Argus DC2200 0.3MP Digital Camera

by Argus

Product Details

Product Manual [2.91mb PDF]

• Product Dimensions: 1.5 x 4.5 x 3 inches ; 4.3 ounces
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S. and to APO/FPO addresses. For APO/FPO shipments, please check with the manufacturer regarding warranty and support issues.
• ASIN: B00006839Y
• Batteries: 3 AA batteries required.
• Average Customer Review: 2.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #49,716 in Camera & Photo (See Top 100 in Camera & Photo)
• Discontinued by manufacturer: Yes
• Date first available at Amazon.com: June 4, 2002

Product Description

Amazon.com Product Description

Argus makes digital photography affordable with the DC2200. With its 0.3-megapixel sensor, the camera produces photos that are 640 x 480 pixels--ideal for e-mailing and posting on the Web. The built-in flash and focus-free lens provide automatic operation and easy operation. There are three different photo settings you can select to determine picture quality and save memory. The camera also works as a video camera, producing short movies recorded in QuickTime format.

The built-in 8 MB SDRAM memory stores up to 110 pictures, while you can add more memory storage via the CompactFlash card slot. The DC2200 can work as a PC conference camera. Simply hook it up to a PC or Mac with the included USB cable, or just directly download pictures or video onto your computer using the included software. If you don't have a computer nearby, you can quickly review your pictures on a television via the TV out-jack. Argus offers a one-year warranty.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Nice Little Starter Digital, July 8, 2002

By 

mugschatz (Eagleville, Connecticut) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Argus DC2200 0.3MP Digital Camera (Electronics)

For the money, you won't do much better. For me, the selling point was the 10-second timer (OK, call me a narcissus, but I like to have the whole group, including myself, in one photo). My one frustration (which I should have researched before purchase, but at this price, I can live with it) is the lack of preview screen. I get around this by taking extra shots of everything, and it stores enough "fine" -resolution (640X480) images to let me get back to my PC to download just before the batteries run out. And when they do run low, it's kind enough to let you know, and will refuse to flash so you don't lose the stored images. Nice idiot-proofing! Then, once you plug it into your PC by the included USB cable, your computer gives it just enough extra power to download the memory. I can't be bothered to spend the extra money on a memory card; besides, you'll need to save your pennies to keep it fed with batteries, as with any digital camera. The highest resolution is still a little grainy to enlarge beyond 4X6, but that's what your film cameras and higher-priced digitals are for. Argus also includes a cable to plug your images into the TV, which is a hoot to view; just remember not to take "portrait" shots (by holding the camera sideways) if you want to give a slide show. And the 2X Zoom gives you a half-size image; you're better off just taking a larger picture and editing out the background. The included software allows you to edit your pictures, but you can't do that on TV. My favorite application is to print thank-you cards featuring my rugrat displaying her latest clothes or toys, so friends and relatives can see their gifts in action within a few days. Sure beats having to use up a roll of 35mm film and pay top dollar for a bunch of goofy faces to get one good photo. The printed manual is a little hard to follow, and the Instruction Manual on disc prints out to 25 pages, but their online help is pretty prompt and helpful. It's small, it's lightweight, it comes with a lot of neat tricks, and if I accidentally shut it in the car door, I won't have to spend a week's salary to replace it.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Above average quality and user friendly!, August 21, 2002

By 

alphaequals - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Argus DC2200 0.3MP Digital Camera (Electronics)

I bought this camera to use to take photos of items to sell on eBay. I was not dissapointed.

As far as quality is concerned, this camera is great for still shots, although with high light pictures tend to blur. This applies to using the flash; you need to get a tripod or have a very steady hand to use the flash successfully.

The movie quality is frankly bad. This is not a web camera. It records in super fast mode, the recording controls are slightly confusing, and it emits this really load and annoying beep as it records. Use it for still shots only!

The computer interface of this camera is amazing. They have it so the camera appears as a Drive under My Computer, and you can simply drag the images in JPEG format to any folder, as you would in Windows Explorer. You can also easily delete selected images, or all images, on the camera directly from your computer. It was so easy, I could start taking pictures and uploading them to eBay within minutes of taking the camera out of the box.

Operating the camera is no-duh. You press power and press the shutter and you're set to go. You don't even need the instructions.

Finally, the camera is feature-packed. It has a timer-delayed shot, a cool mini-mirror on front which lets you see yourself as you take pictures, you can hook it up to your TV and view the photos on the camera, you can expand the memory with "CF Cards" and it has 3 different picture qualities.

Overall, this is a great value. The quality isn't amazing, but only slightly blurry at most, and it is not too hard to get a pretty decent looking picture. The only reason I gave it 5 stars is because the image is not always great. But if you don't need every shot to be perfect, and won't fret if a few shots come out blurry, this is a great camera for you.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great starter camera, October 11, 2002

By 

"kestabrook" (Fillmore, New York USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Argus DC2200 0.3MP Digital Camera (Electronics)

Due to the first three reviews here--and help from friends who sent b-day gift certificates--I bought the DC2200. I wanted an easy camera to get me started with digital, and I wanted to simplify taking photos of the classes I teach for upload to my website. I'm not an artistic photographer; I only take photos to "capture the moment." This camera is perfect for my needs.

The simplicity of using the DC2200 has not been overstated by most of these Amazon[.com] reviewers. The buyer literally can take the camera out of the package, insert batteries, and take photos without reading any instructions. I was amazed at how easy it was to hook the camera to the TV to view my photos, to install the software on my PC, and to view and save my photos. Illustrations are included in the instructions, and common sense and computer experience can play a part in the ease of the camera's operations. And, as with any camera, the photos range from "good enough" to "excellent" quality, depending on factors such as the lighting and angle.

I have only one "complaint" about the camera: the instructions *could* be stated better in terms of, for instance, how to get the flash to work. I did finally figure this out--but managed to delete thirty photos in the process! I recommend that a new buyer experiment with such functions before taking any important photos.

Otherwise, this is a great starter camera, and almost anyone with a PC can operate it. The system requirements include the following: a Pentium 166MHz or higher; Windows 98, 98SE, 2000, Me, XP, MAC OS 8.6, 9.0; 32MB SDRAM for Win98/98SE, 64MB SDRAM for Win2000/Me and MAC, and 128MB SDRAM for Win XP. The video cable for the TV and the USB cable for the PC are included in the package. This camera's a great deal with such a low price. Don't be afraid to try it!