Product Description

JVC Company of America (GRD250) MiniDV Digital Camcorder ... Read more

Features

• Captures digital stills to tape
• NightAlive function for shooting in low-light conditions
• Data Battery function that displays battery power and calculates remaining recording time
• Compact MiniDV digital camcorder with 25x optical zoom/800x digital zoom
• 680K pixel CCD with 340K effective pixels for video

Reviews (1)

A nice piece of work from JVC
Of course like any person who spends 300 bucks on something you expect it to perform admirably, while knowing full well that there are more expensive models out there.This little DV camera does quite the job.Starting from the packing all the way down to the technical features.In a world were you get less and less JVC seems to have done pretty well.Instructions for the camera come in 3 languages, all of the peripherals; lens cap, multi-voltage power plug, RCA cables, and straps are actually well designed and usable. The camera itself is quite user friendly, and intuitive. After opening and sorting the contents I had the camera up and recording in less than 5 minutes.

Pros:

1. Very fast rewind and fast forward.
2. Light weight, and compact.
3. Clear display that you can turn and flip in almost every direction
4. Great zoom features and very good recording quality.

Cons:

1. No DV tape included.I was smart enough to pick up a two pack at the same time.
2. If you have big hands it may be a little hard to manipulate.
3. Although I didn't buy a tripod, it looks as if you can't eject the tape while the camera is attached.

Would I buy it again? Absolutely. ... Read more

Features

• Compact Hi8 camcorder with 270,000-pixel CCD
• 22x optical zoom lens (digital zoom to 880x) and image stabilizer
• 2.5-inch rotating LCD and black-and-white viewfinder
• Low-light recording settings, built-in video light, and remote control
• Rechargeable Li-ion battery pack

Reviews (1)

video man from Cleveland
This camera is not on sale anymore. Get it at Radio Shack for the same price plus personable customer service. An OK camera, however. ... Read more

Features

• Compact 3-CCD DV Palmcorder for peerless video quality
• 12x optical zoom and 700x digital zoom with digital image stabilization
• 2.5-inch LCD screen with color viewfinder
• 4.0-megapixel digital still picture capability, SD memory card slot
• Powered by rechargeable lithium-ion battery pack

Features

• Sleek, compact MiniDV camcorder and digital still camera with 680,000-pixel CCD
• 10x optical zoom lens (digital zoom to 120x) with Super SteadyShot image stabilizer
• 2.5-inch rotating LCD and color viewfinder
• Low-light recording settings, Memory Stick Duo slot, and accessory shoe
• NP-FM50 InfoLithium Rechargeable Battery

Reviews (13)

Excellent camera for the price!
After doing much research on the 'net and visiting every electronics store on the island, I decided on the HC30 and I am not disappointed. I've never owned a camcorder before, so I was worried that I'd have trouble using one, but Sony has taken away any hassle with its "Easy" mode, which uses automatic settings--great for point-and-shoot novice (read: wannabe) videographers like myself.

Pros: Size (this camera is tiny compared to other camcorders in this price range), Memory Stick MPEG movie + still image recording (perfect for e-mails + websites, but not for prints), bright 2.5" touchscreen LCD, good automatic settings, excellent picture quality, Super NightShot (a MUST for single CCD cameras used in low-light settings), analog-to-digital pass-through (for recording from a VCR onto your PC using firewire), Carl Zeiss lens (hence the excellent picture quality.

Cons: Menu navigation and getting to manual controls is not intuitive and can be problematic while shooting. The optical zoom is small compared to other cameras in this class (10x vs. 20x).

It's low-light performance is mediocre, but compared to other camera's I've researched and tested, the HC30 outperforms them all with its Super NightShot.

And for anyone complaining about the poor still image quality, I will say that this camcorder, and its stills were not meant for prints, but for e-mails or the 'net. It's a given that if you want good photo quality, buy a regular digital camera--even the most ambitious of camcorders usually only come with a one megapixel sensor, which is not nearly enough for crisp photos. Don't worry, this camcorder is small enough that you can still carry around your digital camera and not be weighted down.

I'm new to the world of digital video, but I'm an avid digital photographer and I've got to say that with its feature set and ease of use, I can readily recommend this camera to people who want no-hassles with good quality. Given it's pros (good auto settings) and cons (buried manual controls) it's obvious that this is meant for consumers and not prosumers, but with its excellent image quality and decent low-light performance, I think that even prosumers should think of picking this up as a good backup camera.

its good but not the best
i bought this camera a month back, and found video quality is uncomparable but stills are not upto mark. i am a professional vidographer and editor in INDIA and purchased this camcorder for professional use but disappointed in stills.
software supplied are a total waste excluding still transfer from cam to PC with USB cable. i dont heard any motor noise as others had.
for night picture quality is not very good.
in total the camera is good for daylight but not for nights.
manish, Ranchi, Jharkhand, INDIA.

Problems brand new out of box
I bought this camcorder last night. After charging the battery and attempting to use it for the very first time there was a warning on the screen "Dirty Video Head". How could that be with a brand new camcorder? I turned off the power, turned it back on, and the warning was gone. So I started filming, about 15 minutes worth, and then hooked it up to the TV to watch it back. Half of the recording did not even work~ all I had was a blue screen! The 2nd half that did record had thick grey lines running horizontally across the picture, as well as sound distortion (including the very loud motor noise others have mentioned!). I checked the troubleshooting section of the handbook and found that these lines indicate "Dirty Video Head" (again!) and that I would need to use an optional (not included) cleaning cassette!

This is unacceptable in a brand new product. I have sinced checked other review sites and found another consumer who had the same problem with their brand new Sony! This really makes me lose confidence in this company. I returned my camcorder today and will keep looking.

medium quality
In short, this is a medium quality camcorder. The picture quality is not great, the recorder is picking up the motor noise and still images are completely useless.

The AUTO mode takes the picture or video very dark. You need to adjust the exposure for better picture or video.

You cannot do anything about the recorded motor noise. it is always there

You cannot print the still images taken with this camcorder (even in 4x6). So if you buy this for the still image,dont wasteyour money and choose with better or theonew/o still pictures.

The features are very limited per the canon zseriesof camcorders. Optical zoom is 10x, which is very limited in compare to 20x (Canon)

The software works but the VCD creation is very slow with the provided SW.

So in short, this camcorder does not deserve what is costs.

Great Camera, Not Great Software
I've been into DV for over a year now, I worked for a huge media site that did a lot of video crunching and encoding. So I'm not use to this bundled software. After a while of getting into the video editing again, I finally got the quality to come out good.

The thing that is important is deinterlacing the video if you're going to watch it on the PC. I couldn't figure out how to do this in the software bundle they gave you, and it didn't come out with a good resolution. So I went to www.adobe.com and downloaded Adobe Premiere Pro 1.5, which is their newest version and is a great version.

Once I used that to capture the video and also used the deinterlacing features to deinterlace the footage, it looked great. The resolution is 720x480, which is standard DV resolution.

The reason I give this package 4 stars is because of the software bundle. It would be hard for a novice person to actually get this working. ... Read more

Features

• Professional 3-CCD MiniDV camcorder with 60i and 30p movie mode 16x optical, 160x digital zoom
• optical image stabilization 3.5-inch color LCD monitor rotates 260 degrees
• adjustable handle 16:9 widescreen recording
• selectable shutter speeds
• full manual controls Powered by lithium ion rechargeable battery pack

Product Description

Panasonic's new DMC-FZ5 Lumix digital still camera with 12x optical zoom and MEGA O.I.S. (Optical Image Stabilizer) offers 5.0-megapixel resolution and incorporates a newly developed 12x optical zoom equivalent to 36mm to 432mm on a 35mm film camera lens. The remarkable 12x optical zoom combined with 4x digital zoom magnifies images by as much as 48x, enabling users to capture images of subjects at longer distances. The DMC-FZ5 features a high-performance Leica DC VARIO-ELMARIT lens. 12x Optical Zoom and a Brightness of F2.8 to 3.3 - The LEICA DC VARIO-ELMARIT lens is a small, lightweight lens that packs the same zoom power as a big, clunky 400mm-class film camera lens. This 12x optical zoom lens is super-bright too, at F2.8 to 3.3 with a focal length of 6 to 72mm (equivalent to 36mm to 432mm in a 35mm film camera). You've got all the power and flexibility you need to take exquisitely beautiful shots all the way from telephoto to wide angle and macro. The DMC-FZ5 also has a 4x digital zoom. Use it together with the 12x optical zoom and you've got ultra-powerful 48x zooming - roughly equivalent to a huge 1680mm lens on a 35mm camera. Panasonic's MEGA Optical Image Stabilizer Helps Eliminate Blurry Pictures - Jitter from shaky hands is one of the main reasons why cameras produce blurry images. ... Read more

Features

• Stores images on Secure Digital (SD) cards; 16MB card included
• Powered by a Lithium-Ion battery pack (7.2V, 680 mAh); battery charger included
• 5.0-megapixel CCD captures enough detail for photo-quality 13 x 17-inch prints
• Amazing 12x optical zoom gets you close to the action without sacrificing image quality
• Super-fast shutter times: .008 seconds to release (not including AF time) and .4 seconds between shots

Reviews (8)

Pansonic Got It Right!
This camera has far exceeded my expectations. I am one of those geeks that research everything on the market before making a purchase. There are plenty of cameras that looked like they would meet my needs, but as I researched and tested, too many had glaring flaws or fell short on critical features.

I'm not going to waste your time and mine repeating all the details of every feature from the earlier reviewers. They did a great job of listing its strengths and weaknesses. Instead, I will waste our time sharing my personal impressions on the use and results of this fine camera.

The image stabilizer is like magic. I have been able to take indoor, hand held shots that would have been impossible with an un-stabilized camera. I cannot overstate the value of this feature. In well lit pictures the stabilization makes for a crispness I haven't seen in a point and shoot type camera (perhaps the massive Leica lens may have had something to do with this too). The flash has impressed me as well. It seems to meter very well compared to my Cannon A70. No more flash blown out shots on close up groups. Rarely did it get it wrong.

I spent yesterday at the Point Defiance Zoo in Seattle, running the FZ5 through its paces. The resulting pictures blew me away. I couldn't wipe the smile off my face looking at the pics on my computer afterwards. I'm no pro, but some of the pics were. It was a bit humorous to hear comments all day long by other Point and Shoot photographers "I wish I had more zoom", all the while I am taking crisp 12x close-ups of all the fuzzy critters in cages.

Also, I like a camera that looks and handles like a camera, not some kind of Star Trek shuttle craft with a lens on the front. The Minoltas look goofy and handle goofy. Scotty, beam me up.

Is it perfect? Nope, but so close I'm still smirking with smug satisfaction. After the zoo trip, I would like a manual focus option. There were times that glass or chain link fence made focusing a chore. Would I trade for a bigger, heavier camera that had manual focusing? Not for my uses. You can keep your bloated and clunky DSLRs. This camera carries like a Point and Shoot, but functions like a much bigger beast. Toting it around was barely noticeable (that is a key feature for me). This is a camera that you can carry easily and it excels at 95% of any use I may deem for it. The size is perfect. A gargantuan 12x stabilized lens on a camera this small is unreal (somebody pinch me).

Of course, please upgrade the included SD card. I get annoyed when reviews gripe about the small included memory cards in today's cameras. I don't want the camera company deciding for me which high capacity card to use (and jacking up the price of the camera). I say put in a tiny inexpensive card to allow camera testing, then let the end user pick their favorite card. This camera is already speed demon compared to my Canon A70. Imagine my surprise after plugging in a SanDisk Ultra II card and watching the write speeds cut in half. It was dramatic. Get a fast 10mb SD card and snap pictures at will.

As far as the review by "jjmmdd" I have to say "Either you don't know how to hold a camera still, or the camera is defective" If it is the former, spend more time on your technique. If it is the latter, then for heaven sakes, get the camera fixed or replaced. Across the board Panasonic puts out some of the most consistently reliable consumer products available. "jjmmdd", you were so very right. Every positive review written for Panasonic products is written by a Panasonic employee. Dude, put on your aluminum foil hat, check yourself for alien implants, and "buy a vowel".

Regarding the review by "D. Rosenfeld", as far as I am concerned, any "movie mode" in a "still camera" is a defect, not a feature. If you need a video camera, buy a video camera. Anyone buying a still camera for its video features is looped. It is consumers like you that make me fear the camera companies will start putting cell phones in digital cameras. D'oh! Oh another thing "D".... The stabilizer "ROCKS!!!"

It has been a while since I purchased a toy that lived up to my expectations after I lived with it for a while. The Panasonic FZ5 did just that. I'm now dreaming of this same camera with manual focus and a magnesium chassis......mmmmmm, magnesium. Wake up man!!!In the category of "Stellar, Point, and Shoot, Mega-Zoom, Cameras" This baby is getting all 5 stars from me.

(Subliminal message to follow)

Panasonic, please release the DMC-FX8 in the US market..... Panasonic, please release the DMC-FX8 in the US market..... Panasonic, please release the DMC-FX8 in the US market.....

Great Camera
Okay, maybe I'm not qualified to give it a 5 star rating since this is the first digital camera I've owned, but I've been very happy with this camera and it's performance.I've been a traditional SLR user for about 10 years, and while this camera doesn't have the full range of control of an SLR, it seems to be the best for the price if you want some manual controls and a great zoom compared to it's competitors in the same price range.I'm stopping here, the other reviews already give a lot of detail about the camera.

Almost perfect
This review should really be 4.7 stars. The only 'flaws' I have found are the absence of manual focusing (if you need that, get the Panasonic FZ20) and spot focus being potentially aimed outside of the little focus box (test where yours is).

I knew about the lack of manual focus going in, and weighed against the larger (3/4 inch wider, 1/2 inch taller, and 1 inch deeper), more expensive 20 oz. FZ20, the smaller 11 oz. FZ5 wins easily.I already own the FZ10 which is very similar to its replacement the FZ20, and its sheer size and weight prevented carrying it regularly.Its bulk is the reason I replaced it.

I'm not certain yet if my spot focus is aimed correctly, but others have had problems, and a few of my pictures have been out of focus.Many of those seem due to hand shake with a slow shutter speed.When zoomed even image stabilization/antishake technology won't compensate for slow shutter speeds - use the flash or a higher ISO.

You have the flexibility to do that because other than manual focus, you have endless options.At least 4 ISOs, shutter priority mode, aperture priority mode, manual mode, and a variety of pre-programmed shot settings if you don't want to mess with the details.Fireworks, party, night landscape, night protrait, sports, macro and on, it's all there.The exposure system is the most accurate I've seen in not over-exposing and losing white tones and highlights.The white balance is actually accurate enough that you may need to adjust it, although 'auto' does pretty well.Focusing can be whole screen, spot, high-speed spot, etc.It also has two image stabilization modes, one that gives you the greatest accuracy stabilizing, another that makes focusing easier.

An often ignored consideration in picking a camera is whether it has a focus assist light.Inside, especially at night under incandescent light, many cameras may have trouble getting enough light to focus correctly.You won't notice this in a well-lit store or outside, but when you need a picture of a birthday party or other event, half your shots will be out of focus.This has the light.I believe only Canons also have this feature consistently.

If you've made it to this camera, you are probably already aware of the benefits of an extended zoom.It's wonderful to be in total control and able to get as close as you want to your subject.Since I'm unable to hand-hold even at 6x zoom, image stabilization is vital in an ultrazoom model.

There are cameras available with more megapixels. While more pixels may give you the ability to capture more detail, that must be weighed against the file sizes created by more megapixels.You'd need extra or larger memory cards to hold those files, or compress them and lose resolution in order to fit in a smaller size.If you're only printing 4x6s or even 5x7s, it's too small to see that detail.Most web images are less than 1 MP, and a standard 1024x768 screen is also less than 1MP.If you are sending images by email, larger images and files only making it harder to send those to people with dial-up.Don't buy a camera on megapixels alone - it may be more trouble than it's worth.

Other than the FZ20, only the Konica Minolta Dimage Z5 is comparable to this model.The Dimage is heavier and larger, making the Panasonic the best option for me so that I carry it as often as possible and get the most from my investment.Other than hard-core photography afficionados who need the manual focus (or a hot shoe which this also lacks), I doubt anyone would be disappointed.

Panasonic DMC-FZ5

I just bought one and am very disappointed to find that a user can not change the degree of zooming when in movie mode; in other words, once you select a focus that includes a certain amount of telephoto zoom, you are stuck at that zoom level till you stop the movie and start a new movie. BUMMER!

Secondly, even though everyone raves about the image stabilizer, I have to say that my old Sony Mavica MVC-FD91 had/has a far superior stabilizer.

The new Canon S2 may be the way to go.

http://www.dpreview.com/news/0504/05042201canons2is.asp

Nicely done Panasonic
I have been very pleased so far with the DMC-FZ5.I have been taking very sharp pictures indoors and outdoors with the Lumix.The LCD is very readable (might not be as easy in full sunlight), and I was able to figure out most menu items without the instructions.

Image stabilization works wonders on this long zoom camera.I took a 12X zoom picture outside in a 25 mph wind, and the result was outstanding.The wind was shaking me all over, but the pic came out as crisp as can be, thanks to the image stabilization.

To Ann I say that the DMC-F5Z may be kind of big by your standards, but I would have to say this Lumix is a very compact camera, even compared to my Canon G2, which is no monster by any stretch.

To Jimmy, I am certainly not a Panasonic employee, but I can't give this camera a poor review.If 75% of your shots are blurry with the Lumix, then either your camera is defective, or the operator is defective!Is it possible to take a blurry picture with this camera?Yes, but it's pretty hard, especially with Image Stabilization turned on.

For mid-priced long zoom cameras, the Lumix DMC-FZ5 has to be at or near the top of its class, at least for right now.For those who can wait, you might want to compare this camera to the Canon 2S IS, which is coming in June. ... Read more

Features

• 6.3-megapixel sensor captures images with up to 3,008x2,000 resolution
• JPEG, RAW, RAW+JPEG image capture format
• 2.5-inch color LCD screen
• Stores images on CompactFlash memory card
• Powered by NP-400 Li-ion battery, up to 400 shots on single charge

Amazon.com Product Description

Optics and Resolution
Featuring a 5-megapixel CCD sensor, the DMC-FX7 delivers a wide range of detail and color with images up to 2560 x 1920 pixels--enough information to make photo-quality prints up to 13 by 17 inches. Leica DC Vario-Elmarit 3x zoom lens, with 3 aspheric elements, combines comfortably small size with superb image rendering. By combining with a 4x digital zoom, users will have an equivalence of a 12x zoom lens in a very compact body, though users should note that digital zoom degrades picture quality.

Movie Mode
The DMC-FX7 lets you shoot QuickTime Motion JPEG video at resolutions up to 320 x 240 pixels with sound. The amount of video you can capture is limited by space on the memory card; you'll fit more at low quality (10 frames-per-second) than at high quality (30 frames-per-second). The movies aren't camcorder quality, but they're fun and convenient, and they're perfect as e-mail attachments. You can also record audio comments, up to five seconds in length, for your still pictures.

More Features

• Flip Animation: Allows you to create your own frame-by-frame animations.
• Unlimited Consecutive Shooting: Allows consecutive shooting up to the capacity of the SD memory card.
• 2.5-inch diagonal polycrystalline TFT LCD display (114k pixels)
• Mega Burst Shooting Mode: Shoot up to seven images at three or two frames-per-second in standard resolution, or up to four images in fine resolution. This option is designed to provide you with the best selection of photos during action, such as a sporting event.

Storage and Transfer
Images and video are stored on Secure Digital (SD) memory cards. A 16 MB SD card is included. Files can be downloaded to either a Mac or PC via USB connectivity, which means it can be connected to any USB-based Windows 98/Me/2000/XP and Mac OS 8.6 or later computer without installing any software.

Printing
This camera supports the PictBridge standard. PictBridge is a technology that lets you transfer pictures from a digital camera to a compatible printer, without a PC or image-editing software. Because PictBridge is an industry standard, users can connect PictBridge-compatible devices made by many different manufacturers. Learn more about PictBridge.

Power and Size
The camera is powered by lithium-ion battery pack (included with charger). It measures 1.97 by 3.70 by 0.95 inches and weighs 0.30 pounds.

What's in the Box
DMC-FX7 digital camera, battery charger, battery pack, battery carrying case, 16 MB SD memory card, lens cap, lens hood with adaptor, A/V and USB cables, strap, and CD-ROM ... Read more

Features

• 5-megapixel sensor captures enough detail to create photo-quality 13-by-17-inch enlargements
• Leica DC Vario-Elmarit 3x zoom lens combines with a 4x digital zoom for 12x total zoom
• MEGA optical image stabilization; Mega Burst shooting mode; PictBridge compatible
• Store images on Secure Digital (SD) memory cards (16 MB SD card included)
• Powered by lithium-ion battery pack (included with charger)

Features

• 5.2-megapixel sensor captures enough detail to create photo-quality 13-by-17-inch enlargements
• 3.4x optical zoom lens; 4.1x digital zoom; 2-inch micro-reflective LCD screen; PictBridge compatible
• Thin metal body is just .8-inch thick; included PictureCradle makes image transfer and battery recharging easy
• Store images on xD Picture Cards (16 MB xD card included)
• Powered by NP-30 rechargeable lithium-ion battery (included with charger); compatible with USB 2.0

Amazon.com Review

Building on the success of the amateur range of Coolpix cameras, Nikon has introduced the Coolpix 5700 in an attempt to bridge the gap between the amateur and professional markets. This time around Nikon has gone for a semicompact feel, combining an almost palm-size unit with a powerful features one would expect to find on a high-specification midrange digital camera.

The swiveling, swing-out screen on the Coolpix 5700 makes it easier to frame self-portrait, overhead, and floor-level shots.

The Coolpix 5700 comes equipped with an automatic pop-up flash, plus a hot-shoe for additional flash units. The bundled NikonView 5 browser software makes it simple to download, organize, and print images. The package includes a lens cap, camera strap, 16 MB CompactFlash card, AV cable, USB cable, rechargeable lithium-ion battery, and battery charger. It is compatible with CompactFlash memory cards (Type I or II), as well as IBM Microdrives.

The 5700 allows the use of the viewfinder or the LCD monitor (which rotates through 180 degrees after it's opened out) for framing a picture, providing full freedom of movement and allowing you to capture a picture at any angle--no matter how obtuse. Zoom capability has been increased on the 5700, and the camera features an impressive 8x optical zoom, the results from which are good at all levels and distances. Supporting a maximum resolution of 2,560 x 1,920 (4.91 megapixels), an ISO range of 100 to 800, and a top shutter speed of 1/4,000, this camera is definitely a good all-rounder, providing you with great flexibility under different conditions.

The 5700 performs admirably, producing results way above expectation. Color balance is good, and the overall results are of a very high quality. We did have a middling complaint about its size, which actually feels a bit on the small size. With an extra couple of centimeters added to the bodywork, the 5700 would have felt much easier to handle and control in everyday usage. The position of the camera strap attachment also seems awkward, being as it is located on the upper right quadrant of the lens housing, making it sometimes difficult to gain a good grip when in use.

These criticisms aside, the Coolpix 5700 is bound to be another sure-fire hit for Nikon, balancing the huge 5-megapixel image size against a competitive pricepoint. For those not yet ready to move up to the professional level of 35mm digital SLRs such as the Nikon D100, the Coolpix 5700 proves to be a worthy alternative. --Elly Russell

Pros:

• Palm-sized 5-megapixel camera with a powerful feature set
• Includes sizeable 16 MB memory card--can accept IBM Microdrives
• 8x optical zoom

Cons:

• Could be slightly larger for easier handling

Features

• 5.0 megapixel sensor creates 2,560 x 1,920 images for prints at 11 x 14 and beyond
• 8x optical zoom and 4 x digital zoom for 32x total; provides an equivalent zoom range of 35mm-280mm in 35mm photography
• Includes 16 MB CompactFlash card; MicroDrive compatible
• Connects with PCs and Macs via USB port
• Uses 1 rechargeable Li-ion EN-EL1 battery (included)

Reviews (93)

Nikon 5700, first 1000 pictures
I have owned this camera for 6 months and find its picture quality superb. The ability to preprogram for certain functions such as cloudy lighting, movie mode, and a third incandescent light ( you can program many other features easily yourself) all easily accessible through the turn of a dial, are wonderful to have. Accessing the macro function is also readily accessible. I mad 700 pictures in the Galapagos islands, and having 5 mega pixels to crop and enlarge to make great 8X10 pictures that are really wonderful. The movie function with sound is much better than my Nikon 880. the 8X zoom functioned well. Comparing my photos with those of my fellow travelers, I think the colors are more saturated and clearer.

Reading the instruction manual is important to use all the features of this camera. Battery life is shorter than I would like. Focusing when there is not much light and at times for close-ups is slow. Since I had read about this from others, I was prepared and accepted it. I have not tried manual focusing yet. Taking pictures of fast moving objects is possible, but difficult, as with most non-professional digital cameras. I enthusiastically recommend this camera.

Color Print Film is Dead
The 8x zoom and 5 megapixels finally lured me from film about 6 months ago. I am a nature/landscape photographer using medium and large format, and gave up my 35mm equipment a few years ago. I just came back from a month long trip to the Antarctic, and the prints I've made from the Nikon are sharp,in focus, and colorful. Plusses: very good lens, great zoom, excellent meter compensation for different light levels (think ice); good color balance; good beginner photo software;a heckuva lot lighter than a view camera. Minuses: shutter lag is annoying for action shots; forget the digital zoom; automatic preview gets in the way of repeated shots (can be overridden); buy an extra battery. Overall: This is a great little camera with the right mix of automatic features for the beginner, but with plenty of options to appeal to the more advanced (and particular) photographer. Put it on a tripod and it's awesome. Well worth the price premium over lesser offerings.

I love this camera to death
This is my second digital camera and it is the best. My mom has the 35mm Nikon and she loves it. Nikon is the best name in photagraphy and it shows. I just printed out my first photos and i am so impressed with the quality. I will never buy an other brand of cameras.

Fantastic Camera
As a novice shutterbug, a simple point & shoot digital was fine at first, but as I gained confidence, and became a little more serious, I found that I had quickly outgrown my Cannon A40. The Nikon 5700 seemed to be exactly what I needed, so I purchased one. To say I love the camera, would be an understatement! I'm still learning how to do what I want to, but being completely self-taught as far as photography, I understand there will be a learning curve. The features are supurb, without being overwhelming. While I'm sure the professional would consider it "not enough"... it more than suits my needs as my "hobby" grows. Perhaps one day, I'll want/need/be ready for a high end camera, but for under 1K, this one will definately help me develop my skills for quite some time!

One of the Best for the Price!
After reading these reviews I am starting to wonder if we are even discussing the same camera; people either love it or hate it. I am of the former persuasion: I really love this camera. No, it's not perfect, but all in all it is the best digital non-SLR machine I've ever used. First I'll discuss the things I'm not happy with; then I'll cover the features of which I am. After that section I'll address some of the complaints that I've read in some of the other reviews.

Let's get started:

What don't I like? I do wish the buttons on the side of the barrel were moved as they are a bit too easy to push by mistake, though once you get used to their location that sort of goes away. I also wish the tripod mount was directly in-line with the lens, not in the middle of the bottom of the case (though to be fair, that's the way it is with most cameras).

Nikon refers to the included 16 MB Compact Flash card (think of it as your digital film, if you aren't familiar with the digital camera world) as a "starter card"; and that unfortunately is true. 16 MB only holds 12 pics at 5 megapixels.. For the price of this instrument I strongly feel Nikon could include a larger capacity card; 64 MB or higher would be ideal but I'd settle for 32. Finally, it would be nice if the camera would accept other forms of media in addition to the compact flash or micro drive. However, this final observation isn't really a major complaint. It's more like a wish.

The things I love

Picture quality is first rate! The color and clarity of the pics are superb, as is the tolerance of slight hand shake. I've taken quite a few snaps where I've known I moved my hand a little at the last moment, and the pics came out razor sharp (not so with other cams). It has auto bracketing (it will take a series of shots that vary between a range you select for white balance/exposure, adjusting slightly between shots, and display the results with the data, allowing you to choose which is the most satisfying), best shot selector (you hold the shutter release button down and the 5700 takes a series of pics-up to 10-and saves the best focused to the card), image sharpening, noise reduction, and about a million other settings. It also allows you to save up to three sets of options or settings as "user settings", so you can recall the settings with just one menu choice, instead of resetting everything again.

One of my favorite features is the macro mode. You can take sharp amazing snaps up to 3 cm or 0.8". If any of you are interested in seeing a sample, send me an email.

The printed user guide is good; not great, but good. I haven't seen any that were better, and quite a few that were worse. You could buy a third party guide to the 5700, and they are usually worth the price, as they give you tips and lessons that the manual doesn't include. Also, the Nikon web site has a multimedia manual/lesson feature for the 5700, and it is a very good overview and covers the basics well. This is provided free of charge.

The case is metal, which makes it feel substantial and allows the quality of the build to come through. I don't feel that it is too small, in fact, it feels pretty much just right and I am rather ham-handed. I also love the fact the camera can save in the RAW format for use in programs such as Photoshop CS. Working with RAW images really opens the field of creativity.

Complaints Others Have Expressed
The most common seems to be the auto-focus at low light. I've not had any trouble at all with this feature. I've taken pics in pretty dim areas and the AF worked fine. I wonder if the folks who had problems had the selected the correct settings; a read of the manual could solve the apparent problems. In addition, you can turn the auto-focus off and use the manual (focus)

I've also read some have found the buttons confusing. Now here I feel I must get on my soapbox. "Prosumer" level cameras are called such and cost the amount they do because of the quality of the images as well as the user controlled settings/features/options. If you are going to spend the kind of cash these machines cost, then it only makes sense to devote some time to learning how everything works. Any camera at this level is similar, there are just too many options to be able to make everything appear when/where every single user expects them to.

I've taught enough people to know that some folks become very frustrated very quickly no matter what the subject. If this is you then I suggest you avoid the Coolpix 5700 or any of the other cameras at this level; you'll just drive yourself nuts. There are a number of good quality point and shoot models in the market and these will be a much better match. If you are one of the folks who enjoys learning new things and the challenge of such, then these types of cameras are great. In the case of the 5700 I found the menus quite intuitive; however, you do have to read the manual to get an overview of how the camera works.

Some people also complained about the battery life. I've not experienced any problems. In fact, I own dig cams from Kodak, Olympus, Pentax and Canon, and all operate about the same as the 5700. ... Read more

Amazon.com Product Description

The successor to Canon's popular A70, the entry-level PowerShot A75 is a surprisingly advanced model with a 3.2-megapixel resolution, 3x optical zoom, and more manual features than you'll find on most digital point-and-shoots. Featuring a high-tech design with aluminum front cover and metallic handgrip, the PowerShot A75 combines a sense of both the modern and the traditional.

Optics and Resolution
The PowerShot A75 has a maximum 3.2-megapixel resolution for images up to 2048 x 1536 pixels. You'll have the depth and detail you need to create beautiful prints and impressive online results. It also has 1600 x 1200, 1024 x 768, and 640 x 480 resolution modes.

It's is equipped with a 5.4-16.2mm zoom lens (35mm film equivalent: 35-105mm) for a 3x optical zoom. It also featuresa smooth 3.2x digital zoom, for a 9.6x total zoom. The 9-point AiAF is capable of focusing the 3x optical zoom quickly even when the subject is off-center and can be switched to single point (center) AF. An auto-assist beam helps to focus in low light conditions and the camera has a 5cm closest focusing distance.

Movie Mode
In addition to still images, the PowerShot A75 can also capture video with audio (and even edit within the camera). Individual movie clips are limited to 3 minutes maximum per clip, and you have three resolution options: 640 x 480(VGA), 320 x 240, or 160 x 120.

More Camera Features
The PowerShot A75 has 12 shooting modes that not only let you take as much or aslittle creative control as you want, but offer perfect preset parameters for common shooting situations including portraits, landscapes, night scenes and sports. In addition, the camera has a new Special Scene Mode that deliverseven under the most challenging conditions.

Offering a wider scope for photographic experimentation, Canon has also included manual, aperture priority, and shutter priority exposure modes. These modes are supported by a metering system that boasts evaluative, center-weighted average and spot options. Other features include:

• 1.8-inch low-temperature polycrystalline silicon TFT color LCD (110,000 pixels) and real-image optical zoom viewfinder
• With 9-point AiAF, focus is fast and accurate no matter where your subject appears in the frame
• Photo effects: Vivid, neutral, low sharpening, sepia, and black & white
• Continuous shooting: Approximately 2.2 shots/second
• White balance control: Auto, pre-set (daylight, cloudy, tungsten, fluorescent, fluorescent H), or custom white balance
• Built-in flash with Auto, Red-Eye ReductionON/ OFF, Slow-Sync modes
• Shutter speed: 15 to 1/2,000 seconds

Canon Technology Features

• Digic Imaging Processor: While much technical discussion of digital cameras centers around the optics and the CCD sensor, the complex task of image rendering is the job of the image processor--the "brains" of a digital camera. Canon's latest, exclusive DIGIC Imaging Processor significantly enhances digital camera performance in numerous areas. DIGIC's high-speed signal processing is combined with high-capacity buffering to give Canon digital cameras fast response and continuous shooting capability unmatched by other digital cameras. DIGIC delivers longer battery life and beautiful, rich color rendition with far fewer white saturation problems. And DIGIC's unequaled precision delivers clear, noise-free images that are demonstrably superior.
• iSAPS Technology: Canon iSAPS (Intelligent Scene Analysis based on Photographic Space) technology dramatically improves the performance of AF (Autofocus), AE (Auto Exposure), and AWB (Auto White Balance). By analyzing a huge volume of photography data, accumulated over 60 years and the manufacture of over 150 million cameras, Canon engineers arrived at statistical relationships among focal length, focus distance, scene brightness, and other factors. Equipped with this "fore knowledge" Canon PowerShot cameras can optimize AF/AE/AWB settings for any given scene more rapidly and more effectively.
• Multi-point AiAF: Canon's wide-area, multi-point AiAF (artificial intelligence autofocus) automatically selects one or more focusing points based on factors, such as subject position and motion. AiAF works in conjunction with iSAPS Technology to more quickly and accurately achieve autofocus under a wide variety of shooting conditions. You get fast, accurate AF whether you hold the camera horizontally or vertically, with stationary or moving subjects, with off-center subjects, and even in low-light/low-contrast lighting.

Direct Printing/Sharing
The PowerShot A75 introduces a new Print/Share button that speeds and simplifies printing to compatible Canon and PictBridge enabled printers and 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.

Storage and Transfer
Images and video are stored on CompactFlash memory cards (Type I only) and the included 32 MB card holds approximately 33 images at the Large/Fine setting.Images can be downloaded to either a Mac or PC via USB 1.1 connectivity, which means the camera can be connected to any USB-based Windows Me/2000/XP and Mac OS 8.6 or later computer without installing any software.

Power and Size
The camera is powered by four AA batteries (alkalines included; rechargeable NiMH batteries recommended). With the LCD on, you will get approximately 250 shots on when using alkalines, or 550 shots when using NiMH batteries. It measures 3.98 by 2.52 by 1.24 inches and weighs 7.06 ounces (without batteries).

What's in the Box
This package contains the PowerShot A75 digital camera, 32 MB CompactFlash card, wrist strap (WS-200), USB and A/V cables, and 4 AA alkaline batteries. The supplied software on the CD-ROM includes browsing and printing software ZoomBrowser EX (Windows) and ImageBrowser (Mac). Other software includes PhotoStitch, plus photo and movie manipulation software ArcSoft PhotoStudio and VideoImpression. ... Read more

Features

• 3.2-megapixel sensor captures enough detail to create photo-quality 10-by-14-inch enlargements
• Canon 3x optical zoom lens combines with 3.3x digital zoom
• 9-point autofocus; movie mode; 1.8-inch LCD monitor; PictBridge compatible
• Store images on Compact Flash Type I memory cards (32 MB card included)
• Powered by 4 AA-size batteries (alkaline included, rechargeable NiMH recommended)

Reviews (29)

Cool Camera
I am very happy with this camera, The A75 has excellent image quality, Canon's new DIGIC processor does its job very well, The Canon AiAF autofocus system is more or less a joke, But this camera has plenty of manual controls to get excellent results, The macro mode is cool, Get the accessories and lens adapters and you are into a new world of Marco Photography, Many other cameras use a proprietary lithium-ion battery pack. It's nice to be able to use rechargeable or "off the shelf" batteries in this camera, Battery life with NiMH 2200mah or better is excellent, This camera is a great combination of well balanced performance, Excellent image quality and ease of use, all at a very affordable price. Go get it..!!

Fantastic Video Quality ! Great Pics !, Which canon to buy ?
I wanted only canon after owning Panasonic, Sony & Fuji Cameras, Canon Simply does it great ! Menus are awesome & software is even better.

A lot of people didn't note this ! Canon has great video quality, with A75 you can zoom before starting to record the video. It beats my $1000 DV Camcorder !!!!!!!!!!!

Canon Pic quality requires no further explanation. Esp with Canon i960 printer, it is fantastic !!!!!!!!!!!!

1. I picked A75 over A 70 becos of bigger LCD, 9-point AF, nice very useful pre-set pic modes like indoor, beach, foliage etc.
2. I picked A75 over A80 becos of better video mode (640), less heavy, brighter/bigger LCD screen, cheaper.
3. I picked A75 over S1 IS becos of AF Assist Lamp & less purple fringing.
4. A75 uses AA batteries as opposed to S50/S60. Also, S50/60 doesn't support lens attachments easily. A75 costs half of S50/60 & produces equally good pics.
5. My next replacement will be New model that replaces S1 IS with 5MP, AF Assist-lamp & cheaper Memory card of 2-4GB capacity, for now i am very happy with A75.

true love.
hi. i've used a few different digital cameras and a bunch of 35mm film cameras. the cannon A(any #) series is, by far, the most amazing things ever in their price range.<br /><br />i had a little problem with the screen on my A70, but i learned how to deal with it. i use my camera several times a day, every single day. even though it's had problems, it has also withstood much ware and tear.<br /><br />for normal usage this camera should be MORE than fine. it is easy to learn how to use quickly, and get good with shortly after that.<br /><br />i recommend it highly. it is the only inanimate object i have ever felt an emotional attachment to.

Sorry Mom
I just purchased this camera for my mom for Christmas, and I decided to try it out before I gave it to her. I LOVE this camera, it is definately the best buy for the money. The color is great, and it is light, easy to use, and the batteries last fairly long. My 7 year old son took some awesome pictures on the Auto setting. It is a great camera for non-professionals that want great famliy pictures and more. Sorry mom I might have to keep this one!

Excellent Camer for the value!
I purchased this camera about a month ago on a budget of $200 or less. I wanted at least 3.0 MP. After looking around and reading a few reviews I purchased this camera for $199.99 and have really enjoyed using this camera. I think it takes great pictures for the price range and options it has. <br /><br /><br /><br />I would only change a few things. For it to be lighter ( batteries add quite a bit of weight to the camera) and for the picture screen to be a little bigger and clear from all angles. I have to look straigt on to view or show the pictures. I would love to have a better close up zoom too. I agree that the action shutter speed can be a bit slow, BUT, I know I will have to "upgrade" to get more advanced features. <br /><br /><br /><br />I was bery impressed with a picture I took of my son in the dark using the night preset mode (I love all the preset modes, I think it has 15) and I couldn't even see my son in the picture viewer but I took the picture anyway. It came out awesome! Even when I loaded it on the computer, it still looked good. I even got the moon one night however, again, the zoom didn't prove to be strong enough for a good picture. But, hey, The Moon?<br /><br /><br /><br />The A75 works great for taking pictures of my son, vacationing and products for my website at a very affordable price. I would recommend this to anyone wanting an entry level, easy to use camera on a budget. <br /><br /><br /><br />It also came with a memory card, so that was a bonus for me not to have to buy additional memory. If you look around you can get this camera for $189.00 online and sometimes with FREE ADDITIONAL memory with in store specials. GREAT DEAL!! <br /><br /><br /><br />I also looked through the manuals that came with the camera and they had zoom lenses and waterproof cases that could be bought to go with it and the front lense screws off to add the lens to the camera. I am going to look into that to see if I can get my better zoom by adding a zoom lens?<br /><br /><br /><br />p.s. I helped a stranger take a picture of their family and they had a mid-range olympus digital and I was not impressed. It was lighter but felt cheap. So, knowing what I have and what I paid, I was very happy I had the A75 with me! :) ... Read more

Product Description

Samsung Consumer (DVD/TV/etc) (SCD353) Samsung 3.5" LCD Mini-DV Camcorder ... Read more

Features

• Enhanced image quality (DSP6)
• PictBridge
• Upgraded USB streaming (VGA 30 frames per second)
• 20x optical zoom
• Memory stick slot

Reviews (2)

Battery life and availability is a BIG problem.
Pros - Nice and small and easy to carry. Software fairly easy to use. Middle of the road performance from an inexpensive camcorder.
Cons - The lack of a video light makes the camera performance poor in low light.Still captures are low quality.
Major Con - Battery life leaves a lot to be desired and additional batteries are very difficult to locate.This Camcorder has the smallest camcorder battery I've ever seen (SB-LSM80). I can only get between 40 minutes to an hour record time out of it, far short of what the manual claims. Then, it takes an hour and a half to fully re-charge which must be done in the camera since an external charger is not available.It also appears the battery only charges while the camera is off.I searched around and accessories are simply not available for this camera.Amazon.Com incorrectly lists the Samsung SB-L110 & Samsung SBL-220 batteries as accessories for this camcorder but the site is incorrect and the batteries are not interchangeable with the SB-LSM80 the unit uses.Neither Amazon.Com nor any of my local Samsung retailers carry extra batteries for this camcorder and a few did stock this very camcorder model.I had to order additional batteries from a Samsung Part distributor as that was the only place I could locate them.

Nice but buy extra batteries!!!
So I got this item and the first thing I did was charged the battery. After the battery was charged, I started to play with it to get used to the functions. So I played with the item for 15-20 minutes and turned it off.The next day, I took the camera to the motocross to watch my daughter race and when I went to start filming, the battery was dead.SoI went home to charge the battery and to read the manual to see if I was missing something.Come to find out, it states in the manual that if you leave the battery connected to the camera, the camera will use the battery's energy even with it off.So if you get this camera, remove the battery from the camera when you are not using it and the battery will stay charged.I have tested this and it works but its really not something that the consumer should worry about.Other than that, the camera is easy to use, great in size and weight and fits very well even in my large hand. ... Read more

Features

• 6-megapixel sensor captures enough detail to create photo-quality 14-by-19-inch enlargements
• 3x optical GT Hexanon zoom lens
• 1.3-second start-up time; capture movie clips up to 30 seconds with audio; PictBridge support
• Store images on Memory Stick or Secure Digital (SD) memory cards; 16 MB SD card included
• Powered by rechargeable lithium-ion battery NP-600 (included with charger)

Reviews (1)

G600, more to be desired
Opinion
Fredrik in Sweden.

I had a 3 Mpix Olympus D-550 (C-300) for 12 months and it has been very difficult to find a better camera when it broke.

I first bought a Casio QV 5700, a semi-big and very sophisticated camera. It had all the features I wished for, bright optics, manual settings etc. but the size and ancient slow action bothered me. I swiftly returned it.

I realized I wanted something pocketable with great performance. Since no reviews on the web met my demands I finally went for the G600, the heir of a test winner, unreviewed until now.

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The G600 with a spare battery and 512 Mb is a good setup. After the first charge of 14 hours the battery was good for 250 images (no flash, always display and 3 unloads) The very first charge also charges the onboard memory battery so it will perform better after that. It also takes 10 cycles before the battery is ripe. I expect 300-350 images.

Charging takes 2 hours with the bundled charger, neat.

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A normal image in fine mode takes up about 1500-2800 kb of space. => 240 images on my SD card.

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The shutter lag is ok, but not as awesome as I got the impression of. (with focus lock it is pretty instant)

I flung a stick into the evening air and shot it while it fell and the result was really neat and sharp. (See sample)

Startup time is really quick.

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The size is dreamy. You can hardly feel it is in your front pocket on a pair of tight jeans. The metal gives it a sturdy feel.

The blue LED's on the front are a nuissance. They provide extra light for focusing etc. I don't know when they are activated, or if I can turn it off.

---

I have some sample images for you here.
All handheld on a grey spring evening in Sweden.
http://www.microsaft.com/g600/ this page.

Problems
I dislike using flash, as a result indoor images turn up dark.
Some are VERY dark with the automatic setting in spite of normal illumination.
I somewhat enhanced this by increasing ISO to 200.

Still not as good as my Olympus D-550 (C-300) in low light. I feel it necessery to switch between ISO modes for indoor and outdoor shots. Requires clicking in the menu.

The G600 wants to use flash at all times indoors. Flash make the pictures flat and boring. I want to capture atmosphere, not cold hard vectors.

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The Automatic "focus depth" was very tight.
If I focus on my face, the eyes look great but the nose gets blurry. (My nose isn't huge). I am not sure how to compensate for this. (still learning)
In macro mode this is apparent when shooting a fat larva where half the larva is out of focus. Unless you only photograph coins... this is a problem.

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In the evening, the automatic light control make the images a tad less bright and less in contrast than real life. Increasing brightness and contrast +25 and +25 in Pshop helps evening pictures.

I suspect this can be adjusted in the white balance settings.

Much of this can be compensated for, with internal tweaking, once and for all. The colors overall are very natural and life like.

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The multi spot autofocus tend to pick the items in the background and not the thing I want to shoot.
I saw no reason to use spot metering until I got the G600.

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The amount of "flawed images" are less than with the Casio, and I think that when I get used to this one it will perform as well as the point and shoot Olympus. I am well on my way.
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I would love it if it had a "speed dial" to chose
between different scene modes.

The sound and avi format works very well.
16 seconds amount only to 2800 kb.

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I'd rather they had two compartments for batteries than two for memory cards. Running out of juice is a bummer when you are to shoot the sunset from the top of a hill.

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Some would say that the zoom is too fast.
It is, like the Borg would say, ...efficient.

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It could be easier to record sound and movies. The menu system requires clicking... clicking...

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I need to test the lense and ccd more, with some colorful sunsets, but so far the quality is really nice. I can count individual strains of hair on my head on my images. I'll keep this one, because it is portable and creates great images under the right conditions and decent images under strain.
A third battery may be an investment.

Manual settings will work out some of my problems.

---

/Fredrik

My free for all, no copyright 1000+ image archive.
(Most shot with the Olympus, but that will change.) http://www.microsaft.com ... Read more

Product Description

1.33-megapixel CCD * advanced DIGIC DV image processor * 16:9 widescreen video mode * digital photo mode with built-in flash * 2-1/2" color viewscreen * ... Read more

Features

• Powered by NB-2LH Lithium-ion battery pack
• Compact MiniDV camcorder with 1.33-megapixel still capability and built-in still flash
• 18x optical zoom and 360x digital zoom with image stabilization
• 2.5-inch LCD screen with backlight
• Built-in slot for SD memory cards and MultiMediaCards

Reviews (2)

Canon ripped me off
I am so frustrated with my Canon Elura. Apparently Canon Eluras have a structural flaw, and after a few months using it a message to eject the tape starts to pop all the time. Some people are even considering a collective lawsuit against Canon. The camera was great when it was working. But I am pretty convinced that the fate of 95% of all Canon Eluras after 6 months are the same as mine: the garbage bin. Just check all the online reviews. If you want a "perishable" good, then go ahead and buy your Elura. If you want a "durable" good, I would recommend you a Sony. It lasts for decades. I read the bad reviews about the Canon Elura 85 and decided to spend several hundred dollars on one. I Lost my money and my camera after a few months (Canon warranty and factory service are a joke). I took my chances. Would you take yours?

Good camcorder but ........
I bought this camcorder recently and I am satisfied with its performace. The only reason I am taking off a few ** (stars) from this product is due to the reason that you cannot transfer videos from MiniDV to your computer using USB port. It required IEEE 1394 firewire cable (Cannon does not supply this cable with the camcorder) and a computer which has compatible port (not common in many computers and so you end up buying a suitable card for your computer if you wish to transfer the videos). ... Read more

Features

• 256 MB capacity
• Maximum data transfer speed - 25MHz
• Up to 10 Mbps Data transfer write speed
• Read Speed - Up to 3 Mbps
• Includes SD Memory Card case

Features

• 3.2-megapixel sensor captures enough detail to create photo-quality 10-by-13-inch enlargements
• 3x optical zoom combines with 3.3 digital zoom for 10x total zoom
• 1.8-inch LCD display; PictBridge enabled; Quicktime movie mode
• Store images on xD memory cards
• Powered by 2 AA-size batteries (alkaline included, rechargeable NiMH recommended)

Reviews (7)

WOW! what a great camera
After much deliberation I purchaced this camera to take pictures of my new son; knowing Olympus's great quality and userfriendly apperatus I did not think I would be dissapointed, I was not.<br /><br />The photos from this camera, particularily in superfine mode are outstandingly crisp and clear, after ordering prints online (including 8x10s) I realized what a signifigant purchase this was there was virtually no difference between the prints and photographic prints.<br /><br />Two hints for anyone wanting to buy this camera however<br />a) buy the 256mb card it is worth it for the 115 SHQ shots you'll get<br /><br />b) it is absolutely nessessary to buy a battery charger with four Ni-MH batteries. These will last you one whole day. about 70-80 shots.

A really great compact camera...
I received this camera as a gift and subsequently took it on a long trip to Russia (instead of my bulky SLR film camera). This camera was outstanding: easy to use, produces good quality pictures, lightweight. It makes toting "regular" camera gear around too cumbersome to contemplate: this camera slips into a pants pocket easily enough. As my first digital camera, it's everything I had hoped it would be and more.

The software (Olympus's Camedia) is pretty good and relatively easy to use, although managing your pictures can be more work than it needs to be. Maybe I'll upgrade that to the Pro version. Nonetheless, I was downloading pictures quickly and everything worked cleanly. The main reason to use the software (rotating pictures) is convenient.

The camera itself is lightweight and pretty durable (my son dropped it a few times and it survived just fine). The 16 MB card that comes with it is too small for realistic use, but a 128 MB card is easy to purchase: budget for it, as you'll want the storage. There are only a few minor annoyances that you'll want to compare to other cameras before choosing this one (I don't think anyone else does it any better).

First, this camera (like many digital cameras) devours batteries. The "low battery" warning comes on very quickly--way too quickly, since battery life far exceeds the warning. However: as the battery runs down, the camera itself processes more and more slowly. So I've found that you'll often miss shots because you need to know about a second in advance to push the button. The lag between "go" and the camera firing is annoying.

Second, the zoom control is a bit difficult to use. It's located on top of the camera and twists, an action that I find difficult to perform while aiming the camera. I've taken to holding the camera at about chest level to shoot pictures so that I have better control.

Overall, the picture quality settings are easy to manage and the pictures themselves are bright, clear, and sharp. The autofocus is almost always perfect and you'll rarely dig into the menus to adjust the camera performance. The panorama capability doesn't seem to work, but it's an extraneous feature.

In any case, this is a great little camera. It does everything a digital camera should, is well made, and makes me a happy camper.

Great Pics, A lot of Functions and affordable
This tiny, light and easy to use camera is a perfect choice for those who aren't professionals, but in some cases even for those... the Super macro mode, which lets it take pictures from 2 cm away, is awsome, and you can't find this on no other camera inn it's price category...It takes great crispy pictures and it has a super-powered flash light.. Except it doesn't record sounds...it's the perfect camera.

Awesome little camera
I searched high and low for a new digital camera, buying and returning 4 different cameras in a week before finding this awesome little Olympus. I tried cameras from Kodak, Fuji, and Canon and none of them compared to this camera. It is small, simple to use, and affordable. First off the LCD display is extremely crisp and clear and the menus are very user-friendly. The camera starts up fasts and takes pictures relatively quickly also. I will say, it is not the best with batteries.(a common problem in digital cameras though) Just invest in some good rechargables, it's worth it. Anyway, my pictures, snapshots and closeups, come out very sharp and look comparable to those taken with a 5mp camera I have. I think if you are looking for an affordable, portable, great new digital camera invest in the Camedia-540.

Colorful, Razor-sharp Pictures - Highly Recommended!
I have the Canon A80 (4.0 Megapixels) and also bought this new camera (known over here as Olympus C-310) recently. While the Canon may have a 1.5 inch swivel LCD screen, this camera has a larger & more pleasant 1.8 inch LCD screen, definitely takes SHARPER pictures, and has less chromatic aberration (purple fringing). It does have slightly more picture noise (i.e. digital 'film grain') compared to the Canon, but you will notice this only if you have a keen eye for it. (the extra picture noise probably arose from the more aggresive sharpening algorithm employed by Olympus as compared to Canon)

The heavier & more solid Canon uses 4 AA batteries and last for hours upon hours even on alkaline batteries, but you can only take a few more shots once its low-battery warning flashes. In contrast, the Olympus uses 2 AA batteries only and is therefore much lighter, but one caveat - on both new & newly charged rechargeable 2100mAH NiMH batteries (2100 mAH and above are strongly recommended), the low-battery warning indicator does start flashing too soon, when the camera gets warm.

However, I have found to my surprise that with the low-battery indicator persistently flashing, this camera still allowed me to take approx. another 120 continuous shots, around 80 of which had used flash. This means that while rechargeable battery life is actually ok for the camera, the low-battery warning is way too premature to be relied upon.

While this camera also lacks other features found on the more expensive Canon and requires the newer, smaller (and more expensive) xD memory card, it is very much more pocketable, and has a new hidden Ace - the 'Super Macro Mode' hidden in the Menu option, which allows fantastic close-up photos from under 1 inch (2 cm) away, compared to the Canons and Nikons which can only go as close as 2 inches (4-5 cm) max only.

Overall, this camera takes very colorful, contrasty, razor-sharp pictures, and pictures taken with the flash were also well exposed. I have noticed that the latter are definitely brighter than those taken with competing Nikons, such as the Coolpix 2100/3100 & newer 2200/3200 range, which seem to suffer from slightly underpowered flash and remain unrectified by the manufacturer until this very day.

VERDICT: HIGHLY RECOMMENDED - despite the premature low-battery indicator, the camera delivers one of the very best picture quality in its price category, with a new hidden bonus (Super Macro Mode!). This is my very first review ever at Amazon.com, and I hope this short review has helped. ... Read more

Amazon.com Product Description

The Kodak EasyShare LS743 combines compact design, enhanced sharing features, superb image quality, and ease of use to help you capture and enjoy those moments that make life enjoyable. The sleek, slim aluminum LS743 is slim enough to easily fit in your pocket, and it weighs under 6 ounces. It features a 4-megapixel resolution, professional-quality Schneider-Kreuznach C-Variogon 2.8X compact optical zoom lens, Kodak's new Color Science image processor, movie mode with up to VGA resolution, 1.8-inch LCD, rechargeable lithium-ion battery, 16 MB internal memory, and compatibility with SD and MCC memory cards. For a step up in price, the LS753 offers a 5-megapixel resolution and a 32 MB internal memory.

Optics and Resolution The LS743 has a 4-megapixel resolution for 2304 x 1728 images and photo enlargements up to 20 x 30 inches. Other resolution modes include 2304 x 1536 (4 MP, 3:2 aspect ratio), 1656 x 1242 (2 MP), and 1200 x 900 (1 MP). The Schneider-Kreuznach C-Variogon 2.8x optical zoom lens is also supplemented by a 3.6x digital zoom. Working with renowned German professional optics designer Schneider-Kreuznach, Kodak equipped the camera with an f/3.0 - 4.9 aspheric lens with a 6-16mm focal range (36-100mm, 35mm equivalent).

Movie Mode
The LS743 can capture both full-motion video (24 frames per second at 320 x 240 pixels, or QVGA) and TV-resolution video (VGA; 640 x 480 pixels at 13 fps) with capacity dependent on available memory (16 MB internal memory included; additional memory may be added via the SD/MMC expansion slot). You can also limit the length of your clips to 5, 10, or 30 seconds. With the 16 MB memory, you can shoot a 2-minute QVGA video.

More Features

• 1.8 inch (4.6 cm) high-resolution (134K pixel) indoor/outdoor display with 2x or 4x magnify, slide show, multi-up, fast scroll, protect, and album review modes
• Scene modes: auto, portrait, close-up, self-portrait, museum/manner, night, night portrait, sport, landscape, snow, beach, party
• Burst mode: 3 frames per second, up to 6 pictures
• Built-in flash with auto, red-eye, fill, and off modes
• Click to capture: 0.7 seconds (preview on), 0.8 seconds (preview off)
• White balance modes: auto, daylight, tungsten, fluorescent

Storage and Transfer
Images can be stored within the LS743's 16 MB internal memory, or on optional Secure Digital (SD) or MultiMedia (MMC) memory cards. It connects to Macs and Windows-based PCs via USB 2.0 connectivity.

Sharing
With a touch of the red-jeweled Share button, you can store up to 200 pictures in an on-camera digital album. These pictures can then be shared anytime on the camera's large, 1.8-inch, high-resolution (134,000 pixels) indoor/outdoor LCD screen. The Share button also allows selection of photos for printing and even e-mailing, with up to 32 e-mail addresses stored in the camera's memory.

Kodak Color Science Image Processing Chip
Kodak's Color Science Image Processing Chip offers a new high-speed digital image processor, advanced algorithms, and hardware acceleration features that enable the LS743 make simultaneous, split-second decisions to produce rich, vibrant, true-to-life colors in almost any lighting situation. Each time you click the shutter, the Kodak Color Science Chip performs an instantaneous and advanced analysis of collected scene data to identify and correct multiple factors that influence picture quality. Scene light source is detected and adjustments are made to capture bright whites and true, vivid colors under difficult lighting conditions--fluorescent, tungsten or daylight. Scene content is analyzed for luminance, focal distance, subject matter orientation and color to determine the correct exposure and capture the natural details, accurate flesh tones, and rich colors you see in your composition.

Power and Size
The LS743 is powered by a proprietary rechargeable lithium-ion battery (1050 mAh), which can be charged via the included battery charger or an optional EasyShare Camera Dock. The KLIC-5001 battery can shoot approximately 350 images on one charge. The camera measures 4.3 x 1.9 x 1.2 inches and weighs 5.8 ounces.

What's in the Box
This package contains the EasyShare LS743 digital camera, rechargeable lithium-ion battery (KLIC-5000), battery charger, neck strap, USB and A/V cables, and custom camera insert for optional EasyShare Camera and Printer Docks.

Like all EasyShare cameras, the LS743 includes Kodak EasyShare software for Windows and Macintosh systems, providing effortless digital picture transfer, organization, basic editing, sharing and printing. The software's exclusive One Touch to Better Pictures feature--which takes advantage of proprietary color technologies developed by Kodak--helps Windows OS 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

• 4-megapixel resolution for photo-quality 11 x 14 sized enlargements
• Schneider-Kreuznach C-Variogon 2.8x optical zoom lens with 3.6x digital zoom (for 10x total zoom)
• Multi-zone auto-focus; 1.8" high-resolution color LCD display; video capture with audio limited by memory card
• Store pictures in 16MB internal memory or on Secure Digital (SD) memory cards (SD memory card not included)
• Powered by rechargeable lithium-ion battery (included with charger); compatible with EasyShare 6000-series camera and photo docks

Reviews (5)

Great Buy!
This is my first Digital Camera purchase - and BOY am I glad I got the Kodak LS743! I have a husband & 2 daughters and I take pictures all the time-My film developing bill was high! Now I can pick and choose the shots I want to print. I can also create family albums on the computer - to eventually be put onto CD's & set to music!
They have the 5 megapixel camera's out, but I really don't think that I see that much of a difference with this 4 megapixel. I get Great photos-sharp & clear. And the zoom lets me be flexible with my shots. The color is awesome!-These pictures turn out beautiful!!
This is a smaller camera than any I saw. I like the sleek design.
You can also shoot 2 minutes of QVGA video. I haven't done enuf with this feature yet, but I know it's longer than some camera's on the market allow for video time.
I have used the Auto mode quite a bit while getting used to the camera, but it also has portait, close-up, night, sport, snow, & many other modes! It has flash, & red-eye reduction. You can even store email addresses in the camera & hit the "share" button to share special photos with your contacts. It comes with a rechargable lithium-ion battery and a sleek charger that you can plug into an outlet.
This camera is simple to learn & the pictures are amazing! I highly recommend this camera!

Compact & Easy to Use
I've been considering a digital camera for almost a year, and my in-laws have a Kodak 6330 that they like a lot. Kodak's general ease-of-use was a definite draw to me.

I bought the LS743 yesterday, and it was very easy to set up and begin using. Battery life is excellent, and the battery is rechargeable (I bought a 2nd battery for only $20 to have a spare, too). The camera is compact but seems very well-put-together. My in-laws have a 6000 dock, and this camera will work on it, too.

The lens is an upscale lens that is supposed to be a bit better than Kodak's lower-end models - I haven't taken enough pictures yet to notice the difference.

I'd say the camera is excellent for beginners, but also there are plenty of features in the system for someone who wants to be able to adjust the shots on their own for a more-customized photo. (At least it seems that way from reading the user guide.) :-)

All in all, great little camera!

WOW ! You can't go wrong with this camera
If you are a DP Pro, then please dont read this review. But, if you are like the majority who wants an easy, reliable Digital camera and 'MOST OF THE TIME USE BASIC FEATURES ONLY' person you must read on.

I bought this camera after doing lot of research in the net and feedback from my peers. When I got this, I was amazed to see the picture quality and easiness in using it. I was shooting with in 3 hrs after the Fedex guy left. (You've to charge the battery for ~3 hours before first use). I still have to invent all the advanced features and modes of the camera. But, if all DEFAULT and AUTO modes are this good, then I am sure it will be BETTER with advanced features. The battery life time is pretty good too.
Only concern is, the door for the output terminals (USB/Adapter),that looks bit shaky!

After my initial research, things got filterd in to just three items: One Sony model and two Kodak model, CX7430 and LS743. Sony may be great but it was not good for me because
1)Seen pathetic remarks about their customer service
2)It has only 90 days warranty.
If you combine both(1) and (2) above, its risky to buy their product. I dont beleive in buying extended waranty for electronic stuff because the technology changes rapidly and, in another 2 years, you'll find yourself in a situation to buy a new camera than paying for Extended warranty. Since Kodak has one year warranty and my 'platinum' credit card has another one year free extended warranty, I had to decide between CX7430 and LS743. It was a tough decison, because both cameras are good. But the LS743 is the one that got PCMAG's Editors choice award (...) Looks like, it was a perfect decision.

Awesome
I was trying to buy a good 4MP camera and was comparing between the LS743 and Nikon 4300

Since i had a KODAK 2MP camera and results were preety good, so i decided to go ahead with the latest LS743 and am happy to take that decision.

The camera is supercool in looks and takes superb pictures both in light and dark.

I think it is a very good camera in the 4MP range.

A Customer from snellville georgia 4 -8 -2004
4MP Kodak LS743camera.....EXCELLENT for beginners
I LIKE TO SAY,
I CHOSE THE KODAK LS743 CAMERA BECAUSE IT WAS A NEW CAMERA. THIS CAMERA IS EXCELLENT FOR BEGINNERS THE PRICE IS LITTLE HIGH But IT'S WORTH THE PRICE IT TAKES GREAT PITURES the
LCD screen is 1.8 very nice view, the pitures comes out great even at night, great (flash).This is a great family digital camera.The manual is easy to follow,

YOU ALSO CAN GO ON LINE AT WWW.KODAK.COM AND THEY WILL HELP YOU WITH YOUR LS743 CAMREA.

DON'T FOR GET TO BUY 6000 KODAK CAMERA DOCK/PRINTER IT WORKS GREAT, THE DOCK WILL CHARGE YOUR BATTERY .

YOU CAN ALSO CHANGE THE PICTURE QUALITY 4MP,3.5MP,2.1MP,1.1MP THEY ALL TAKE GREAT PITURES.The lower the mp the more pitures you can take, now i'm using 2.1mp
THE PITURES ARE EXCELLENT.THE CAMERA IS SMALL, FOR ME THAT IS GREAT.

IT COMES WITH A NECK STRAP,CUSTOM DOCK INSERT*,USB CABLE,KODAK EASYSHARE LI-ION RECHARGEABLE BATTER (KLIC-5000) AUDIO/VIDEO CABLE (FOR VIEWING PICTURES AND VIDEO ON TELEVISION)EASYSHARE SOFTWARE CD. ... Read more

Amazon.com Product Description

The PowerShot A400 digital camera and Canon Pixma ip3000 photo printer have all the quality you expect from a Canon, with a price to make you smile. The A400's easy-to-use technology produces great results, and with the amazingly fastm advanced Pixma printer, taking and printing images is a joy.

Camera Features:

• Easy to use
• 3.20-megapixel sensor and 2.2x optical zoom
• Canon Visionary Technology
• 12 shooting modes
• 9-point AiAF
• VGA movies with sound
• PictBridge/Canon Direct Print compatible
• Print/Share button
• Canon iMAGE Gateway

A Camera That's Fun
From the Canon Visionary Technologies that deliver great shot after shot to the easy access special scene modes, everything about the PowerShot A400 is designed to make photography simple. A camera that takes the hard work out of super results, leaving you to focus on capturing the right moment. And with 3.2 megapixels, you'll be delighted at the detail and quality of your digital images and photo prints.

The A400's 3.2 megapixel CCD offers superb clarity and detail.

Images to Impress
A Canon high-performance lens ensures outstanding image quality from one corner of the picture to the other. Its 2.2x optical zoom is great for closing in on the action, while the macro close-up function lets you focus on objects as little as 5 centimeters away. A 9-point AiAF auto-focus system keeps subjects in focus--even when they are not centered in the frame.

Great Images in All Conditions
A special scene mode gives access to eight clever presets for excellent results in tricky conditions: Portrait, Night Scene, Foliage, Snow, Beach, Fireworks, Underwater and Indoor. Special effects include Sepia, Black & White and Vivid color.

The retractable 2.2x optical/3.2x digital zoom lens gives you a combined 7.0x zoom power.

Play with Movies
The PowerShot A400 takes up to three-minute movie clips (up to 30 seconds at VGA quality), complete with sound recording, fun playback, and in-camera editing on the 1.5-inch LCD screen. You can even connect your camera to the TV to share the best moments with family and friends.

Software
With Canon's ZoomBrowser EX (for Windows) and ImageBrowser (for Macintosh) you can download, store, manage, and edit your photos with ease. You can also arrange albums, add comments, and create slide shows. Online sharing is easy with 100 MB free storage space on Canon iMAGE Gateway.

Splash Out
With protection to a depth of 3 meters, the PowerShot A400's optional All Weather Case opens up new worlds of creativity, from snorkeling to skiing. Other optional accessories include a soft case to keep your camera good as new, an AC adapter kit, and a rechargeable NiMH battery charger kit.

Print at Home
Get beautiful prints instantly with or without a PC with the bundled Canon PIXMA ip3000 Photo Printer. Simply connect your camera to the printer, hit the Print/Share button and you'll have a photo in your hands within seconds. The button also simplifies uploading to any Windows PC. When connected to a Canon Compact Photo Printer, the PowerShot A400 allows you to create handy ID photo prints.

Canon Pixma iP3000 Photo Printer
The Canon Pixma iP3000 Photo Printer delivers speed, quality, and convenience in a stylish package. How fast is it? It produces up to 22 pages per minute (ppm) in black and up to 15 ppm in color, and a beautiful 4-by-6-inch borderless print takes only 36 seconds (highest-speed mode, ideal conditions). Plus, you have the convenience of direct photo printing: simply connect any PictBridge-compatible digital camera or DV camcorder, and print. This PC-free process eliminates the need to be tied to your computer, saving you time.

But the Pixma iP3000 Photo Printer isn't just fast. It also achieves impressive detail and clarity as a result of Canon's Full-photolithography Inkjet Nozzle Engineering (FINE). This technology features an upgraded 1,600-nozzle print head that ejects precise, consistent droplets as small as 2 picoliters, for amazing photo-realism. This high-efficiency printer also uses a specially formulated black ink for laser-like text on reports and letters, along with high-intensity color inks for brilliant photos and graphics. Your borderless photos, from 4 by 6 up to 8.5 by 11 inches will have the look and feel of traditional photographs.

Canon Think Tank System
To help reduce printing costs, this efficient system has four individual ink tanks that let you replace only the color that runs out, rather than an entire cartridge containing unused ink. Plus, a unique low-ink sensor alerts you when ink levels are low, so you are prepared to just drop in a new tank when needed.

Features:

• Up to 22 ppm black, up to 15 ppm color
• Dual paper path with built-in two-sided printing
• Maximum 4,800 x 1,200 color dpi resolution with microscopic droplets as small as 2 picoliters
• Direct photo printing from PictBridge compatible digital cameras and DV camcorders
• 4 individual ink tanks help reduce waste and can save you money
• Borderless 4-by-6-inch photographs in approximately 36 seconds

Features

• Tilt/Scan tools for moving the camera vertically, with Pan/Scan tools for horizontal motion
• Pan and tilt, center the image automatically or choose from 8 preset positions
• Compact design with hideable lens, for added comfort and privacy
• Automatically upload images to an FTP server or Web page -- images can be viewed by 30 users at once
• Built-in thermal sensor can be programmed to email an alert with an image attached, whenever someone gets near your computer

Features

• 7.1-megapixel resolution for photo-quality poster-plus sized enlargements
• 5x optical zoom lens combines with 6x digital zoom for 30x total seamless zoom
• 2-inch semi-transmissive LCD features glare-reduction technology
• Versatile with 12 shooting modes and an array of manual controls
• TruePic TURBO image processor and PictBridge technology allow for quicker start-up, use, and printing