Aiptek PCM13 PenCam 1.3MP Digital Camera

by Aiptek

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 1.2 x 1.3 x 3.5 inches ; 1.6 ounces
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B000069Z5H
• Batteries: 2 AAA batteries required. (included)
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (25 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #11,549 in Camera & Photo (See Top 100 in Camera & Photo)
• Discontinued by manufacturer: Yes
• Date first available at Amazon.com: July 1, 2003

Product Description

From the Manufacturer

The new Mini PenCam truly is the smallest megapixel camera on the market. At just over 1 inch x 1 inch x 3 1/2 inches it can easily be completely concealed in the palm of your hand. It's also light enough for you to wear around your neck with the included lanyard. It's a fashion statement and digital camera all-in-one! Marvel at the technology of this amazing new gadget.

Digital Camera
Take stunning digital photos with your Mini PenCam! No film needed. Quickly and easily manage all your images and video files. The included software allows you to visually browse and organize folders.

Web Cam
Plug it into your USB port and it's your video conferencing camera! Use video e-mail software to send personal e-mail to your family, friends and clients. Capture still images with your camera and achieve a wide range of dazzling special effects with easy-to-use photo retouching tools. Use video-conferencing software such as NetMeeting to "see" your family and friends on the internet.

Digital Camcorder
Record digital video to capture wonderful moments. Simply press the video button and your Mini PenCam will immediately capture motion. Record home projects, direct your own movies, and capture special moments! Friendly software guides you step by step to edit your video file and create your very own movies.

Product Description

Mini Pen Cam 1.3 Mega Pixel. 3 in 1 digital camera, digital camcorder, and PC camera. Smallest true mega-pixel digital camera. 16MB DRAM Memory (Video storage), 16MB Flash Memory (Photo storage) Total of 32MB built into camera.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

25 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Limited but extremely useful, August 19, 2002

By 

Steveaz "Steve" (Queen Creek, AZ) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Aiptek PCM13 PenCam 1.3MP Digital Camera (Electronics)

The Aiptek comes with batteries, USB cable, a mount for desktop/computer top mounting for use as a web cam, an adjustable neck loop and software which includes 'Mega Manager' and Ulead 'Video Studio' and 'Cool 360' (for making a 360 degree spread). It is so light to carry; I use the neck loop and place the camera in my top pocket where it is more secure and readily available.
When turned on one can cycle through a small list on the menu for a short video, single shots or erasing selected files or all contents. The lens focuses for normal portrait/landscape or up close; a very simple utility. Shooting is a breeze: literally, point and shoot using the eyepiece but KEEP THAT CAMERA STEADY. With no zoom one may have to get rather close to the subject and it prefers good sunlight. The camera turns itself off after a short period of inactivity. Picture quality is only average, but then this is not a mega-pixel camera: personally I find it more than adequate for quick snaps, email and for fun things. The web cam feature is fun as I work in an office with 6-foot high cubicles and I just raise the camera arm height and literally 'have a look around' to see who is nearby!
Getting files onto a PC and emailing is a breeze but I haven't tried the "Cool 360" yet.
One problem which caught me napping several times is that the batteries run down for a pastime. It uses two AAA batteries but you MUST carry spares if you want to shoot more than, say thirty shots, even though it will hold many more. When the batteries get low, it just refuses to take any more pics, not even a "low battery" warning.
So, in brief, a great useful and fun camera for the money; grainy but good-enough pics; bad battery duration., don't go out without spares.
Would I recommend it: Most positively but remember it's limitations. It suits me real fine.

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good little camera, September 13, 2002

By 

kjwilli "kjwilli5" (Pensacola, Florida United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Aiptek PCM13 PenCam 1.3MP Digital Camera (Electronics)

A couple of years ago I bought a digital camera (640 X 320) to see if I would really use it. Several hundred photos later I knew I needed something better. My digital did very nice landscapes but nothing close up and people looked "boxy". I was hesitant about buying an expensive camera because you never get to see the pictures the camera is capable of taking and I didn't want to spend a lot of money and have the same problems. We saw this little one advertised as a 1 Megapixel and I said "no way". Later I saw the same camera in [local store] with a copy of a picture attached saying "actual picture taken with camera". It was great. I bought the camera and have been very happy. I did not expect it to perform like a more expensive one with lots of features but it has really surprised and pleased me. It takes worse pictures in low light than my 640 x 320 but I am more than happy with its real features. The close up works GREAT! I can take pictures of documents and they are clear and readable. And I can take it to the beach and take shots of the kids playing in the sand and salt without worrying about ruining an expensive camera. And no one is "boxy"! For the price I didn't expect a lot of features but it has performed well above my expectations. I would gladly recommend it to someone who wants a snapshot camera that will take nice "people" pictures without a big investment in funds. My first day at the beach, I took 59 pictures at High definition and was totally blown away by the improvement over my 640 X 320. Now I can take my time and decide which digital camera has the features I want instead of settling because I want to be able to see faces!

18 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Absolutely incredible value., July 27, 2005

By 

Dan Cox (Visalia, California United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Aiptek PCM13 PenCam 1.3MP Digital Camera (Electronics)

I bought mine direct from the factory on sale for 39.99 with a free case and this is truly the coolest camera I've seen for the money. Pictures are bright crisp and clear outside. Inside requires light of course like any camera, no flash. Movies are very high quality and it will do 640 by 480 res clips!!! Comes with a hell of a software package and is just too cool for words. Even has adjustable focal length for closeups of flowers etc. I LOVE THIS THING! I bought it for launching in a rocket to take aerial video but now I may not, it's just too cute to risk!