PenCam Mini 1.3 MP SD

by Aiptek

Product Details

• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B00007FS5R
• Item model number: PCSD13
• Average Customer Review: 3.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Date first available at Amazon.com: November 9, 2002

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars 4/5 Stars for the price, portability and picture quality, December 27, 2002

By 

J. Hardjojuwono "JJ" (Houston, TX) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: PenCam Mini 1.3 MP SD (Personal Computers)

My first digital camera was the Casio QV-300. I bought it more than five years ago (if I am not mistaken). Since then I had bought 9 more digital cameras. A Canon Powershot 350, a Fujifilm DS-9 (if I am not mistaken), A Fujifilm MX-2700, a Canon G1, a Canon Powershot S-110, a Sony DSC-P50, a Mustek Gsmart Mini2 (CMOS), an Aiptek Pocketcam Classic (CMOS 0.3MP), and the last one an Aiptek Pencam SD 1.3(CMOS).

In my opinion the Aiptek Pencam SD 1.3 is an excellent toy/tiny CMOS based digital camera. I was surprised it takes very good pictures (given the "available light" is sufficient) and fairly easy to use. Eventhough the first Pencam SD that I bought was defective (too many hot pixels), I was able to return it to Best Buy easily. And the replacement is perfect. The start time is faster than most CCD based (more expensive) digicams. And most importantly the picture quality is excellent (I even think it takes better pictures than my Sony DSC-P50 which is a 2.1MP digicam). I feel the pictures taken with the Pencam SD yield a better more natural colors compared to he Sony DSC-P50. Moreover, this camera is perfect for veteran digicam users who appreciate concealability and those who needs a second or third cameras for their website pictures. In conclusion: If you are looking for a "simple" point and shoot camera and don't really care for extreme portability and (sometimes) artsy results, then this camera is not for you. You should buy a known brand, more expensive (over hundred dollars) "CCD" based digicam with a built in flash.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great little camera, March 7, 2003

By 

Nomad77 - See all my reviews

This review is from: PenCam Mini 1.3 MP SD (Personal Computers)

For the money this little camera is really great! It takes excellent 1280x960 (1M) still pics and the webcam is also very good. It comes with 8M which will hold about 40 pics. A lot of people will have problems with one thing: the camera, like most webcams, DOES NOT have auto-focus. The focus MUST BE set manually to get good pics. For closeup (less than 5') you need to set it all the way to the right. For everything else, all the way to the left. The only other thing is that is has no flash but with a camera this size its to be expected. The software works great an XP. This company (Aiptek) is getting better all the time. This is one of their latest offerings.

8 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars If I could give it zero stars, I would, December 11, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: PenCam Mini 1.3 MP SD (Personal Computers)

I bought this camera recently.
First off, it has a "cheap" feel to it.

Bad: The software won't install on my PC. I get error messages.

Worse: The camera does not retain images.
For whatever reason, all the pictures "disappeared" several times before I could download them.

WORSE STILL: The second day, the camera WON'T TURN ON. It's Dead!

Sure, it's inexpensive, small, cute etc and I had high hopes for it, but what can I say, but that you get what you pay for.