Ezonics EZ-308 EZDual Cam

by Ezonics

Product Details

Product Manual [1.63mb PDF]

• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.
• ASIN: B00004S2XG
• Item model number: EZ-308
• Average Customer Review: 2.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Discontinued by manufacturer: Yes
• Date first available at Amazon.com: September 4, 1999

Product Description

Amazon.com Review

Ezonics has combined the worlds of PC video camera and digital still camera with their EZDual. Because it uses USB connections, installation proved simple, although installing the myriad software titles bundled with the camera took a while.

As a PC video camera, the EZDual worked well. Although the first time we video conferenced our frames-per-second rate stayed very low (less than 5 fps), in subsequent uses, the EZDual corrected this, and we had a much more useable 20+ fps. The EZDual worked flawlessly with Microsoft's NetMeeting, allowing us to see and chat with friends and family around the country.

As a still camera, the EZDual offers a lot of nice touches. It can hold up to 20 pictures in its memory at fairly high resolution. It also offers a screw port for mounting on a tripod, a 10-second delay to let you view your own pictures on the camera, and an automatic power-down to save battery life. At only 320,000 pixels, it's not as high quality as some of the other digital cameras on the market, but it gets the job done.

Using a USB connection, it was easy to unplug the camera and take it on the road without any hassles. Once we returned, we simply plugged the camera back in and downloaded our pictures. From there, we had the option of recording and sending video e-mails, video conferencing, and editing our still pictures into photo albums, thanks to the 10 included software titles.

Overall, we were impressed with the EZDual, although the cable connecting our PC's USB port to the camera was a bit short, and there was no monitor stand to hold it in place for videoconferencing (we found the EZDual slipped off the top of a curved monitor). But for the price, the EZDual gives you some good features--if not the best--of both PC video and digital still cameras. --J. Curtis

Pros:

• Easy installation
• Very portable
• Still and digital camera options

Cons:

• Short cable
• Didn't see 30 fps when used as video camera
• Camera slides off top of curved monitors

Amazon.com Product Description

The Ezonics EZDual Cam USB camera will allow you to capture full-motion video, capture still pictures, and join a video conference. Installation is a snap--just plug the EZDual Cam into your USB port, load the drivers, and you have a full-featured PC digital video camera. Unplug the EZDual Cam, and it becomes a full-featured stand-alone digital camera.

Because the EZDual Cam's interface is USB, no interface card is required. It allows you to capture video at up to 30 frames per second. It enables you to send video e-mail to your friends, family, and business associates. It also allows you to save video in a self-executable format. Just attach to your standard e-mail. The recipient just has to double-click on the file to see your video.

The EZDual Cam can also take still pictures. Unplug the EZDual Cam, and you have a digital camera with enough internal memory to hold 20 VGA-quality pictures. You can print your still shots, e-mail them, or edit them with the included software. Included applications help you make cards and calendars as well as enhance or edit images and add special effects.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

59 of 62 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars EZ Dual Cam a great addition!, April 11, 2000

By 

Jeff Henjes (Atlanta, GA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Ezonics EZ-308 EZDual Cam (Personal Computers)

The new EZ Dual Cam by Ezonics is a great idea that finally arrived. Software and camera worked flawlessly and simply right out of the box. The best feature is the ability to use the camera as a handheld still digital camera which really does take very nice pictures for the money. The color video mode is also exceptional for online teleconferencing. This camera is worth TWICE the money they're charging for it.

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great digital camera for beginners and experts alike., June 13, 2000

By 

An electronics buff - See all my reviews

This review is from: Ezonics EZ-308 EZDual Cam (Personal Computers)

I was spektical at first, but now I am amazed by the benefits of this camera. There are more features on it than what the technical data says. It comes with a battery, carrying string, and great software. There are also a few different things you don't hear about. Like the ten second wait so you can get in the picture, and an auto shut off. There is even a tripod skrew on the bottom (I recommend the Vivitar VPT-120 at Wal-Mart if you want to get a good tripod). The software will come in handy, and with some of it you can make a 3D head of yourself and make 360 degree images. Setup was quick and easy. You may run into some problems, but you'll eventually get the hang of it. The resolution is super good. It is much clearer than a regular camera, and you can get it right on your computer when you get home, or you can bring your laptop with you to view them as you take them. No matter what you're doing, this digital camera ranks top in technology and fun.

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars promised tech support is a lie, July 23, 2000

By 

Harborseal (Oregon USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Ezonics EZ-308 EZDual Cam (Personal Computers)

All the features seem good and work well at first, but their site promises tech support in most cases in 24 hours and that's not happening. They have never answered any of the 5 msgs I've sent. I bought this camera based on reviews here. At first it seemed good (both still and video), but as used it for distant subjects I found the still picture is not very sharp (typical of CMOS imagers) and the video stopped working entirely. There's no H/W uninstall, there's no device listed in the system, so you can't get it out to reinstall it easily unless possibly uninstalling the whole S/W suite gets the camera out as well. 4 requests for tech support have been ignored as has a message to customer service.