Sony DSCP31 Cyber-shot 2MP Digital Still Camera Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)For the money, this is the best camera for a person who wants to get their feet wet in the world of Digital Photos. It is ready to shoot out of the box with no settings to mess with, but also has many adjustible settings to help make great pictures. It comes with all the accesories you need, but you should plan on getting at least a 32mb Memory Stick. Also, right now Sony is giving a $[money] instant credit for an accessory from their webiste when you register the camera. I used this to buy the Quick charger kit. This comes with an extra pair of NiMH batteries, Quick Charger, and custom camera case. with the discount, it is about [money]. The quick charger will charge 2 batteries in about an hour and a half, or 4 batteries in about 4 hours. The charger included with the camera takes 13 hours to charge 2 batteries, so this is a good investment. The camera is small and easy to hold in your hand. The LCD screen is not big but good enough to size up your photos. The movie mode is OK, no sound but cool for taking little clips. The Twlight modes are great, I have got some great dusk and night pictures using the twlight modes. Overall, After buying a Memory Stick and the Charger kit, I feel I got a great camera for under [money] total.

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Product Description:
Sony's DSC-P31 combines compact dimensions with an affordable 2-megapixel sensor and AA battery power. If you're looking for a take-anywhere camera that's easy to use and produces sharp images, the P31 is worth a closer look.
Optics and Resolution
The DSC-P31's 2-megapixel sensor captures enough detail for sharp prints at sizes up to 8 by 10 inches. For the typical family photographer, 2 megapixels is a great balance between price and performance. If you want a camera with even more resolution, you'll need to step up to a 3- or 4-megapixel model like the DSC-P71 or DSC-P9.
The autofocus lens does not have a true optical zoom, but a 2x digital zoom (6x total) works in much the same way. Remember, however, that digital zoom tends to reduce the sharpness and detail of your image, so it's not as useful as a true zoom lens. In low-light situations (a particular weakness for many digital cameras), a focus-assist lamp sends out a small patterned beam to help the camera accurately determine distance, and special circuitry automatically reduces the "static" that typically plagues nighttime digital shots.
To compose your images, either use the traditional camera viewfinder or the 1.6-inch LCD display (which is also used to review the shots you've taken). Having both types of viewfinders offers the best of both worlds: if you're used to using a film camera or want to conserve battery life, use the viewfinder. If you want to see exactly the picture you'll capture, use the LCD display.
More Features
Though the P31 is designed for point-and-shoot simplicity, there are several options for more adventurous photographers, including manual focus with macro, adjustable ISO and white balance settings, exposure compensation, and the ability to shoot black-and-white, sepia, solarized, and negative images.
Power
The P31 uses two AA batteries--a pair of high-capacity nickel-metal hydride (NiMH) rechargeables and charger are included. The benefit to using standard AA batteries instead of a custom proprietary battery is that AA batteries are widely available, so missing a once-in-a-lifetime shot due to dead batteries won't be an issue. The downside is that a digital camera will kill a set of alkaline batteries extremely quickly, especially if you're using the camera's LCD display. To ensure you'll always be ready for action, we recommend getting a second pair of batteries so you can always have one set in the camera and the other set in the charger.
Movie Mode
In movie mode, the camera captures silent video clips. Most digital cameras' movie modes are limited to 15- or 30-second clips, but in EX mode, the P31 can keep shooting until you've filled the memory card. The limited resolution of your movies guarantees that this feature won't replace your camcorder, but it's perfect for when you just want to capture a quick movie and e-mail it to a friend or relative.
Storage and Transfer
Images are stored on Memory Sticks, Sony's proprietary memory-card format. The included 8 MB stick holds approximately 12 images at the camera's default settings. Memory Sticks are reusable, but if you tend to take more than 12 images per outing you'll want a bigger card. A 128 MB stick is a great size for this camera, storing around 200 images. To transfer images to your computer, simply attach the included USB cable between your PC and your camera. Your computer should automatically recognize your camera and let you move the pictures to your hard drive. If you own a Sony desktop or laptop, your computer may already have a built-in Memory Stick reader.

Size
At 4.2 by 2.3 by 1.6 inches and 8.5 ounces fully loaded, the P31 is an extremely compact and portable digital camera.
Contents and Recommended Accessories
The package includes the DSC-P31 camera, two rechargeable NH-AA-D1 rechargeable batteries, BC-CS1 charger, video and USB cables, wrist strap, 8 MB Memory Stick, and software on CD.
Everything you need to get started is included in the box, but we recommend these accessories to make the most of your camera: a carrying case, a spare set of NiMH rechargeable size AA batteries, and a higher-capacity memory stick. Compatible accessories for this camera are listed near the top of this page. --Shane Burnett
Pros:

2-megapixel resolution is perfect for most users
Compact dimensions make it easy to bring this camera along on outings
Point-and-shoot operation makes it easy for even beginners to get great results

Cons:

No optical zoom lens
Movie mode lacks sound
Proprietary Memory Stick memory card format less common andmore expensive than other formats

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Kodak EasyShare C530 5MP Digital Camera Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Detailed reviews often sound negative, so I will start with the simple good stuff.

If you are thinking "I just want a camera that works, is this one OK?" the answer is yes, it's OK.It takes generally decent pictures with good colors, has been reliable for me (no random glitches or picture loss), and is no trouble to connect to a PC.If that's all you wanted to know, go ahead and buy it.If you have only used cheap film cameras before, most of the c530's drawbacks won't surprise you.The c530 is a decent camera and will make a lot of people happy.It's an improvement over Kodak's previous low-end models with smaller size, faster operation, and larger resolution pictures.

But the price of this model creeps very closely to better cameras, some of them only $10 higher, while still maintaining some of the characteristics of cheaper cameras.So here are the things you might not like if you ever compare it to a better camera...

Fixed focus:
Like a $10 film camera you used to use, this camera does not have adjustable focus.The lens is arranged so, through most of it's range, it takes OK pictures.The pictures are not "bad" but never quite perfect either.For old film cameras, this was often an advantage for people wanting a simple, fast camera.But the disadvantage is you can't be sure to get a well-focused picture at any specific distance, and you can't get a good picture at all of anything less than 3-4 feet away (you won't be able to get a good full close-up of a face).Digital cameras with automatic focus are available for only a small price increase, and often can focus and take a picture as fast as the c530.For a few bucks more, you could have nearly perfect focus on most pictures, and the camera does all the worrying.

No "optical" zoom:
"Optical zoom" means the optics (lenses) do the zooming, like a telescope."Digital zoom" means the camera "fakes it" by ignoring the outer portion of the image it would normally take and stretches the middle pixels.So if you use digital zoom, you aren't really getting a 5 Megapixel picture.You are taking only, say, 2 megapixels (depending on the zoom level used) from the middle and muddling them to stretch them to 5 megapixels.A camera with optical zoom instead would have the same clarity at full zoom as it would for close-ups.If your old film camera had no zoom at all, you might not care, but if you get a camera with real zoom capability you will never want to go back.

Shutter response:
For any digital camera, there is a slight delay from when you press the shutter button to when the picture is taken, and if your camera is slow you risk missing those brief moments that would be fun to photograph.This is not convenient, but is unavoidable in affordable digital cameras.This camera is about average speed for it's price range, but does not have to take time to focus.In the same time it takes this camera to take a picture, other cameras are able to adjust the focus automatically first and then take a picture just by mashing the shutter button.Better cameras also let you "pre-focus" by pressing the shutter halfway, then waiting for just the right time to click it.If your dog starts to sniffle, you aim and press the shutter halfway, then wait to click it right when the dog sneezes.No such option here, because focusing isn't the delay, the delay is just slow operation.

Small lens:
The plastic window covering it is large, but the actual lens is smaller than a pencil lead.Smaller lenses capture less light, which means slower shutter speeds are necessary to get a good exposure, which means more motion blur.It also means pictures in dark areas won't come out quite as good.Technically there is more to it than lens size, and it's not as bad as I make it sound, but better cameras definitely perform better.

Harsh picture compression:
Most digital cameras will compress the image they take to reduce the file size and fit more pictures on a memory card, although it also reduces the quality of the picture.The picture is analyzed by the camera's software and all kinds of fancy math is done so the picture can be encoded into a smaller size file that still displays as many pixels.Compression of images generally works very well.A picture can often be reduced to 20% or less of its uncompressed size and you don't even notice.But the c530's best picture quality compresses your pictures to less than half the file size that most cameras do.This might actually be balanced with the lens and focus quality and not stand out, but all of these things combined make the 5-megapixel c530 not quite as good as other cameras with the same number of pixels.

No lens cover:
Most cameras have some kind of cover that slides over the lens when the camera is off to protect it from scratches or dust.Sometimes it's a fancy automatic mechanism, other times it's just a piece you push manually.This camera has a fixed window in front of the lens, so it isn't directly exposed, but you don't want that scratched either.

No sound for videos:
If you are moving up from a cheap film camera, this part you might REALLY not care about.But nearly all digital cameras have this feature.Some, like this one, don't record sound, which can be disappointing later.It's much more fun to record videos of silly things if you can hear the crash or the subject saying "OK, watch this!"

Should you buy it then?

You might still want the c530.It's smaller than some other cameras, and depending on how you will use it maybe it's fine.I keep the c530 in my car in case I need it and my other cameras are not handy, so even after all of the drawbacks I listed I still find it to be useful.But recently a lot of newer cameras are looking like a better deal.This review of the c530 is very similar to my opinion of the c300 (a larger, older, cheaper model Kodak), except the price of this camera along with newer competitors that are now available make the c530 not necessarily a great deal for the price.

Right now I think the best alternative is the Canon a430.I had this camera in mind when writing this review.As I write this, it's only $10 more.It has 4 Megapixels instead of 5 like the c530, but the a430 has optical zoom so you get the same detail when zoomed in as you do for close-ups and everything in between.Its auto focus can take clearer pictures at any distance.You can select better picture quality (less compression).All of that adds up to the a430's 4-megapixel pictures looking better than the c530's 5 megapixels.If I could trade in a c530 today and pay only $10 to get the Canon a430, I would do it gladly.

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Product Description:
It's simple. Anyone can use the Kodak EasyShare C530 Digital Camera! The Kodak C530 lets you get closer to your subject, for consistently rich, vibrant color and big, beautiful prints. The 5.0 Megapixel and 5x digital zoom allow you to get clear, crisp pictures from near or far. Bring out your creative side with 3 color modes. Capture life in motion with continuous QVGA video, and the automatic scene mode delivers the optimal setting for most standard situations. Get closer to your subjects with ease!SD / MMC expansion slot (J&R suggests purchasing a 256MB optional memory card for more practical use) Exposure metering - TTL-AE center-weighted AE, no continuous AE at still, continuous AE (move and preview)Automatic scene mode Fast capture displayOnboard editing with camera cropping feature3 color modes -B&W, Sepia and ColorCapture and share motion in QuickTime video format and MPEG4 compressionPictBridge and ImageLink capable On-camera Share button gets photos ready to print or e-mail instantly Dedicated buttonsback -menu, review, Share, dedicated delete, 5-way switch for navigation, flash settings / Top -shutter, mode dial (off, auto, movie)EasyShare software for simpler viewing, organizing, editing, printing and slideshow designI/O interface - NTSC or PAL TV out, selectable via dock connector, exclusive KODAK Camera Dock/Printer Dock interface, digital ( USB 2.0) connector Standard Tripod mount 2 and 10 Seconds selectable timer modes Unit DimensionsW H D -3.3 2.6 1.2 in. (85 64.8 31.5 mm) / Weight without batteries 5.2 ounces (uses 2 AA - not included)

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Kodak EasyShare C643 6.1MP Digital Camera with 3x Optical Zoom Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)The Kodak C643 is a "small" point and shoot.It's size will let you fit it in your shirt pocket, but it can be a little too heavy to carrythere, so get a small case.

Battery life is "EXCELLENT" with 2300ma (KODAK Brand)rechargeables. I have taken 20 mins of video and 30 pictures with the screen on, and the battery light is still green. I took 41 flash photos in a row on a fresh charge and the battery light was still green! That is pretty darn good for a camera with only two batteries! I haven't yet had to put in fresh batteries during a day of shooting family photos and movies.

The movie mode is superb ( I no longer use my old camcorder) and hasgood sound capture. Outdoor movies look great, but your inside movies will need some good lighting to obtain adequate quality (remember, it has no camera light like your camcorder.) Movies are recorded in Quicktime (mov) format. If you want to transfer them to dvd for tv viewing, you will need to convert them since most dvd players don't support that format. Kodak software does an avi conversion, but it turned out very poor.Upgrading to Quicktime Pro seems to be the easiest way to make the conversion to other formats. (about $29). Kodak software needs more work. The mov to avi conversion is ridiculous. Very basic control over photo editing. More focused on printing than digital storage.

The photos, however, are stunning. Great Kodak picture color.

The viewfinder is slightly offset,and doesn't fully represent what you will get in your photo.

The C643 has some problems with autofocus when doing macro shots.
I had extreme difficulty locking in doing closeups (less than 2ft).

The camera has a "handshake" logo that pops up when the camera isn't steady enough. Steady photography seems to be an issue with all small point and shoot cameras that use 3x plus zoom. You have to make sure to either use a tripod or rest the camera or your hand against something to obtain good shots in high zoom.All cameras with zoom have that issue unless there is some fancy image stabilization circuity ( which can add another hundred or so bucks to the price.)

The camera build is a little cheap. I do not like the quality of the card door or battery compartment door.The usb cable is a little difficult to plug in.

The menu is easy, the screen is very big and useful unless the summer sun is shinning directly into it. The zoom is fluid, and with 6.1mp, even the digital zoom is sharp.

I like the shutter Long Term Exposure mode. It will allow you to open the shutter for up to 4 secs. That can get you some real fun shots at night!

If you get this camera, I recommend getting the Kodak camera dock.It not only comes with two rechargeable batteries, but will make transfers and recharging simpler, and save wear and tear on the cheap doors.Also get a 1GB card, because you will end up taking a lot of video with this camera.

NOTE TO THOSE HAVING CAMERA PROBLEMS......USE THE KODAK RECHARGEABLE BATTERY RECOMMENDED FOR THIS UNIT.You will only meet with grief if you try to use a standard alkaline battery. They do not provide the correct amount of current capacity needed and will cause lockups, unexpectant shutdowns, etc.Even other brand name rechargeables may cause issues.Before you take the camera back to the store, purchase the Kodak battery pack with the recharger kit.

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Product Description:
KODAK 8577355 6.1 Megapixel EasyShare C643 Zoom Digital Camera6.1 megapixels; 3x optical/5x digital zoom; 32 MB internal memory & Secure Digital Card(TM)/MultiMediaCard(TM) slot; 2.4" high-resolution color display; VGA video with audio capture & playback; Kodak(TM) Perfect Touch technology; On-Camera Share, Favorites, Digital Red-Eye Reduction, Crop, Blur Alert & Undo-Delete features; 13 scene & 3 color modes; Kodak(TM) color science 6.1 Megapixel EasyShare C643 Zoom Digital Camera

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Kodak EasyShare C533 5MP Digital Camera with 3x Optical Zoom Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I purchased two cameras for my mom and me. The work great. I like the auto setting and the other scene setting work great. I havn't taken a bad shot either. I like the rapid fire button on top of the camera because I take lots of pictures of my dogs and they don't sit still for a minute.

The other day I was watching QVC and there was a guy talking about digi cams. He explained what the closeup/macro feature does. Its great for taking real closeup pictures of butterflies, lady bugs, or flowers with out disstoring the picture. Now that I know what it does I am going to try it out.

The only compliant I have is the batteries don't last long. A friend suggested purchasing digital electronics batteries. They do last far better than standard batteries. Its a good idea to purchase a card for your camera.

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Product Description:
KODAK 1090240 5.0 Megapixel EasyShare C533 Zoom Digital Camera5.0 megapixels; 3x optical/5x digital zoom; 16 MB internal memory & Secure Digital Card(TM)/MultiMediaCard(TM) slot; 1.8" indoor/outdoor color display & optical viewfinder; On-camera Share button, Cropping, 2-shot self-timer, Undo/Delete, & Favorites features; Kodak(TM) color science; Full-size VGA video (11 frames per second) with audio capture; 13 scene & 3 color modes 5.0 Megapixel EasyShare C533 Zoom Digital Camera

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