or put the camera into repeat-shot mode and hold the shutter button down.This is a great feature.

Also order a spare battery or two.It takes a lot of pictures on a single charge, but seems to go from a full battery indication down to dead real fast, so there's not a lot of warning that you need to charge up.

All in all, a very outstanding bit of technology.

Canon Kiss Digital N (Digital Rebel XT)
I'm stationed overseas so most companies won't let me buy cool electronics like the Digital Rebel XT so I went out on the Japanese economy.This is my first digital SLR.I've struggled trying to capture great shots of my daughters playing soccer, basketball, running track..etc., with the "enthusiast" zoom cameras.The Kiss Digital N is made in Japan and has a few minor differences from the U.S. model.The kit zoom 18-55 lens for instance is USM.I bought it as a kit with another Canon lens as well, a 55-200 EF. It's light, cheap, and good enough as I'll get to in a minute. In the end it was between the Pentax istDS or the Digital Rebel XT.After completing all of my research on-line it came down to Canon picture quality, and technology.Am I happy?So far this camera is light years ahead of any digital that I've owned.It's fast, the pictures are sharp if you understand the limitations of the lens you are using, and it's easy.My wife can use it just fine and she doesn't have a digital clue.For the enthusiast, there is plenty of stuff to play with.The 8 megapixel CMOS sensor produces amazing results.The soccer pics tell the story for me.The 55-200 EF produced some incredible shots.It's USM and focuses fast and sharp.It's not an "L" lens but I don't even know what that means!This camera will sell like crazy.Eventually I plan on buying a 35mm EF prime F2.0 lens, the wireless remote, the battery grip, and Canon Flash. Highly recommended. ... Read more

Features

• Compact DVD Handycam camcorder and 1-megapixel digital still camera records on removable 3-inch (8cm) DVD-R//RW discs
• Carl Zeiss 10x optical zoom lens (digital zoom to 120x) with Super SteadyShot image stabilizer
• 3.5-inch rotating LCD and color viewfinder provides excellent viewing clarity with improved resolution
• Super NightShot system allows recording of natural color in low-light conditions
• 1.0 Megapixel, 1.5" CCD imager for video; records sound in DVD-quality Dolby Digital stereo

Amazon.com Product Description

With the R800 inkjet photo printer from Epson, you can print professional quality photos from the comfort of your own home. With its fine 1.5-picoliter droplet size, the R800 delivers resolutions up to 5,700 x 1440 dpi for exceptionally detailed and accurate prints. You can also print directly onto inkjet-printable CDs and DVDs, adding a professional look and feel to your media.

Print speeds are as fast as 17 ppm, while a 5-by-7-inch photo can take as little as 45 seconds. The R800 can print borderless photos in a number of popular sizes, and accepts a wide variety of plain and photo papers, as well as transparencies and envelopes. The input tray holds up to 100 sheets of regular paper, up to 20 sheets of photo paper, up to 10 envelopes, one transparency, or one printable CD/DVD.

Designed to last, Epson's UltraChrome Hi-Gloss pigment inks deliver photos with an expected life of up to 80 years. The software bundle includes Epson Software Film Factory as well as the PRINT Image Matching II Photoshop plug-in, designed to optimize prints from a wide variety of popular digital cameras.

The R800 connects to your computer via either USB or FireWire and has a 25,000-page monthly duty cycle. Compatible with both PC and Mac operating platforms, the R800 comes backed with a one-year parts and labor warranty.

What's in the Box
Epson Stylus Photo R800 inkjet printer, one cyan ink cartridge (T054220), one magenta ink cartridge (T054320), one yellow ink cartridge (T054420), one photo black ink cartridge (T054120), one matte black ink cartridge (T054820), one red ink cartridge (T054720), one blue ink cartridge (T054920), one gloss optimizer cartridge (T054020), CD print tray and Epson Print CD software, roll paper holder accessory, printer documentation, Premium ICC profiles, CD-ROM containing printer drivers and software (Windows and Macintosh); printer cable not included ... Read more

Features

• Up to 5,760 x 1,440 optimized dpi resolution, 1.5-picoliter droplets
• Up to 17 ppm black text, 5-by-7-inch photo as fast as 45 seconds
• Prints directly onto inkjet-printable CDs and DVDs
• True border-free photo printing in popular photo sizes
• USB 2.0 Hi-Speed and IEEE 1394 FireWire interfaces

Reviews (13)

I'm in love!
I have owned many printers...but I have to say I love this printer the best so far. It's so versatile. The prints on Epson photo glossy paper look like they just came from the lab. I'm still amazed after two weeks.

Prints on coated inkjet CDs are a bit under saturated. Also if you want the best quality and water proof photos you have to use Epson paper.

This is a wonderful printer for photo enthusiasts and the geek who wants the novelty of printing on CDs. However if you do not intend to print on a regular basis do not buy this printer. The pigmented ink will clog the head with infrequent use.

I would give it five stars if it were a bit faster. I still love it though.

I'm BLOWN AWAY
I have been shopping for a high-end consumer printer for my wife for about 3 months now. My wife is into photo-scrapbooking, so high quality prints that last a long time are our main goal.

I had looked at the high-end consumer printers from Canon and HP, but decided against them due to reported ozone fading problems (Canon) and star-wheel marks on the HP 7960 which I saw myself on the test prints at the local retailer.

I was about to buy a high-end dye sublimation printer when I saw some reviews of the R800. Now that I've owned one, I have to say this is by far the best photo printer I've ever used.

It's FAST - 4x6's print in about 45 seconds
It does TRUE borderless prints (no tear-offs)
The colors are life-life and saturated
Pigment ink promises long life and freedom from ozone fading
And it's unexpectedly QUIET!
I've notice NO banding or digthring at all.
The gloss is excellent and comparable to glossy photo paper
Can print onto CD's (I haven't tried this)

Can take roll paper (but no cutter)

Consumables seem to cost about $40-$50 per 4x6, or $1.50-$1.75 for an 8x10, which is a bit high, but not out of line with competitors.

I HIGHLY recommend this printer. Prints made with the EPSON premium glossy photo paper are out of this world.

Fantastic !!!
Awesome photo quality prints! Not the fastest printer for word processing, etc, but certainly fast enough. Multiple ink cartridges helps save $$ on ink. R800, along w/ Epson glossy photo paper = professionally developed-looking prints, that are waterproof as well !!! Can't go wrong w/ this printer. I use it for photo prints, as well as, a general all-purpose printer, which I have hooked up to a wireless print server in my home, for all to use. DVD/CD printing has also worked flawlessly since I got it (about 3 months ago) No problems. Just awesome!

Photos and CD/DVD Printing -- This thing is Awesome!
I have had my r800 for around two months now and let me tell you this thing is awesome (and I have had quite a few printers in my day).

CD/DVD printing is really why I bought it but the photos are top notch. I have printed over 300 Cd-R and DVD-R and they just look Terrific. I also have printed DVD Cases and 8x10 photos that just amaze me at the clarity.

Price for cartridges are still kinda of high (was supposed to be $8 each but they are $12-$15) -- Eight cartridges so if you want the most bang for your buck I think Canon has some nice choices(This can be expensive). Overall I feel this is the best photo and cd/dvd printer under $1000 --

Very pleased
I am very pleased with my Epson R800. This is my second Epson and I am retiring my HP photo printer for this one. I have had it for about 3 weeks and it is wonderful. Prints are gorgeous, very fast with printing documents and extremely quiet. My only problem is I cannot get it to properly print envelopes (#10). Could someone who owns this printer be of assistance? Other than that, it is a great printer. ... Read more

Amazon.com Product Description

Canon updates its popular S-series PowerShot digital camera line with the 5-megapixel S60. It features a number of enhancements over the previous S50 model, including larger optical zoom (3.6x versus 3x), a closer macro zoom distance, larger video resolution, support for conversion lenses, and a higher capacity battery.

Optics and Resolution The PowerShot S60 has a 5-megapixel sensor with a maximum resolution of 2,592 x 1,944 pixels, enough detail for 4-by-6-inch to 20-by-30-inch (poster size) photos. Other resolution modes include 2048 x 1536 (3MP, 1600 x 1200 (2MP), 1024 x 768, and 640 x 480. It features a 3.6x optical zoom and 4.1x digital zoom for a total 14.8x zoom. The lens features Canon's new UA (Ultra-high refractive index, Aspherical) lens, allowing for the design of a more compact lens--making the S60 almost 8% thinner than the S50. The 28-100mm focal length range expands to 200mm with the addition of an optional 2x tele-converter.

Canon's powerful DIGIC image processor provides a huge capacity for complex assessment of the scene to be captured. The PowerShot S50 uses information from the zoom position, scene brightness, and other systems to determine what sort of subject is being photographed in order to optimize AF speed, exposure accuracy, and white balance performance.

Movie Mode
The S60's movie mode has been upgraded to a maximum resolution of 640 x 480 (10 frames per second); it also offers 320 x 240 and 160 x 120 modes (15 frames per second). Individual movie clips are limited to 3 minutes maximum per clip (and 30 seconds maximum for 640 x 480 mode).

More Features
For beginners, the camera is point-and-shoot simple. Just twist the dial to Auto and start snapping pictures. The PowerShot S60 offers a myriad of setting options, including three light metering modes, white balance presets with two positions for custom settings, exposure and focus bracketing, manual focus and AF lock, aperture and shutter-speed priority, and adjustable ISO-equivalent sensitivity.

The PowerShot S60 features 13 shooting modes, including subject-based modes and semi-auto modes such as aperture priority. Photo Effects are an easy way to add creative dimension to your photography, with settings including Vivid, Neutral, Low Sharpening, Sepia, Black & White and Custom. A fast sequence mode allows a maximum frame rate of 2 frames per second, maintained for up to eight images. A new Macro Function lets you shoot as close as 2 inches with incredible detail: the shortest focal length of any Canon compact digital camera not equipped with Super Macro.

The nine-point AiAF lets you focus your subject no matter where it appears in the viewfinder. For more freedom, FlexiZone AF/AE let you select which part of the frame you wish to focus on without moving your camera.

Other features include:

• Large 1.8-inch LCD monitor
• Built-in flash with auto, on, off, manual, slow-synch, and red-eye reduction modes
• Simultaneous RAW and JPEG file recording
• 15 second to 1/2000 sec shutter speeds
• Intelligent Orientation Sensor displays your images properly rotated during playback on the LCD screen and your computer screen

Direct Printing/Sharing
The S60 incorporates Canon's new Print/Share button that speeds and simplifies printing to compatible Canon and PictBridge enabled printers. It also offers one-touch image transfer to Windows XP, Me, 2000, and 98 computers for use with image processing programs, uploading to the Internet, or placement in e-mail. When connected to a Canon Compact Photo printer, a Movie Print mode divides the selected clip into equal parts and prints thumbnails of a maximum 63 equally spaced frames onto a single sheet of Postcard Size Paper.

Power and Size
The camera is powered by the rechargeable lithium-ion battery NB-2LH, which provides approximately 240 shots with the LCD on and 550 shots without the LCD. It measures 4.5 x 2.2 x 1.5 inches (W x H x D) and weighs 8.1 ounces (without battery).

What's in the Box
This package contains the Canon PowerShot S60 digital camera, 32 MB CompactFlash card, rechargeable lithium-ion battery (NP-2LH), battery charger, wrist strap, USB and A/V cables, CD-ROM with Digital Camera Solutions, ArcSoft Camera Suite, and drivers, and printed operating instructions. ... Read more

Features

• 5-megapixel sensor captures enough detail to create photo-quality 13-by-17-inch enlargements
• UA wide-angle 3.6x zoom lens
• Slim design with sliding lens cover; 9-point AiAF autofocus system;
• Store images on Compact Flash (CF) cards (32 MB CF card included)
• Powered by rechargeable battery pack NB-2LH (included with charger)

Reviews (8)

Pretty good
I am in a YearBook Class and we use these digi cams. They are exclusively new. I like how they take pictures. At first, it was hard taking pictures, because I am new to the Digi cam world, and I have used good ol' film cameras for my entire life. Anyway, it was really hard at first, because I took several bad pictures, but finally I found out how to delete them. I would say that this inspired me to save up for a digi cam myself. The only drawback is the price, because my teacher said it cost $600, but then again, she bought it elsewhere.

A good overall value
I originally had an S50 until it was stolen, so after much new research I replaced it with the S60. The focusing is much improved over my original S50. Although friends who also had the same camera never seemed to have focusing problems. The navigation buttons on the back of the camera have been improved. It is definately lighter than the S50, which is a bonus for those carrying the camera hiking or climbing. And, its start up time is good if you need to capture a picture really quick. So far it has handled all sorts of lighting conditions very well, and the color definition has been excellent with very little (if any) purple tinting. This is a very feature rich camera, if you like gadgets. However, it is also easy to use when set to fully automatic. The photo software it comes with is much improved, and is an acceptable choice if you don't have the money to buy something like Photoshop. I like the rugged, solid feel of the camera overall.

What I don't like about it is the slidable lens cover. I keep bumping it when it is open because of the way I like to hold the camera. The cover extends almost to the right hand side of the camera. If you bump it during picture taking, it shuts down the camera and you don't get your picture. This has happened to me maybe a half a dozen times. I have to consciously force myself to hold the camera as to not disturb the cover when it is open. Maybe in the future canon can move it back from the edge a bit, or reduce the sensitivity of the mechanism that shuts the camera down. Last, this camera isn't design for use in the shirt pocket. If you are looking for a pocket camera this one is a bit big.

Good camera
I was looking for a digital camera that has many features as SLR does, yet want it small enough that it's convinient for me to carry it anywhere to do a lot of photographs. I got S60 and so far I'm satisfied with it.

The camera produced sharp images and good color balance. And the camera gets ready fast enough to shoot after we turn it on.

Though I took many pictures with it and reviewed the images many times, I found out that the battery is long-lasting.

I also like the software that puts the picture in folders titled by the date automatically. So I can choose not to print date on the pictures.

However, sometimes it's quite hard to slide open your camera when your hand is sweaty. And also almost every single time I take the camera out of my pocket, I slide open the battery door. Yet, they are not a big deal to me.

smallest camera that takes old CF cards and microdrives
If you're a digital SLR user with some old IBM Microdrives and high-capacity thick CF cards this is a good point-and-shoot camera. Most of the smaller P&S cameras today take the newer smaller xD cards so you end up having to manage an inventory of different kinds of storage devices. The S60 can share memory cards with full-size digital SLRs.

How does the camera work? Like any other point-and-shoot at around the same price, more or less. It is more responsive than older cameras but still takes a second or two to turn on or wake up, long enough to lose the moment. The menus and controls will be intuitive for anyone who has used Canon digital cameras before. The 28mm equivalent perspective lens is a nice feature.

You'll get better pictures with a Digital Rebel or Nikon D70 if only because those cameras have better viewfinders and controls large enough to operate by feel. But you can't fit one of those digital SLRs in your pocket...

Love the S60!
This is the first small digital camera that gives me most of the options, and picture quality of my SLR film cameras. And it fits in a pocket. The wide angle pictures (28mm equivalent to 35mm) are awesome. Edge to edge sharpness is superb and contrast is VERY good. The tiny ends of the corners (NOT the edges of the frame), only at wide angle, look a little soft, but not noticeable in "normal" photos. The person who says he has un-sharp edges in wide angle images either has a defective camera or has a beef to grind. The edges are absolutely no problem at 28mm.

I sent out some wide angle images to have eight 5x7 prints, and two 8x10's made into prints. When I got them back I inspected the corners carefully only to find the corners were as sharp as a tack. Turns out the frame corners are trimmed to fit regular size paper, duh!

Ergonomics are great. Controls are much improved over the previous S-series cameras. Focus is fast, my S60 takes about .60 of a second to confirm focus. If there is any shutter lag, I can't tell. The new lens finds focus in low light much more consistently than the S500. I have tried shooting all day, with some flash, and a lot of image reviews on the LCD, and I haven't run down the new high capacity battery yet. The manual options are extensive, intuitive, and very useful for achieving serious high quality prints. The ability to review an image almost instantly by pressing one button, and instantly returning to shooting mode by pressing the shutter button half way down is a real time saver.

Pros:

Amazing lens quality considering at wide angle, this really a 5.8mm lens! Barrel distortion at 28mm is very acceptable and consistent with other wide angle lenses. Macro and tele shots are beautiful.

Full manual control (even focus), several auto bracketing options, and very flexible AF and AE options and features.

RAW mode. The Canon RAW software is a bit slow, but this is the way to go if you are into digital darkroom techniques and large prints.

Long Lasting battery that charges very quickly.

LCD screen is very sharp and smooth looking.

Very clean and smooth iso50 and iso100 images.

5mp. After working with other 4mp images, the extra 1mp really shows up when preparing an image for an 11 x 14 print or larger.

Small enough to take anywhere.

Build quality. Mostly metal. The battery door is plastic, but this seems to be the trend with all small cameras.

User control of in-camera contrast, sharpness, and color saturation.

Custom setting that remembers and recalls all user settings.

Cons:

Won't fit in a shirt pocket or tight pant pockets well as the S500.

Sliding lens "door" takes getting used to, but seems very secure.

No anti-reflective coating on the LCD screen.

Iso 200 is somewhat noisy, and iso400 is noisy, but not as noisy as our S500 at iso400.

Histogram is only available on playback.

Battery door should latch more tightly.

No spare batteries (the new type) available yet anywhere.

Conclusion - If you are a photography enthusiast, this is the best way to achieve very high quality (user controllable) images in a very portable, flexible camera. The S60 is a fantastic bargain. ... Read more

Amazon.com Product Description

Olympus yet again raises the bar in the ultra-zoom digital camera arena with the 4-megapixel Camedia C-770. It's the smallest digital camera in the world featuring an optical 10x optical zoom (as of February 2004), measuring 4.11 x 2.36 x 2.7 inches (12-percent smaller than its predecessor, the C-750) and weighing only 9.9 ounces. It also features an MPEG4 movie mode with sound for high-resolution video at 30 frames per second. Other features include an all-metal body, a Super Zoom function that extends to 14x close-ups, fast USB 2.0 connectivity, and a bevy of manual features.

Optics and Resolution

 	Olympus' 10x optical zoom gets the detail of hard-to-reach subjects without loss of image quality.

With its 4-megapixel resolution, the C-770 captures 2288 x 1712 pixel images for impressive, photo-quality 11 x 14-inch print enlargements. It als features a full range of resolution modes: 2048 x 1536, 1600 x 1200, 1280 x 960, 1024 x 768, and 640 x 480 pixels. It records both in JPEG and TIFF format. The C-770's bright (f2.8-f3.7) optical system--normally only found in pro-level SLR cameras--comprises 11 elements arranged in 7 groups and includes two aspherical lenses to reduce distortion as well as an ED element to help reduce chromatic aberration.

The 10x optical zoom lens (6.3-63mm, or 38-380mm equivalent in 35mm photography) is combined with a 4x digital zoom for a seamless 40x total zoom. The new Super Zoom function--captured at 1600 x 1200 (2-megapixel) resolution--enables you to extend to an amazing 14x optical zoom.

Movie Mode
The C-770 captures video with audio in MPEG4 movie format, the next-generation video standard with more efficient file compression. You can shoot at an astonishing 30 frames per second (fps) while in SHQ mode (640 x 480 pixels). Two other resolution modes (320 x 240 and 160 x 120) capture video at 15 fps.

More Features
The C-770 is one of the first Olympus models to feature TruePic Turbo, a new image processor that sharpens image clarity, contrast, and color for life-like results. This feature also makes the camera 30% faster in processing images and is combined with a super-fast shutter release time.

The mode dial offers quick access to automatic settings, as well as four customizable "My Mode" settings.

In auto mode, the C-770 offers point-and-shoot simplicity for flawless picture taking. For those times when you want to tweak your creativity, the C-770 has aperture priority, shutter priority, or full manual settings. The 6 Scene modes (controlled by the dial on top of the camera) provide fully automatic exposure adjustments in a wide variety of settings: Portrait, Self Portrait, Landscape-Portrait, Sports, Night Scene and Landscape photography. The 4 customizable "My Mode" settings help save time by allowing you to assign frequently used settings to the mode dial for quick access.

The optimized electronic viewfinder (unlike many optical viewfinders) enables precise framing of the shot as well as displays all activated settings so you don't have to take your eyes off your subject.

Other features include:

• 1.8-inch low-temperature poly-silicon TFT LCD (118,000 pixels)
• Built-in flash with several modes: auto for low light and backlight, red-eye reduction , fill-in (forced on), and slow shutter synchronized
• Dedicated hot shoe connection for adding an external flash or sync to a studio strobe
• 1.5 frames per second burst mode up to 8 frames in HQ mode
• ISO settings: Auto, 64, 100, 200, 400

Direct Printing
The C-770 is PictBridge compatible, which enables you to transfer pictures from your digital camera to a compatible printer (such as the Olympus P-10), without a PC or image-editing software. All PictBridge devices share three basic features: camera-to-printer connecting, single-image printing, and uniform error messages (in case something goes wrong).

Storage and Transfer
Images are stored on XD Picture Card memory cards. The card's small size, about the same as a postage stamp, helps to keep the camera size down. The included 16 MB card will store approximately 16 images at 2288 x 1712 pixels (at HQ, JPEG setting). Images can be downloaded to either a Mac or PC via ultra-fast USB 2.0 connectivity, which means the camera can be connected to any USB-based Windows 98 Rev2Me/2000/XP and Mac OS 8.6 or later computer without installing any software.

Power and Size
The camera is powered by a proprietary rechargeable lithium-ion battery (model Li-10B, included), which provides approximately 175 shots per charge with typical use. It measures 4.11 x 2.36 x 2.7 inches (W x H x D) and weighs 9.9 ounces (excluding battery and storage media).

What's in the Box
This package contains the Camedia C-770 digital camera, 16 MB XD memory card, lithium-ion rechargeable battery (Li-10B) and battery charger, USB and A/V cables, carrying strap, lens cap with retainer cord, quick-start guide, and printed instruction manual. The CD-ROM features Camedia Master software, VideoStudio7 SE Basic (for MPEG4 video editing), Adobe Acrobat Reader, and Camera Reference Manual. ... Read more

Features

• 4-megapixel sensor captures enough detail to create photo-quality 11-by-15-inch enlargements
• 10x optical zoom combines with 4x digital zoom for 40x total zoom
• MPEG4 movie mode with audio; 1.8-inch LCD display; PictBridge enabled
• Store images on xD memory cards
• Powered by rechargeable lithium ion battery (included with charger)

Features

• 3,200 x 6,400 dpi maximum optical resolution, 9,600 dpi interpolated
• Rich 48-bit color with 16-bit grayscale
• Scans slides or negatives plus photos and documents
• 4 easy buttons to scan, copy, email, or create PDF files
• USB 2.0 interface, cable included; Windows compatible

Product Description

Digital Palmcorder MultiCam Camcorder with 24x Optical Zoom and 800x Digital Zoom Compact-Design, Still Picture Capability; SD Slot; 24x Optical Zoom; 800x Digital Zoom; Electronic Image Stabilization; USB 2.0 Get Up Close with a 24x Optical Zoom and 800x Digital Zoom - The optical zoom feature acts like a telescope to produce close-up shots with extraordinary clarity so you won't miss a single detail. It also offers variable zoom speeds, so you can adjust your zoom speed from wide angle to full telephoto. In addition, the digital zoom ratio can be increased up to an extraordinary 800x. Now that's close up! Simultaneous Motion Video & Still Picture Recording (VGA) - Now you can snap off a still shot (VGA) while recording video without having to change recording modes. The video is recorded onto the Mini DV tape and the still image is recorded onto the SD Memory Card. This 2-in-1 capability means you can catch sudden photo opportunities without interrupting a great moving picture scene. Soft Skin Mode Helps Soften Blemishes and Lines - This feature detects skin tones and softens the focus in that area of the picture. It helps make blemishes and lines appear less noticeable, while preserving resolution in areas of the picture outside the skin. One-Touch Navigation and Joystick Control - The joystick makes the camera much easier to use, letting you control all basic operations with one hand. As you shoot, just watch the image in the monitor and follow the instruction guide. ... Read more

Features

• SD memory card slot
• USB 2.0 hi-speed port
• 2.5-inch diagonal LCD
• 1.3-second quick start
• 24x optical zoom

Amazon.com Product Description

The Kodak EasyShare CX7330 is ideal for the digital photographer who wants great photos from an easy-to-use camera. The CX7330 offers 3 MP resolution, a 3x optical zoom lens, 16 MB of internal memory, compatibility with SD and MMC memory cards, and a movie mode that continuously captures video up to the full capacity of your card.

Optics and Resolution
The CX7330 has a maximum resolution of 3.1 megapixels, for prints at 2,032 x 1,524 pixels (for 10 x 13-inch enlargements). It features a Kodak Retinar all-glass, aspherical 3x optical zoom lens, 3.3x advanced digital zoom, and a multizone autofocus system for crisp prints. It has a 35mm equivalency of 37-11mm.

Movie Mode In addition to snapping still images, the CX7330 can also shoot video with sound at a resolution of 320 x 240 and a speed of 15 frames per second. Unlike other digital cameras, on which video is limited to a few minutes, you can shoot as much video as you have storage capacity, either in the internal memory or on an optional memory card.

Scene modes quickly optimize your camera for common shooting conditions.

More Features

• Bright 1.6-inch indoor/outdoor LCD that makes it easy to view images, even in direct sunlight
• Automatic picture rotation
• Multizone autofocus easily handles pictures with multiple subjects
• Built-in flash with auto, redeye, fill, and off modes
• Print directly from your camera on any PictBridge-compatible printer
• Multiple scene modes: auto, sport, landscape, close-up, and night

Storage and Transfer
Images can be stored within the CX7330's 16 MB internal memory or on optional Secure Digital (SD) or MultiMedia (MMC) memory cards. The camera connects to Macs and Windows PCs via USB 1.1.

Power and Size
The camera is powered by 2 AA batteries (alkaline included; NiMH rechargeables recommended). It measures 4.0 x 2.6 x 1.5 inches (W x H x D) and weighs 6.8 ounces without batteries.

What's in the Box
The package contains the Kodak EasyShare CX7330 digital camera, 2 AA alkaline batteries, a USB cable, a wrist strap, and a custom camera insert for optional EasyShare Camera and Printer Docks.

Like all EasyShare cameras, the CX7330 includes Kodak EasyShare software for Windows and Mac, providing effortless transfer, organization, basic editing, sharing, and printing of digital photos. The software's exclusive One Touch to Better Pictures feature--which takes advantage of proprietary color technologies developed by Kodak--helps Windows users get vibrant, true-to-life prints from home inkjet printers while significantly reducing the trial, error, and waste usually associated with home photo printing. ... Read more

Features

• 3.1-megapixel sensor captures enough detail to create photo-quality 10-by-13-inch enlargements
• Retinar 3x aspheric all-glass optical zoom lens combines with 3.3x digital zoom for a total of 9x zoom
• Compatible with most Kodak EasyShare camera and printer docks; multi-zone autofocus; movie mode with audio
• Store images in 16 MB of internal memory; also compatible with optional SD memory cards (not included)
• Powered by 2 AA-size batteries (alkalines included, rechargeable NiMH recommended)

Reviews (5)

I LOOOOOOOOOOOOVE IT
i got this camera for my birthday with the printer dock and i absolutely love them both. they were so easy to use and the pictures come out great. i looove it soooooo much!

best camera ever!
This was my first digital camera and I could not be any happier! It is so easy to use and the software is great. I would not change one thing about it. Be sure to get a memory card and extra batteries though. The pictures turn out perfect. I would recommend this camera to anyone!

Most bang for the buck
I bought this camera on sale a got a $30 gift card so I am happy. The video and sound quality is unbelievably high quality. The software is very easy to use. I was amazed how easy it was to remove red eye from previous pictures taken from my fugi film camera. I have not experienced red eye with this camera, but if I do the software will remove it very easily. The body looks cheap but it feels sturdy when you hold it. It has so many features that come in higher priced cameras, the bang for the buck is what counts for me. Cons I don't like the USB under the flemsy plastic flap. This same flap conceals the a/v out and SD card. The less I have to open that flimsy plastic flap the better. Other than that all is good to go. I would definitely recommend this camera to family and friends.

Great Product!
This was my first digital camera purchase and I could not have chosen a better buy. I have only had this camera two days and I already know how to work every feature. It comes with everything you need to get started. This camera is very functional with flash options, a zoom feature, self-timer (allowing you to get in the picture), 5 picture-taking settings and a video mode. I would suggest buying an SD (Secure Digital) card and extra batteries to get more pictures from your camera.

love it
after a long wait and reviewing many cameras I opted for this one and pretty much took it home opened it and started taking pictures. Attended a wedding that weekend and couldn't use it enough playing with the video snapping pictures. Print perfectly and easy to use, doesn't take much. Great carry along size also, but do need the extra storage card to hold more pictures. ... Read more

Product Description

Transcend the ordinary with high zoom, pro-quality optics. 10X optical zoom (35 mm equivalent: 38-380 mm) SCHNEIDER-KREUZNACH VARIOGON Lens gives you all the power you need to zoom in close with incredible detail. 3X advanced digital zoom lets you go the extra distance when you need it.5.0 MP gives you plenty of resolution to create stunning-quality prints up to 20" x 30" (50 x 76 cm), or crop without losing image quality. High-speed, low-light auto-focus system with dual sensors with a remarkably fast 0.2 click-to-capture speed, gives you sharp pictures even in challenging lighting situationsRender every composition in sharp detail & true-to-life color. Thanks to the exclusive KODAK Color Science Image Processing Chip, the Z7590 captures natural details, accurate flesh tones, bright whites, & rich colors even in difficult lighting situations. Each time you click the shutter, the KODAK Color Science Chip performs an instantaneous & advanced analysis of collected scene data to identify & correct multiple factors that influence picture quality.Never walk away with less than your best shot. A large 2.2" high-resolution indoor/outdoor display & electronic view finder let you accurately compose your subject matter then evaluate the details of yourpicture before you move on.View brilliant, sharp images even in direct sunlight. Auto picture-rotation lets you to see your pictures right-side-up whether you shot it horizontally or vertically. ... Read more

Features

• Powered by lithium-ion battery (rechargeable battery and charger included); stores images on SD memory cards
• 5.0-megapixel CCD captures enough detail for photo-quality prints up to 13 x 17-inch prints
• 10x optical zoom Schneider-Kreuznach Variogon lens
• 2.2-inch high-resolution indoor/outdoor display
• Up to 80 minutes of continuous VGA (640 x 480) video with audio capture

Features

• 6-megapixel resolution for photo-quality 14-by-19-inch enlargements
• The world's first digital SLR camera with body-integral antishake technology and a CCD-shift mechanism
• Full compatibility with the Maxxum system of lenses and accessories
• 2.5-inch LCD large-screen monitor with ultrafine 207,000-pixel resolution
• Simultaneous RAW and JPEG recording, plus 3 metering systems (14-segment honeycomb-pattern, center-weighted average, and spot) for fine control

Amazon.com Product Description

With a footprint of just 14.6 by 10.4 inches, the S1+ sets up on nearly any convenient surface and weighs just 7 pounds, making transportation painless. An SVGA native resolution of 800 x 600 ensures that projected images retain their clarity even at great distances, while 24-bit color support of over 16.7 million shades results in accurate, true-to-life images.

A monitor out capability lets you display images on both the projected screen and on a monitor simultaneously, and compatibility with both PC and Mac operating systems ensures that your presentations a snap to set up, no matter which platform you're offered. The 500:1 contrast ratio provides sharp detail, and 1,400 ANSI lumens of brightness results in projections that are easy to see from anywhere in the room. The 130-watt UHE lamp provides over 2,000 hours of lamp life, while the internal power supply consumes 200 watts during normal operation and just 5 watts in standby mode. The S1+ has a variable aspect ratio of either 4:3 or 16:9 and an adjustable projection screen size of 30 to 300 inches. The digital zoom/manual focus lens has an F-number of 1.4 and an f-number range of 16.6mm, which combine with digital keystone correction of plus or minus 15 degrees to help achieve accurate, in-focus projections across the entirety of the image.

Features

• 800 x 600 SVGA native resolution, compatible up to 1,024 x 768
• 1,400 ANSI lumens, 500:1 contrast ratio
• Supports HDTV, NTSC, and PAL signals; S-video and component inputs
• 16:9 and 4:3 screen selectable aspect ratios
• PC compatible; 2-year warranty

Product Description

680,000-pixel CCD * variable-speed 30X optical zoom lens (digital zoom to 1,000X) * digital photo mode * records video on tiny Mini DV tapes * 2-1/2" color LCD viewscreen * color viewfinder * Digital Electronic Image Stabilization * wireless remote * ... Read more

Features

• 3-hour battery
• USB 2.0 hi-speed port
• SD memorycard slot
• 1.7 second quick start
• 30x optical zoom

Reviews (2)

Great Camera so far.....
Just bought this camcorder a few days ago and so far, I've been very impressed.The low-light capabilities appear very adequate.The ease of transfer to the PC via the DV-Firewire link is excellent.Haven't had a chance to check out many features yet, but easy of use for picking up the camera and shooting a video is great.So far, I think I've made a good choice.

Wow! Great camera!
I just got back from my local electronics store which, to my surprise, had the GS35 in stock and on sale. I was very pleased with the ease of use and accuracy of the thumbstick control. Though, the menu button was a bit out of reach for my thumb thus requiring me to use my other hand to push it. The built-in LED lights help shed some light on dark situations, but I noticed an even greater benefit from the increase in gain when the light was switched on. The lens used on this camera is out-of-sight! Not only does it offer high telephoto optical zoom, it offers what few other camcorders out there have: built-in wideangle. The lens is 1.9-57mm which equates roughly to a 35mm equivalent of 35-1040mm. So, go ahead, shoot video indoors and get the whole group in the shot at once! ... Read more

Amazon.com Product Description

Minolta's DiMAGE Scan Dual IV provides a high-quality 35mm film, slide, and APS film scanning solution. Scanning is achieved using the accompanying film and slide holders (APS film holder must be purchased separately), delivering up to 3,200 dpi resolution. Ideal for serious photo enthusiasts and professionals alike, the DiMAGE Scan Dual IV offers Pixel Polish, Auto Dust Brush, and Grain Dissolver to correct and enhance your photo images.

Pixel Polish restores film images that have faded over time as well as those that suffer from light-distortion (under-exposure, backlighting, and so on). Auto Dust Brush automatically cleans any dust or lint that may have been scanned with your film. It can also be used manually as a separate plug-in with certain Photoshop versions to give you more precise control of removal parameters and to let you preview results. Grain Dissolver removes excess grain that may be visible when scanning high-speed film or that may appear in images scanned at very high resolutions.

The DiMAGE Scan Dual IV offers fast USB 2.0 connectivity for both PC and Mac users. It can perform batch scanning (up to six filmstrip frames or four mounted slides) or multi-sampling (2x, 4x, 8x, 16x), and lets you control a large number of factors such as tone curve, histogram, sharpness, brightness, exposure, and color balance. The system comes with Adobe Photoshop Elements 2.0.

What's in the Box
Minolta DiMAGE Scan Dual IV, 35mm film holder FH-U2, slide mount holder SH-U1, USB cable UC-2 (USB 2.0 compatible), AC adapter AC-U25, CD-ROM for DiMAGE Scan Dual IV, Adobe Photoshop Elements 2.0 ... Read more

Features

• Delivers sharp 3,200 dpi color scans with 16-bit A/D conversion
• Multi-sample scanning; batch scanning using film and slide holders
• 35mm and slide mount holders; supports optional APS adapter
• Pixel Polish, Auto Dust Brush, and Grain Dissolver for optimized image results
• Adobe Photoshop Elements 2.0; USB 2.0 interface, PC and Mac compatible

Reviews (12)

Superb precision instrument - but NOT a Plug & Play device
After studying professional reviews (including CR), I decided on the Dual4. Forewarned by other users' comments about troublesome startup, I followed the manual's detailed installation instructions step-by-step. No problem whatever! Realize well that this is NOT a Plug-and-Play unit you just plug into a USB2 slot; if you do, Windows will use its own lame-duck generic WIA scanner driver, and gone are all the wonderful enhancements that Minolta's marvelously sophisticated scanning software offers. THE big secret is patience; precisely follow the instructions (same goes for my HP flatbed scanner) -- install the software from the CD first, and *only then* connect the USB cable when you are instructed to do so. If you don't: well just read what dissatisfied reviewers have to say. Also, when the manual tells you to initialize the scanner "with the door closed", it doesn't explicitly tell you to remove the film holder [it's the only way you can close the scanner door, after all]. Although better written and organized than an Asian DVD-player manual, there are some dense spots that you will need to explore on your own. Still, you can't unlock all the treasures of the software until you read (painstakingly, I might add) the software capabilities. I've only had the scanner for a few weeks but, once I learned how just a hair on the negative will magnify to a tree trunk on the print, it does an astonishing job of converting analog film slides to digital images that you can enhance in the accompanying complete PhotoShop Elements 2 software. A magnificent tool indeed but, like any precision tool, it needs careful adherence to instructions and some experimentation to realize its full potential. An unbeatable harware product, with software fine-tuned to provide the ultimate in quality images. Even so, lack of online tech support, such as simple driver updates, is disconcerting. Ask Amazon for tech support? You must be kidding!

IMPRESSED
I am totally impresed with this scanner. I was scanning 35mm film with an Epson 2450. What a difference! More latitude in the tonal range. Very sharp, Scanner has auto and manual focus. Professional driver software. Images consistant in color from scan to scan.
Have not used the dust remove feature yet. So far all my negs and trans are flawless. Even thou it is only 3200 dpi, if you know photoshop, the quality of the scans are so good I have no problems enlarging to 36x24 poster. I did a test and enalrged in the computer to 100 inches and just checking it out on the monitor it still held together NO PROBLEMS!
Have had the scanner for about a month and use it everyday and have had no start up problems or any other sort of problems, yet. But then again I use a MAC. Read the instruction manual before you do anything!
Anyway, well worth the $270 I spent !

I love it!!!!
For the price this is the best film scanner I have ever used. I have scanned close to 9000 slides and negatives since I purchased it in February. It is easy to use and I have been quite pleased with the color balance and exposures it returns. Images are all sharp and crisp. I just wish it would scan 120 and 220 film.

Good scanner, startup procedure a little twitchy
Yeah, I hear what some of the other reviewers are saying about the documentation and the fussy startup process - however complaining that you have to follow the instructions _exactly_ when installing it seems a bit odd to me... I had no problem with the install but then again I don't have a problem following instructions ;->.

But all that said, once you get it right it's a very good scanner. I've used others and this is by far the best. I'm suprised to hear the one reviewer complain about the sharpness of the shots - my scanner does an excellent job. I've scanned in over 500 slides so far (archiving the parent's slide collection from the 60s) and they look great.

The dust remover feature works reasonably well, although I've turned off all the pixel polish and image adjustment stuff - it doesn't make that big of a difference on my shots and makes the resulting images bigger.

The batch scan is great - I just sit here and work on other stuff and feed in 4 slides at a time. I've tried both color slides and negative film, both look excellent.

For those still frustrated by the startup sequence - here's what I do and it works every time.

1. Turn on your computer, let it boot.
2. Once up, turn on the scanner with the door closed.
3. Fire up the scanning software you want to use (batch scan, easy scan etc...).
4. once it barks at you to put the film in properly, then open the door and feed in your tray.

After that, you're good to go. I find if you deviate from the process you can come to grief. Once up, I've never had it fail and I've crammed through 150 slides at a sitting without a hitch.

Good but Quirky
1) The lack of any product support is infuriating as stated by the others.
2) The resulting images and flexibility of features provided are amazing... and I did not say "at this price." I don't consider a $270 gizmo for a $1300 computer cheap. It's over 1/5 the price of a high end host machine.
3) The scanner works well, has user friendly film strip and slide holders, does everything I expected it to do. A lot of flexibility in resolution and a lot of features for fixing freckles.
4) The main complaint is the overly sensitive startup procedure. Do it just right or it doesn't work, won't say why and just sits there. On the other hand, Do It Just Right and it may do the very same thing.
5) The documentation is helpful but poorly organized and vague. NOWHERE does it state a simple 5 step procedure for starting the device, bringing up the software and getting on with the scanning. That is THE MOST FUNDAMENTAL basic any manual should obviously provide. The booklet rambles from topic to topic throwing in a dire warning every few paragraphs and never offers a simple "Here's how you use it" sequence.
6) One of the problems with film scanners is LOW VOLUME AND POOR SHOPPING ACCESS. For most buyers, there is no place you can go and see the physical units nor see them demonstrated. Neither Circuit City nor Best Buy stores in MD stock them or demo them.
7) Overall impression: A great product that can do all you expect of it within specifications BUT an immature product that was not debugged and idiot-proofed before being thrown on the market. That is especially strange since there was a II and a III prior to this IV model. ... Read more

Features

• 4.0-megapixel sensor captures enough detail to create photo-quality 11-by-15-inch prints
• 10x optical zoom, 3x digital zoom (30x total)
• Store images on 16MB internal memory, with MMC/SD card expansion slot
• Powered by lithium-ion rechargeable battery

Reviews (12)

Wonderful Camera!!!!
This is one of the best cameras anyone could ever buy. So easy to use, it'll make you want to take it everywhere. I sure do! The camera's ready right out of the box. The pictures come out wonderful and the battery life is great. Only a few minor flaws (no image stabilization on extreme close-ups and the auto-focus makes you wait sometimes before you can snap the picture) but they do not transfer onto the pictures. Even with the jittery close-ups(when you use the digital zoom @ it's max) the pictures come out clear. With the auto-focus problems you just have to wait for the green light when the camera's ready. All-in-all you cannot go wrong with this camera. It, as with any new piece of equipment, takes time and practice to learn how to use it (to get the full advantage of its features). So just practice, practice, practice!!!! I took some pictures of my son in the park playing...they almost look like I hired a professional and I only have had the camera since December 2003. I would recommend this camera from the beginner to the enthusiast. It's worth the price just for the zoom and manual controls it offers.

Best 4MP digital on the market!!!!
Tested at least 20 different digital cameras (ranging from $300 to $1000) before deciding to buy the Kodak DX6490. This camera is awesome...a digital treasure. I also lucked out (accessory-wise)when I bought it ($399). Among the INCLUDED items were a 128MB SD card, 6000 dock station, battery AND charger, leather camera bag. Am a professional photographer and have never used a digital camera until now. The DX6490 is now 'attached to my hip', along with my Nikon F4 and Fujifilm GA645Zi (medium format). Both of these cameras (combined) cost well over $4000...so that should tell you how much the DX6490 impressed me. It's a lifetime keeper!!! Anyone interested in buying an exceptional digital camera at an affordable price would be downright foolish to overlook the DX6490!!!!!!! Besides being an exceptional 'digital machine', it has a professional look as well (unlike other digitals which cost much more).

FANTASTIC CAMERA BUY IT NOW!
I absolutely love this camera. I take a lot of personal photos of friends, family, and sunsets ect.. and then frame them for my walls. I was paranoid to switch to a digital camera at first. I bought this camera when it first came out a year ago and if anything was to happen to it I would replace with the same one or possibly there new one.
I also own a website for real estate rentals that I photo each and every room of the properties and display on the site. I have never been more impressed with a camera than this one. I was always an Olympus Fan and Kodak to me was bottom shelf for beginners. I am so glad I took the chance.
It is easy to us for beginners, and easy to learn the more advanced steps. I have used it for Fireworks displays, (including Disney) with out a tripod in night mode and could not believe the results.
For the down side I dont care for the software program they use. However, it is great for beginners to learn on and I do use it to keep my photos organized in albumns.
I do most of my editing and so forth thru Adobe photo suite.
If you are leary about this camera, dont be. My webmaster (who owns a $1000 Minolta) went and bought this camera after using mine for a day. We both have had photos purchased from us that were just look and shoot photos, spur of the moment shots.

Good Camera, Not So Great Software
My husband purchased this camera for me Christmas 2003. I love to take pictures using my daughter as the subject. This was my first digital camera. I love the quality of the pictures and its ability to capture images in b/w, sepia, color... It is very easy to use. However, the software is not so fantastic. The worst part is that when upgrades to the software become available you have to download them from the computer which takes over an hour. Kodak will not send you a courtesy upgrade cd. I would even pay a few $ for this convenience. They do provide online help where they respond to your email the very next day. I did have loooots of problems with this software and I am familiar with technology. I was impressed when I found out that other lenses could be purchased (I guess it is sort of a SLR camera a little...). I turned off the lights and took a picture of my daughter with her lighted jack-o-lantern for Halloween and took a picture using the night vision and it was so clear, you would have thought that the lights were on. Overall, good camera, not so sure about the software.

ONE HECK OF A CAMERA!
WOW! I had this camera given to me as a gift knowing its quite demanding price of $500. But it's worth every penny! It has everything! You can take any shot you want to with every feature known to man to help you out. Check it out:

- PASM mode equipes you with not only full creative control of F-Stops and aperture, but also with a 16-second to 1/1000 of a second shutter speed to really keep the action shots sharp or to create a purposely fuzzy image

- Burst feature helps you really get multiple great shots at say, fireworks, or a baseball swing. This feature can shoot six photos per second!

- Ten-second timer

- Once you have focused on the image, the camera will give you warnings if you are about to take a pretty crappy photo!

- Multiple zoom zones so putting what you want to see into focus is easy

- Catch a beautiful, wide lake, or a tiny red flower with the landscape feature, and the close-up feature!

- Flash modes include:
- red-eye
- automatic flash adjustment (auto)
- regular flash

- You can choose weather you would like the date stamped onto each picture

- You can also choose between many different special effects (this list includes some effects you can use on the free software)
- sepia (western)
- black and white
- saturated color (intensified color)
- cartoon
- coloring book
- fish-eye

- You can tag a photo to be emailed right when you dock it into your computer

- You can even protect a photo from being deleted

- With a four megapixel sensor and a whopping ten-x optical zoom, you can still have a breath-taking photo from a distance!

These are just a few of the hundreds of features on this camera! I would seriously suggest this for your all purpose shooting!

- ... Read more

Product Description

Capture high-quality digital audio and video with Sony's DCR-TRV280 Digital8 Handycam camcorder. The DCR-TRV280 features Digital8 recording for 3X the color bandwidth of VHS, providing you with stunning video performance. The CCD imager captures clear and detailed images for consistently outstanding image quality. With Sony's NightShot Plus infrared system you can capture natural looking video, even when shooting in low light. Don't let its compact design fool you, the DCR-TRV280 carries great power with the Stamina battery power management system, which allows you to continuously record for up to 12 hours on a single full charge1. Editing and sharing hours of video is easy with the i.LINK DV interface, which allows you to easily connect your camcorder to your TV or PC. Keep Subjects in Sight with 2.5-inch Swivelscreen LCD MonitorGet up Close with 20x Optical and 990x Digital ZoomUSB Streaming for Webcam Utility or video Conference ToolMinimize Shaking with SteadyShot Picture StabilizationRecords Superior Digital Video on Affordabel Hi8 or 8mm Tapes Stepping into the Digital age has never been easier with the DCR-TRV280. Featuring Digital Recording along with SteadyShot Image Stabilization and NightShot Plus Technology. ... Read more

Features

• SteadyShot picture stabilization system
• Go digital. Capture high-quality digital audio and video with Sony's DCR-TRV280 Digital8 Handycam Camcorder
• 1/6-inch CCD imager with 290K effective pixels
• 20x optical zoom lens with 990x digital zoom
• 2.5-inch SwivelScreen LCD display

Reviews (5)

The BEST top bang-per-buck value in digital camcorders!
This is easily the best value DIGITAL camcorder out there today, hands down.'Digital8' is just as good as 'MiniDV' in terms of resolution and picture/audio quality.Why pay more for MiniDV?For under three 'Benjamins', you get reliable digital video and audio quality with over 500 lines of resolution, and a proven medium (Digital8) whose videotapes cost half as much or less than MiniDV tapes.The video quality in low light is also excellent, with a low light switch and feature that works great. And size-wise, the camcorder is not much larger than a MiniDV unit.It is feature-rich and comes with all the accessories you would need, including a charger, battery, lens cap, A/V cable for connection to your TV, a USB cable and software for connection to your PC or Mac.The owner's manual is one of the best i've ever seen, with very intuitive diagrams and easy to operate instructions.And the battery level meter and 'time left' indicator on the LCD view panel is very useful and amazing in it's detail and usefulness.Folks, this is one serious digital camcorder that is available 'for a song'!Great job Sony!!!

A Perfect Family Camera
For under $300. you get a camera with a lot more than anyone would expect.Besides VERY good camcorder recordings, it also takes good snapshots.I've only owned mine a few days, but I'm already wild about it.Unless a person must have professional quality in a camcorder ($3,500+ and maybe a lot more), the DCR-TRV280 is a good choice - it is certainly a good buy.

Great camcorder
My husband and I were looking for a good camcorder that was functional but not too expensive. THIS is it!! For $300 we got a great camcorder that you can also take still shots with. Lots of features and very very easy to use. We have had it about a week, not really used it for lots of videoing, just getting used to it. But the quality of the recordings are great, the light is VERY BRIGHT and it picks up sound good too. We both give it 5 stars. It was just what we were looking for.

Great value camera
I bought this camera for family videos and I wanted the ability to edit on my Apple Powerbook in iMovie.This camcorder is great for that.The video is very good, the tapes are cheaper than MiniDV, and the camera has a solid feel to it.If you want something smaller or more pro, you want to go with MiniDV probably anyway, but for home use and some basic editing and such, this is a great camera, especially for only $300.

Awsome! (for the price)
For $300, THIS IS AWSOME! The + are: 20x zoom, USB connection, Effects, Titles, Lights, Small price, Nightshot plus, Stereo sound. The - are: Low lighting inside without all lights on, Low picture quality without computer editing. You can also play back video on your TV. Hope this review was usefull ... Read more

Features

• 5-megapixel sensor captures enough detail to create photo-quality 13-by-17-inch enlargements
• 2.8x optical zoom lens combines with 4.3x digital zoom for 12x total zoom
• .5-second start-up time; 2-inch LCD monitor; PictBridge compatible
• Store images on Secure Digital (SD) memory cards; 16 MB SD card included
• Powered by rechargeable lithium-ion battery (included with charger)

Product Description

A new level of film-like realism and impact.

The PT-AE700U is the most impressive home cinema projector ever from Panasonic. Compact enough to sit on a bookshelf, it is packed with advanced features designed to bring you a whole new level of home theater enjoyment.

Dynamic contrast is now 2000:1, by far the best in its class, so the picture is sharp and clear even in a well-lit room. New integrated cinema quality circuitry includes a Dynamic Iris optical system that constantly adjusts the brightness and gamma characteristics in real time, so the picture is always optimal and transitions betweens scenes are more natural. An innovative color correction system - developed after consultation with top Hollywood colorist David Bernstein - incorporates Cinema Color Management technology to ensure faithful color reproduction. This cinema-quality integrated circuitry brings you on-screen colors just as you would see them in a movie theater. And the PT-AE700U comes with advanced Smooth Screen technology that effectively eliminates the typical "screen door" effect, so the images you see on the screen are natural and lifelike.

... Read more

Features

• Smooth Screen technology for smooth, film-like images
• Measures 13.2 x 3.7 x 10.6 inches (W x H x D) and weighs just 7.9 pounds
• High-definition HDMI, component-video, composite-video, S-video, and RGB inputs
• 1,280 x 720 native HD resolution (displays 480i, 576i, 480p, 576p, 720p, and 1080i inputs)
• 1,000 ANSI lumens brightness, up to 2,000:1 contrast ratio; widescreen (16:9) native aspect ratio, 4:3 compatible

Reviews (2)

Great projector for the price!
This was my first projector. I researched a lot of different models and finally decided on this one because on paper it looked to give the most bang for the buck (my price range was $2000-$3000).I also wanted native 16:9.
After owning it for over a month, I'm quite happy with it.It has none of the flaws usually associated with LCD projectors.There is no "screen door" effect at all, and the black levels are very impressive.
I have the unit mounted to the ceiling (purchased RPA mount for $190) and project onto a 120" gray screen.
One feature that helped clenched the deal for me is the 2x zoom lens - I have the projector situated less than 14 feet from a 10-foot diagonal screen.
I had a little trouble with the mount I purchased, but the projector itself is incredibly easy to setup and operate.The joystick next to the lens lets you to control the horizontal and vertical shift without tilting or moving the whole unit.Remote is back-lit.Menus allow plenty of tweaking.You can store user-defined settings or use factory presets (like cinema, natural, dynamic, etc.).
I have the projector in a dedicated home theater room with no windows and keep the lights turned off while it's running.If I had to deal with ambient light though, I probably would have chosen a brighter projector since this one is only 1000 lumens.
I mostly watch DVDs on this, but also use it to watch cable and play video games - playing Halo 2 on this is an awesome experience!

Best Value for your money!
Don't be fooled by the low price of this projector. Until DLP HD+ Projectors drop to this price range there is nothing that can come close to beating this projectors value for money. The new breed of LCD projectors have come a long way in displaying BLACK close to true black with high contrast ratios.

I shopped around a lot for projectors and seen projectors from Runoco, Sony, Sim, Marantz, etc which vary in price from 3k to well over 15K. I wouldn't say this Panasonic is the best but for the price I am paying, I am really not losing much of quality gain. I project the picture on 100" screen from Carada (another value/quality company) and it did nothing less than 'WOW' many of my friends who watched movies on it.

The picture looks very bright and sharp and colors are very vivid. The build quality of the projector is also excellent. You will not go wrong with this purchase. With little tweaking, the picture quality can be improved a lot. You can find intructions to do that at avsforums another well known Home Theater forums. But, please make sure you know what you are doing before you attempt the tweaking. ... Read more

Features

• 5-megapixel sensor captures enough detail to create photo-quality 13-by-17-inch enlargements
• 3x optical zoom plus 2x digital zoom for 6x total
• Carl Zeiss optics; high-resolution movie mode with sound; large 2.5-inch LCD
• Compatible with Memory Stick and Memory Stick Pro media; includes 32 MB card
• Powered by 2 AA batteries (NiMH rechargeables included); connects to PCs and Macs via USB 2.0

Reviews (20)

Great 5MP Value
This our third digital camera. Our other cameras are from Canon and Nikon. I was leaning toward the new Canon S60 because we love our other Canon and they both would take the same CompactFlash memory cards. This camera was going to be mine and I wanted 5MP so I could do some cropping of pictures and still keep up the quality when printing in 8 X 10 format. The Canon S60 kept being delayed, so I started looking at alternatives.

The DSCW1 seems designed to compete with the Canon S60. Both are 5 MP, both are compact, both have manual modes which allow you to be creative with your pictures. The Sony pulled ahead with its larger LCD display and its ability to use standard AA batteries. The Canon relies on a propriatory lithium-ion rechargable battery. The Sony comes with AA rechargables, but should they go dead at an inopportune moment, you can pop in any AA batteries to keep you going.

I bought the Sony and have had it for almost a month. The batteries don't seem to last quite as long as our Canon, but I picked up a couple of spare rechargables for less than $10 and just alternate them in the charger. The DSCW1 downloads using USB2 so even though each picture is larger than 2MB each, they download FAST. The picture quality has been great. Indoor low light shots have a bit more blur than I would like, but they didn't come out at all with either of our other cameras. Colors are crisp and true and prints from the pictures (on a Canon i470 printer) are excellent.

One word about the included software. Yuck. It is useful for downloading and for doing a quick view of what you took, but beyond that it is very limited.

Overall, I am very happy with my Sony DSCW1.

Compact and fast, with a big screen.
Great camera.

My last camera was a Sony Mavica CD300. Aside from recording onto a mini CD, its best feature was its large 2.5" screen. It's almost like having a Polaroid instant camera. You take a picture and pass it around. People love looking at pictures on the camera. You can't get that same effect with most digital cameras today.

I bought the W1 because it also has a 2.5" LCD screen, but the camera itself is 1/4 the size. And this screen is actually much clearer than on my previous camera or on the Sony V1 (which this camera replaced).

The picture quality of the photos is decent. (I'm no expert.) Startup is super fast. There's no lens cover, which is convenient. And it uses rechargeable AA batteries. I bought an extra pair for $10. It's also got an optical viewfinder so you can turn off the screen to save power while you're taking photos.

A lot of usability improvements - They finally replaced the directional pad with buttons; the center used to be difficult to press. The on-screen menus are easier to read. A cool new feature is that when you select the camera mode by rotating the dial, it temporarily displays the icons rotating on the screen, so that you don't have to look at the top of the camera.

And even the manual is much improved.

The flash seems a bit small, but I haven't tested it out fully yet. My only real complaint is that it doesn't come with an AC adapter to directly recharge the camera. A cradle would be nice too. You have to take out the batteries and use the included battery recharger. Perhaps this is a better system, but I'm not used to it yet.

Overall I'm thrilled with this camera.

Good pictures, lousy software
I just bought this camera a week ago and it takes excellent pictures (not good for sports or action shots). The problem I have is the movie mode. It's great for being compact and taking short little clips. Unfortunately, it's only compatible with the software that Sony includes. I can't burn to DVD or create a memento CD with editing or music. Which is what the salesperson told me I could do.

Doesn't live up to its 5MP potential
Only one review site mentions this problem (...) but now a lot of users are starting to see it. This camera's noise filtering causes pictures to look 'soft' or in my interpretation - slightly out of focus.

In outdoor scenery shots it isn't very noticeable - the 5MP is able to give you a lot of detail especially in the area of the picture that is not your main subject (background trees, roofs, etc). However in portraits, or pictures of pets, the problem is VERY apparent.

Going from a 1MP to a 2MP camera, the 2MP camera "wow'd" me. Going to this 5.1MP camera, I look at the pictures and say "eh?".

I've tried what other people have suggested - set camera to manual or programmed mode, turned up sharpness, turned down contrast, set autofocus to center only - yet still pets, portrait
shots are smooth. Facial features are ever so slightly blurred - detail is lost in the hair, contrast around the nose and eyes. It's like looking at a flat/matted picture!

Do I think I got a bad one? No. There have been a few other owners on some of the digital camera discussion forums that at first said "No way, this camera is great!" only to come back later and say "Wait, I spoke too soon, there is an issue".

Then there is the poor flash capabilities - not very powerful. Yes, a lot of compact digital cameras suffer from this but this camera seems especially bad. There's a user that took a bunch of indoor photos at their son's birthday part and every one was blurry - not one was printable!

The camera is physically gorgeous. The LCD is HUGE and very nice and clear! The camera is very responsive, fast, WELL built, and a nice size, but the pictures don't live up to the "Carl Zeiss, 5.1MP" advertising!

Don't be fooled by reviews that take pictures of posters and resolution charts - this camera does great with those items. Take a look at their portrait shots of live people and zoom in on the facial features. Compare that with another camera and you'll see the difference. Again, far away shots of scenery looks great. It's when you're doing closeup work of detailed items where the problem shows up.

My W1 is going back this week. I'll bet in a year, Sony will address these problems and THAT camera will be fantastic.

One nice digital camera
I have owned two previous Sony digital cameras, the DSC-S70 and the DSC-V1. This is simpler to operate than those and is ideal for the everyday user.

Highlights - extremely fast start up time and between picture shot time. Large LCD screen. Uses AA batteries. Gorgeous color output, equals or exceeds 35mm.

I would recommend, as a previous reviewer did, to at least set sharpness to the "+" setting. The camera does seem to over process the image a bit in the full auto setting. Also, it seems you have to hold this camera more still than most. The movie function works ok, but not a video camera replacement by any means. Be sure to take advantage of the lighting condition pre-sets, e.g., beach scene, flourescent lighting, etc. ... Read more

Features

• 5-megapixel sensor captures enough detail to create photo-quality 13-by-17-inch enlargements
• All-weather construction allows for outdoor use even on a rainy day
• 2.5-inch HyperCrystal LCD; 3x optical zoom, 12x total zoom
• Movie mode takes QuickTime movies with sound--easy to e-mail to friends
• Store images on xD-Picture cards (32 MB card included)