Barbie Photo Designer Digital Camera & CD-ROM

by Mattel

Product Details

• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B00005B0B9
• Media: CD-ROM
• Average Customer Review: 3.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #42,170 in Video Games (See Top 100 in Video Games)
• Discontinued by manufacturer: Yes

Product Description

From Children's Software Revue® -- "Subscribe Now!"

Innovative, but in the end a real letdown, this is a combination digital camera and software package. The camera is very simple, with one-button operation and, for at least one test family, an easy connection to the computer. Girls can take up to six pictures away from the computer and more if they are connected. No film is required. Instead, after the software is installed, the pictures are uploaded to the computer and saved in a scrapbook, placed into photos along side Barbie, or edited with some basic photo effects. These special effects are very limited. Also, the quality of the pictures is grainy, and there is no flash for night-time photography. Our testers were initially excited about the product, but were disappointed in the end results. Out of the box experience : New Jersey Testers The kids wanted to get started taking pictures right away, so, using a one-month old Packard Bell Multimedia 830 computer, we installed the software (it took 30 MB of hard disk space) and tried to upload some pictures. No luck. After struggling through the documentation for 20 minutes, we finally found info about three menus deep in the software that told us we needed to plug the camera into our COM2 port. To do this, we'd need a converter plug, which wasn't included. So, we installed the camera instead on a two-year-old Gateway Destination (D5-200). This time, the pictures in the camera were imported with no problem, showing up as little thumbnails in Barbie's scrapbook. Weaknesses: The sugary sweet narration is unnecessary, and the software design is clunky and slow. Fortunately, it is simple, so it is easy to figure out. The Barbie theme comes on so strong that boys will run from the room, which is a shame. Strengths: For not too much money, you can provide your child with a first experience with photography, without the expense and delay of film. The immediacy the camera provides is a huge advantage. When it is plugged in to the computer, the pictures you snap show up in about 10 seconds. It is a good idea to go through the tutorial on how to use the camera together, and you may want to have a discussion about with your children on the number of images they are allowed to print out.
Teaches: creativity, photography
Age Range: 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 Copyright © 2000 Children's Software Revue

Amazon.com Product Description

Use your Barbie Photo Designer Digital Camera to snap pictures just about anywhere. The Barbie Digital Camera stores 6 photos in its flash memory or an unlimited number when connected to your PC. Snap pictures indoors or outdoors--the camera doesn't need a flash. Uploading pictures to your computer lets you see them instantly. Using the Barbie Photo Designer software, you can create personalized photo projects easily and quickly. You can also print your creations on paper, cards, or stickers to share with family and friends.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars OK, December 28, 2002

A Kid's Review

This review is from: Barbie Photo Designer Digital Camera & CD-ROM (CD-ROM)

This camera will only work when connected to your computer. If you want to use it handheld, tough luck. It is a medioker quality camera(but what can you expect fron Barbie?) The editing software is pretty good. But you are limited to only a few backround pictures. The camera does not have a screen to look through, it is just like an ordinary camera, which I found quite disapointing. Overall, this product is pretty good for Barbie items, but if you want a really good digital camera, get a Nikon or something better than Barbie.

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars No Support Options - What a Let Down, February 16, 2003

By 

Shelbitx (Texas) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Barbie Photo Designer Digital Camera & CD-ROM (CD-ROM)

I bought this product Barbie Photo Designer for my niece and needed to obtain support for the software and find drivers for the camera, the CD warped in the sun...Kids! Anyway after two days of searching and wild goose chases, I found that Mattel Interactive has gone under and Mattel Customer Service will not respond to my email requests for support.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Barbie Digital Camera, August 20, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Barbie Photo Designer Digital Camera & CD-ROM (CD-ROM)

We bought the camera for my five year old daughter. She loves it. It is easy to use - easy to install. The picture quality is not great - but perfectly fine for a child. More educational than a regular camera!