On the lookout for a new camera

By John Swindells 01 Aug 2005 | Comment
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We're not highly impressed with the video quality of the Dimage S314. It only captures at 320x240 (giving a pretty grainy picture), the sound quality is abysmal and it only records for a minute at a time (probably because it's only SmartMedia). It is also very bulky, and consumes batteries (we use 2000mAh NiMHs) like there's no tomorrow.

Here are our requirements for a new camera, in decreasing order of importance:

  • Capable of 640x480 continuous video with good quality sound
  • A docking station is available
  • Small physical size, ie, slim
  • Reasonable resolution (3Mpx is fine)
  • Reasonable zoom (2x is sufficient)

Budget isn't really a consideration, and we're not asking that much anyway (except maybe for the video). We'd also be prepared to fork out for a 1GB card in whatever format the camera used.

Possibilities

Mustek 5MP Digital Still and Video Camera with Docking Station
It is 3Mpix with 4x zoom, and is a slim version of a camcorder. Also does 640x480 MPEG video.
Comes with its own battery and AC adaptor.
Only was 90 days parts warranty.
Dreadful reviews at hsn.com.

Kodak
All of the CX/DX 3000/4000/6000/7000 and LS600/700 have docking stations included or as extras. These provide USB transfer and battery recharge.
EASYSHARE LS743 Zoom Digital Camera

4Mpix, 2.8x optical zoom.
640x480 (13fps) video in QUICKTIME format, unlimited length, SD/MMC card. Li-Ion battery supplied. Weighs 165g.
EASYSHARE V530 Zoom Digital Camera
5Mpix, 3x optical zoom
Continuous 30 fps @ VGA (640 ? 480) QUICKTIME video with zoom during video.
Comes with its own docking station (North and South America only!!).
Weight without batteries 130g.

Fuji FinePix Z1 Zoom

5Mpix, 3x zoom.
Movie at 640 x 480 / 320 x 240 pixels, 30 frames per second with sound.
Also, the camera is powered-up and ready for action in a only 0.6 seconds.
Li-on rechargeable battery, NP-40 charger/cradle (included) or AC-5V power adaptor (included).
Weighs 130g (excluding batteries and media).

HP Photosmart HP Photosmart R707 digital camera with HP Instant Share

5.1 MP resolution, 3x optical zoom.
QVGA 320 x 240 MPEG-1 video @ 30fps.
Powered by rechargeable Lithium-Ion battery and AC adaptor for the docking station.
Weighs 180g without battery.
90-day limited warranty on the docking station.

Nikon Coolpix S1
Nikon Nikon COOLPIX 5200
5 Mpix, 3x Zoom.
Movie (640) at 30fps, Small size (320) at 30fps, Smaller size (160) at 30fps (NB the 4200 only has 15fps movie).
One Rechargeable Li-ion Battery EN-EL5 (Supplied), optional AC Adapter.
I think there's a docking station for it.

Olympus IR300

5Mpix, 3x optical zoom.
Movies in QuickTime Motion JPEG format with sound, 320 x 240 Standard up to memory capacity.
Support via cradle (docking station).
Weighs 112g (without battery and card).
Li-Io rechargeable battery and AC adaptor.

Digital IXUS 50

5Mpix, 3x zoom.
Movies in AVI format at 640x480 @ 30 or 15fps, plus 320x240 @ 60fps!
No docking station option
Weighs 139g without battery.
Li-Ion rechargeable battery and AC adaptor.
Uses Secure Digital (SD) Card.

Sony DSC-S90

4Mpix, 3x optical zoom.
MPEG1 movies in 640x480 @ 30 or 16.6 fps
Weighs 202g without batteries.
2x AA batteries included.
Uses Memory Stick / Memory Stick Pro card

Sony DSC-T7

5Mpix, 3x zoom.
MPEG1 movies in 640x480 @ 30 or 16.6 fps
Weighs 114g without batteries.
Li-Ion battery and charger included.
Uses Memory Stick Duo / Memory Stick Duo Pro card

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