Customer Reviews

Mustek MDC 3500 2MP Digital Camera (3MP Interpolated)

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

 

 

Very small, easy to use and takes ok pictures. BUT, it is NOT a 3 megapixel camera as you would be lead to believe. The sensor is 2.1 mp and it uses hardware interpolation (stretching) to make 3mp images. I purchased thinking this was a great deal, but it was only an ok deal. Some similarly priced 2.1mp cameras have more features. It was going to get 1 or 2 stars because of the misleading image claims, but I'm impressed with the small size and so far performs adequately so it gets 3.

Good: small size; decent pictures; comes with cables, software; can be used as web cam and usb storage.

Bad: only 2.1mp; no optical zoom; no lens cover; power button easy to get bumped on while transporting.

When I 1st bought this camera, I didn't expect much from it as I was only looking for something small & light with webcam features that I can carry around wherever I go.

I have to first emphasize that this is a 2.1mp camera. The 3.1mp mode is by interpolation.

The 1st thing I tested for in this camera is it's night shoot capability which is normally quite poor in lower range cameras. MDC3500 has 4 night shoot modes to adjust the shutter speed of the camera (presented as 2x, 4x, 8x & 16x). I get surprisingly good results even in situations where flash cannot be used (scenic night shoots).

The aluminium body of the MDC3500 makes it feel sturdy, except for the plastic cover which feels as if it's falling apart every time I open it (then again, it's still in one piece till date). The matt aluminium finish looks nice as well.

The interface is quite idiot proof unless you cannot understand the icons. However, accessibility of some of the functions are quite bad. For example, in order to switch to night shoot mode, I have to go to the main menu, and press the button like 7 times before I can get it activated. The resolution and flash selector is easily accessible but the camera doesn't "remember" the resolution settings. Resolution is defaulted to 1600x1200 every time the camera is switched on. The digital zoom of this camera sucks. Not only it's difficult to access, there is no progressive zoom and zooming (even at 2x) will limit the picture resolution to only 800x600.

The speed of the camera is average as compared with those of the same class. Startup takes about 4-5 seconds. Shooting speed is dependant very much on the media since the camera copies the picture files directly to the media. The MMC that I use is much slower than SD cards. Takes about 6-8 seconds to reload (without picture preview) in 2048x1536 resolution, 4-5 seconds in 1600x1200 resolution. Very fast in 800x600 resolution. Should perform much better if SD card or internal memory is used (about 1-2 seconds faster).

When switched to night shoot mode, the camera delays for several seconds before triggering the shutter, causing the shoot to be not "live". The display also becomes sluggish in night shoot mode. The longer the exposure setting, the more sluggish the display. When in webcam mode, display is quite underexposed in indoor lightings with default exposure but is okay when set to a longer exposure. Display will however become sluggish as in the night shoot mode (not too bad at 2x but very sluggish at 16x)

I have not really tested the battery life but it seems quite allright when used with NiMH rechargeable batteries. I have not tested it's closeup capabilities as well.

Summary:
An overall good camera with good pictures, good night shoots, nice aluminium body, easy to use interface, compact & light. Seems to out perform even other "more branded" cameras of the same range that I have used before. But then again, this camera costs slightly more than a fujifilm A202/A200 and olympus C-150/D390 (in Singapore) but is of cause more compact and much lighter.

Bad points about the camera is it's inaccessibility to certain functions, sluggishness and delay in shutter in night shoot mode, slightly below average webcam capability, poor digital zoom function & no bundled rechargeable batteries.

This is a very nice camera. It's really small and very easy to use. It takes great photos. The only gripe that I have is the software that it comes with isn't the greatest. I did buy a 32 mb card because 16 mb just wasn't enough. On the highest resolution it takes 65 photos. On the second highest resolution it takes 95 photos. This is with a 32 mb card. I haven't tried the low resolution. If you buy this camera I suggest buying rechargeable batteries. When I first got this camera I took about 10 photos over a period of 2 days and the batteries died. I replaced the batteries and with the new batteries I took about 2 photos over 2 days and again the batteries died. The price of rechargeable batteries is definetly worth it!

So overall

pros- small, very easy to use, takes great photos, nice price

cons- you will probably have to spend money on rechargeable
batteries
You'll have to spend money on a memory card

If I didn't have to spend the extra money on a memory card and batteries I would have given this 4 stars.

I took 100 high quality pictures with this camera at my cousin's wedding with the LCD on at all times (using an SD card). Almost 80% of the pictures I took were of superb quality which I was happy about, and I have yet to recharge the batteries I put into the camera the first time!! The camera also adjusts itself to deal with sunlight, light places, and most other environments which is the standard for higher range cameras.

The only bad thing about this camera is that it has no optical zoom. Other than that, this camera gives you the best bang for your buck for both quality and economic efficiency. I highly recommend this camera for the budget user who wants something easy to use.

Camera worked well for 13 months, as soon as warranty ends (12 Mos) camera will no longer turn on. Mfg's tech support was no help. PC software that accompanied camera was not user friendly to say the least. This was the first and last mustek product for me.

My MDC3500 was sitting on my desk one day, when I noticed it move. When I picked it up to see what had caused it to move the batteries fell out.
The catch that holds the door closed had just broken off.
It is now held shut with Scotch tape.
Other then that the camera works fine.