Customer Reviews

3.0 Megapixel Ultra-thin Camera with 4X Digital Zoom and 1.5 Inch LCD

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

 

 

We found this camera when looking to get something small and inexpensive for my little girl for Christmas. What sold us on this camera was that it was very tiny, looked like a "real" camera compared to the Fisher Price one being sold for her age, and finally, the price-- $50 at Wal-Mart. The only good thing I can say about this camera is that it is truly easy to use. My daughter can look through the display on the back and point and shoot a picture of any object she wants with ease. But that's the ONLY good thing I have to say about this camera.

Now for the long list of negatives. First, the camera shoots photos in RAW photo format, which then requires use of conversion software that's PRE-INSTALLED ON and RAN FROM THE CAMERA to convert them over to JPEG files in order for the computer to display them. This was an idiotic scheme from the start as JPEG is the universal format. Second, the battery life is non-existent. I'd say after 15 to 20 pictures, the camera needs to be charged again, which brings me to my third complaint. There is no power adapter to charge the camera's battery, so you MUST CONNECT THE CAMERA to a computer to charge it. Taking this camera away from the house and attempting to use it for any length of time is impossible. Fourth, we have an old PC but primarily use our iMac-- especially for storing our pictures due to the fantastic iPhoto software. This camera will connect and show up as a storage device on the Mac, but it doesn't connect and work with iPhoto (unless you've already converted the photos to JPEG by first connecting it to a PC and using the conversion software), nor does the conversion application on the camera work with the Mac platform. I can copy the RAW files from the camera to the computer via drag-n-drop; however, I haven't figured out a simple way of transfering the photos to jpeg format. Fifth, the digital zoom is impossible to use, especially for my daughter, unless you've prepared to use the zoom several minutes in advance of the shot since it must be accessed through the camera's clumsy menu-- my sixth comlaint! Seventh, if you shake the camera, even just a tiny bit, you will ruin the shot. Eighth, the tiny but powerful flash will white-blast the subject in your photo if you aren't the perfect distance away; or it won't even cast a shadow on the subject if you're too far away. I'd say use this primarily for outdoor photos, but remember you can't be away from a USB hook-up for too long or the thing dies.

Why couldn't Philips have just created a product that works. Most of my gripes would be non-existent if not for the damn RAW photo format. When I bought this camera, I had no delusions of my little girl taking award-winning photos with the thing, but she could have learned to take some decent shots if she were able to easily connect and transfer her photos to the computer we use for reviewing pictures. As it stands, she can take photos for as long as the battery will hold, then she must get me to transfer and spend time messing with the photos so that she can see how well she's done. She's happier using my cameraphone for taking pictures, which is what made me consider buying this camera in the first place. Philips-- this camera is way too inconvenient and not a good buy, even at $50.

I just got this camera for Christmas and so far I really like it! It's small but produces great quality pictures! You can set your pictures to either be small, medium, or large. The settings are easy to change and manage. You don't have to spend an hour just trying to figure out how to turn the flash or the timer on or off. It's very easy to use, just plug it in to your computer to download the pictures and to recharge it - no nonsense with those silly batteries that ALWAYS go dead right when you need your camera the most! The LCD screen is a very nice feature. There are only a few things to be aware of though:
1. The camera face is black so it looks smudged (but you can wipe it off...)

2. I have yet to find a way (I don't think there is a way...) to view a slide show of your pictures ON the camera or to delete pictures ON the camera. (You can do it on the computer though...)

3. If you have big fingers, the small button to take the picture can be a little awkward.

This camera is really nice and worth the money overall. Now, if you're like a professional photographer here then spring for something a little nicer of course. Another tip about this camera? Remember that the things IS NOT magic, so the skill isn't just in the camera, it's the photographer too! You could have the best camera that money can buy, but if you are fumbly and don't know anything about photography then expect your pictures to look horrible no matter what. But if you pick up some photography skills (along with this handy little camera) then your pictures will turn out just as good (or even better) then you wanted them too!
OH yea, one more good thing about it! It has a memory card so you can go to Walmart, Walgreens (wherever you like to get your photos developed) and print them off, no one would ever guess that it's not film.
Have fun!

This camera is a horrible camera! It is the size of a credit card is is poorly designed. The structure is made entirely out of plastic -- I felt as if I were going to break it if I put it in my pocket. The image quality on the camera was sub par, and the image on the viewfinder was terrible. In order to zoom in, you have to go through the menu. There are WAY better cameras that are at the same price range. DO NOT BUY THIS CAMERA!!!!!!!!!!

The zoom feature on it sucks, but it still takes great pictures and it was 50 bucks. CA-CHING!!! YEAH!!

i just noticed the price drop to $80!

This camera is absolutely amazing, i would pay $120 for it again ANYTIME!

Awesome picture quality, much better than other 3MP cameras!

Be advised that, assuming I was shipped the right camera, the picture on this page is slightly wrong. My camera doesn't have a manual viewfinder or lights along the top. Moving on, this camera is perfect for stashing in a purse in case something memorable comes along. It's smaller than a pack of cards, rechargeable, has all the basics (flash, zoom) and, to my delight, has a feature that prevents taking pictures of my pocket. Sure, there isn't a flash button, but switching takes literally 4 seconds and then you can choose auto flash. I took off one star simply because it only charges through a USB port, which can be a problem when travelling. I definitely recommend this camera to someone who wants a reliable camera but admits they're not a photographer.

I bought this as a Christmas gift. I thought it would be a good, first "real" camera for my 13-year-old. The view in the LCD screen was grainy. The flash washed out any photo taken at a fairly close range. The camera kept shutting off after about 20-30 pictures (could have been bad batteries that came with the camera). Half the pictures came out pretty good, but half were dark and grainy, even at the best setting. We returned this camera and paid a little more to get a 5mp camera (Fujifilm FinePix A500) with a lot more features.