Customer Reviews

SiPix SC-2300 Deluxe 2.1MP Digital Camera

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

 

 

It seems that the prices for megapixel digital cameras are taking a long time coming down for us blue-collar folk... I know that I'm part of the "lagger" demographic, but at this rate, I'll be too old to make "good use" of such a handy (and private) device.

The SiPix SC2300 2.1 MP digital camera, however, comes to the rescue since my patience has dropped quicker than the aforementioned price-dilemma. For the money, I was quite surprised when I first connected the SC2300 to my PC. The images were not only very clean, clear, and sufficient in resolution output, but they were also extremely effective when utilizing Photoshop.

Okay, there are definite low points, however. First of all, I know this is more of a taste issue, but the physical appearance looks a bit cheesy. I mean, you can totally tell that this is an open-market item with logos tampo-printed on it. Secondly, and more relevant, is that oftentimes the LCD projection is hard to see (depending on the environment). That wouldn't be terribly bad, but using the "peephole" instead produces a slight offset in the final image. Another downfall is the mode selector dial, whose positioning is susceptible to accidental switching (i.e. when putting inside a compact carrier). Even though the camera has an auto-off function, you never want to waste a drop of precious battery juice, especially knowing how quickly they drain with these cams.

The software bundle and overall interaction with the PC is acceptable and easy to use... definitely geared towards the amateur. The modes within the SC-2300 are typical, but very effective. The 2X zoom works, but it's not 5X, you know what I mean. Lastly, the camera's speed is not the greatest, but it is really nice to have a digital camera that almosts "acts" like a regular 35mm (e.g. there is a definite 'click' when depressing the shutter, as opposed to the silent shutter which keeps smiling friends goofishly holding their smiles not sure of whether or not they can move again).

Overall, I rate the Si-Pix SC2300 FOUR STARS out of five mainly for the price. The features are almost bare minimum and the styling is on the cheap side, but for the inpatient, financially handicapped, graphic designer (or average civilian), you really can't go wrong with the good pics for the great price.

For Christmas my Sis decided to purchase a digital camera for herself. Knowing that I knew more about techs than she does, she asked me to search for a decent digital camera under $$$. I narrowed my search between Sipix's SC-2300 and HP's PS320. Both had the same retail price of $$$ with similar specs, except Sipix had a larger LCD (HP: 1.5, Sipix 1.8), double the memory to 16MB, and a slightly larger mega pixel by 0.1 (HP has a 2.0 mega pixel). After comparing the specs I opted for the Sipix camera, so when I saw the camera being sold for 30 dollars less at Amazon for $$$... I bought it.

I surely thought I had made the right decision, but I was absolutely disappointed the first day I used it. First of all the driver that came with the box did not work properly with Windows XP. After being frustrated trying to figure out why it did not work properly with my Sis notebook, and after numerous attempts to reinstall the driver, I visited Sipix's poorly-made website. There, Sipix explained that there is a problem with the old driver running under WinXP, and said that downloading the new version would resolve it. Windows XP has been out in the market since October 2001, so for Sipix to not have caught this major bug is absolutely appalling. After I installed the driver the camera finally started to work with my notebook.

Another gripe I have about this camera is that the picture quality of the LCD is terrible. The LCD is dark even in bright conditions. It would have been better to have not included the LCD feature, not only is it useless it also drains the battery life significantly; so it's wise to shut the LCD feature off.

The camera came with 4 AA batteries that quickly died-out in less than two hours of use with LCD use. The camera does not include an electric cord to connect to the outlet, and because I did not have any 4 AA batteries around me I couldn't use it until the next day when I bought a new set of battery. Unless you want to keep on driving to the store for batteries every other day, I recommend you purchase 4 AA NiHM rechargeable batteries with recharger; that's another $$$ out from your wallet.

Despite the measly battery life, bad driver, and dark LCD, it does produce acceptable pictures. But after all these troubles even if the pictures were life-like, I wouldn't recommend this camera.

I....

If you're in the market for a digital camera opt for one that includes rechargeable batteries and better Quality LCD. Unfortunately these are pricier, so if your budget is limited it's probably best to wait for prices to go down and for the technology to get better. This is certainly not the right time for to purchase high-quality, low priced digital cameras at this time

Out of nowhere, the playback mode refused to function. It would stay locked in its processing phase, never displaying anything on the LCD. The LCD would then fade out as the camera would shut off a few minutes later. More symptoms emerged, but it still took pictures until yesterday, when the camera became officially terminal. The pics would not save at all, thus prompting the return. What a blow especially since I got such a great deal... ($$$) for a 2.1 MP digital camera! I should have not expected so much from an obviously open-market item (a ($$$)HK item with a logo tampo printed arbitrarily on its ... paint job).

Perhaps I just had the sole rotten apple out of an otherwise good bunch. If you don't mind taking the risk, then go for it. Otherwise, the SiPix SC-2300 is hard to recommend.

I was extremely happy when I first got the camera. Easy to use, good (PDF) manual, Really nice detailed pictures for the price and I've never even used the "high quality" mode! That's where it ends though!! I first started having problems when the weather turned cold. I was taking some outside pictures on a day with 32 to 40 degree temps and after about 5 shots, the camera said "unformatted mem"?? I lost those 5 pix. This has happened numerous times since and Tech Support says the SmartMedia chips are only good above 32 degrees. So now I run out take a few shots then run back in the house and xfer them to the pc. It has degraded some more with a red blurry bar in the photos when using the flash inside...(any light source or setting)and the latest is an intermittent "door open" message with the door closed. Yup..if I press on the battery/mem door, the indication changes.. sometimes.

Those outside pix I manage to save are still excellent quality though...I guess the "Glass is only half cracked".

Guess I'll see how their RMA process works.....

I am flabbergasted that some people expect more from an (inexpesive) 2.1 megapixel camera. It is a great deal. The photos are extremely nice and very detailed. The software is very functional and easy to use. The LCD is very nice but does need to be abandoned in place of the viewfinder when in a very bright setting (like outside) just like most LCD screens on today's video cameras.

Get real! This is an outstanding buy!!!

1.It gives very dark pictures just three or four feet away from the subject regardless of the flash being on or not.
2. the central button to select activity turns around with the slightets move, even after you turn the camera off and it is inside a bag.
3. Three months after I bought it and probably using it for about half a dozen times and for less than fifty pictures, all of a sudden in the middle of taking Christmas pictures it stopped working, and it has not worked since. No it does not have any thing to do with the battery. So now I really do not know what to do with it. I bought it from CompUSA, and they are not willing to get involved. It is a total waste of my money, and I will not touch this brand name again. Shame on you SiPix

I received this camera as a Christmas gift. The batteries actually pop out of the camera without warning. The driver software is defective. I have gotten the software to work one time. I contacted the company about the problems with the camera and software. I have yet to get a reply or any assitance of any kind. My advice is to let that camera decorate the shelf on the shop where they sell them.

I got this camera as a Christmas gift for my daughter. It was used once and downloaded (25) pictures OK. Afterwards, the original batteries (4x AA's) were toast. I went out and purchased rechargeable batteries and a charger. I implanted the 4 newly charged batteries, but the camera would not come to life. The only signs of life was the ready indicator light was on and, every 30 seconds, the LCD display would flash on and fade off. I performed CPR by swapping memory cards and batteries, to no avail. I pronounced it dead. An e-mail to tech support confirmed my diagnosis.
Unfortunate, because the pictures were nice quality and the camera seemed to have all the bells and whistles that many of the "brand name" models boasted in the 2 megapixel range ... and at almost 1/2 the price. This company's website is loaded with helpful tips and FAQ's and the tech support replied within 24 hrs which surprised me because it was New Years Day. The company seems to be doing all the right things, but the product failed.

I'm maximiiano from Argentina and some days ago y bought a SC-300 SI PIX deluxe.
Thisa camera takes GREAT PICTURES it reaches 275x300 DPI!!!! for digital prints using it's max resolution (2MP) I recomend to us the power adapter 6v 2 amp center positive, an 4 1800mah(minimun, i'm using a 2200mah) NIMH rechargabel battery.
I ALSO TAKE PICTURES TO THE FIREWORKS.
I RECOMEND YOU THIS ONE

The photo transfer program that comes with the camera is very rigid and does not allow many variations on the save options like other camera systems do. I like to set up different folders for each day that i download the pics and i haven't figured a way to do this using only a couple of key strokes. I use windows xp and the resident file transfer programs will not recognise the camera using the USB connection. I have been using a card reader to download my pictures. This works very well except the memory card is under the same cap as the batteries and every time i pull the card out, the date on the camera has to be reset. This is a pain especcially if you like to use the date stamp. I do hope that someone at sipix reads this and makes some changes.