Customer Reviews

Casio QV2000 2MP Digital Camera with 3x Optical Zoom & Microdisc

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I purchased my QV-2000UX early in late 1999 to take pictures of activities with Get Outdoors New England. ...

With Windows 2000 and USB, the camera appears as a disk, so you can just pull the files off using Explorer instead of using CASIO's supplied software. For Win2K use, you WILL need drivers (you may have to dig at the CASIO Japan site if you cannot find them on the USA site---their support folks have not been responsive/helpful when I've pointed out busted links to them via e-mail and site comments).

Problems with the QV-2000UX:

- The CASIO drivers "kinda" work with Windows 2000. The first time I attach the camera to the machine after a reboot, it's fine. After that, the camera comes up as a generic USB device. Workaround: Remove ALL USB devices from the PC and attach only the camera. Reboot if you have to.

- Cycle time (time between taking each picture) is rather long, especially with flash and with the large memory card. There is a mode that lets you take pictures rapidly (limited by the flash).

- I've heard that the AVI (movie) files aren't "really" AVI and can't be played as-is. I also heard there's a converter somewhere to make them real AVI files.

- Reddish hue to many photos, especially those taken inside using the flash. There may be a camera setting here that I can change, but sometimes it's more pronounced than at others. (Very obvious in the New Year's Eve photos at the GONewEngland photo site.)

- When at 2x digital zoom, the photos are generally fuzzy/grainy.

- Operating temperature is a minimum of 0 degrees C (32 degrees F). For an outdoors group which does skiing (among other winter activities), this is quite limiting. (However I've been using it outside at low temperatures, and it has been OK.)

- I wish it had a "pause" feature which let you shut the camera off while leaving the lens out. That may help save batteries (every time you turn the camera off, the lens retracts).

- It does eat batteries, so I keep 2 sets of rechargeables around. I figure I get about 40 pics with downloads (serial) per set. I use the NiMH rechargeable batteries (Maxell sells a set of four with recharger for about $15).

- The case isn't very rugged. I have heard reports that the motors that drive the lens in and out fail (mine is OK so far). Bad design of lens cover (hits the side of the lens when you go to shut it).

- Have had a few burps with the camera. It stops working completely on very rare occasions, but opening and closing the battery compartment fixes that.

Likes:

- I like the media - tiny CompactFlash. I picked up a 32MB card to go with the 8MB one (which comes with the camera). My photos are all at 800x640 at full resolution; I don't need more than that, so I get over 20 pics on the 8MB card and about 100 on the 32MB card.

- Auto-everything if you want it, but you also get manual control. Automatic is GREAT for outdoor events when you don't want to be fumbling with controls. (See the Steves-Digicams web site for info on getting FULL MANUAL CONTROL over this camera!)

- Fast downloads via USB (see note about Win2K above), can also do serial port.

- CASIO software organizes your photo library for you (nice feature).

- Overall photo quality is darn good, but somehow it doesn't look "natural" or "3D" like a real photograph, and several of my photos have come out fuzzy (from subject or camera movement). Also see red hue comment above. I think this is typical of the current state of digital cameras (things will get better). The quality is just fine for my purposes.

- If you run an activities group and want to share photos quickly, this is definitely the way to do it: a good digital camera. Plus it's a blast diddling with this stuff with Microsoft Photodraw (purchased separately as a bundle w/ FrontPage 2000).

Overall I am happy with the CASIO, and it has made a big difference in my web site. I've had a lot of fun with it. I have captured a number of outstanding shots with it, ...

I've had the camera for 1 year.

Pros: Quality pictures, good value for the money, USB is fast, good optical zoom.

Cons: Cheap case (my lens cover is now broken), takes a long time to extend & retract the lens, can't get USB to work on Windows 2000.

I believe a durable case is critical which is why I rated the camera low.

I absolutely love this camera. I bought it for myself last Christmas. I live in Europe and it allows me to send email updates of our 2 small children to my parents and my in-laws .

You need to know absolutely nothing about photography to take amazing pictures. I am planning on creating a calendar of the night time shots I have taken all over Europe. The camera does an amazing job of using the ambient light, and everything is automatic. The panaromic feature is nice (comes with software to stitch pictures together).

Another plus is that pistures are automatically loaded onto your PC into an HTML/WEB format.

The only knock on it is that now a year later I could buy a different camera with 50% more resolution. But, that won't be free!

Hope this helps

I am not an expert photographer but I am pretty good for a novice. I do a fair amount of close up photography (wildflowers, insects, and kittens I care for--I run an adoption agency for orphaned kitties)....so a macro function was high on my list of must-haves for a camera, which was one of the reasons I purchased the Casio QV2000UX. This camera makes it possible to get beautifully detailed, crisp images from just a few inches away.

At the same time, the zoom is a nice feature as well--3x optical (forget digital zoom--it means nothing!--just lowers the resolution, like cropping a picture--so why bother?)

The menu is user friendly, the LCD is bright and easy to see under all but the brightest outdoor conditions. I like the compact flash storage option, since I have a pocket PC which uses the same media and already have a compact flash reader on my PC.

The photos I have captured on this camera have been nothing short of outstanding--so I can't even see the point in going over 2 megapixels unless you're into printing poster-size photos.
You can also shoot up to 30 seconds of video in the AVI format, but it's really more of a neat little gimmick than anything I've had a lot of use for. It was fun getting a video of my cat chasing a laser pointer around and around in circles and posting it on my website in a continuous loop though!

The IBM microdrive is an option I know is available for this camera but I have been satisfied with using the compact flash cards....and I have heard the mini drive is a real drain on the batteries. One accessory I think is the best investment I could have ever made is a rechargable portable battery pack--great if those AA's give out on the road!

The only complaint I have is about the lens cover/shutter switch. I cannot say if it was my particular camera or an inherent flaw in the design, but it felt kind of rickety from the start and eventually fell off. At first I couldn't find anyone local who could even fix it! I persevered and luckily I was able to have it repaired for under 150 dollars. I guess this is the point where I realized I really love this camera--I didn't feel like "upgrading" and anything with the same features would have cost several hundred dollars, so I knew I had a good deal with the Casio. If subsequent models have a more sturdy lens cover design, I would recommend this camera hands-down over similarly priced competition.

The only reason I bought this camera was to take night shots. I researched through the net and saw comparisons between more expensive cameras and this one was the best. I didn't want to spent extra money over 340 megs that I am not going to use, because I don't take many pictures and I don't go anywhere during my vacations.

The pros that made me buy this were :

-Nice design

-Perfect size for me

-Affordable(if I paid more for the other one, I rather buy a better camera -quality over quantity- you choose)

I won't complain about the cons, because most cameras share the same ones(no rechargeable batteries, duh).

If you are going on vacation with it, buy the one with the Microdisc, because you can take two or more pictures of the same subject(different views and angle) with room to spare.

Just think before buying this camera over the other one : "Am I going to take a lot of pictures? Or should I use it for the web.".

...One thing that makes my relationship with my casio less than perfect is the serial cable connection (I can't use USB). There lacks a definite "click" to notify the user whether the cable and the camera is securly connected. Often I found myself sitting in front of the computer like an idiot, waiting for the pictures to be downloaded to my pc, but in fact the connection is not even there physically.

Other than the serial cable issue, sticky lens cover, the long lead time in between picture takings, and the bulky appearence, i am happy with the this camera, especially the picture quality. This camera may not be the best among its peers, but definitely offers great value.

I purchased this camera in November 1999 and have been using is extensively ever since. The performance is excellent. I like the ability of using both the CompactFlash cards and the IBM Microdisc. The SanDisk CF reader is great because you can take the CF card out of the camera and have either a PC or a Mac read it. It is both Mac and PC compatible (that's a big plus). The size and weight are similar to a 35mm camera and with the built-in lens cover you can carry it in your pocket. The menus are very easy to use, the viewing screen is large and clear, the picture-taking options are varied enough to accommodate an experienced photographer and at the same time has the ability of a point-and-shoot camera for the inexperienced. The picture quality is incredible; crisp, sharp and when printed on the Epson 750 Photo Stylus Printer the prints have depth that has to be seen to be believed. I can't say enough good things about this camera.

... This camera uses memory cartrages. They can be kindaexpensive. So #1 if your going to purchase this camera make sure youspend a little more money and get the one with the microdisc. It will save you a little in the long run. #2 If your going to by this one anyway I suggest U get a USB memorycard reader. It makes downloading to your computer faster.

After purchaseing this camera I was given another. It was a b-day present. This camera was the pasnasonic palmcam. I started using it and found that it uses Imation 120MB disks. Those disks cost less, per disk, than each of those memory cartrages. Also you can use the camera as the drive for those Imation superdisks

All in all I would rate this camera well but if your gonna get this camera, get the one with the microdisc. If you want to save money on memory get the Pasnasonic palmcam. thank you