Customer Reviews

Toshiba PDR-M81 4MP Digital Camera with 2.8x Optical Zoom

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

 

 

This is my first digital camera. I've seen other digital cameras in the 3+ megapixel range and this beats all of them. The picture quality is amazing. It's very easy to use and all the features in the camera are for the beginners/novices, but I guess if you're into professional features you wouldn't be spending under a grand. As far as the other comments I read, the USB connection has no flaws on my computer. It's quick and easy to use on the two picture software I have. The only flaws are the battery use and the 8 meg card that it comes with. Upgrade to the 128 meg and take 2400 X 1600 pics up to 84 times. Also, upgrade to NiMh rechargable batteries.

I owned the 3.3 megapixel camera for about 2 months before it started having "disk error" messages - so I returned it and upgraded to this one. The ease of use and photo quality are fantastic, but the usb connection (not sure if it is the cable or the camera port) is hokey. I have to hold the cable, quite forceably, in the camera usb port, for uploads onto my laptop. Good picture quality, but there seem to be some quality control issues.

I have had this camera about a month now. It takes beautiful photos outdoors and the zoom is great. It's easy to use. I haven't used the movie mode since I already have a great digital camcorder. This is my 3rd digital camera. The last one was a Toshiba 2.1 megapixel and it was okay, but the 4.2 megapixels make the jump to 35mm quality photos. The largest I've made a photo was 8x10 so far, but it was clear and not a pixel in sight. A definite "keeper".

I have the toshiba M81 and I have had a great time with it. I am new with the digital camera routine and this camera seems so easy to use and the quality of the photos (even on the low image) are great and print out so clear. It takes great pictures in low light without a flash. This was one quality that I wanted. I am so pleased with the camera that I also bought one for my son and his wife. He has emailed me several pictures and again, the quality is superb.

Overall, this is a nifty lil' 3 megapixel camera.

Pros:
Solid contruction.
Ample features
Excellent image quality
Ease of use
Good value for money

Cons:
Toshiba is not really a camera mfr. Amazon sells better cameras made by camera-only mfrs.
Lacks more advanced features, such as appropriate ISO step boosts.
Internal flash can cause red-eye too often

Although this camera has a lot going for it, don't get it. Amazon features many more cameras in the 3+ megapixel range that are superior. In particular, for a similar price as this one, look at the Nikon Coolpix line of excellent digital cameras.

I found this camera to take good pictures for a 4.2 MP, and I love the short videos it can record. It's user-friendly. Mine has worked well for about three years now. I am getting ready to get a new camera, however, and I've decided to go with a Canon. Canon has a much better reputation for good customer service, and that is important to me. With my Toshiba, I was just fortunate not to have anything break down.

It is a question that all digital camera enthusiasts ask themselves shortly after purchasing a digital camera, but it is one that is not easily answered as there are many factors that need to be taken into consideration. This review will help to guide you to the best solution based off the characteristics and specifications of the Toshiba PDR-M81 4MP Digital Camera. I feel I am qualified to provide this information as I was in the memory industry for 7 years but having left the industry a year ago, I can be completely unbiased on this subject.

One of the biggest factors to consider is the megapixel rating of this Toshiba camera. Considering this particular camera is generally considered to be a 4MP digital camera. You can expect to store approximately 32 images on a 64MB card, 64 pictures on a 128MB flash card, 128 digital pictures on digital film of 256MB capacity, 256 pics on a 512MB picture card, 512 images on a 1GB media card, 1,024 photos on a 2GB flash card, and a monstrous 2,048 digital photos on a 4GB card. These image/picture calculations assume that you are going to utilize the full potential of your camera but won't shoot in RAW mode. In other words, the estimates are for shooting at the highest JPEG setting available for the Toshiba PDR-M81 4MP Digital Camera. Understand that they are indeed estimates and can vary based off the actual scene or subject being shot and the amount of light, color variation, detail, etc. in the photo. You can assume these numbers are accurate within 10%.

However how many images a card can hold is not the only factor you should consider before buying this all important accessory. You should also consider that you may want to use your Toshiba PDR-M81 4MP Digital Camera to take shots of sporting events, wildlife, or even your child's unique expressions. These moments have a very small window of opportunity to get the shot you desire thus a flash card that has been rated by experts as being a faster card may be something to consider. In my opinion, it is always best to find a review of a flash card as it performed in your specific digital camera. Some cameras just work better with specific flash cards do to the software, firmware, buffer utilization, etc. between the camera and the flash card. Finding an answer to this question is not usually an easy task. There is, though, a superb website that not only offers flash card reviews but also has an extensive user forum that can answer this all important question for you. You may want to take a look at dpreview dot com and then do a search for the Toshiba PDR-M81 4MP Digital Camera in the forums area, if that doesn't work just do a search on Toshiba and you should be able to find someone that can help you. I am fairly certain you will have plenty of information to make an informed buying decision. You may also want to look at their detailed review of this particular camera as well if you have not yet decide on whether to purchase it.

Of course one of the next factors to consider is in regards to price. Please, do not make the mistake that I have made of buying the absolute cheapest flash card. Take a look at the factors I have mentioned here before you make a purchase. Think of a flash card for your Toshiba camera as an extension to it. Just as you wouldn't purchase the cheapest camera case for your camera (personally I own the Targus DPMV02 Pro Series Video/Photo Backpack but I like the extra room and the backpack style, which may not be your cup of tea) don't necessarily purchase the cheapest flash card either. Keep in mind that you will use this card every single time you use your camera. Like I said it is truly an extension of your digital camera.

The final thing I will mention is in regards to service. There are a number of flash card suppliers in the world today. However all of the flash cards are actually built by a handful (3 - 5) of companies and even those companies only have a few options (2 - 4) regarding which components they are going to use in their particular design. More or less, the actually hardware inside each flash card is going to be similar but the way in which they utilize that hardware and the level of support they will provide, given there is a problem, are more paramount. Just imagine going 10 days without a flash card for your camera (which I did) because you are waiting for some company to repair your flash card, or worse yet having it fail and having no recourse. There are a couple of manufacturers that do very well in regards to utilizing technology and providing customer service. As of the time of this writing they are SanDisk, Lexar, and Viking. However check the newsgroups and forums for the latest information as it can be very cyclical and unfortunately can take a turn for the worse overnight.

No matter what flash card you decide to use with your digital camera make sure you take the time to take the pictures. Time flies by fast and having thousands of images to thumb through 5 years from now to remind you of the time that has gone by will be the most powerful investment of all. I have personally purchased a SimpleTech external hard drive to store my images on (another reason I like the Targus DPMV02 Pro Series Video/Photo Backpack as it gives me room to put in my hard drive). The hard drive combined with the backpack allows me to take my photos with me when I go visit family and friends. I use PhotoShop exclusively to do all my photo editing and batch processing (a great feature of PhotoShop) and of course make occasional backups to DVD-RW.

Enjoy your Toshiba PDR-M81 4MP Digital Camera. I hope this review has informed you how this camera can be best enhanced by a flash card and the best approach in finding one that meets your specific needs.

Excellent features, easy to use, the best quality photos ever seen. Strongly recommended!!!

Toshiba does not honor their warrantys, and will refuse to sell you parts! The tripod mount is made of cheap plastic, and will strip out in no time. When I asked Toshiba for a new one, which I even offered to pay for, they refused! This is a dishonest, predatory company that has no honor. Buy their produts at your peril...buy a Cannon instead, very good cameras, honest company. I will never buy another product from them.

Don't have a problem with a Toshiba product or you will be on your own and have a useless camera! Toshiba said too bad, good luck, goodbye $$$$$ when our Toshiba stopped working. No more Toshiba products for us.